N47 Timing Chain failure --- how common is it still?

[Deep Thought]

Touring442 said:

They're worth avoiding then.

Personally i've have no qualms in running one, as i'd service it 8/9K miles and keep it topped up with oil.

[Zener]

Deep Thought said:

Touring442 said:

They're worth avoiding then.

Personally i've have no qualms in running one, as i'd service it 8/9K miles and keep it topped up with oil.

But depends on the previews ownership maintenance schedule surely you cant stop a sinking ship , if the wear is already advanced in the pins and rollers no amount of oil and filter changes will put off the inevitable, but yes I see what you mean i.e if you have bag a good one maintain it and its happy days

[Deep Thought]

Zener said:

Deep Thought said:

Touring442 said:

They're worth avoiding then.

Personally i've have no qualms in running one, as i'd service it 8/9K miles and keep it topped up with oil.

But depends on the previews ownership maintenance schedule surely you cant stop a sinking ship , if the wear is already advanced in the pins and rollers no amount of oil and filter changes will put off the inevitable, but yes I see what you mean i.e if you have bag a good one maintain it and its happy days

Agreed. So the caveats would be one or more of :-

• Evidence of servicing every 9,000 miles
• Low miles / newer car OR
• The chain having been changed recently
• A comprehensive warranty!

Generally you can hear if the chain is starting to rattle (i appreciate that some have snapped unexpectedly but generally they do rattle and can be heard), so again a good listen to the engine from cold, general running might assist.

[JakeT]

Deep Thought said:

Agreed. So the caveats would be one or more of :-

• Evidence of servicing every 9,000 miles
• Low miles / newer car OR
• The chain having been changed recently
• A comprehensive warranty!

Generally you can hear if the chain is starting to rattle (i appreciate that some have snapped unexpectedly but generally they do rattle and can be heard), so again a good listen to the engine from cold, general running might assist.

There’s some rolling down the road that can be heard across the road they’re that bad. I bet the owner will be surprised when they finally do snap.

[Bertrum]

Utter tosh as usual. I have a 2012 520d that is serviced to BMW intervals and is at 192k and doing 1000 miles a month.

Also it’s on the original chain! But second turbo, second DPF etc.

I’ll let you know when it fails...

This is the most common engine BMW made don’t be put off by 8 people on the internet who’s mates brothers next door neighbour had a chain failure.

[Deep Thought]

Bertrum said:

Utter tosh as usual. I have a 2012 520d that is serviced to BMW intervals and is at 192k and doing 1000 miles a month.

Also it’s on the original chain! But second turbo, second DPF etc.

I’ll let you know when it fails...

This is the most common engine BMW made don’t be put off by 8 people on the internet who’s mates brothers next door neighbour had a chain failure.

Personally, i'd rather spend a few ££s extra per year on an extra oil and filter change and 5 minutes a fortnight on proven preventative maintenance than just driving on at one and hoping for the best....

I'm on a dealer group trade website and they specifically note how loud the chain noise is on BMW diesels - "chain is audible", etc. Moreoften than not the older ones will have chain noise. Granted, not a sign its going to break, but not a good news story either.

EDIT: Just did a check there. They've two 2.0d BMWs on at the minute -

2012 X1 2.0D, 102K miles "Timing chain is audible".
2010 320d Touring, 111K miles, "Timing chain is audible".

Edited by Deep Thought on Friday 9th July 22:08

[Deep Thought]

JakeT said:

There’s some rolling down the road that can be heard across the road they’re that bad. I bet the owner will be surprised when they finally do snap.

"There were no signs!"

[helix402]

Deep Thought said:

"There were no signs!"

You can often hear an N47 coming in the distance. Or the whining diff of a small engined E8*/E9*. Takes me back to the days of hearing E30s with noisy diffs (and Carltons!) coming from afar.

[helix402]

helix402 said:

You can often hear an N47 coming in the distance. Or the whining diff of a small engined E8*/E9*. Takes me back to the days of hearing E30s with noisy diffs (and Carltons!) coming from afar.

I’m know some N47s don’t have timing chain problems. However I advise anyone who asks me whether they should one not to. Two people bought one anyway. One snapped the timing chain. The other one was changed under the quality enhancement, sadly the main dealer doing the job managed to break the cylinder head, turbo and gearbox in changing the chain. They fixed all these for free, then the gearbox went wrong again and they charged the owner a fortune to fix it.

[DailyHack]

Deep Thought said:

The BMW ones, not the real world recommended interval of 8-9k max?

Service every 8-9K, check oil fortnightly and top up if required.

That is key with these engines.

Definitely! It's the checking levels aswell, my 318d 2012 (135k) I check monthly, as it does use some oil, but as I did mention it gets changed every 8k, so never get the chance to empty.

Don't remember seeing anyone in my street/cul-de-sac "bonnet up" checking any levels at all anymore, let alone oil.

My next door neighbor approached me few months back, I was topping up the coolant, he was amazed I had to do that

But I'm pretty oldskool, and all my mechanic mates have ALL said for years and years, long oil for over 15/20k is bad bad news, not just for chains but very expensive turbos, which you got it...uses the same engine oil to lubricate

[DailyHack]

Olivergt said:

Do you have a source for Toyota using the same engine? I can find a reference to the 16L version being used but not the 2.0L version (Toyota WW engine?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_WW_engine

https://www.bmengineworks.co.uk/blog/toyota-avensis-gets-power-bmw-n47-engine/

Avensis comes with 1.6d and 2.0d, revised units and reduced oil changes from manufacturer, funny how bmw still use these long intervals yet Toyota chose not too

[P700DEE]

Bertrum said:

Utter tosh as usual. I have a 2012 520d that is serviced to BMW intervals and is at 192k and doing 1000 miles a month.

Also it’s on the original chain! But second turbo, second DPF etc.

I’ll let you know when it fails...

This is the most common engine BMW made don’t be put off by 8 people on the internet who’s mates brothers next door neighbour had a chain failure.

My 520D F11 is also a 62 plate currently on 183K miles. Original DPF, but has had DMF at 125K miles chain looked good then. Serviced to the cars request at 20K miles or two years

[hilly10]

I bought my G30 67 plate with 18k miles 2 years old I have the oil changed every year piece of mind and all that, also i do intend to keep it

[Chalk]

Anyone in the trade or know anyone who's in the trade hearing any reports of b47 chain issues. Guessing there must be a fair few high mile b47's around now after 7 or 8 years or so. Seen many people say the b47 was improved but feel that may just be due to them being newer and not having had enough time to start snapping regularly yet? Anyway I've just picked up an ex fleet 2017 320d ed touring (b47) with FBMWSH on 125k. Time to get the oil changed I think ??

[Zener]

hilly10 said:

I bought my G30 67 plate with 18k miles 2 years old I have the oil changed every year piece of mind and all that, also i do intend to keep it

Once a year is my opinion if you knew what that oil went through you would if its a keeper 2 year oil intervals ? no thanks

[Chalk]

Chalk said:

Anyone in the trade or know anyone who's in the trade hearing any reports of b47 chain issues. Guessing there must be a fair few high mile b47's around now after 7 or 8 years or so. Seen many people say the b47 was improved but feel that may just be due to them being newer and not having had enough time to start snapping regularly yet? Anyway I've just picked up an ex fleet 2017 320d ed touring (b47) with FBMWSH on 125k. Time to get the oil changed I think ??

I've picked up an ex fleet 320d ed touring (b47) with FBMWSH on 129k. Time to also get the oil changed I think haha

[Ninja59]

There is a few, but then there is evidence of some B47's getting a mixture if old and new parts that are updated.

Like it or not, bmw even in the technical literature say stretch is inevitable...

[greenarrow]

Funny seeing my old thread from 2016 still bumbling along. I did in the end buy a N47 engined BMW, a 2014 318D, last year..

I've had the oil changed twice in the 12,000 miles I've done and I get my garage to check the timing chain for noises each time it goes for a service or MOT.

It's a good engine IMO for someone doing big motorway miles, which I do now and I'll try get regular oil changes done and hope the timing chain continues to be ok.

[smashy]

greenarrow said:

Funny seeing my old thread from 2016 still bumbling along. I did in the end buy a N47 engined BMW, a 2014 318D, last year..

I've had the oil changed twice in the 12,000 miles I've done and I get my garage to check the timing chain for noises each time it goes for a service or MOT.

It's a good engine IMO for someone doing big motorway miles, which I do now and I'll try get regular oil changes done and hope the timing chain continues to be ok.

Remember in 2014 when I was buying a 330d the service manager at the BMW dealer saying "its only now that I would spend my money on a car with the N47 engine " so you should be fine 2007-2009 were the real problem years