buying a 2011/12 5 series- huge gamble?

[gaziusclay]

I've wanted one of these cars for a few years but I've always been put off because of the timing chain issues the n47 engine has, just wondering what people's thoughts are on buying a 2011-2012 model, too much of a risk?

[PowerslideSWE]

Get one without the N47? If the ones built in 11/12 has the camchain issues I would not buy one.

[daemon]

gaziusclay said:

I've wanted one of these cars for a few years but I've always been put off because of the timing chain issues the n47 engine has, just wondering what people's thoughts are on buying a 2011-2012 model, too much of a risk?

If you do get one - get it serviced every 10,000 miles. Check the oil level weekly and top up if necessary.

The standard service interval is ridiculously long and it does like to use a little oil. Both make for a bad combination.

[iSore]

Buy from a BMW dealership and keep the warranty going. I wouldn't buy one without a warranty - I saw one at a specialist last week with a buggered AC compressor and leaking condenser - was an £800 bill using aftermarket bits.

The timing chain isn't that big a deal - if you buy cheap enough, you can get the chains (inc. pump chain and guides) done for under a grand. The rest if the N47 is fine.

Don't buy a manual!

[Badgerboy]

The 'Official' BMW warranty is very good value, and you can take it out even if the warranty has previously lapsed.

I got 2.5ks worth of injectors earlier in the year with no quibbles.

[Mushroom12]

At this moment in time I just wouldn't buy any of the German brands. The repair costs are astronomical, and they seem to all have certain parts prone to failure which are catastrophic (i.e. repair cost is more than the car is worth).
Wouldn't surprise me if they are building in 'redundancy' on purpose.

[kev b]

That would not surprise me at all Mushroom, the German marques have a history of collusion and as VW have shown are not totally honest.

I have spoken with a guy whose son works for a German car firm in engine development and they will replace a component with a cheaper, lighter or more fragile design if it holds up well under extended testing.

[kev b]

The danger spot sems to be around 80 to 100K miles, not just German cars although I suppose Fords and Vauxhalls could be classed as German, they all use similar components from the same suppliers.

Niggling faults like doorhandles, expensive sensors, radios, are all common and very pricey to repair, surely they know how to make a door handle last more than six years, I think they choose not to.

Premature timing chain failure is endemic on BMW four pots, petrol and diesel and very awkward and expensive to repair, why?

[Stick Legs]

Buy an N57 6 Cylinder car.

Better all round. I'm just about to buy my second after taking my previous 530d to 100000 trouble free miles. Literally had nothing done but routine servicing in all that time.