N47 Timing Chain failure --- how common is it still?
Discussion
OK,I have been spending more time looking up potential purchases suitable for my new work commute, which is a twice weekly drive from my home nr Bournemouth to Dorking, 95 miles away, a pretty awful drive tbh, so I want something comfortable and torquey and with reasonable MPG. My weekly mileage is current just over 400, with weekend trips added in....
Anyway, the 520d (or 320d) seems to fit the bill well, big (for the family), comfortable and decent MPG....in many ways, I think it would do the job well.
But every google link refers to the dreaded N47 timing chain problem. I am just wondering how much of an issue this is still. BMW obviously shifted thousands of cars, the majority of which I am guessing have been fine, but it is still a worry...anyone got any information on this?
Anyway, the 520d (or 320d) seems to fit the bill well, big (for the family), comfortable and decent MPG....in many ways, I think it would do the job well.
But every google link refers to the dreaded N47 timing chain problem. I am just wondering how much of an issue this is still. BMW obviously shifted thousands of cars, the majority of which I am guessing have been fine, but it is still a worry...anyone got any information on this?
My son has an 09 120d M Sport and it does worry me that it could at some point be hit by this - not least because he'd come to me for (financial) help!
However, we've had no issues in the 3 years hes owned it and i've put that down to
=> Full BMW SH (which we still maintain)
=> We have our local mechanic perform an interim service between "official" service intervals (which could be up to 18K miles)
=> We check the oil levels extremely frequently and top up when required.
These engines can - and do - take oil, owners rarely check the level, and the service intervals are stupidly long for oil that ends up looking and feeling like black water by the time it come out at 18K miles.
BMW did an "enhancement" on cars they thought were at risk, so it might be worth checking if any car your looking at (a) was due it and (b) had it.
If the engine is absolutely fine now, purring like a kitten and has a great history, then chances are, by doing what we're doing it should be ok going forward.
However, we've had no issues in the 3 years hes owned it and i've put that down to
=> Full BMW SH (which we still maintain)
=> We have our local mechanic perform an interim service between "official" service intervals (which could be up to 18K miles)
=> We check the oil levels extremely frequently and top up when required.
These engines can - and do - take oil, owners rarely check the level, and the service intervals are stupidly long for oil that ends up looking and feeling like black water by the time it come out at 18K miles.
BMW did an "enhancement" on cars they thought were at risk, so it might be worth checking if any car your looking at (a) was due it and (b) had it.
If the engine is absolutely fine now, purring like a kitten and has a great history, then chances are, by doing what we're doing it should be ok going forward.
There is a big risk best avoid cars with the 177 bhp N47 from 2006-2009 (or 2010, cant remember).
You are far better off with a 6 cylinder diesel at this age they don't have problems with timing chains, they are much smoother than the horrible noisy 4 cylinder BMW engine and the economy is surprisingly similar (ok its not quite as good on fuel but you do have much more power and a nicer noise).
You are far better off with a 6 cylinder diesel at this age they don't have problems with timing chains, they are much smoother than the horrible noisy 4 cylinder BMW engine and the economy is surprisingly similar (ok its not quite as good on fuel but you do have much more power and a nicer noise).
There is (or was) a service campaign to check and replace affected parts as necessary, so it was a problem but shouldn't be one now.
Someone did say a week or two back that they thought BMW might have stopped running the campaign now, which seems mad to me but meh you never know, so best call BMW and check if you're thinking of one.
They're absolutely everywhere so it can't be as big a risk as a lot of people make out, but there was definitely an issue with the parts on some cars.
This is the detail of what they do/did if the work was needed:
http://autka.pl/serwis/bmw_akcja.pdf
Someone did say a week or two back that they thought BMW might have stopped running the campaign now, which seems mad to me but meh you never know, so best call BMW and check if you're thinking of one.
They're absolutely everywhere so it can't be as big a risk as a lot of people make out, but there was definitely an issue with the parts on some cars.
This is the detail of what they do/did if the work was needed:
http://autka.pl/serwis/bmw_akcja.pdf
BMW have apparently stopped the 'enhancement' program which is shocking news if you own one thats not been done.
I took my old 123d back and had the mod done under their enhancement program, they only did a very small upgrade took them less than an hour to do - I would suspect that alone is not enough to guarantee it will be ok into high mileage.
Such a shame BMW have dropped the ball with engines, the N43 petrol 2.0 is also a crap engine and lots of them needed replacing at low mileage. My 318i had only done 39,000 miles and is sounded like an old OHV Vauxall Chevette from the 70's.
In summary if you are buying an E90 3 series avoid 177 bhp 2.0 diesel and 148 bhp petrol 2.0.
I took my old 123d back and had the mod done under their enhancement program, they only did a very small upgrade took them less than an hour to do - I would suspect that alone is not enough to guarantee it will be ok into high mileage.
Such a shame BMW have dropped the ball with engines, the N43 petrol 2.0 is also a crap engine and lots of them needed replacing at low mileage. My 318i had only done 39,000 miles and is sounded like an old OHV Vauxall Chevette from the 70's.
In summary if you are buying an E90 3 series avoid 177 bhp 2.0 diesel and 148 bhp petrol 2.0.
That's pretty bad then if they have stopped it. 
My understanding is that the original tensioner for the top chain could have oil supply issues, the upgraded part resolves the issue. They measure the chains and if no stretching has taken place then there is no need for further action, it gets complicated if they find stretching because then it's the chains, guides, tensioners and various other bits for both the top and bottom chains.
So if they've only replaced the tensioner that's good news because it means the chains are still OK and you don't need a ton of engine work.
I looked into it quite a bit when I had my D3, but it was a 2010 car so wasn't in the affected engine range. Was a couple of years back so I might not have it 100% correct but that was the gist.
My understanding is that the original tensioner for the top chain could have oil supply issues, the upgraded part resolves the issue. They measure the chains and if no stretching has taken place then there is no need for further action, it gets complicated if they find stretching because then it's the chains, guides, tensioners and various other bits for both the top and bottom chains.
So if they've only replaced the tensioner that's good news because it means the chains are still OK and you don't need a ton of engine work.
I looked into it quite a bit when I had my D3, but it was a 2010 car so wasn't in the affected engine range. Was a couple of years back so I might not have it 100% correct but that was the gist.
Here's a funny tale when I dropped my 123d off for the "Enhancement" to my local main dealer (Surrey).
When the car went in it was running beautifully, low mileage, FSH etc and had just been sold to its new owner 2 days before (I offered to get this done before he took ownership just in case it failed later).
This is where it gets interesting and they tried to rip me off to the tune of £1250.
The main dealer did the upgrade and when I picked the car up and drove 2 miles home it had no turbo boost, no power at all, obviously they had forgotten to connect something back up - so I took it straight back within 5 mins of picking it up.
At this point they said it must be something wrong with the car and I would have to sign a disclaimer to say I would pay for any work needing done. Next day I get a call saying it needs 2 x turbo actuators this will be around £1250 - wow what an incredible turn of events.
It took quite a lot of effort to get them to agree there would be no charge and get them to fix it back to how it was when I dropped it off. I suspect they were trying to create extra revenue and then bill BMW for warranty/recall work.
When the car went in it was running beautifully, low mileage, FSH etc and had just been sold to its new owner 2 days before (I offered to get this done before he took ownership just in case it failed later).
This is where it gets interesting and they tried to rip me off to the tune of £1250.
The main dealer did the upgrade and when I picked the car up and drove 2 miles home it had no turbo boost, no power at all, obviously they had forgotten to connect something back up - so I took it straight back within 5 mins of picking it up.
At this point they said it must be something wrong with the car and I would have to sign a disclaimer to say I would pay for any work needing done. Next day I get a call saying it needs 2 x turbo actuators this will be around £1250 - wow what an incredible turn of events.
It took quite a lot of effort to get them to agree there would be no charge and get them to fix it back to how it was when I dropped it off. I suspect they were trying to create extra revenue and then bill BMW for warranty/recall work.
Edited by rallycross on Saturday 10th September 19:39
Post 2011 cars are supposed to be fine. Apparently there have been some issues with later ones, but much less so.
Personally I find the engine fine. It's not devastatingly fast, but it is plenty quick enough for motorway cruising, and comfortable. It's quiet and refined enough. It will never comare to a 6cyl petrol, but it's fine for a 4cyl drev. I can't help feeling the criticism on here is the same people who moan about every mx5 or the gt86. It's a good, frugal, comfortable car and good value second hand. Yes, a 330d might be faster and more refined, but it's also more expensive all round. I looked at a 330d, but it would have cost £9k more to buy, £200-£300 more to insure and £200 more tax.
Personally I find the engine fine. It's not devastatingly fast, but it is plenty quick enough for motorway cruising, and comfortable. It's quiet and refined enough. It will never comare to a 6cyl petrol, but it's fine for a 4cyl drev. I can't help feeling the criticism on here is the same people who moan about every mx5 or the gt86. It's a good, frugal, comfortable car and good value second hand. Yes, a 330d might be faster and more refined, but it's also more expensive all round. I looked at a 330d, but it would have cost £9k more to buy, £200-£300 more to insure and £200 more tax.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Saturday 10th September 19:38
f
k me, there are more cars out there than 3 series BMWs and to pick one with potential engine>explosion issues is insane!
Get a different car with a reliable engine and ditch the 'I must have a BMW because otherwise the neighbours might think I am unsuccessful' cross-eyed brainwashed mindset.
If Rover could pick a BMW engine and make it work faultlessly, why can't BMW?
k me, there are more cars out there than 3 series BMWs and to pick one with potential engine>explosion issues is insane!Get a different car with a reliable engine and ditch the 'I must have a BMW because otherwise the neighbours might think I am unsuccessful' cross-eyed brainwashed mindset.
If Rover could pick a BMW engine and make it work faultlessly, why can't BMW?
Had 2 N47 since 2008, one "vintage" 118d, took this to 179k (no issues). Now got a 2012 318d, yup with the N47 engine, just dumped 30k on this, now its nearing 90,000 miles.
The secret is to forget changing oil at 20-25k intervals, this I am afraid is insane, I do not care what anyone says, I drop my oil every 8-9k, and many mechanics say the same!
No cam-chain car should go this far on dirty oil, especially a diesel, they are dam hard on their oil.
BMW wont give a sh*t whether the engine lasts to 100k+ they bow down to the lease/business market, and 25k oil changes looks cheap on paper to running a fleet of business cars.
Many marques now have reduced their service schedules now, because of this issue. Mazda is one, as believe it or not they had massive cam-chain issues because of long intervals.
There was a problem early on, 2007/08 but find me a "snapped" chain since 2011? Noisy yes, but not "snapped".
The secret is to forget changing oil at 20-25k intervals, this I am afraid is insane, I do not care what anyone says, I drop my oil every 8-9k, and many mechanics say the same!
No cam-chain car should go this far on dirty oil, especially a diesel, they are dam hard on their oil.
BMW wont give a sh*t whether the engine lasts to 100k+ they bow down to the lease/business market, and 25k oil changes looks cheap on paper to running a fleet of business cars.
Many marques now have reduced their service schedules now, because of this issue. Mazda is one, as believe it or not they had massive cam-chain issues because of long intervals.
There was a problem early on, 2007/08 but find me a "snapped" chain since 2011? Noisy yes, but not "snapped".
Edited by DailyHack on Wednesday 28th March 13:03
DailyHack said:
Had 2 N47 since 2008, one "vintage" 118d, took this to 179k (no issues). Now got a 2012 318d, yup with the N47 engine, just dumped 30k on this, now its nearing 90,000 miles.
The secret is to forget changing oil at 20-25k intervals, this I am afraid is insane, I do not care what anyone says, I drop my oil every 8-9k, and many mechanics say the same!
No cam-chain car should go this far on dirty oil, especially a diesel, they are dam hard on their oil.
BMW wont give a sh*t whether the engine lasts to 100k+ they bow down to the lease/business market, and 25k oil changes looks cheap on paper to running a fleet of business cars.
There was a problem early on, 2007/08 but find me a "snapped" chain since 2011? Noisy yes, but not "snapped".
+1The secret is to forget changing oil at 20-25k intervals, this I am afraid is insane, I do not care what anyone says, I drop my oil every 8-9k, and many mechanics say the same!
No cam-chain car should go this far on dirty oil, especially a diesel, they are dam hard on their oil.
BMW wont give a sh*t whether the engine lasts to 100k+ they bow down to the lease/business market, and 25k oil changes looks cheap on paper to running a fleet of business cars.
There was a problem early on, 2007/08 but find me a "snapped" chain since 2011? Noisy yes, but not "snapped".
Wholly my view when i posted on this thread back when it was active in erm... Sept 2016.
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