Discussion
My dad's f10 chains tarted getting noisier at about 110k - His turbo went at a similar time so had them both done.
IIRC, it was about £2500 for a new turbo, timing chain, oil service and gearbox service all at the same time at a specialist.
It's better to get one that has already had these bits done but if the car is the right price factor it in. Some specialists charge a lot more than that, the one he used invested in some equipment that allowed the engine to stay in the bay (second hand info - but it meant that he could offer the chain service at a lower price)
IIRC, it was about £2500 for a new turbo, timing chain, oil service and gearbox service all at the same time at a specialist.
It's better to get one that has already had these bits done but if the car is the right price factor it in. Some specialists charge a lot more than that, the one he used invested in some equipment that allowed the engine to stay in the bay (second hand info - but it meant that he could offer the chain service at a lower price)
Edited by joropug on Tuesday 30th April 09:55
They don't all fail; generally those poorly looked after. If you've no SH to show how it was looked after/maintained etc then it could be worthwhile getting it all done
There are plenty of N47s out there with high miles on their original chains with zero issues - I know of 2 that are 150k & 170k upwards now; oil changed every 5k miles (they do a LOT of miles to Germany and back) but still running very healthy
There are plenty of N47s out there with high miles on their original chains with zero issues - I know of 2 that are 150k & 170k upwards now; oil changed every 5k miles (they do a LOT of miles to Germany and back) but still running very healthy
and it'll be spot on 
rottenegg said:
B47 is fine, as is the N47 from 2010 onwards.
But of course this is the internet, so every single N47 and N57 engine out there WILL wreck it's chains at precisely 97,043 miles. So, get saving folks.
It's better from a catastrophic failure perspective, but they will still stretch, as will any chain. As above, my Dad's is a 2011 and needed it at 110k ish. But of course this is the internet, so every single N47 and N57 engine out there WILL wreck it's chains at precisely 97,043 miles. So, get saving folks.
joropug said:
rottenegg said:
B47 is fine, as is the N47 from 2010 onwards.
But of course this is the internet, so every single N47 and N57 engine out there WILL wreck it's chains at precisely 97,043 miles. So, get saving folks.
It's better from a catastrophic failure perspective, but they will still stretch, as will any chain. As above, my Dad's is a 2011 and needed it at 110k ish. But of course this is the internet, so every single N47 and N57 engine out there WILL wreck it's chains at precisely 97,043 miles. So, get saving folks.
The chain tensioner was revised 3 times. The main problem was the hydraulic piston losing pressure, so all that start/stop goodness slapping the chains about, cracking guide rails etc etc. The latest part solves all that nonsense.
If you fit one early enough and do regular oil changes, there is no reason why the original chain gear won't last well past 100K miles.
Said chain tensioner here; fits all N47 & N57 engines:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183284967692
Big thread re it here on Bimmerpost forums:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183284967692
Big thread re it here on Bimmerpost forums:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
wackojacko1234 said:
What are any likely things to watch out for on viewings ?
Any recent ideas on servicing parts costs ?
Pads / discs / tyres 19" etc
... one thing annoying me is rear seats don't fold down ... ?! Deal breaker ... ?!
Can the maps on the computer be updated ?
Needs to be quiet & smooth when running (as quiet as a B47 can be); ZF8 box needs to shift faultlessly and smoothly; check it in Sport mode as well (it will be harsher through changes; but only just, steering will be heavier too); does it have EDC/adaptive suspension do you know?Any recent ideas on servicing parts costs ?
Pads / discs / tyres 19" etc
... one thing annoying me is rear seats don't fold down ... ?! Deal breaker ... ?!
Can the maps on the computer be updated ?
Parts are easy to come by; sometimes its best to stick with OEM BMW, but other parts (suspension/brakes etc all available via the likes of Autodoc and a few tried & trusted resellers on eBay). Always best to stick to the known brands such as ATE/Jurid/Textar/Lemforder/TRW/Moog Meyle HD/Febi Bilstein etc
Tyres are whatever you choose to run, RFTs or non-RFTs, premium or budget
Seats don't fold down - if you want to use the load space more then find one with seats that do fold; or get a touring. But most saloons don't have rear folding seats
Maps can be updated easy enough via the likes of Rusty @ satnavupgrades.co.uk as an example
The N47 was never fully 'cured' of the chain problems. Plenty of 2013 and 2014 cars with issues. A 2013 520d Touring springs to mind - at 69k it was still quiet but the owner had it replaced anyway. Just as well because it was absolutely f
ked and the tensioner fully extended.
The B47 arrived in late 2014 in the F10 but some retained the N47 into 2015 such as the 3 and 4 Series. I have a feeling the 518d and maybe 520dED had the N47 into 2015.
You can tell instantly from looking under the bonnet as the B47 has a much smaller engine cover. The B47 isn't perfect but they are so much better than the N47 - why bother with the engine that is known to be a drama?
ked and the tensioner fully extended. The B47 arrived in late 2014 in the F10 but some retained the N47 into 2015 such as the 3 and 4 Series. I have a feeling the 518d and maybe 520dED had the N47 into 2015.
You can tell instantly from looking under the bonnet as the B47 has a much smaller engine cover. The B47 isn't perfect but they are so much better than the N47 - why bother with the engine that is known to be a drama?
The Conflated Outlier said:
The N47 was never fully 'cured' of the chain problems. Plenty of 2013 and 2014 cars with issues. A 2013 520d Touring springs to mind - at 69k it was still quiet but the owner had it replaced anyway. Just as well because it was absolutely fked and the tensioner fully extended.
The B47 arrived in late 2014 in the F10 but some retained the N47 into 2015 such as the 3 and 4 Series. I have a feeling the 518d and maybe 520dED had the N47 into 2015.
You can tell instantly from looking under the bonnet as the B47 has a much smaller engine cover. The B47 isn't perfect but they are so much better than the N47 - why bother with the engine that is known to be a drama?
There is the N47T where they revised a few things IIRC and that got the new tensionerked and the tensioner fully extended. The B47 arrived in late 2014 in the F10 but some retained the N47 into 2015 such as the 3 and 4 Series. I have a feeling the 518d and maybe 520dED had the N47 into 2015.
You can tell instantly from looking under the bonnet as the B47 has a much smaller engine cover. The B47 isn't perfect but they are so much better than the N47 - why bother with the engine that is known to be a drama?
Still not infallible IIRC but plenty of them out there with decent mileage and no issues
P700DEE said:
Ran my 2012 F11 for 200k miles. Only serviced at 20k intervals which was pretty much 10-11 months intervals. My indy advised leaving unless it got noisey. Chains were inspected at 110K miles when the DMF was replaced.
So they removed the cam cover, dropped the sub frame, removed the sump and rear timing case but didn't fit new chains?OK...
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