N47 Facelift engine 520d
Discussion
I don't know about this specific engine but it's worth bearing in mind that almost any "common problem" with a modern engine is usually quite rare. Very few people go on the internet to say their cam chain hasn't broken; BMW sold tens of thousands of these things and most of them are almost certainly still plodding along quite happily.
Given the likely relatively low value of a 13 year-old 5-series diesel and the cost of replacing the chain, I'd just hope for the best if it was me.
Given the likely relatively low value of a 13 year-old 5-series diesel and the cost of replacing the chain, I'd just hope for the best if it was me.
Bought my 62 plate 520d on 90k miles and took it to 200k without chain issues. Chain etc. was inspected at 130K miles when the clutch went, advised all fine. My indy said failures he saw were cars that did lots of city driving with start stop. Most fixed no issue with new chain as usually not catastrophic. Bill is £2k+ so advise you just run it and service as required.
Sean1971 said:
HI.
I have just purchased a BMW520d 2012 which I have been advised has the facelift N47 engine.
I am wondering about the Cam Chain on this as I have heard all sorts of horror stories.
Being a 2012 Facelifted model, do I need to be concerned about the chain? the mileage is approx 107k
Ignore the tinterwebs naysayers... LOTS of N47s out there on high milesI have just purchased a BMW520d 2012 which I have been advised has the facelift N47 engine.
I am wondering about the Cam Chain on this as I have heard all sorts of horror stories.
Being a 2012 Facelifted model, do I need to be concerned about the chain? the mileage is approx 107k
Change the oil and filter frequently; every year at a minimum. Use any 5W30 or 5W40 of your choice, as long as it meets the BMW LL04 sopecs and a decent filter (Mann, Mahle, Hengst etc)
If you want for peace ofn mind; buy the latest chain tensioner from BMW and either DIY it yourself, or ask your mechanic to do it
A good DIY here on how to do it on the N47 via the UK section of Bimmerpost:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
This is the tensioner you need: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196189084818
Mine was on 250k when I sold it to a friend.
It was on its third chain however - two by the previous owner, one by me - as I was intending to keep the car for a long while.
I tend to find they give plenty of warning - if you can here a rhythmic sound with the engine running then its an indication there is wear, a little is ok, but they progressively get noisier.
It was on its third chain however - two by the previous owner, one by me - as I was intending to keep the car for a long while.
I tend to find they give plenty of warning - if you can here a rhythmic sound with the engine running then its an indication there is wear, a little is ok, but they progressively get noisier.
The internet is awash with anecdotal "My mate's blew up" with absolutely zero context.
100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
rottenegg said:
The internet is awash with anecdotal "My mate's blew up" with absolutely zero context.
100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
This is very true. I have a 2014 F30 with the N47 and its on 110,000. Bought it on 77,000 and I won't lie, I was nervous after all the horror stories on Pistonheads. However, since then I have never gone longer than about 7,000 miles without an oil change. My mechanic at the last change commented that its "a good car" and that the timing chain is not making any untoward noises. I'm not an expert but have heard anecdotally that chain aside, the N47 actually is less troublesome than the B47 that followed? On manual cars I don't think they have a reputation for DMF issues for example like some other four pot diesels and of course are not Euro 6 so no Ad Blue related problems...100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
Mine was a Feb 11 520d pretty much the week they modified the tensioner. Was never sure which version mine was. Either way took it from new to 130k over 13 years with no problems. The 2012 will have the updated design however I would be more interested in confirming service history and proof of frequent oil changes.
Great cars
Great cars
greenarrow said:
rottenegg said:
The internet is awash with anecdotal "My mate's blew up" with absolutely zero context.
100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
This is very true. I have a 2014 F30 with the N47 and its on 110,000. Bought it on 77,000 and I won't lie, I was nervous after all the horror stories on Pistonheads. However, since then I have never gone longer than about 7,000 miles without an oil change. My mechanic at the last change commented that its "a good car" and that the timing chain is not making any untoward noises. I'm not an expert but have heard anecdotally that chain aside, the N47 actually is less troublesome than the B47 that followed? On manual cars I don't think they have a reputation for DMF issues for example like some other four pot diesels and of course are not Euro 6 so no Ad Blue related problems...100s of thousands of N47s made and no one can factually state (other than BMW through warranty claims) what percentage failed.
Every single indie will tell you most, if not all, fail due to neglect, and that goes for the B47 as well. The internet is also chock full of the B engines being superior and never fail, which is simply not true. ALL engines fail due to abuse, over tuning, or neglect.
They don't fail just because they feel like it.
I also feel the world needs to be less risk averse when buying cars and stop confirmation biasing themselves out of a car from reading too much tripe online. If you want mechanically risk free transport, get a bus or bicycle.
Reports of B engine issues are now starting to surface. The B47/57 seem to suffer from sludging far worse than the N47/57, but again, that is more down to neglect more than design flaws.
The quicker ignorant folk get out of ICE cars and into EVs the better. People like that have no business owning a highly complex machine that is used on public roads and we don't want them wrecking enthusiast ICE cars. The same people tend to fit ditch finders and crap brakes because they are too cheap to maintain cars properly.
Come off it. The state of most diesel sumps and cam covers out there......they are even ignoring the manufacturer's guidlines. And yes they are ignorant if they blindly believe 18,000 miles is a sensible distance between oil changes, and not at all skeptical of the car makers' motives.
rottenegg said:
Come off it. The state of most diesel sumps and cam covers out there......they are even ignoring the manufacturer's guidlines. And yes they are ignorant if they blindly believe 18,000 miles is a sensible distance between oil changes, and not at all skeptical of the car makers' motives.
Yeah this is true. I often look at used 3 series diesels for sale on marketplace/autotrader and on some ads people have taken photos of the service histories from the i Drive. The number where there is a jump of 16-20,000 miles between services at points during the vehicle's life is scary. No way I would be taking a punt of one of those when its done close to 100,000 miles!! Average car owners are just lazy at keeping up with maintenance. Same with tyres, number of cars that have repeated MOT failures due to tyres being below legal tread depth is unreal. Check your tyres folks and don't let them get down to 1.6mm before replacing them!! greenarrow said:
rottenegg said:
Come off it. The state of most diesel sumps and cam covers out there......they are even ignoring the manufacturer's guidlines. And yes they are ignorant if they blindly believe 18,000 miles is a sensible distance between oil changes, and not at all skeptical of the car makers' motives.
Yeah this is true. I often look at used 3 series diesels for sale on marketplace/autotrader and on some ads people have taken photos of the service histories from the i Drive. The number where there is a jump of 16-20,000 miles between services at points during the vehicle's life is scary. No way I would be taking a punt of one of those when its done close to 100,000 miles!! Average car owners are just lazy at keeping up with maintenance. Same with tyres, number of cars that have repeated MOT failures due to tyres being below legal tread depth is unreal. Check your tyres folks and don't let them get down to 1.6mm before replacing them!! With car makers it's always "What is the absolute longest interval we can get away with to last the warranty period?" rather than "What is best for engine life?". Nobody wants to pay for 6000 mile oil changes, which is essential on diesels due to fuel and soot contamination, so 18,000 miles is a lot more appealing.
Ho hum, it is what is is I suppose. Those who know, know, and take the necessary steps to prolong their engines.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff