Our 2011 320d has been a fantastic car, fast quiet and economical, owned from 11,000 miles now at 108,000 and still a lovely drive however.......

The timing chain is starting to rattle, it's at the rear of the engine so replacement is engine out.

Anyone experience of these, the Internet says I should be worried but it's always gloom and doom so:

Do I need to bite the bullet and have it done sap?
How much will this cost?

Any advise great fully received

Cheers

Mark

there are a couple of video,s about that on you tube, tis a pretty major job and disaster if it goes pop...one of the reasons i decided not to get one.

Leave the motor in and do it from behind with the gearbox off , I don’t see many now but it’s a 10-12 hr job on a ramp

Wasn't there a recall on these?

Not sure what age of cars it was,but a work mate bought one and took it straight to BMW because it hadn't had the recall done,they replaced chain no bother

Bm parts are around £250 but I’ve used the febi kits as well at £160 with no issues . £750 is a fair price but it’s a lot easier to do from behind with the box off

I did wonder about doing it from behind, so much less hassle thanks Froggy

It was serviced at BMW, they noted the rattle so are preparing the ground incase it breaks I recon, we told you so and you did not spend £££ with us to fix it.

I'll have a phone around for someone local to do it.

Cheers

Mark

Can it not be done in the car, just like many other timing chain's
My lotus 1500 timeing chain was done in the car, not an easy task but done carefully, worked fine

BMW wonderful design, the chain is at the back of the engine, how crazy is that! You have to seperate the gearbox, it also moves the weight forward an inch.... Stupid stupid stupid... Designed for life rubbish.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mark chandler
I did wonder about doing it from behind, so much less hassle thanks Froggy

It was serviced at BMW, they noted the rattle so are preparing the ground incase it breaks I recon, we told you so and you did not spend £££ with us to fix it.

I'll have a phone around for someone local to do it.

Cheers

Mark

---

Anne Marie has written to them today, having a read up it looks like they kept quiet about the recall on the basis that it's costs them lots of money so balanced that against doing the work, we shall see.

It was BMW that said its rattling, I cannot hear anything wrong so suspect they are lining themselves up to be absolved of blame in the future.

Another reason for not buying an over priced, over rated , and over here car,

And before you lot bemoan me for being car racist, I have to drive this BMW drivel every day, and its BORING

The only BMW worth driving is a 7 series, there not too bad, and the head up display is quite cool but the rest are so dull,
The M series, again is boy racer, or drug runner car, and again boring

The best car I HAVE to drive, and boring to some is the S350 or S500 Merc, now that is a car I would own, so comfortable, smooth, and a license looser, as its so quite its spooky

Although, I doubt ill ever own one as I couldn't afford the dealership ridicules prices

steve

I had a 120d and it snapped - common problem apparently and expensive. I got a bill for £1850 but was told worst case could have been £3500

It's been a great car, 60+ mpg and feels as tight now as it did when we got it, boring maybe but very competent.

That aside a local specialist is asking £1,850 to replace the chain in one day, it makes no sense when they also publish 76.50 per hour labour!

I had a listen today and cannot hear any noise....

Could be a main dealer work generation scheme? If in any doubt get it changed .

I think irrespective of it making a noise they claim a noise above 100,000, then if it fails they can say told you so and get off the warrentee hook, if you get it done they get a nice little earner, quote engine removal, replace from behind.

It's a bummer as the car is good, blown engine worthless so a gamble

Just a thought

Have you tried listening to it with a stethoscope? (cheap one off ebay or amazon)

Although I'd of thought it would have been noisier at initial start up?

I'm not at all familiar with the engine, but having a timing chain at the back/gearbox end certainly seems daft to me. Replacing a cam belt on a transverse engine FWD car can be awkward for space, but still do-able. Talk of engine out seems ridiculous (I've heard the same is necessary for VW Toureg V10 TDIs as well).

To be fair, replacing a timing chain is a bit unusual, but it seems there is an issue with the BMW's
A cam belt at the back would be daft though. But remember, these cars are built to sell as brand new cars, and not so worried about them once 5+ years old when the main dealers etc have lost all interest. And the OP's are keen on good prices and low (initial) servicing costs. Hence mega mileages between oil changes and so on.

Just buying an almost-new Ford. Reckon that has big intervals, so I will probably do extra oil changes at the halfway point. And get some smaller wheels so I can fit higher profile tyres... (ultra low profile are not a good mix with potholes..or even comfortable)