If your BMW needs a new timing chain, the total cost could be anywhere from $400-$1,100. The exact price will depend on your specific model, whether you go to the dealership or a third party, and how long the job takes. A timing chain replacement is not a beginner job, so you should not attempt a DIY repair unless you have the experience necessary. The owner of a 2013 BMW X3 reported a timing chain failure likely caused by a broken timing chain guard. The timing chain failure subsequently led to engine failure. The owner was informed of the N20 timing chain issue and that the component was supposedly upgraded in 2015. How long should a BMW timing chain last? Recently bought a BMW 3 series 318d from car dealer. Car lost power as I was driving (luckily enough I had enough movement to roll over to side). Car is 58 plate done 110,000 miles Car was picked up and took to local garage advised the timing chain had snapped and a new engine re-build will be required in the region of £2,500+. BMW use timing chains in almost every model of engine that they produce. It is recommended to replace your timing chain before failure as repair prices can become very high from internal engine damage if left. The average life of these timing chains is 90,000 miles or 9 years. 16 posts · Joined 2014. #27 · Sep 3, 2014. Shame that several hundred UK / European BMW N47 (1, 3 & 5 series 2 litre Diesel N47 engine E90 mainly) engine owners are all extremely upset that their timing chains have been actually snapping causing complete engine failure and hence rebuilts costing up to US$12000. . Now to all you guys from the 50’s and 60’s typically every engine had a timing chain. The upsides of chains were long life cycle, however the downsides were that they were noisy, had to be lubricated, and the materials used in their manufacture were expensive to produce and install. Enter the timing belt. Unless there is a specific fault, the timing chain should be replaced between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. Chain problems are frequent in automobiles with increasing mileage. If you’re driving an older car or one with a lot of miles on it, keep an eye out for signs that the timing chain is failing. Here, the average cost of timing chain replacement is $1,200-$2,200. Here, you can expect parts to cost anywhere from $170-$400 and labor to cost anywhere from $300-$1,800. For a BMW, you can expect an average of about $1,500, although it will be higher if you go to the dealer. The table below shares a quick price comparison of BMW timing chain The main reason for such a high labor cost is the time that needs to be spent on replacing a timing chain. A timing chain replacement could easily take between 4 to upwards of 8 hours. First off, the timing chain cover should be removed. There are different size bolts, so their locations should be embedded in your memory. 2003 530i/5. The stock chain guides in a 1999-2003 540i last anywhere between 150k-200k miles, depending on maintenance. It's uncommon but not unheard of for a 1999+ 540i to go past 200k miles, as ViolinARC will repeatedly tell everyone. The earlier 1997-1998 540i had the M62 non-Vanos motor where the guides generally last around 200k-250k miles.

how long should a bmw timing chain last