[Robin330i]

Timing chains are designed to last the life of the car.

[Jase 320d]

Originally Posted by Robin330i

Timing chains are designed to last the life of the car.

Maybe to last bmw's idea of a lifetime

Bmw also spec that gearbox oil and diff oil is lifetime fill (after 100k id rather change it)

Chains wear / tensioners wear / guides wear

Poor oil change intervals / poor oil quality can contribute to faster wear. But they do wear

[Dan-danGT]

But should never snap, and let face it Bmw is common at snapping them across the engines. It still should not fail! No chain should fail that early, I would expect the chain to live longer than the engine! Pistons and shells are under more stress than a chain.

Some of the stuff you see on here of peoples problems with Bmw is just silly, if Mercedes can make them last till 300k+ then Bmw should easily do the same.

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by Dan-danGT

But should never snap, and let face it Bmw is common at snapping them across the engines. It still should not fail! No chain should fail that early, I would expect the chain to live longer than the engine! Pistons and shells are under more stress than a chain.

Some of the stuff you see on here of peoples problems with Bmw is just silly, if Mercedes can make them last till 300k+ then Bmw should easily do the same.

I don't think that claim is true. The N47 engine has huge problems. There aren't many cases of chains going on 6cyl engines

[dy63]

i thought timing chains should be changed 200-250k miles...

scary it snapped on M57 for us 6 cylinder guys

[Dan-danGT]

Originally Posted by djgandy

I don't think that claim is true. The N47 engine has huge problems. There aren't many cases of chains going on 6cyl engines

I mainly ment the n47, its still poor that a major manufacture has such a huge problem with something that should not fail

[surrey 335i]

Originally Posted by Dan-danGT

I mainly ment the n47, its still poor that a major manufacture has such a huge problem with something that should not fail

the n47 had a design fault hence why they are finally doing replacement chains under service advisory bulletin (but that's no help if your n47 has already self destructed, fine if its still running).

unusual on a 6cy for a chain to let go, loads of them happily going into 200k plus, not much chance of goodwill at that age and mileage (good will is not much help any when BMW have such high labour charges you might still have a huge bill even with a parts or 50% off contribution)

[mob17]

That sucks OP. Sorry to hear that. Making me nervous about mine, timing chains aren't included in Mike Millers maintenance schedule (he says theres no preventative maintenance for them).

Might look into replacing mine at 100k then. Also the engine drive belt which DOES need replacing every 30k-60k depending on the belt.

[GOWRIN]

Originally Posted by tom619

Whats this mate?

Originally Posted by essex_lad

I thought the whole idea of timing chains was to do away with snapping belts but obviously the chains are no better.

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

Is it really a common issue? The N47 failures are well documented, but the other engines seem to be pretty robust?

Originally Posted by Robin330i

Timing chains are designed to last the life of the car.

Originally Posted by Dan-danGT

But should never snap, and let face it Bmw is common at snapping them across the engines. It still should not fail! No chain should fail that early, I would expect the chain to live longer than the engine! Pistons and shells are under more stress than a chain.

Some of the stuff you see on here of peoples problems with Bmw is just silly, if Mercedes can make them last till 300k+ then Bmw should easily do the same.

Originally Posted by cupraraj

i thought timing chains should be changed 200-250k miles...

scary it snapped on M57 for us 6 cylinder guys

Originally Posted by mob17

That sucks OP. Sorry to hear that. Making me nervous about mine, timing chains aren't included in Mike Millers maintenance schedule (he says theres no preventative maintenance for them).

Might look into replacing mine at 100k then. Also the engine drive belt which DOES need replacing every 30k-60k depending on the belt.

No goodwill from BMW as they have not had any instructions from BMW on this. But if it were the N47 which is under QE from BMW they will have a look at it and sort it even at 160K mileage.

They should really change it to a serviceable part every 100k or so, I've always serviced it and used castrol oil.
And while talking to my mechanic they did mention they get a lot of BMWs with snapped chains so it does seem as though it is a common issue across the range.