2007 320d Timing Chain Issues

Sonn

New member
Much to my dismay I have recently discovered that the N47 engines of the 320d built between early 2007 and 2011 suffer from timing chain failures which often lead to massive repair costs.

I've searched around a bit on the net and the forum and haven't found many references to it locally though.

I'm buying a 2007 320d manual produced in November 2007 and in the process of finalizing paperwork. It has the n47 130kw engine.

But the prospect of timing chain failure as well as the "fairly common" turbo failure, on a car out of motorplan, is really starting to make me want to cut and run. I know anything major can go wrong with any car, in or out of motorplan, but I'm worried about the frequency of references to this problem.

Has anyone here had timing chain issues with the 320d from that period? Is it something that can be diagnosed/prevented before catastrophic failure?

Any insight would be highly appreciated.
 

China

///Member
I hope someone can assist you with your question, because I am really interested in the answer as well.

I`m getting my 2009 320d tomorrow and I would hate to get my car and then I immediately have to repair it.

If i know how to prevent the issue it would be great!!:praise:
 

RAArmstrong

///Member
I haven't heard anything on the forum here about this timing chain failure :fencelook:

RE Turbo failure... Turbo failure isn't common unless you dont look after your turbo... Proper warm up and cool down and so on
 

Sonn

New member
I did some searching and found a few mentions of it but haven't really heard of someone who has suffered this.

But the words "prone to failure" and "massive engine damage" and "costly rebuild" kept popping up in the international forums.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/bmw-chains-snap-n47-engine-2007-2009

June 2013 article stating that BMW is aware of the issue and sometimes offers "goodwill" support for full service history cars.

This has made me quite anxious.


https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/BMW_N47_engine_recall/

Turns out there's also a petition on Avaaz.org last updated October 2013 for N47 engine recall.

All models built between 2007 and 2011 likely to be affected.

What the :argh:
 

China

///Member
Shared the petition link on other Car forum sites as well to increase signature count!!!:joy:

Holding thumbs.
 

Philip Foglar

///Member
Hmm, I am quite interested to hear what others say - not heard of any of these issues, just the usual turbo issues or dampener pulley failures...
 

ChefDJ

///Member
I've heard of the timing chain issue before... :sorry:

The turbo lasts as long as you look after it.
 

Sonn

New member
Is there any chance that BMWs produced for different geographical markets have different components? Or do all BMWs of the same series have the same mechancial composition to the letter?
 

ChefDJ

///Member
Sonn said:
Is there any chance that BMWs produced for different geographical markets have different components? Or do all BMWs of the same series have the same mechancial composition to the letter?

This... is the right question :idea:
 

RAArmstrong

///Member
Also remember that on forums etc you will always read about the bad stuff, but never the good stuff and success stories :thumbs:
 

ChefDJ

///Member
RAArmstrong said:
Also remember that on forums etc you will always read about the bad stuff, but never the good stuff and success stories :thumbs:

"Hi, I'm new here and I have a 320d and my timing chain is still strong and never had issues" :roflol::biglol:


But yes, that's true. I'm pretty sure if it was such an issue, BMW would have recalled by now :dunno:
 

Sonn

New member
Recalling their most popular car across 4 years of production? I think not. Since the timing chain is at the back of the engine I can only imagine that even preventative measures would be a costly exercise.
 

ChefDJ

///Member
Sonn said:
Recalling their most popular car across 4 years of production? I think not. Since the timing chain is at the back of the engine I can only imagine that even preventative measures would be a costly exercise.

More costly than the entire name and reputation of the company and its brand?
 
D

Dippies

Guest
Since i had my Diesel i have never heard of any Timing Chain issues on the 2007 Diesel onwards.

The Turbo Failures was also pre 2005 models and i can not mention 2 people with Diesels 2006 onwards on this forum that ever complained about Turbo issues, or blown turbo.

Service the car regularly and follow the advice what was stated above as to starting and stopping, and all should be well. My diesel has now 148K on and i never looked back.
 

Philip Foglar

///Member
That's my to my "knowledge" in terms of the E90 diesels, they are pretty much bullet proof compared to the E46 diesels, especially if properly looked after! However, overseas the guys on the E90Post forum are having a huge problems with their 335d's!!!
 

DrBob737

New member
If you look at BMW UK they have huge problems N47 timing chain failures costing thousands of pounds to repair in engine removal and rebuilds Made UK 60 minutes a few years ago
 

S1NGH 911

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
DrBob737 said:
If you look at BMW UK they have huge problems N47 timing chain failures costing thousands of pounds to repair in engine removal and rebuilds Made UK 60 minutes a few years ago
We are not in the UK this is Africa

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk


DrBob737 said:
If you look at BMW UK they have huge problems N47 timing chain failures costing thousands of pounds to repair in engine removal and rebuilds Made UK 60 minutes a few years ago
We are not in the UK this is Africa

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

Andy1GP

///Member
Also just to clear up the turbo failure myth. It's the electronic actuator situated on the turbo that fails. So the VNT mechanism doesn't operate properly afterwards. The turbo lasts nearly as long as the x30d one. Which is a significant time (provided oil changes were done sufficiently)
 
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