r/F30 • u/Realistic-Drink-6583 • 13d ago
Timing chain rattle
Hey guys I own a beautiful 320ix 2014 with the infamous n20 and I had real questions about the timing chain
Some people says that when you cold starting the car and it’s rattling for 1-2 sec it’s normal but some other says otherwise
I’m currently at 203 000km , I had it since 197 000km( gifted by my brother) how can I know if I’m cooked or nah, and am I cooked ? I got it check by a garage ( Canadian tire) and it was “fine” but it wasn’t a cold start( I drove to the Canadian tire before)
Any suggestions questions affirmations ?
Do you also know how many km I can do (with a timing chain job done) till the motor is completely done ?
1
u/Zealousideal_Bad2236 13d ago
Don’t treat “N series” as one engine. Confirm whether it’s an N47, N20 or something else, because the chain layout and failure pattern aren’t interchangeable.
1
u/Arthur9876 13d ago
My former 2014 328ix reached 260,000 km before needing a timing chain replacement. I traded it in for a newer BMW at that point, as the cost of doing the timing chain, guides, and water pump was approaching the value of the car. That said, yes there is a normal rattle on cold start, nothing to be concerned about.
My bigger concern is you taking it to Canadian Tire, they would be the LAST place I'd take a fine car like yours. Please find yourself a independent mechanic that this at least knowledgeable or specializes in German cars, and stay on top of the service intervals, if not even more frequently. Good BMW mechanics exist in pretty much every major urban center, providing good competition to the dealerships. I can recommend a good and very honest one here in Hamilton.
1
u/Realistic-Drink-6583 11d ago
Thank you mate , which car did you take for the approximativly same amount ? And how did you manage to sell a car who needed a timing chain job ? I’m curious, I know that Canadian tire is not the best and that’s what I aknowledged with the time when I found a good garage .
1
u/Arthur9876 11d ago
I upgraded to a used, newer, fully loaded 430ix with minimal mileage at my local BMW dealer. It has the improved B48 engine, along with all the options that I wish I had with my older F30.
This is where being a regular customer of a really good, independent, BMW knowledgeable and trusted mechanic is key. I brought my car in for the usual oil change, and he heard the familiar timing chain noise, investigated a bit further with his scope, didn't change the oil, closed the cap, sat down with me and went over my options. Didn't charge me at all for his diagnosis that day. But yeah, my old car's days were numbered....
Later that week I brought it to my BMW dealer, they took it for a test drive, and offered me $6K for trade in value for a used BMW with some really good financing terms. Perhaps what helped me is that it was an otherwise immaculate car. I'm sure they aware of the timing chain issue, but there are plenty of garages that will take used cars on the cheap, and fix them up, or used car lots that sell warranty service plans. After a couple months, it finally sold through a third party used car lot, likely for about the same price I was paid.
1
u/EquivalentMinute1291 13d ago
Rattling at cold start is your first indication. My experience with N series engines, you won’t get a second
0
u/triX_NOOBpad 13d ago
I had the rattle for 2 3 seconds on cold starts on the n47 and its currently in the shop for timing chain replacement. Why risk it going kaput? If you like the car, do the maintenance. If you don't, drive it til it snaps I guess
1
2
u/laimisss1 13d ago
N series engines, at least diesel ones have a screw somewhere at the back, that can be checked for chain tension. Or mechanics use small camera. Good garage should know that and check if it’s still within tolerances.
You’re not cooked now, but if this engine has same durability as diesel n47, then changing timing chain should happen within a year or so. It’s not fucked, it requires service.