Timing chain
BMW · 2007-2014. The rear-mounted chain on early N47s is the best-known chain job in the trade · the engine or gearbox has to come out. Listen at the bulkhead on a cold start for a diesel-rattle that does not settle.
Commonly 118d, 320d, 520d, X1, X3 (2007-2014). Engine codes changed through production, so confirm the code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting the job.
The N47 2.0 diesel used by BMW (2007-2014) runs a timing chain. The rear-mounted chain on early N47s is the best-known chain job in the trade · the engine or gearbox has to come out. Listen at the bulkhead on a cold start for a diesel-rattle that does not settle.
There is no scheduled replacement interval for a chain. Judge it on cold-start noise, fault codes and oil-service history instead.
Expect roughly £1,200-£2,400 at a UK independent garage, depending on whether the water pump and tensioner go in at the same time and how much has to come off to reach the belt. Main-dealer quotes usually sit above that range.
On an interference engine the valves and pistons meet, which usually means a cylinder head at best and a replacement engine at worst. That is why an unproven timing history is a price conversation, not a detail.
Commonly 118d, 320d, 520d, X1, X3 (2007-2014). The list is not exhaustive and engine codes changed through production, so confirm the exact code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting work.
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