Reviews of OEM BMW timing chain

Thanks for this very interesting and informative post! I wish I had found something similar before purchasing my F07 (which, at 300k kms, is costing a lot to maintain) and my F30 (in which the timing chain let go and caused engine rebuild).

timing chain still had a lot of tension and no wear on bearings… crankshaft and everything still in spec. The timing chain was even better in the e60 pre facelift models, along with more reliable solenoid type injectors.

I bought an e61 520d in 2020 with 201k miles, replaced timing chain at 204k and had it until 2023. Sold it with 233k miles to a breaker exporting to Lithuania. Other than the timing chain, it was bullet proof. Only ever replaced the oil, filters and tyres

I still have original timing chain on mine and it has 185,000kms on it. Hasn’t skipped a beat yet

I have 635d with m57 at 200k miles on the original chain

My m57 197hp originaly still on original chain. Its at 265.000km now

The timing chain broke at 185k km(115k miles) while driving and had to rebuild the engine since it messed up many things.

I do not trust these early n20 engines. I would advise spending the $3k-$4k for a “good” used engine with service records 2014 or newer. Replacing the timing chains is a big job and is not a guaranteed fix. I’ve been through this same scenario with a 328. Buy once cry once. I didn’t and I ended up removing/replacing the engine twice after doing timing chains on a high mileage engine that only lasted a couple months. Good luck!

My timing chain needed replacing a few weeks ago. It cost £4k, engine out job. But I caught it early, before it actually snapped, apparently it’s a common problem, needs replacing around 90k miles, drove perfectly fine, smooth af before and after, except it was hesitant to start, thought it was starter motor but no, was the timing chain

I bought my E91 N43B20 with 120.000km in 2017. Now its 2025 and 250.000km I had to replace the timing chain and the NOX sensor once, but other than that I had no problems with the engine. Still the same injectors, ignition coils, high pressure fuel pump etc.