I purchased a 2010 BMW 320D for my wife in January, but just six months later, in July, the timing chain snapped causingâ¨ catastrophic engine damage, not to mention the dangerous sudden stop on the â¨road. It has done 153,000 km, many of them cruising on the freeway, and a full BMW service history. The dealer wants more â¨then $4000 just to diagnose the problem. Looking into these cars with â¨the N47 engine, it appears that there is an engineering issue resulting in â¨thousands of failures worldwide. BMW denies this, of course. â¨Could you please outline options available to us? Can we not â¨reasonably expect BMWs to last even seven years when well maintained?

2010 BMW 320D failed timing chain

I purchased a 2010 BMW 320D for my wife in January, but just six months later, in July, the timing chain snapped causing  catastrophic engine damage, not to mention the dangerous sudden stop on the  road. It has done 153,000 km, many of them cruising on the freeway, and a full BMW service history. The dealer wants more  then $4000 just to diagnose the problem. Looking into these cars with  the N47 engine, it appears that there is an engineering issue resulting in  thousands of failures worldwide. BMW denies this, of course.  Could you please outline options available to us? Can we not  reasonably expect BMWs to last even seven years when well maintained?

Answered by CarsGuide

28 August 2017

Graham Smith

The problem with the N47 diesel engine dates back to 2007. There are plenty of overseas reports of the timing chain failing, as yours has done. Deal directly with BMW head office and seek some support for the cost of repairs. It is a problem, and BMW should bear some responsibility for it. If you can’t get any help, go to the ACCC and make your complaint to them.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

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