F30 318d 2013 timing chains, advice needed

[martinla]

Hello!

I am planning on buying a used BMW (2013 F30, 318d), it has done 190 000 km (~119 000 miles for you in the US). After a quick google i found out that the engines in these cars suffer from an increased risk of timing chain wear (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N47). The wikipedia page says that the problem applies to engines produced from 01.03.2007 to 01.03.2013. The car I am looking at has its first registration in october 2013. Is this car also at risk or is there a chance that the engine fitted is newer than 01.03.2013 and already has the problem fixed?

If the engine is still at risk and not rid of the problem, what is the probability of such a failure if i decide to buy the car. Is it realistic that in the next five years i am definitely forced to replace/rebuild the engine? Would you say the problem occurs more like 1 out of 10 or 1 out of 100 or 1 out of 1000 cars?

I do not drive a lot, maybe 20 000 - 30 000 km per year. The car currently seems to be in perfect condition.

Any other advice regarding to this model? Other typical problems, stuff i need to take into account?

Thank you
Martin

[SlackTube]

I am in the US and we do not have that model BUT N20 and N63 timing chains are pretty common along with N20 oil pump chain. BMW is sorting out the error as fast as possible and in fact there WILL be a recall on the N20 chains soon just like there was for the N63 during the "customer care package" service action.
BMW is also going to extend the warranty for the chains and will refund anybody that has paid for that repair already under the Magnuson Moss guidelines.
Long story short is they know there is chain issues and are working to correct it as best as possible. BMW will not let somebody eat the repair cost on a car with a known issue this major. As with most cars BMW has obvious and common issues but are working to maintain brand reputation and customer retention above all else. In a consumer driven market BMW recognizes that there is probably only 1 opportunity to gain and retain a customer.
hopefully that helps

[mlciac]

I hope the is true. The timing chain broke on my 2013 X3 two weeks ago. My car had 52,000 miles on it, and was well-maintained. I was offered a $2000 Trade Assist, which made me extremely angry given that there are MANY stories about this problem on the Internet, and it has been covered in the European press. It is a known defect, and I am very concerned that BMW has not issued a recall. Even the dealer who diagnosed it had not heard about the problem.

I'm still waiting to hear what BMW might be willing to do by way of a goodwill repair. But the trade assist offer has me considering hiring an attorney.