There is a reason why these cars , along wit E53 and E39 with the same engine are getting dumped and show up for sale on CL for $500-1500 . Most people drive these into the ground and as soon as they need need timing guide job and get the bill off the car goes to junk yard or shows up On CL as "mechanics special ".
Seriously though , if the car is running at over 150k miles on original single row timing guides it's done it's job . I would say anything over that is a bonus , and you have to understand that these items come as the "true cost of ownership ", but most people get these cars without thinking what it actually takes to maintain a 540/740/x5 and run 🏃as soon as it starts braking down or just run it to the ground .
If you are buying one of these and don't have paperwork that these have been done, then factor in this job will need to be done along with the whole cooling system and if you can't afford it then this car isn't for you .
/off my soapbox .
My timing chain guides went on my 96 740il with 80K on the odo at highway speed and totally thrashed the engine. I replaced the engine with a 97 engine with 70k on it. I have no idea whether the TCG had been done on the replacement engine. I have since gone on to put 100K on that engine and there is no indication of TCG failure. I use Castrol High Mileage oil and I replaced the tensioner at about 120k. The car has been great to me. I will not be doing the TCG on this vehicle. If they fail -- adios -
Last edited by RHP; 01-19-2018 at 11:33 AM.
I changed mine at 120k, no signs of issues but I figured why not since I was trying to make this car as nice running as possible. Changed the tensioners too.
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