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Thread: M42 Beck Arnley Timing Chain Guide

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    M42 Beck Arnley Timing Chain Guide

    Has anyone here used this part on their M42 before:


    https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...383324&jsn=430


    It's $69, as opposed to $230+ for the left chain guide. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

  2. #2
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    I don't know anything about this specific part, but the name Beck-Arnley has been around a long time. Much of what they do is repacks of other name brand vendors parts. Think of them as a private label distributor. I've never been dissatisfied with a B-A part, but they haven't always been the best value.
    Last edited by richardodn; 06-20-2018 at 05:47 PM.
    "Howdy, Folks!"

    1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler.
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  3. #3
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    Thanks for the input! I'm still weighing whether I want to chance it or just get the OEM part for $$$

  4. #4
    richardodn's Avatar
    richardodn is offline Old Guy BMW CCA Member
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    Typo in my previous post ...but they haven't always been the best value.

    That said, when they are I'd consider them.
    "Howdy, Folks!"

    1986 Delphin 528e - Roof rack equipped lumber hauler.
    1989 Zinnoberrot 325iX Sedan - I miss this car. (Deceased)
    1998 Avus Blau 328iC - Someone else's project now
    2008 Platinum-Beige X3 3.0si - Current project
    2012 Alpine White X3 xDrive35i - My new snowmobile.
    2020 Estoril Blue 440i xDrive cabrio - This car is a blast to drive.

  5. #5
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    15 X5, 02 330i, 09 MiniS
    I would not try my luck with an off brand mystery part buried squarely in the middle of the engine requiring so much work to replace if needed, best case... and worse case you lose the whole engine.
    Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    Vancouver
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    1988 325is
    I just bought 2 control arm's left and right from these guys of rock auto. They had the same part number off by one digit so one would expect the same part would arrive one left one right. well no.. one control arm had the bushing end polished one didnt. one had a 22mm lock nut the other a 21mm nut for the inner ball joint. My car now pulls major left by 15 degrees from the steering wheel. Im gonna measure the control arms to see if they are symmetrical between one another. Stay away from this crap. At least had I bought the cheap crap they would be from the same crappy factory now I'm getting crap from 2 unknown non matching company

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    1992 e30 318i vert
    I just replaced my M42 timing chain and guides. I bought mine from ECS or FCP - I can't remember which - and was happy that it was under $200. Still a pretty shocking price given what it is. But I am not sure I would chance going ultra cheap on a part that is so critical adn even the OEM part is known to be a weak point.

  8. #8
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    No e30s, again :(
    back when I had an m42 powered e30, I bought the rock auto one. my engine already had almost 300k on it so I figured as long as it fixed that rubbing noise, I didn't care who made it. it worked for the next two years till I sold the car and the guys who bought it still had that car driving around up till about 5 or 7 years ago, when they moved away.
    No e30s again.

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