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Thread: I love my 328i, but some questions (timing chains, etc)

  1. #1
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    I love my 328i, but some questions (timing chains, etc)

    Hey guys, I don't post much on here but I bought a 2013 F30 328i back in February of 2018. Total impulse purchase; found it on cars.com at a Toyota dealership 3 hours away and fell in love instantly. Drove down the next day and traded my 2011 Lexus IS250 (well built car but BORING). My Bimmer was (still is) in absolutely immaculate condition. 1 owner, 21k miles; still caught whiffs of new car smell when I first bought it last year.

    It's a very unique F30 too; RWD, 6MT, sport line, slick top, no nav/parking aids, heated Sensatec seats, with the adaptive headlight package. I think the original owner must've special ordered it considering that 99% of F30's I saw on dealership lots were your typical 320i/328i x-drive with nav/sunroof. Build date stamped on the door jamb sticker is 09/2012

    I absolutely adore this car; it filled the void that my E39 left when I parted with that car.

    So anyway, fast forward to the present and the car now has 46k miles. Yes I put 25k miles on the first 14 months of ownership but recently my commute has dropped to only 4 miles so annual mileage will fall to likely +/-10k per year. I've changed the oil 3 times (overkill probably but I am NOT going over 10,000 miles between oil changes; I don't care what iDrive tells me) and replaced the air filter once so far. Had the car brought in recently for the power steering rack recall (something about some bolts corroding IIRC) and apart from that, I haven't done anything else to it and it has been a happy little car for me.

    Now I have been reading that BMW had a voluntary recall/service bulletin for many cars equipped with the N20 engine; which mine naturally has. The recall had to do with the timing chain and guides; I guess BMW still hasn't figured those out after decades of failures. I checked my car's VIN on the BMW USA website and it's coming up with 0 recalls.

    Everything is fine now but anything I need to keep an eye on? Perhaps I can have those components replaced as a preventative measure? Not sure if there are any loopholes I can take advantage of at a BMW service center.

    I also keep the idiotic auto start/stop feature turned off whenever I get behind the wheel.

    I'm thinking (hoping) my car will have above-average reliability for BMW standards considering the mileage and relatively simple configuration (pretty basic 3 series aside from the sport package, heated seats, and adaptive HID headlights).

    So with all that said, any sort of preventative maintenance I can do to this thing? I remember the M54 engine in my E39 had the potential for a DISA valve failure; resulting in the entire engine getting mulched if the valve didn't get replaced hoping to avoid anything like that with the F30!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Just some pics of my ride for attention

    bmw interior.jpg

    bmw snow.jpg

    my car.jpg

  2. #2
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    It's not a recall, but rather an extension of warranty.

    Put your last 7 of vin in BMW's website here and get all the info you need.

    http://bmw-rp.com/production/bmw/rei...bmw_portal.nsf

    - - - Updated - - -

    Honestly if you avoid auto start stop (or code it to default to off all the time), change your oil with quality oil within spec, you may avoid the issue. But nothing is guaranteed.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Well that site used to give more details in the past, regarding the warranty period. Maybe I'm just not finding it.

    The timing chain has 7yr / 70,000 mile extension, which is kind of small, compared to my car's items extension to 10/120k.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    Well that site used to give more details in the past, regarding the warranty period. Maybe I'm just not finding it.

    The timing chain has 7yr / 70,000 mile extension, which is kind of small, compared to my car's items extension to 10/120k.
    I appreciate that information! Now is that 7 years/70,000 miles from the car's original in-service date or 7 years/70k PLUS the car's factory 4 year, 50k warranty, thus bringing it up to 11 years and 120k miles?

  5. #5
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    From the date of manufacture, unfortunately.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    From the date of manufacture, unfortunately.
    Ahhh I should've known. That means I only have a few months of coverage left!

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    From the date of manufacture, unfortunately.
    From the "in-service" date, actually.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Critter7r View Post
    From the "in-service" date, actually.
    Meaning date of initial sale?
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    Meaning date of initial sale?
    That, or the date it's put into use as a Sales Demo or Service Loaner.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  10. #10
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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by ship4u View Post
    Hmm I'll have to listen to mine a little closer, perhaps it's whining slightly? Maybe I'll get lucky at the dealer, I know mine still has some warranty left on the timing components.

    From what I've read, it doesn't appear that EVERY N20 engine has that issue, am I right?

  12. #12
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    Not every N20 has the problem. Oil change history has a lot to do with it. Every one that I've seen it on has had either a 1st oil change that was significantly late (i.e. done after more than 12k miles) or at least 1 oil change after the first that went reaalllly long (like more than 15k).
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  13. #13
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    Welp..... after listening to the clips on the link ship4u posted, I think my car might qualify for the repair. Take a gander, I need a second opinion on this. I shot this video about an hour ago.



    Hear that whine? Sounds very similar to the videos in ship4u's link, granted I've been told I have terrible hearing in the past lol

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by musclecar70sfan View Post
    Welp..... after listening to the clips on the link ship4u posted, I think my car might qualify for the repair. Take a gander, I need a second opinion on this. I shot this video about an hour ago.



    Hear that whine? Sounds very similar to the videos in ship4u's link, granted I've been told I have terrible hearing in the past lol
    Forgot to ask, does EVERY N20 engine qualify for the extended warranty? I've tried searching online to see if mine qualifies but no luck. Called the dealer I usually have my car maintained at as well but awaiting a call back.

  15. #15
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    The website i posted above will tell you. Type your vin there to find out.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    The website i posted above will tell you. Type your vin there to find out.
    It appears to be a reimbursement site, as if I had the work done on my own initially. I'm assuming that means that the dealer will cover it under warranty if I take it to one?

  17. #17
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    Yes, those are warranty extensions specific to your car. A dealer can take it in and do it all, and then they collect the payment from warranty program.
    Point is, if it shows up there, your car/engine is covered.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by musclecar70sfan View Post
    Forgot to ask, does EVERY N20 engine qualify for the extended warranty? I've tried searching online to see if mine qualifies but no luck. Called the dealer I usually have my car maintained at as well but awaiting a call back.
    No.

    It's based on production dates and where the engines were sourced. Some models as early as 6/2011 production have the extension, but it looks like nothing produced after 2/2015 does.
    Last edited by Critter7r; 04-25-2019 at 04:05 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  19. #19
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    Alright, so some good news, the dealership called me back and said that my car IS covered until December 2019.

    Now with that said, what's the general consensus with the video I posted? If it is in fact the timing chain issue, I obviously don't pay a dime to BMW (and get a sweet new loaner for a couple days), if it is NOT, I am out $170+tax for the diagnostic fee. I have an appointment scheduled Friday, May 10th. Hope to get a decent amount of feedback prior to that date.

  20. #20
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    They're going to charge you $170 to have someone listen the noise that the engine is making? Eff that. The shop foreman should be able to walk out into the service drive, pop the hood, rev the engine and tell you within 5 seconds if it's the right noise.
    Last edited by Critter7r; 04-25-2019 at 04:47 PM.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  21. #21
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    I was going to say that it sounds like timing chain whine, but I had my shop foreman listen to it and he thinks that it isn't.

    The timing chain whine sounds like supercharger. I have an audio file of it in an email, but can't save it to my computer and upload it to this thread for some reason. But the problem - when it exists - is obvious, and doesn't take as much effort to recognize as we're putting into your engine sound.
    Quote Originally Posted by B4SH View Post
    If anyone knows, it's this guy who knows literally nothing about everything.
    Quote Originally Posted by fcvapor05 View Post
    Do you even OT? The mean 401k around here is probably about $6, what with all the shiny cars and $1,000 watches and donations to get other members' Volvos running.


  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Critter7r View Post
    I was going to say that it sounds like timing chain whine, but I had my shop foreman listen to it and he thinks that it isn't.

    The timing chain whine sounds like supercharger. I have an audio file of it in an email, but can't save it to my computer and upload it to this thread for some reason. But the problem - when it exists - is obvious, and doesn't take as much effort to recognize as we're putting into your engine sound.
    It kinda does sound like a supercharger at higher RPM. The service adviser at BMW told me the noise is typically heard at idle but most of the videos online exhibit a similar whine while revving.

  23. #23
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    UPDATE: So I brought my car down to the dealer today and they did verify that it IS the timing chains making the noise, so that will be fixed under warranty at no cost to me

  24. #24
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    Sometimes the system works!

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by marvinstockman View Post
    Sometimes the system works!
    Yeah! The service adviser called me earlier telling me my car is ready. I also asked what this job would've cost me if I paid for it out of pocket... he said somewhere around $4000!! I should have a copy of the service RO and what exactly was done to the car when I go to get it this evening, if you guys care to see.

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