2011 X5 E70 timing chain

[Karlparris7]

I just been for mot and garage have said that engine in making a bit of noise when reved and suspect it to be timing chain.
I’m not sure of cost yet as waiting for quotes to come back but been told engine & gearbox have to come out to do this job ,I think it’s gonna cost a pretty packet.
Has any one else had to have there’s done is so how much and how long did it take?

[mr angry]

I picked up a 2010 x5 40d for a friend a few weeks back and it had a receipt for new chain fitted a few months earlier. If I recal it was around £1500 for parts and labour at a local indie. You are correct, the engine has to come out as the chains are at the rear.

If it is noisey I wouldnt use it until repaired as replacement n57 engines are expensive.

[X5Sport]

What’s the mileage on the car? Just so owners know when they also need to be aware of it. It would be useful to know if it was a result of a tensioner issue - as happens on V8s too.

The timing chain is at the back of the engine for some reason that only BMW could explain! That’s why the engine and box have to come out.

[Karlparris7]

Mileage is 97000

[neil50]

I would be wary of driving it until sorted because if the guide is involved this could get damaged and throw pieces into areas that you do not want and cause more damage. Worse case is the chain coming lose, jumping teeth and trashing the engine.

If the engine comes out, I would also take the opportunity to have a look at engine/gearbox mounts and also gearbox and transfer box oil change at the same time.

I won an auction for an E70 but to give them their due, the seller on t'internet notified me it had started to rattle on revs and gave me the option to pull out. I did some research at costs etc. as they also offered a big discount but with engine out etc. I decided against it. They told me it would be a couple of weeks until the car would be sorted if I still wanted it but I am sure it wouldn't take that long as a dedicated task from a garage.

[Leslie]

That's a very disappointing mileage for that to be happening

[X5Sport]

That's a very disappointing mileage for that to be happening

I was thinking the same. That’s no mileage at all for a diesel, or a timing chain to be honest.

[Karlparris7]

I’ve had the first quote back ...... £ 2300

[X5Sport]

Have you had a second opinion? As in has it been confirmed that there is an issue with the chain?

[mr angry]

To be honest the parts arent that much its the labour costs involved. Shop around and even a bit further afield to get a decent quote

[neil50]

I think that may be the going rate, the car that I was going to buy until they found it had a rattling chain could have been mine with the chain issue as they agreed to knock off £2K from the price if I still wanted it. This would have been the cost to them to get it fixed.

[Leslie]

Is the original thread car with 97k about a 40d as well ? Karl how long have you had it / miles in your ownership , is it town driving or motorway ?
I notice crusing along at say 50 my revs will be like very low say 1300 rpm which is far from ideal / too low wonder if this is bad for chains ?

[X5Sport]

Low rpm is a diesel characteristic. The torque is all at the bottom end. Petrol engines rev higher because the power bands are different. Why would low rpm be bad for a chain?

[mr angry]

As I understand it, the cause of these failures is thought to be the extended intervals between oil changes.

[Karlparris7]

I’ve had the car just over 4 years, it had 65000 when I got it and 90% of the miles I’ve done have been around town