[D041987]

Well first BMW I bought. Came from the world of Japanese. Last car was a Built WRX with a fully forged 2.5l that I built all myself and put down 580 WHP and 540 WTQ. Was looking for something more high class and always liked the BMW brand and looks.

Long story short bought the car slightly used with 1 owner and 32K full service always done at BMW Dealership. Took the car on a fun spirited run in the back country with twisties keeping the RPMS around 4K to 5500K. After about 8 min of having fun the engine started acting funny, felt like the clutch was slipping and was bogging down. I stopped the car and looked around and nothing was wrong or leaking. Limped the car home and noticed about half a quart of oil came out the bottom. Had the car towed to BMW Dealership and today they gave me a call.

My engine suffered from a rear main oil seal that let go, also this happened because the timing chain component or gear that drives the timing chain have elongated or was off centered somehow (probably from the twisties going back and forth left to right) which caused the chain to stretch and in turn caused a rough slack that probably slightly shifted the crank and lodged the rear main seal out. I am out a car for 2 months as they need to send findings to BMW in Germany and they said that they may send out a guy from Germany to document the failure. So is BMW really that fricking cheaply made..... it cant handle turns and moderate RPM's? I am very disgusted that a car with such low miles and full service history broke down after 1 run from me and I was not pushing the car hard at all( in the sense of any of my other cars) This is suppose to be BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine! I am not a very happy owner with just 3 days of use on the car from a dealership! Anyone else have documented any issues with the timing chain or rear seal going bad after 30K? The Master mechanic said that he sees the rear seal go after 25 to 35K on all the new N20 to N55 motors and some M series as well. Probably will be selling the car right after it is fixed.

[lens]

Originally Posted by D041987

Well first BMW I bought. Came from the world of Japanese. Last car was a Built WRX with a fully forged 2.5l that I built all myself and put down 580 WHP and 540 WTQ. Was looking for something more high class and always liked the BMW brand and looks.

Long story short bought the car slightly used with 1 owner and 32K full service always done at BMW Dealership. Took the car on a fun spirited run in the back country with twisties keeping the RPMS around 4K to 5500K. After about 8 min of having fun the engine started acting funny, felt like the clutch was slipping and was bogging down. I stopped the car and looked around and nothing was wrong or leaking. Limped the car home and noticed about half a quart of oil came out the bottom. Had the car towed to BMW Dealership and today they gave me a call.

My engine suffered from a rear main oil seal that let go, also this happened because the timing chain component or gear that drives the timing chain have elongated or was off centered somehow (probably from the twisties going back and forth left to right) which caused the chain to stretch and in turn caused a rough slack that probably slightly shifted the crank and lodged the rear main seal out. I am out a car for 2 months as they need to send findings to BMW in Germany and they said that they may send out a guy from Germany to document the failure. So is BMW really that fricking cheaply made..... it cant handle turns and moderate RPM's? I am very disgusted that a car with such low miles and full service history broke down after 1 run from me and I was not pushing the car hard at all( in the sense of any of my other cars) This is suppose to be BMW the Ultimate Driving Machine! I am not a very happy owner with just 3 days of use on the car from a dealership! Anyone else have documented any issues with the timing chain or rear seal going bad after 30K? The Master mechanic said that he sees the rear seal go after 25 to 35K on all the new N20 to N55 motors and some M series as well. Probably will be selling the car right after it is fixed.

Normally, I would get the car inspected or buy it CPO (Was it CPO?) you may have gotten a vehicle where the last owner might not have taken care of that car that well.

Since you came from a built WRX, I would suggest getting a CPO 335i as you're a tuner, unless you want to forge the N20/N26 then ignore what I said. I used to own a N20/N26 before my N55 and regretted not getting the N55 first as it was alot more fun around twists, and the sound was intoxicating. but this seems like a case of bad luck on your part.

The N20/N26 platforms aren't really made for performance, it's more efficiency and for the many who want a sporty car, but still want fuel economy for a cheaper price, as you move up, they are better built, the M3 being the best at the track.

[CatDaddyJones]

Mine was CPO and had the CEL come on less than 24 hours after buying it from a BMW dealership. Mine was the cat converter only but clearly CPO is nothing more than a extra warranty. BMW is not checking these cars our prior to sale. Turn and burn is the stealership game. You may want to read up on timing chain issues with the N20. You should be covered regardless. BMW did take good care of my issues and my car has been rock solid since. Best of luck. Dont go back to the ricers. They too have issues and it will feel like a toy after the BMW.

[Project Elite]

50K and going strong with my N26. No issues with mine.

[MickAv8r]

Its a 2012 N20 - the timing chain stretching is a KNOWN ISSUE, should take 2 weeks for BMW to cover it under warranty not 2 months. Dont let them bullshit you on this, there is a tech bulletin on this.

[williammm]

Originally Posted by MickAv8r

Its a 2012 N20 - the timing chain stretching is a KNOWN ISSUE, should take 2 weeks for BMW to cover it under warranty not 2 months. Dont let them bullshit you on this, there is a tech bulletin on this.

Are we covered if car is no longer have warranty?

[CatDaddyJones]

No. They may work with you on the cost but you are not covered. This isnt a recall but more of a notice to their shops. They are not willing to take the hit on the money it would cost to correct their design mistake. Sad but true.

[D041987]

So with the new parts they will put in, has this design flaw been fixed?

[CatDaddyJones]

So they say. Time will tell.

[MickAv8r]

Originally Posted by williammm

Are we covered if car is no longer have warranty?

I'd say maybe. I think they are doing it on a case by case basis. I wouldnt take no for an answer personally. Its entirely their fault, its not the dealer's decision but BMW NA.

[Who?]

how much would the timing chain out of pocket?

[williammm]

What are the items needed to be change? Just the timing chain or?

[D041987]

They said the gears and shafts that turn the timing chain and misc. parts that go with it. The said the Gears stretch which causes the chain to stretch as well. I sorta doubt it and its probs BS but BMW said it is a big job and costs north of 4K.

[CatDaddyJones]

Using a billing rate per hour of $150 yes. Those guys make $20/hr max. Smoke and mirrors mostly but who cares as long as its fixed under warranty. Considering you had it less than a week. Raise hell if you have to pay a red cent!

[D041987]

I will know the full details on what is fixed on Monday as they are waiting to hear back from BMW NA on what else they may need to replace with my car as the rear main seal went at the same time... so I suspect it might have something more than just the failed Timing Chain. But will keep you posted. And Yes, all is covered under warranty.

[PappyVR4]

I'm very interested in the coming details. My rear main seal was leaking slightly at my end of warranty check and had to be replaced. Thanks for sharing.

[scostu]

Originally Posted by PappyVR4

I'm very interested in the coming details. My rear main seal was leaking slightly at my end of warranty check and had to be replaced. Thanks for sharing.

How many miles on your vehicle?
And build date?

[PappyVR4]

About 58k miles now, and a build date of 05/2012

[Burnt C6]

Originally Posted by chaungo

Normally, I would get the car inspected or buy it CPO (Was it CPO?) you may have gotten a vehicle where the last owner might not have taken care of that car that well.

Since you came from a built WRX, I would suggest getting a CPO 335i as you're a tuner, unless you want to forge the N20/N26 then ignore what I said. I used to own a N20/N26 before my N55 and regretted not getting the N55 first as it was alot more fun around twists, and the sound was intoxicating. but this seems like a case of bad luck on your part.

The N20/N26 platforms aren't really made for performance, it's more efficiency and for the many who want a sporty car, but still want fuel economy for a cheaper price, as you move up, they are better built, the M3 being the best at the track.

Forged rods and Pistons are available no Forged Cranks on the market so I'm told buy a number of folks who build N54's and 55's. really sucks since I'm looking to build a new motor to make some serious HP out of.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by Burnt C6

Forged rods and Pistons are available no Forged Cranks on the market so I'm told buy a number of folks who build N54's and 55's. really sucks since I'm looking to build a new motor to make some serious HP out of.

where did you find forged rods and pistons?

[Seraphblade@sg]

Originally Posted by Burnt C6

Forged rods and Pistons are available no Forged Cranks on the market so I'm told buy a number of folks who build N54's and 55's. really sucks since I'm looking to build a new motor to make some serious HP out of.

Pretty sure the n20 already came with forged crankshaft.....

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by CatDaddyJones

No. They may work with you on the cost but you are not covered. This isnt a recall but more of a notice to their shops. They are not willing to take the hit on the money it would cost to correct their design mistake. Sad but true.

Not sure who you talked to about this, but my tech told me when I questioned him about this issue that they will in fact warranty this outside of warranty in good faith as it is a known issue, but not big enough to do a recall. There is one thing though that must be done and that is you have to make sure you get all your oil changes on time. If the oil changes are up to date then they will warranty even if the car is outside of warranty. This came from the foreman of the dealership I go to.