[sspade]

Can someone (or multiple someone's) go to realoem.com and tell me what timing chain number you see listed for your specific vin?

Trying to determine something...

Model year and timing chain part number would be huge:

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by dandurante

It's a 2013MY that I've personally put 84k miles on.



Let me be clear here. Small problems and/or issues that are dealt with accordingly do not scare me or make me shy away from a brand. Overall the car has been great and I've been a car enthusiast my entire life. I've had plenty of "problematic" vehicle brands in the past. The reason I made a switch to BMW is because I knew I was quitting my corporate job and going into business for myself. I wanted a nice vehicle and it was between a newer S4 and the 328i. I couldn't justify the S4 financially and knew I wouldn't be happy in an A4 after driving Audis "higher end vehicles" previously. Plus I knew a lot of people who had issues with the Audi's 2.0 (Ironically) so between not wanting a lower end Audi and not being able to justify the $200 extra monthly payment for an S4, I choose the BMW.

I've had Audis up until I purchased this 328i. Previous to this I owned an S4 and an A8 both of which have known issues but the difference here is that Audi stepped up to the plate when they made mistakes.

To me, the most frustrating part is that this is such a widely known problem and BMW treats it as its not a huge issue.

***I Also Have An Update on the Class Action Lawsuit. I planned on pulling the motor myself and putting a new "pre-owned" motor into the vehicle. The layers told me to contact the local dealer and to tell them I know about the Lawsuit and see if they will do the work. I have to do that on Monday. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens... I have it at my buddies house so I can pull the motor if they refuse and get this thing back on the road.

Your correct to be frustrated with BMW... but I know a fact they don't need to do anything per not all owners will even so something about this and only less than fraction will do something about. You think its money wise for a car company do replace everything... they rolling the dice whoever want to file a suit.

How I know this cause Ford did the same thing with the DCT transmission on the fiesta and focus. Million of transmission on the car, class action suit got owners some money but not even close to fixing any problem. On my family part we sued individually and we won and I can't say for sure if you will on this one.... car company are buying time ....most owners are buying new car before this problem exists. I have sympathy I have a 2016 428i N26 powered. By all means they fix it they said but will keep an eye.

I research as much I can avoiding buying used pre 2015 n20/26 BMW. Hope you get something in return

[natesi]

Originally Posted by sspade

Can someone (or multiple someone's) go to realoem.com and tell me what timing chain number you see listed for your specific vin?

Trying to determine something...

Model year and timing chain part number would be huge:

My 2016 n26 lists the timing chain part as 11318648732 when I put in the VIN.

It looks like they redesigned the tensioner after my car was built, though. Shit. I wonder how bad that is.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by natesi

My 2016 n26 lists the timing chain part as 11318648732 when I put in the VIN.

When I entered the vin from my 7/14 build, I found the same timing chain as you did for your 2016, which is not consistent with what we believe was being built at the time my car was assembled. Could it be that this site is showing only the current superceded part number for replacement? Did anyone come up with the older chain part number? Is the root cause a failure of the chain or the tensioner, which does have a superceded as well as prior part number? I have read in this thread about both the chain as well as "components".

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

When I entered the vin from my 7/14 build, I found the same timing chain as you did for your 2016, which is not consistent with what we believe was being built at the time my car was assembled. Could it be that this site is showing only the current superceded part number for replacement? Did anyone come up with the older chain part number? Is the root cause a failure of the chain or the tensioner, which does have a superceded as well as prior part number? I have read in this thread about both the chain as well as "components".

This is exactly the same conclusion I am coming to.

My 2014 shows the newest part number as well.

So apparently realoem does not tell you EXACTLY what part numbers are installed on your vehicle and does require some interpretation...

[sspade]

As far as I can tell from scouring realoem...

The timing chain and tensioner are the only components with new part numbers. The guide has not changed contrary to popular belief.

I have not double checked the oil pump, chain, etc. yet to see if anything changed there.

[sspade]

It does appear that the tensioner for our engine can be accessed from OUTSIDE the engine...

Wish someone would toss one in and do a DIY. I dont have a garage currently

[sspade]

Updated tensioner part number : 11318685091

https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-BMW-F10...temCondition=3

[sspade]

Sportstick

Old (defective) timing chain part number: 11317584084

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by sspade

Sportstick

Old (defective) timing chain part number: 11317584084

Yes, and I can only assume that is what is in my car, based on date of assembly.

[dandurante]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Your correct to be frustrated with BMW... but I know a fact they don't need to do anything per not all owners will even so something about this and only less than fraction will do something about. You think its money wise for a car company do replace everything... they rolling the dice whoever want to file a suit.

How I know this cause Ford did the same thing with the DCT transmission on the fiesta and focus. Million of transmission on the car, class action suit got owners some money but not even close to fixing any problem. On my family part we sued individually and we won and I can't say for sure if you will on this one.... car company are buying time ....most owners are buying new car before this problem exists. I have sympathy I have a 2016 428i N26 powered. By all means they fix it they said but will keep an eye.

I research as much I can avoiding buying used pre 2015 n20/26 BMW. Hope you get something in return

Thanks, brother. I spoke with the local dealer today. I should hear back from them this afternoon.

If I knew then, what I know now. I would have purchased a newer MY F30. At the end of the day, its a big issue for them and one that would potentially cost them millions. I don't feel bad for them, however. They are in business to make money and they are good at what they do. (This goes for most vehicle brands)... I worked in a dealership years ago and understand how this could be a frustrating issue to deal with. Had they made this issue a recall rather than an "extended warranty" item then I feel the would have prevented a lot of the issues for themselves and their clients.

I'll keep everyone updated on what happens with the dealer. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻they will be able to do something though I am not hopeful and have a motor lined up in the case that I need to do this myself.

[MyEvo8u]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Any updates on this OP? Have you located a used post 01/15 N20 built date or get a N55? Ever since I got my ‘15 320i random ppl think it’s the best thing since sliced bread and want one (I mean it’s a 320, nothing special). I tell them to get one that is built 01/15 or newer to avoid issues

Hey Sorry for the delay in updates. I actually just got back from my mechanic, I was able to find a 2016 N20 out of a 328i down in Georgia through LKQ. He said he should have it swapped in by Friday afternoon. So happy to be past this and hope this car lasts for a long time now.

[MyEvo8u]

Originally Posted by dandurante

It's a 2013MY that I've personally put 84k miles on.



Let me be clear here. Small problems and/or issues that are dealt with accordingly do not scare me or make me shy away from a brand. Overall the car has been great and I've been a car enthusiast my entire life. I've had plenty of "problematic" vehicle brands in the past. The reason I made a switch to BMW is because I knew I was quitting my corporate job and going into business for myself. I wanted a nice vehicle and it was between a newer S4 and the 328i. I couldn't justify the S4 financially and knew I wouldn't be happy in an A4 after driving Audis "higher end vehicles" previously. Plus I knew a lot of people who had issues with the Audi's 2.0 (Ironically) so between not wanting a lower end Audi and not being able to justify the $200 extra monthly payment for an S4, I choose the BMW.

I've had Audis up until I purchased this 328i. Previous to this I owned an S4 and an A8 both of which have known issues but the difference here is that Audi stepped up to the plate when they made mistakes.

To me, the most frustrating part is that this is such a widely known problem and BMW treats it as its not a huge issue.

***I Also Have An Update on the Class Action Lawsuit. I planned on pulling the motor myself and putting a new "pre-owned" motor into the vehicle. The layers told me to contact the local dealer and to tell them I know about the Lawsuit and see if they will do the work. I have to do that on Monday. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens... I have it at my buddies house so I can pull the motor if they refuse and get this thing back on the road.

So, your prob shit out of luck if your out of warranty for the car. Local dealer is not going to help you, its not their fault. You have to deal with BMW NA to see if they will provide assistance. My local dealer wanted 10K and that was with the best discount her could do.

I think your best option is to take it to BMW let them diagnose the issue and confirm it was timing chain. Get the documentation and then source a pre-owned motor and either do it yourself or have a mechanic swap it. Now you can cross your fingers and hope the class action goes through and you get reimbursed since the problem was accurately confirmed by a legit BMW tech.

My BMW dealer diagnosed the issue and was super courteous and didn't charge me anything. Even though they knew i was going to take it to an INDY to get the work done.

We were able to source a 2016 motor and its being dropped in as we speak. I would have done the work myself, but i don't have the time and just want it back on the road. Additional, I wanted to have good documentation for everything to give me the best chances of reimbursement if the class action goes through.

[MyEvo8u]

Originally Posted by sspade

Very biased response. But no offense taken, this is a great thread with some honest opinions.

sspade, to go back to that piece, I would say I must be one of the few knowledgeable people that had their N20 Blow up. I have been a car guy my whole life and have done motor swaps, rebuilt a trans and what not in the past.

So the car was well taken care of and serviced properly with 1/2 interval oil changes. If I would have had any signs it would have been dealt with. The only thing that could have contributed to it was the stop/start. I never coded it to be off, but every time i noticed it i would hit the button. So it's not like I was compeltley clueless.

I'm over the fact that the motor is blown. I take it as a life learning lesson. Just have to do more research on the next car i buy, including not buying a first gen new model with a new motor.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by MyEvo8u

So the car was well taken care of and serviced properly with 1/2 interval oil changes. If I would have had any signs it would have been dealt with. The only thing that could have contributed to it was the stop/start. I never coded it to be off, but every time i noticed it i would hit the button. So it's not like I was compeltley clueless.

Am I understanding correctly that you did not hear the supposedly early warning of a whining sound before catastrophic failure?

[sspade]

dandurante
MyEvo8u

You guys should really vote on this thread:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1622988

[dandurante]

Originally Posted by MyEvo8u

Hey Sorry for the delay in updates. I actually just got back from my mechanic, I was able to find a 2016 N20 out of a 328i down in Georgia through LKQ. He said he should have it swapped in by Friday afternoon. So happy to be past this and hope this car lasts for a long time now.

Not sure if he is a BMW tech but if not here is some helpful info that may help save some frustration.

My buddy is a Shop Foreman for BMW and I asked him about the newer motor. He said it should be a direct replacement BUT you'll have to use the old injectors from the bad motor. The newer cars use different Activation Numbers so the car would maybe idle but will not run with the newer injectors. Everything else should be identical externally.

Good luck! I think I'm pulling mine and replacing it myself.

[dandurante]

Originally Posted by sspade

dandurante
MyEvo8u

You guys should really vote on this thread:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1622988

Ironically I posted on that thread yesterday.

[MyEvo8u]

Originally Posted by dandurante

Not sure if he is a BMW tech but if not here is some helpful info that may help save some frustration.

My buddy is a Shop Foreman for BMW and I asked him about the newer motor. He said it should be a direct replacement BUT you'll have to use the old injectors from the bad motor. The newer cars use different Activation Numbers so the car would maybe idle but will not run with the newer injectors. Everything else should be identical externally.

Good luck! I think I'm pulling mine and replacing it myself.

Yeah I knew about the injectors! thanks for the reminded and man do I wish i had to the time to do it myself but at the same time I am happy it will just be done and I won't have to break a sweat hahaha.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by MyEvo8u

sspade, to go back to that piece, I would say I must be one of the few knowledgeable people that had their N20 Blow up. I have been a car guy my whole life and have done motor swaps, rebuilt a trans and what not in the past.

So the car was well taken care of and serviced properly with 1/2 interval oil changes. If I would have had any signs it would have been dealt with. The only thing that could have contributed to it was the stop/start. I never coded it to be off, but every time i noticed it i would hit the button. So it's not like I was compeltley clueless.

I'm over the fact that the motor is blown. I take it as a life learning lesson. Just have to do more research on the next car i buy, including not buying a first gen new model with a new motor.

You should cast your vote here:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1622988

[sspade]

Originally Posted by dandurante

Ironically I posted on that thread yesterday.

But you didnt vote Yes? Didnt your timing chain fail or am I confused?

Only 1 yes vote so far and its not from you.

[MyEvo8u]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Am I understanding correctly that you did not hear the supposedly early warning of a whining sound before catastrophic failure?

Correct, there was No whining noise. I take great care of this car and and very familiar with vehicles in general. I consider myself a Pro DIY Garage Mechanic hahaha. I would have heard it and known something was up, but nothing.