[BennettBucsFan]

I've got a 2013 328i with an N26 and yep the engine just blew at 110,000 miles. I knew I was driving a ticking time bomb and since the law suit didn't get resolved until after I hit 100K I'm out of luck. The TC tensioner broke, which allowed the TC to get really loose and start grinding the TC guides causing a lot of the plastic to clog the oil pump and starve the engine of oil. I guess if you are playing russian roulette with these engines it's probably worth the $70 or whatever to change the TC tensioner. I'm not saying it will solve the problem but it wouldn't hurt.

So now I'm in the market for a new engine and I told the shop I only want an N26 with a build date of 3/2015 or newer as those would be free of any of the defective parts. What I'm being told is that it is not compatible that some of the A/C lines and other wires were on opposite sides of the engine in 2015 as opposed to 2013. Can anyone confirm or deny the validity of that?

Not sure if any of you have seen the video Kies Motorsports has on YouTube flaunting BMW's Secret Warranty saying he got a new engine from BMW on a SULEV car he bought with a blown engine caused by the TC guides failing at 140K miles. I have no idea how he pulled that off, but if you are banking on that as a fallback after watching his video, don't.

My best advice would be if you have an N20 or N26 built on or before 2/2015 and you have over 100k and the original TC parts sell it or trade it in ASAP and count your blessings. If you are over 70K but under 100K then just bite the bullet and get the new TC parts installed, at least BMW is footing some of the bill now.

[Billfitz]

There is a grain of truth in the Kies video, but only if you live in a SULEV warranty state, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

[BennettBucsFan]

I had my car titled and licensed in Vermont. They laughed at me for thinking that would be covered under SULEV. None of the parts are listed in the warranty so I get it. Were you able to pull it off as well Billfitz?

[RMachuca3d]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There is a grain of truth in the Kies video, but only if you live in a SULEV warranty state, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

FYI, washington is PARTIAL SULEV, meaning you dont get the same coverage as california for example, i know, i tried :P.

[sqwinny]

Build date on the n20/n26 doesn't matter if they are going to give you a new engine. Make sure it HAS the most recent timing chain + guides and you'll be set. Otherwise the differences (fuel line) aren't worth the fuss.