01-17-2018, 10:20 AM | #1 |
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Sold F30 328xi based on N20 Timing Guide Issues
A few years ago I purchased a used 2015 328i X-Drive and later discovered I missed the upgraded plastic timing chain guide by 2 months. Not wanting to find myself stranded with a self destructed engine, I tried to have BMW Canada deal with the issue proactively. What I got from both the local dealer and BMW Canada was the run around and trying to get me to buy an extended warranty or pay for the proactive repair myself ($8,000) or nonsensical advise like "Do oil changes regularly and it won't be a problem". I even tried to use the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with BMW Canada to no avail, they have a D+ rating by the way. Then I learned that BMW USA had extended the warranty to protect its customers. So I made a decision that it was time to part with this car before the warranty ran out this year in 2018.
This guide issue in addition to an on-going battery discharge warning in cold weather (was supposedly reprogrammed by dealer to address issue, not!!), a turbo already replaced under warranty and having to push buttons to have the sport mode implemented, so it mimics a BMW Suspension was enough for me, and I ended up trading the F30 in for a 2013 E92 335xi with the M package with low mileage. What a joy to go back to a car with a proper M suspension (no buttons to implement), a smooth 6 cylinder rather than the jerky power delivery of an over worked 4 cylinder and proper steering. Hate to say it but BMW has lost its way and I will never buy a new BMW again. I will try to keep my E36, my E46 and now E92 on the road as long as possible and BMW to me now is just a parts supplier. Even if I was to buy a new car at some point in the future, I would not consider BMW based on there inability to stand behind their products. An interesting side note was I went back to the non-BMW dealer, I originally bought the car from and asked if they wanted to buy the car. I was told they were interested but preferred a trade deal. I said that they did not have any BMWs for sale. The salesperson said that they have stopped buying BMWs at auction based on problems with the X-1, X-3 engines. He did not say what the problems were but I am think they have had a few customer experience the N20 timing chain guide issue and engine destruction to stop buying BMW altogether at dealer auctions. Please don't take this post as sour grapes, many of you love your F30's with the N20 engine and I wish you the best but to me a problem with defective parts that could literally destroy an engine is not something I want hanging over my head. Hopefully, BMW will step up and help the rest of the N20 engine owners but it appears that they are using the "Fight Club" formula as to whether to address the issue (cost vs risk). In the meantime Google, "N20 class action suit" in Ontario and join in as it appears that this will be the only way to address the financial hardship the timing guide issue has or may cause owners. Daylights |
01-22-2018, 09:21 AM | #2 | |
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01-22-2018, 10:01 AM | #3 |
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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2015 has the n26 engine
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01-22-2018, 12:56 PM | #4 |
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Boy did that dealer have your number; glad it worked out in the end for you but do remember that you were speaking with a salesman about all this All joking/puns aside, to each his own and if you weren't comfortable with the car, it was time for you to let it go anyway. Best of luck with your new ride!
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Originally Posted by jmg
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01-22-2018, 12:59 PM | #5 |
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Originally Posted by jmg
That seat was meant to be used, are you going to deny it's purpose in life? |
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01-22-2018, 03:29 PM | #6 |
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Actually the 2015 328i made in 2014 uses the N20 engine but as someone pointed out both the N20 and the N26 have the same guide problem.
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01-22-2018, 03:32 PM | #7 | |
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01-22-2018, 03:43 PM | #8 | |
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I never push the button for sport when I get in until it's warmed up to temp but I am curious; what did you end up with? To me, there's a sh**load of awesome options at the moment!
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Originally Posted by jmg
That seat was meant to be used, are you going to deny it's purpose in life? |
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01-23-2018, 08:48 AM | #10 |
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For someone who was concerned about the N20 engine the E92 335i would have been avoided. Granted these issues are not as bad as a timing chain preventative cost and sorry to hear you were messed around. Budget for repairs:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605631 |
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01-23-2018, 09:15 AM | #11 | |
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Also, i didn't realize pushing the Sporr rocker button once or twice was such a big deal? You must get wildly livid when having to push the start button and volume buttons and adjusting HVAC temp. |
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01-23-2018, 02:11 PM | #12 | |
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01-23-2018, 02:14 PM | #13 | |
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01-23-2018, 02:16 PM | #14 | |
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01-23-2018, 04:34 PM | #15 | |
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Should have bought a M235/240/M2 if you want proper steering and suspension in a late model BMW. Also, stop buying xdrives as they kill the BMW driving experience I find rather amusing that you think the handling and steering is subpar yet still bought the 328ix. When all things are said and done, that 6 y/o E92 335 will nickel and dime you in the next two years or less. With the amount of money lost on depreciation, taxes, etc. and a older car that will certainly have a host of $1,000+ issues in the very near future, you could have had that timing chain guide and chain fixed at a BMW indie shop for peanuts in comparison. Lastly, the battery discharge matter is nothing more than an annoyance that affects many BMWs in excessively cold temps. The battery warning system is simply hyper-active (even when adjusted). The fix is a $60 battery tender and it's likely you wouldn't see the warning.
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Last edited by XutvJet; 01-23-2018 at 04:39 PM.. |
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01-24-2018, 08:21 AM | #16 |
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The fix is a $60 battery tender and it's likely you wouldn't see the warning.[/QUOTE]
That's why I bought a $40 K car so I could then buy a $60 trickle charger for my 1974 Nova, sorry, 2015 328I Xdrive. Also, don't mind a few repairs as long as I am enjoying the ride in between repair. Plus a few repairs does not compare to the cost of an engine that self destructs due to a cheap plastic parts. Seems like a lot of new owners with the N20 and N26 appear offended by my update, I guess the old saying that "Ignorance is bliss" has some truth. All the best, hope not to see you stranded at the side of the road. |
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01-24-2018, 08:31 AM | #17 |
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01-24-2018, 12:45 PM | #18 | |
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I agree that the timing chain issue in the N20/26 is unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world. You could have preemptively fixed the issue for much cheaper than your car swap. Sounds like you're happy now.......until of course that 335i starts acting up with the more common, expensive problems. Then you'll post to the E92 forums about how much a POS that car is.
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01-24-2018, 04:11 PM | #19 |
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I agree that the timing chain issue in the N20/26 is unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world. You could have preemptively fixed the issue for much cheaper than your car swap. Sounds like you're happy now.......until of course that 335i starts acting up with the more common, expensive problems. Then you'll post to the E92 forums about how much a POS that car is.[/QUOTE]
Maintenance and some repair are fine. I have, still on the road in as new condition, an E36 and an E46 in addition to the E92. The only POS with the potential for a complete catastrophic engine failure was the F30. POS + sold sign = piece of mind!! P.S. Keep a small sign in your F30 trunk that says "F30POST" and if I see you at the side of the road holding the sign, after the timing chain guide has reared its ugly head, I will pick you up. But the sign is important, can't be too careful these days!! Last edited by Daylights; 01-25-2018 at 09:38 AM.. |
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