[D800]

Hi All,

Looking at a 2011 320d with the notorious N47. 140000 miles. I have been looking specifically for one that has had the timing chain replaced recently which is stated by the seller for this one. Price would be over usual without the chain change but seems good if it’s been done.

Seller tells me that his father (a mechanic who owns a classic car restoration place) acquired the car through a friend who asked if it could be looked at as it has an oil leak but not especially noisy. He says that when removing rocker cover they found the chain was flapping about. He says they brought the car of the friend and have now fitted a new timing chain kit (and rocker cover apparently) and are selling the car (he also sells much more higher end/prestige cars on eBay).

My question is what should I ask for or reasonably expect the seller to provide me of as proof of the timing chain replacement? For me and what I know about this engine, feeling confident it definitely has been done is make or break for me.

I can of course go and look/listen at it (I have insisted on a cold start) to which seller is amenable. Would receipts/invoices for the parts be a reasonable thing to insist on? I figured this way I can see what quality of parts they used (as I imagine there are cheap Chinese kits out there?). TBH I don’t think I should just accept a retrospectively created headed invoice with "timing chain changed" or should I?!

I don't think there is any visual way to tell its been done or not is there?

Thanks for any thoughts.

D

[tadaska]

If he is in a car business he knows to keep receipts for proof and if he hasn't got them I'd just walk away.

[D800]

Originally Posted by tadaska

If he is in a car business he knows to keep receipts for proof and if he hasn't got them I'd just walk away.

Yes sounds right to me. Thanks!

[Rich_D]

As above, surely he would have the receipt for the timing chain kit, if not move along.

[D800]

Yep - had nothing - said he would get reciepts from the shop that supplied the parts then went quiet.

[Tambohamilton]

That's dumb. I kept the receipts and the removed parts when I did them on my partner's car.

[Matt_E90]

Definately need receipts otherwise it might not even have been done.
The 2011 models have the revised N47T engine which is supposed to be fixed (but not immune) in regards to the chain failure

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Matt_E90

Definately need receipts otherwise it might not even have been done.
The 2011 models have the revised N47T engine which is supposed to be fixed (but not immune) in regards to the chain failure

There are part revisions dating up to 2013 or 2014 in N47 tensioners and guides. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but I wouldn't consider any of them immune really

[LORDD]

I bought my 2010 320d sport e91 with new chain replaced and guides but was only mentioned/written in the service book but had no proof . Apparently it had snapped so was rebuilt . I still ended up buying it as was the best spec 320d out there at the time . A while after I bought it I rang up the company in the service book , he explained it was his car that had come in as a part ex with broken chain he replaced it and sold it . I asked for proof he would send it on but didn’t . After this it has done about 30k so it’s good enough for me.