Problems with BMW 1 series

Iceweasel

I would love to be wrong, but I think the OP is stuffed.

If serviced or the engine dismantled outside the dealer network - and with no extended BMW warranty - I don't think he has a chance.

But I am not sure of the legal situation as the finance company might have some tricks up their sleeve.

Have a look here - the OP is not alone:

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=53451&hilit=timing+chain

138 pages on one BMW forum alone!


Good luck with this.

GolfBravo

Oh dear. BMW N47 engine. A ticking time bomb.

This is the engine with the timing chain at the back (flywheel side) in order to lower the front of the engine to allow for a lower bonnet design.

This means that the timing chain is impossible to get at. It is something like 11 hours labour to refit it - you need to remove drive shaft, exhaust, transmission, clutch, flywheel, etc. And then possibly have to fit a new clutch as well. Alternatively remove the engine. Pain in the backside either way.

And there is a very well known chain/chain guide issue on this engine. But BMW have opted to not announce a recall to replace these chains due to very high cost, and they are just hoping that not too many break.

In the worst case scenario you may have to rebuild the engine (~£2500), but speak to BMW first.

A._Badger

GolfBravo wrote: »

Oh dear. BMW N47 engine. A ticking time bomb.



In the worst case scenario you may have to rebuild the engine (~£2500), but speak to BMW first.

So the next time someone starts banging on about about 'wonderful German engineering' just bear that in mind!

Iceweasel

A._Badger wrote: »

So the next time someone starts banging on about about 'wonderful German engineering' just bear that in mind!

Yup - wonderful German engineering - I wouldn't drive any other marque - I've had BMWs since 1982 and love them.

I have an extended warranty though.

And full BMW service history.

I have the greatest empathy for the OP and others in this predicament.

The N47 is BMWs most common/popular engine and is in approx 30 different models.

It's still in current production at the rate of over 500,000 a year.

Since 2011 which was the last modification to avery the chain problem, there have been very few chain failures - but they can develope a rattle.

With full service history and a valid warranty no-one need fear a wallet damaging failure.

Unfortunately the OP doesn't have either as far as I can tell.

GolfBravo

A._Badger wrote: »

So the next time someone starts banging on about about 'wonderful German engineering' just bear that in mind!

Unfortunately design problems apply to all car manufacturers these days. This is due to very short development/engineering cycles. Manufacturers, outsourced designers and suppliers don't spend as much time on engineering validation as they used to, and many designs are only half baked when introduced. There is no time to test the durability of parts thoroughly, there is a lot of pressure to release product to the market asap, customers are often treated like guinea pigs.

Also there are major issues with the very competitive automotive part supply chain - it is getting quite ridiculous where often outsourced suppliers further outsource work to save a few pennies. Very difficult to control quality. For this very reason both VW and BMW are bring back a lot of component manufacturing from China to Germany, or even E. Europe - marginally more expensive, but significantly less headaches.

It costs a penny to make a change in engineering, a dime in production and a dollar after a product is in the field. Or in this particular case £5K+.

BTW, BMW outsource over 70% of their engineering work to external companies.

flashnazia

I've had BMWs for the last 10 or so years but I'm not going to bother with the next car. If they mess up the design the least they could do is a recall. If it wasn't the swirl flaps issue or the abs unit failure its the chain snap issue or the alarm flaw that makes some easy to steal.
A poor show. I no longer see BMWs as well built, reliable cars.

A._Badger

GolfBravo wrote: »

Unfortunately design problems apply to all car manufacturers these days. This is due to very short development/engineering cycles. Manufacturers, outsourced designers and suppliers don't spend as much time on engineering validation as they used to, and many designs are only half baked when introduced. There is no time to test the durability of parts thoroughly, there is a lot of pressure to release product to the market asap, customers are often treated like guinea pigs.

.

Indeed, My comment was aimed at those who hold the naive belief that German manufacturers are immune to these issues.

almillar

flashnazia - do let us all know when you find the perfect manufacturer...

Bantex_2

almillar wrote: »

flashnazia - do let us all know when you find the perfect manufacturer...

Toyota/Lexus are pretty good.

jumperjohn

Bantex wrote: »

Toyota/Lexus are pretty good.

I had a Lexus, a 2006 GS300 and it's a good job I had a warranty. ECU and O2 sensors, £2500.

Any car can have problems, some more than others.