[ArpeeB]

Hi all. Our 2013 X3 N20 is at 67k mi. No sign of
Timing belt / oil pump issue. What shall I do before
The warranty expires? 7 yrs / 70k mi on timing chain
Guides / oil pump.

Thank you

[Bilbofraggins]

Have you driven most of that in ECO PRO? BMW likely offered that as they don’t expect affected vehicles to fail during that period, even if driven extensively in ECO PRO which seems to be at the heart of the issue.

Rather, they expect you to use the period to dump the vehicle on a less knowledgeable buyer.

In my case, at 41000 miles with virtually non existent ECO PRO mode...I’m not that worried... it’s a 2015. If we keep it, down the line we will pay the 3800 CAD to fix it...which of course is still unfortunate and will leave a bad BMW taste in my mouth. BMW lose also... as long time owners...turn off the brand.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by ArpeeB

Hi all. Our 2013 X3 N20 is at 67k mi. No sign of
Timing belt / oil pump issue. What shall I do before
The warranty expires? 7 yrs / 70k mi on timing chain
Guides / oil pump.

Thank you

Not much you can do if it doesn't fail. They won't fix it proactively.

[Opie55]

[QUOTE=In my case, at 41000 miles with virtually non existent ECO PRO mode...I’m not that worried... it’s a 2015. If we keep it, down the line we will pay the 3800 CAD to fix it...which of course is still unfortunate and will leave a bad BMW taste in my mouth. BMW lose also... as long time owners...turn off the brand.[/QUOTE]

Why would you proactively fix a 2015? I've not seen a single report of a failed 2015 on here. They are all 2013.

[geye1970]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Have you driven most of that in ECO PRO?

what's wrong with eco pro?

[Bruce24]

Originally Posted by geye1970

what's wrong with eco pro?

In another topic Bilbofraggins posted this article from a local - to him - garage: https://techmax.ca/BMW-repair/proble...-timing-chain/

In it they say: "In normal ECO mode (the default mode) it will shift up quickly and efficiently to the highest possible gear to keep the fuel consumption at minimum, hence called the ECO mode. The quick up-shifting in daily driving will keep the engine’s rpm very low, which will cause the 4 cylinder engine to oscillate a lot more than would have been, if it driven on the autobahn at high rpm, where there are no oscillations are really present. Naturally the chains, the guides are fairly weak design to make them light as possible. Our stop and go driving at low engine loads paired with an efficient automatic exacerbates the problem."

I have no idea if they are correct....also I have a 2013 X3 and on it, the default mode is Comfort not ECO Pro.

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Why would you proactively fix a 2015? I've not seen a single report of a failed 2015 on here. They are all 2013.

Unfortunately same issue is prevalent... right into early 2015 production as far as I know.

My vehicle is definitely affected...Found out today my warranty for this is extended till end Oct 2021/112K

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Unfortunately same issue is prevalent... right into early 2015 production as far as I know.

My vehicle is definitely affected...Found out today my warranty for this is extended till end Oct 2021/112K

Found out how? I have a 2014 and have not received any notice.

[Bilbofraggins]

Contacted my service rep who I get along with on the issue...received this back..."That vehicle seems to be affected they have added extended warranty until Oct 27th 2021 or 112000kms".....

Oct 27th 2020 is my CPO expiry date...the extension seems to somewhat match the US 7 Year extension.....Nope I did not get a letter....In that regard, I will be calling BMW Canada direct. I certainly had no idea.

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Not much you can do if it doesn't fail. They won't fix it proactively.

1. Drive it until (if) it fails (Head in Sand).
2. Address the issue.
3. Flog it.
4. Keep, once/if it fails as a lawn ornament.

It's a known issue...I will either fix just before end of warranty or pass the buck.

Right now, as I'm fine with the vehicle, leaning towards addressing.

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Found out how? I have a 2014 and have not received any notice.

You're in the States...you guys were ahead of Canada in getting some redress. But there is a class action being framed here also.

Depending on your in-service date, hopefully you have some warranty on this remaining.

[Bruce24]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Found out how? I have a 2014 and have not received any notice.

Opie, there is a website that you can go to and find which extended warranties have been added to your car. The purpose of the website is actually to submit a request to be reimbursed for a repair you paid for out of pocket, but you can also use it to check on what is available for your car.

here is the link:
http://bmw-rp.com/production/bmw/rei...bmw_portal.nsf

on the right side of the page you enter the last 7 digits of your VIN and then on the next page you will see a pull down with what is available for your car.

You are looking for "BMW N20 AND N26 Engine Timing Chain and Oil Pump Drive"

I have a MY'13 2.8 which has 4 extended warranties:
- BMW ELW N20/N26 Turbo Oil Feed Lines
- BMW N20 Pressure Switch - Leak Diagnosis Module (NVLD)
- BMW N20 Engine Coolant Thermostat
- BMW N20 AND N26 Engine Timing Chain and Oil Pump Drive

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Unfortunately same issue is prevalent... right into early 2015 production as far as I know.

My vehicle is definitely affected...Found out today my warranty for this is extended till end Oct 2021/112K

There has been a lot of debate in various threads over what cars are affected. The 2015 date seems to come from looking at when some part numbers changed, but there were other parts changed in a late 2013. But at this point I am looking at actual evidence. When I bought my 2014 a little over 2 years ago, I observed on the forums that all reported failures seemed to be 2013s. People said 2014s had not been out long enough, so just wait. I am still waiting. 2013 reports still come in at a steady pace, including another one just this morning on Bimmerfest. There must be close to a hundred 2013s reported by now, but where are the failures in later years? 2014 and 2015 models would have the same usage as the 2013s had 2 years ago when I started reading about this. There is simply no way that any cars after 2013 have the same issue. If 2014s had the exact same problem, with the same liklihood of failure, then the reports of failures here are the most skewed data set in the history of earth. Not possible, no matter what you want to say about a forum being a smalls subset of data, etc. There is no logical reason only people with 2013s would come on here to complain while 2014 owners do not. It's your money, but there is no way I'd proactively repair a 2015.

[Bilbofraggins]

Opie55...all good points...and since I've become aware, I have like you worked to figure out the extent of the issue.

I offer my facts as encountered. My date is from BMW...not some random determination.

My 2015 model vehicle produced 08/14 has the affected parts.

Metrics like you are trying to crack, will give us a better handle on it. I made a post to try and get folks to post to that effect, as there are so many different ones. It's already buried...

I know my way ahead with this....and don't use ECO PRO which may or may not be a factor...but talking with said garage on the phone at the link above...they are pretty sure it is and have no done plenty of pro-active repairs (of course in their interest to do so).

Horses for courses.

[Bilbofraggins]

In a similar vein...

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-...aker-1.2869493

Where's the chain on the newer stuff like the M40i....

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com....php?t=5712934

[Bilbofraggins]

http://www.rightfootdown.com/cars/au...nents-n26-too/

I know you have likely seen this one...others may not have.

[Iowa X3]

I would also recommend not using the Auto Start/Stop (ASS) feature, if possible. From doing a lot of reading on the subject, it seems that the constant starting cycles of the engine can put undue stress on the timing components. This may or may not impact the life of those components but it makes sense, and I had disabled the ASS through Carly years ago anyway as I'm not a big fan of the feature.

[Bilbofraggins]

I don’t like that feature at all... makes me think I’m driving Miss Daisies golf cart.... But I totally agree with your point and thought so myself....from the very first time I tried it.... which was also my last. Miss Daisy doesn’t use it either.