Another BMW timing chain problem (2011 520d)

I've a 2011 520d(Manufactured in April) 68,000 miles bought a month ago privately. The car has a full BMW service history. It was bought from Joe Duffy dealership in Dublin with a 2 year service pack which ran out in April this year.

I noticed a timing chain noise a few weeks ago and brought it to motorpark (BMW service center) here in Galway. They say it needs a timing chain and kit and it would cost €5,000. BMW are refusing to give a goodwill payment towards the repair, still fighting with them but all they are saying is that it was bought privately and not through their dealerships.

I quoted their press release and said it has nothing about being bought privately and my car should meet their requirements for goodwill (relatively low mileage and full BMW service history) but all i get is "it was bought privately". I really don't know what to do now, anybody got any advise??

Two options, dig your heels in with BMW and don't give up or get it to a good BMW Indy who will do it at a fraction of the cost!

Where you bought it should make no odds, it's still a BMW!

5000 is ridicoulus , I know a very good indy who has done a LOT of these and its no where near 5000k , they wont give you a goodwill gesture because its like they are admitting fault for their bad design fault if they do, at this stage yo probably cannot sell the car if it noisy so your'e better off sorting and keeping in my opionon

Posting suspended for 2 weeks for personal abuse to a fellow member. A repeat offence for personal insults or blatent advertising and you are out of here.

I assume you have opened written correspondence with BMW Ireland in relation to your car.

At the end of the day, you have a 2011 BMW F10, one of the supposed flagship premium cars on the market, the "ultimate driving machine", which is now not fit for purpose.

You are the registered owner of the vehicle, which has a full BMW Service history and has been maintained in line with manufacturers schedules.

The mileage on the car works out at less than 20k per annum, so not excessive as you rightly point out.

There have been many precedents set in relation to similar cases.

I would say keep writing to them, go as high up in the food chain as you can in who you're dealing with.

Keep it simple, be direct but appear reasonable and never offensive.

If you annoy them enough with correspondence and never back down they will have to relent and meet you somewhere in relation to cost, be it parts or labour.

Although, as I'm writing this it occurs to me that it might still work out cheaper if you source the parts yourself and have the work carried out by a specialist.

Best of luck anyway.

These engines seem to be an issue that will never go away.

I'm in a similar situation with a 2010 F10. Has anyone out there been successful in getting goodwill towards repair of timing chains?

I'm stunned by the extent of this timing chain problem in the BMW engines. Their stance regarding goodwill has to have caused major brand reputational damage !! Ultimate driving machine??

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Originally Posted by claudio

5000 is ridicoulus , I know a very good indy who has done a LOT of these and its no where near 5000k , they wont give you a goodwill gesture because its like they are admitting fault for their bad design fault if they do, at this stage yo probably cannot sell the car if it noisy so your'e better off sorting and keeping in my opionon

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Hi there, can you PM me contact details for that "indy" - thanks!

I'm sure its been flagged up here, but just in case, BMW seem to have eased up on their criteria for goodwill and are now routinely checking the chains on relevant cars. My local $tealer highlighted mine on a recent oil change and submitted a request for goodwill. I picked the car up from the oil service at close of business on Tuesday and had confirmation back before the start of business on Thursday morning that they would fully cover it. My car is a 2011, like OP, and had 56k miles on when checked. I'm the 2nd owner and the car has a full dealer history.

Get a solicitor involved, they will change their tune fairly quickly.