I am looking at an e46 316 t belonging to my brother in law, in regards to possibly buying it. He was driving and when he got to traffic lights he stopped the car n it died. Wouldn't start again n garage he took it to said the timing chain had broke. We stripped the head n the chain has no slack, not broken. Are these non interference? Is there any other tell tale signs?

The car is an msport, so is well kitted out. If it was a base mode I wouldn't entertain a repair, but with it looking half decent a repair is tempting. Ideas?