HI all
this may help some other n47 chain survivor .
I have a 2008 520 touring bought as a demo from synters of high wickham 4000km --I looked after it and at 186,000 decided the song from the timing chain was getting to me as I said I may be running on borrowed time --I spoke to a number of garages in north/south and through this good site got the TIS SOFTWARE for 8 euros !!--I looked over the job involved and special tools and I tried to source a kit to do it myself --I was tempted by an outfit called prestige in the UK --however after 3 e mails to determine the quality of their Indian chain and I tried to determine the quality and failed --I wisely ran a mile from prestige following their statement "that they inspect their factories frequently" .
I regard my enquiries with synters as an education -- it took a serious effort to avoid their dreaded customer service lawer speak people as i pointed out to them i did not buy the car from customer services and I had almost to have a stroke on the phone to get to speak with their garage head mechanic who had to again use lawerspeak to me and I gradually took 10 minutes to agree a truce and very gingerly elicit the average outcome of the n47 timing chain issue -it goes like this ---goodwill is available to low mileage cars whos owners have parted with large sums of money on a regular basis to bmw --it is definitely not available to this Paddy and his self maintained 186,000 motor -- goodwill as I can judge involves firstly giving many thousands of sterling and then being presented with a invoice showing that bmw have contributed thousands of pounds to solving your issues --this interesting accounting measure is meant to cheer you up and think yourself fortunate you have friends like bmw -- I pointed out to synters that had I bought a 530 I would have no issue to deal with and the UK police lavish huge praise on very high mileage 530dtouring for their motorway work--there was no reply to my statement that their daft engine was the reason i was now dealing with them now finally and for ever as they took my money and knew this was a problem -- what must count as the most cynical move in years is the STERLING COLLECTION which moved 520s from the bmw parc of cars thereby avoiding the visible drop in resale value only avoided by gifting the Paddys with the wonderful STERLING COLLECTION -- following the BBC film on the engine --we should be used to this and should have known better .
I go to some trade shows and I have spent 5 days doing AUTOMECHANICIA in Frankfurt and various other shows from the IAA and others --i am familiar with most of the aftermarket suppliers.
some are OEM some OK some not -- I could not source a modified chain and sprockets --and most garages / suppliers could not tell me --what was modified -- what was the new kit no / details .
I went with the only man who i judged knew his stuff and that was Mr Mark Allen of Straffan .
Mr Allen impressed me on many levels and did a very good job -- clean -tidy and no leaks --
also did the handbrake ratchet and gave the rear suspensions some attention gratis .
I asked for and got a letter stating what was fitted and a guarantee on the work done .
I am 40 years dealing with specialist garages and engineering firms in Ireland and the UK,
Mr Allen is a rare find and I wish him well . hopefully this helps somebody . regards Bugs