BMW N47 timing chain
failure — repair or scrap?
The timing chain on BMW's N47 2.0 diesel engine is famous for stretching, rattling and eventually snapping. If yours is making the telltale noise — or has already let go — here's the honest picture of your options.
- Free collection
- Same-day payment
- No hidden fees
What's gone wrong.
The N47 is BMW's 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, fitted to most BMW diesels sold between 2007 and 2014. It has a timing chain at the back of the engine — unusual, because most cars have them at the front — and that chain has a well-documented tendency to stretch prematurely, then eventually fail.
The classic symptom is a diesel-like rattle on cold start from the back of the engine that fades as the oil pressure builds. That noise is the chain slapping against its guides. Ignored long enough, the chain either jumps a tooth or snaps outright — and because this is an interference engine, the pistons meet the valves and cause catastrophic internal damage.
Because the chain is at the rear of the engine against the bulkhead, the whole engine has to come out of the car to access it. That's what makes this repair so expensive relative to a normal timing job.
Models and years affected
- BMW 1 Series — 116d, 118d, 120d, 123d with N47 engine (E81, E82, E87, E88, F20, F21) — roughly 2007 to 2014
- BMW 3 Series — 316d, 318d, 320d, 325d with N47 engine (E90, E91, E92, E93, F30, F31) — roughly 2007 to 2014
- BMW 5 Series — 518d, 520d, 525d with N47 — roughly 2007 to 2014
- BMW X1 (E84) and X3 (E83, F25) with N47 engine
- Also fitted to some Mini diesels (Cooper D, Cooper SD) — same failure mode
- The later N47N (Facelift) has revised guides but is not immune to the same issue
Repair cost reality
If the chain is caught early — stretched and rattling but not yet jumped — the timing chain, guides, tensioner, and oil pump chain replacement is £1,800 to £3,000+ at an independent BMW specialist, significantly more at a main dealer. That's before VAT, before any other parts that turn up during the job, and it requires the engine to come out.
If the chain has already jumped or snapped, the engine has almost certainly suffered valve damage. You're then looking at either a full rebuild at £4,000 to £6,500+, or a used N47 engine fitted — but finding a used one without the same latent chain problem is a genuine concern, and any used engine over 80,000 miles is a gamble.
A factory-reconditioned BMW engine fitted is typically £7,000 to £10,000+, which is more than most affected cars are worth on the road.
Repair or scrap — the decision
The economics on an N47 are brutal. A 2012 320d with 110,000 miles is worth maybe £4,500-£5,500 running. Spending £3,000 on a chain job might make sense if everything else about the car is strong. Spending £5,000 on an engine rebuild usually doesn't.
Where it gets really painful: the first chain job doesn't guarantee the problem won't come back. Some specialists report N47s going through a second chain failure within 40,000 miles of the first repair. That's another £2,500+ you weren't expecting.
If your N47 is over 10 years old, over 120,000 miles, and rattling at start-up — or has already snapped — the repair is rarely worth doing. We buy these cars regularly, collect from anywhere in West Suffolk for free, and pay same-day by bank transfer. No drama about non-runners.
We buy cars with expensive failures.
We're a local West Suffolk scrap car buyer — based in Bury St Edmunds and covering the whole of IP28–IP33, CO10, IP14 and CB8. We specialise in cars that are past the point of economic repair, including engine-write-off scenarios like this one.
What that means for you in practice:
- Free collection — we come to your home, your garage, or wherever the car currently sits. You don't need to get it to us.
- Non-runners welcome — most of the cars we buy don't run. Flat batteries, seized engines, missing keys, blocked-in on a driveway — not a problem.
- Same-day bank transfer — you see the money arrive before the car goes on the trailer.
- DVLA notified — we handle the change of keeper so you're not liable for anything once we've taken it.
- Certificate of Destruction — for genuine end-of-life vehicles, arranged via our partner Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
Use the reg lookup above to start. We'll come back to you with a quote, usually within the hour during working hours.
We cover West Suffolk.
Free collection anywhere in West Suffolk. Use the areas below to find your nearest dedicated page.
Your questions.
Will you buy a BMW with a snapped N47 timing chain?
Yes. Non-runner BMWs with timing chain failure are a regular enquiry for us. Collection is free across West Suffolk. Tell us the reg and a brief description of what happened and we'll quote.
My BMW rattles on cold start but still drives — what should I do?
That rattle is usually the N47 chain letting you know its days are numbered. Don't ignore it. The longer you drive, the more likely it jumps a tooth and takes out the valves — turning a £3,000 problem into a £5,000+ problem. If the car is older and you don't fancy the repair, get in touch before it actually snaps.
Is the N47B20 and N47D20 the same engine?
The N47D20 is the original, fitted up to roughly 2011. The N47N (sometimes called N47B20) is the later revised engine with different chain guides. Both suffer from chain issues, though the N47N is slightly better. Neither is immune. Our quote doesn't depend on which variant — we buy both.
Is this covered by any BMW recall or warranty?
No — BMW has never formally recalled affected N47 engines in the UK. Some claims have been settled individually as goodwill, but there's no blanket policy. If your car is out of warranty — which virtually all N47s now are — the repair is at your cost.
Can you collect from an independent garage?
Yes. If your car is at a BMW specialist or independent garage where you've had the diagnosis, we can collect directly from there. Just give us the address and a contact there when you enquire.