I have done some research on the timing chain issue and found that most of the problem engines were on the X3. I own a 2014 328i and have 30k miles on it. I have been very happy with the car. I asked the service writer at the dealership about any recalls for the timing chain on my particular model and was told that there are none. My own opinion is that the AWD on the X3 and perhaps the 328Xi put extra strain on the timing chain and associated tensioners and guides. The 320i and 328i are very good cars and the turbo 4 puts out more power than my 1995 525i ever did. And, the car is just about as big as the old E34.
Yes local foremen said the N20/N26 TC they experienced are mainly X3 and F30 xDrive, they haven't seen much issues with 320i/328i RWD TC issue yet.
You're both sticking your head in the sand. It's always easier to believe good news than bad news.
The timing chain drives the camshafts, not the driveshafts. The chain doesn't know what type of vehicle is attached to the other end of the engine. If your car has an extended engine warranty (7/70), that means there's problem. That 7/70 warranty takes care of the overwhelming majority of the customers that BMW cares about, those who buy new and CPO used BMW's from a BMW dealership. Very few people who drive a new BMW off the dealer's lot will still have it after seven years. The 7/70 warranty also protects them (somewhat) from class action suits.
What about the heavier 528i's that had the N20 and N26 engines?
"No recalls" only means BMW will not fix the problem before something really bad happens. BMW's figured out that it's cheaper to replace the occasional engine that lets go during the 7/70 extended warranty period than it would be to fix every engine with the underlying problem. If an engine blows after the 7/70 warranty expires, that's more business and profit for BMW and the dealerships.
As a general rule, if a car dealership's employee's lips are moving you should assume they're lying. A dealership's employees would be in hot water with their boss if they go around telling customers "Yeah, you car's a defective piece of ****." So, yeah, they're only going to tell you something you want to hear.
The fact is that you if you're past the 7/70 warranty, you have a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any time. If it goes, the engine's usually totaled, and a new engine costs more than a seven year old 3 Series is worth.
I looked in to buying a "cream puff" 2013 328i with an N26 engine and only 9k miles. I need a new beater to put about 50k miles on over one year. My plan was to take my chances while the warranty was in effect (maybe getting a free new engine if the original one blows), and then if all is well at about 68k miles or six years and ten months, pay the piper about $3k to get the upgrade to the new, non-defective parts.
