[Toolboss]

Just received a warranty extension letter on my 2015 228xi saying the Timing Chain & Oil Pump Drive Chain to 7 years / 70,000 miles.

Guessing that they wouldn't be doing this extension unless there has been an uptick in failures of these parts. But I haven't noticed any postings of this part failing.

Anyone else get this letter or have heard of the timing chain failing prematurely? Being a "chain" and not a "belt" i'd think it should last the life of the car (+200k).

[raleedy]

[QUOTE=Toolboss;22574098]Just received a warranty extension letter on my 2015 228xi saying the Timing Chain & Oil Pump Drive Chain to 7 years / 70,000 miles. . . . . ]

I may not have all the details of this down pat, but I recall a similar action with respect to my 2013 F10 — the 4-cylinder engine (N20 or N26) had some plastic parts associated with the timing chain (a guide, I think) that were breaking and causing failures. I think there was a redesign in time for my 2016 228i, but it would not surprise me that your 2015 MY car was affected. If you can find a YouTube video of the N20 assembly process, you can see what this is all about.

[SteveInfante]

I had a friend of mine who has a 2014 328 that had all of his stuff replaced on his N20. He had 32k miles on it.

I need to bring mine in to see if it's going to need some stuff replaced. It's been getting louder lately. I have a little over 2000 miles left of that 70k miles limit.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by Toolboss

Just received a warranty extension letter on my 2015 228xi saying the Timing Chain & Oil Pump Drive Chain to 7 years / 70,000 miles.

Guessing that they wouldn't be doing this extension unless there has been an uptick in failures of these parts. But I haven't noticed any postings of this part failing.

Anyone else get this letter or have heard of the timing chain failing prematurely? Being a "chain" and not a "belt" i'd think it should last the life of the car (+200k).

Like you, I have seen no mention of timing chain failures on 228s over the past several years on this board. I also agree that BMW would not do this unless they decided it was a problem area. However, 7/70 is a highly unsatisfactory solution IMO for a timing BELT much less a chain. Timing belts on most cars are 100K parts and chains should be at least double that. If the 228 is a zero clearance engine then failure means a complete top end replacement down to the pistons - a $5K+ repair. The warranty extension would imply to me that BMW is recommending replacing the chain at 7/70. While you are doing that you should replace all the other associated parts so you are looking at a $2K bill at the dealer for "routine" maintenance at 70K. An indy shop is probably about half that but still expensive.

Audi ran into a similar issue with their 2000-2006 1.8L TT engine timing belts which were recommended for replacement at 100K miles. Both the tensioner and the water pump that ran off the belt had a plastic impeller were failing at around 6 years and 70K so they extended the warranty to 10 years 100k miles. They have also seen some timing early timing chain failures on later model TTs but almost all have been attributed to either not using recommended synthetic oil or not changing oil every year or 10K which caused the oil port to the chain to clog with sludge.

Can anyone clarify what MY and/or VIN range are effected?

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by Toolboss

Just received a warranty extension letter on my 2015 228xi saying the Timing Chain & Oil Pump Drive Chain to 7 years / 70,000 miles.

Guessing that they wouldn't be doing this extension unless there has been an uptick in failures of these parts. But I haven't noticed any postings of this part failing.

Anyone else get this letter or have heard of the timing chain failing prematurely? Being a "chain" and not a "belt" i'd think it should last the life of the car (+200k).

See the response from Taunto in this thread

http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showt...0#post22560970

[3rdcoast228i]

This is a known issue. Do a forum search and you will find a few threads about it. If the part fails it pretty much wrecks the motor. Those of us with cars made after January 2015 should have updated parts.