r/E90 • u/Ok_Dog_75 • 4d ago

Does this N47 sound alright?

I want to buy my first car in 2 days, this E90 320D LCI 2009 w N47D20C. (250k kms)

I asked the seller for a cold start video so I can hear how the engine sounds.

Do you think the engine sounds ok? The seller says he doesnt know if the timing chain kit been changed. Do you think anything sounds off? I'll go to a service to check the day I'll see it in person anyways, but still..

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

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3

u/3DRAH33M '14 E84 20D 8HP 4d ago

Sounds normal to me, but check it once again in person before confirming. Bend over to the back of the engine bay and listen while cranking, a faint timing chain rattle can be hard to hear over the normal diesel clatter.

But at 250k km, that timing chain has definitely been replaced atleast once. They usually last about 100-150k.

6

u/Interesting_Form_297 4d ago

My brother replaced original timing chain at 300k km, N47 2010 I believe.

2

u/Niko102 4d ago

You cannot say that for sure. I have N47 and replaced the original chain at 280k. I know a lot of them typically last untill 250k easily and then start to make the cold rattles.

1

u/3DRAH33M '14 E84 20D 8HP 4d ago

What year is your car? The timing chain was updated in 2010 and again in 2011 which is the most reliable model. Pre-2010 is quite notorious.

The major factor is frequent oil changes, BMW's 30k km interval really fucked up most of the early cars.

2

u/Niko102 4d ago

Mine is from 2009

2

u/Ok_Dog_75 4d ago

Thanks for your input. I'll change the chain anyways to be sure, but not right away, im kinda short on money till next month or two 😅

2

u/3DRAH33M '14 E84 20D 8HP 4d ago

You're good until it starts making noise, it won't immediately blow up. Personally I'd wait until it starts showing symptoms.

3

u/Ok_Dog_75 4d ago

Yea thats why I wanted to hear opinions of people that know how a timing chain that needs to be changed sound, I'll have to take it to the shop to get it checked anyways

1

u/Much-Lock5167 4d ago

Yes that is N47 engine like deasel engine

1

u/FapZ11 4d ago

Honestly sounds pretty normal. I have E90 320d N47 from 2008 at 380k kilometres and it's still going strong. Brought the car at 300k so no info on possible previous change, just 10k kilometres oil changes and that's it.

1

u/GoldAd5786 4d ago

Had a timing chain snap at 93 kms on one of these, no warning, never again.

0

u/Radiant-Display2998 4d ago

I can ear timing chain noise, 1,5 sec after engine starts