# 2013 BMW X3 - Timing chain help **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** engines, bmw\ **Created:** [September 5, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097 "2024-09-05T04:10:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SueEsponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@SueEsponte](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SueEsponte)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/1 "2024-09-05T04:10:06Z")
Need the timing chain replaced on my 2013 X3 xDrive28 (N20) and would like a recommendation on a reliable shop in Fairfield or Westchester County. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/2 "2024-09-05T07:06:20Z")
> [@SueEsponte](#): > > Need the timing chain replaced on my 2013 X3 xDrive28 (N20) and would like a recommendation on a reliable shop in Fairfield or Westchester County. Just google Euro shops in your area and then read reviews, ask other BMW drivers you meet… who has been doing all the work to it so far?? Timing chain pays 16+ plus hours labor time, welcome to having a BMW… ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 11:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/3 "2024-09-05T11:09:06Z")
Who suggested replacing the timing chain? Did that shop not recommend a mechanic that can do the work? How many miles on this vehicle? Timing chains rarely need replacing if car is properly maintained. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/4 "2024-09-05T19:29:30Z")
Ask your BMW-owning friends, relatives, co-workers, fellow church goers, etc which local shop they use. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/5 "2024-09-06T15:06:29Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Who suggested replacing the timing chain? The engine management system can tell if the timing chain needs attention. [https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0016-code-camshaft-position-a-camshaft-position-correlation-bank-1/](https://www.carparts.com/blog/p0016-code-camshaft-position-a-camshaft-position-correlation-bank-1/) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/6 "2024-09-06T15:18:43Z")
Ah, thank you. As far as the OP, looks like another one and done post. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/7 "2024-09-06T17:59:02Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > As far as the OP, looks like another one and done post. Maybe you provided all the information they needed, should they ask again? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/8 "2024-09-06T19:28:17Z")
If a waitress asks if you would like a refill on your coffee, just sit there silently. It was Tester that provided the answer to **one** question posed, not me. ---
**Author:** ![SueEsponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@SueEsponte](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SueEsponte)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/9 "2024-09-14T16:48:12Z")
The timing chain on the N20 has a known fatal flaw that results from premature failure of the timing chain due to its plastic guides. Our car has about 75k miles on it but the engine is starting to get ‘chatty’ on start-up. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/10 "2024-09-14T16:50:36Z")
> [@SueEsponte](#): > > Our car has about 75k miles on it but the engine is starting to get ‘chatty’ on start-up. OK , what are going to do about it ? ---
**Author:** ![SueEsponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@SueEsponte](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SueEsponte)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/11 "2024-09-14T17:12:16Z")
Definitely not a one and done post — just wasn’t getting the emails on the responses (until now) and I’m not routinely on this forum. Unfortunately, most of the feedback hasn’t been helpful — people unfamiliar with the N20 advising that timing chains aren’t an issue, or that I should ask ‘friends’ for shops…as if I wouldn’t have done that before resorting to a forum. Most friends use either dealerships or general mechanics in the area — ones that aren’t what I’d consider BMW specialists. I appreciate the inquiries and questions but even the question by one…”what am I going to do about it?” Umm, I’d like to bring it to a BMW specialist, hence my original post… ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/12 "2024-09-14T17:17:08Z")
> [@SueEsponte](#): > > Umm, I’d like to bring it to a BMW specialist, hence my original post… I don’t think there is anyone on this forum that lives in Fairfield or Westchester County where ever those places are. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/13 "2024-09-14T17:34:46Z")
Thank you for the explanation about your chain. Search “European Car Mechanics near me”, that is what I would do if I did not want to use a dealership. Can’t be of anymore help. ---
**Author:** ![SueEsponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@SueEsponte](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SueEsponte)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/14 "2024-09-14T21:16:46Z")
BMW estimated about $9k. The OE replacement kit is about $700 from FCPEuro (the cost from BMW is almost twice that) plus some speciality tools I could probably pick up cheap but, especially on cars with AWD, it’s a pretty time intensive job. I know people from other parts of the country who have used indies to have it done for about $4k. Not cheap but still better than $9k. And, unfortunately, while I’m comfortable working on cars, I don’t have the time for this project especially as it’s a daily for my kids. Appreciate the feedback. I’ll keep calling around and sifting through BMW forums. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/15 "2024-09-14T21:32:19Z")
> [@SueEsponte](#): > > I don’t have the time [for diy timing chain replacement] especially as it’s a daily for my kids. Understandable. I’m seeing timing chain r & r is spec’d at about 11 hours labor. Big job. . I presume you already know BMW issued a warranty extension. You might could use an expired warranty extension as a argument that a BMW dealership should give you a discount on the job. For good customer relations. Better chance to “yes” if you convince them you’d like to buy another new BMW one day. No harm to ask. Your idea to search through BMW-specific forums seems a good idea in any event. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/16 "2024-09-14T21:40:09Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I’m seeing timing chain r & r is spec’d at about 11 hours labor. Big job. . If you would read other peoples post… > [@davesmopar](#): > > Timing chain pays 16+ plus hours labor time, welcome to having a BMW… It was in the very 1st reply… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/17 "2024-09-14T21:45:26Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > If you would read other peoples post… What makes you think your 16 hour estimate is closer to the actual time than my 11 hour estimate? ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/18 "2024-09-15T02:25:09Z")
> [@SueEsponte](#): > > Unfortunately, most of the feedback hasn’t been helpful There is an occasional poster that is a BMW dealer mechanic. Maybe he will read it. I don’t recall his pseudonym at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/19 "2024-09-15T03:26:57Z")
Because it is what a lot of pro shops use, including the one I retired from… It is the same one I always quote labor times from, it is NOT a DIYer website… Could it be wrong, yes but very rarely… ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097/20 "2024-09-15T13:27:12Z")
What is bmw’s cost breakdown? $1500 parts and $7500 labor? $200hr/32hrs? Seems a bit high. $9000 job? But Hans auto emporium does it for $4000? Thanks for warning others to stay away from 10yr old bmws. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-bmw-x3-timing-chain-help/196097.md?page=2)