[verbs]

What kind of repairs or issues (and associated costs) do I have a high likelihood of encountering long-term if I keep my 2014 X3 2.8i now that my lease is up? I've read a number of people with 2013 models and earlier having timing chain issues sometimes leading to complete engine failure which scares the crap out of me. Maybe people just haven't put the mileage on them yet but I haven't read of any problems on the 2014 models, yet the timing chain system update didn't start happening until January 2015 so I've read. I looked and definitely have the old timing chain setup in the car.

My car already has 55,000 miles on it but has been flawless since we've owned it (currently out of warranty). Would appreciate any feedback.

[malicem3]

What engine do you have? If it's the N55, then possibly a water pump.

Expect the following if you plan keeping it another 30,000:

-F/R Differential Fluids
-Transfer Case Fluid
-Gaskets (VCG, OFHG)

Most of this is general wear and tear. I think it's a great car to keep for a while.

[Gamb1t]

Have you compared your buy back cost vs some CPO specimens?

Buying a lease-end car is usually more expensive than if you were to buy/finance out right.

[02420X3]

Clarity needed - is yours a 28i or a 35i?

[MichiganMike]

If you have the X3 28i, a new timing chain guide was introduced about January 2015 which is believed to reduce the risk of timing chain failures. If your X3 has the earlier timing chain guide, there is an increased risk of timing chain failure you should consider before buying.

One BMW technician said in response to a question on the N20 engine on his blog:
"I would not buy one second hand and with no warranty on the engine for any major repairs like a timing chain"

https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/08/07...g-chain-issue/

[verbs]

Originally Posted by malicem3

What engine do you have? If it's the N55, then possibly a water pump.

Expect the following if you plan keeping it another 30,000:

-F/R Differential Fluids
-Transfer Case Fluid
-Gaskets (VCG, OFHG)

Most of this is general wear and tear. I think it's a great car to keep for a while.

Sorry should have clarified, its an N20 engine; X3 2.8i

[verbs]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Have you compared your buy back cost vs some CPO specimens?

Buying a lease-end car is usually more expensive than if you were to buy/finance out right.

Part of the reason for wanting to buy it was that we're about 13,000 miles over the lease allowance. that combined with wifey getting some dings on the car leads me to believe I'll owe around $3,000 just to turn it in. Was thinking just buying the car would prevent me from having to come out of pocket on any of that.

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by verbs

Part of the reason for wanting to buy it was that we're about 13,000 miles over the lease allowance. that combined with wifey getting some dings on the car leads me to believe I'll owe around $3,000 just to turn it in. Was thinking just buying the car would prevent me from having to come out of pocket on any of that.

Buy it and get the extended platinum warranty, so you'll be covered for the engine issues that may arise or not. My 2012 X3 28i has about 56k miles now. But I have the N52 NA engine, it's been bulletproof aside from engine coil failure. I bought the platinum extended warranty and plan on keeping it for many years. Do the scheduled maintenance and don't drive it like a maniac, you should be fine.

[mge92]

I have a 2013 X3 28i and it has been rock solid in terms of the engine for the last 70,000 miles. There are few quality issues coming up now and then but nothing to do with the engine. It is also tuned but have been kept up to maintenance and done oil changes every 5,000 miles. Just my input. I would suggest going for the smoother and bigger engine.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

If you have the X3 28i, a new timing chain guide was introduced about January 2015 which is believed to reduce the risk of timing chain failures. If your X3 has the earlier timing chain guide, there is an increased risk of timing chain failure you should consider before buying.

One BMW technician said in response to a question on the N20 engine on his blog:
"I would not buy one second hand and with no warranty on the engine for any major repairs like a timing chain"

https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/08/07...g-chain-issue/

There are a large thread going at the f30 forum about this issue. The current conclusion is the stress level induced each time the car start-up. It is exacerbated multiple times with ASS. If you look at the amount of N20 engined BMWs, the few cases of timing chain guide failures is pretty small. However that small number gets echoed exponentially on the web.

You will not see similar issues on N55 (35i) cars because N55 doesn't have ASS IIRC.
So far it seems BMW has been quite cooperative with the unfortunate owners that experienced catastrophic problem.

Keep up with maintenance and don't drink from the "Lifetime Fluid" koolaid fountain.

[malicem3]

Auto-Start/Stop... not a fan.

[PerryGunn]

Originally Posted by malicem3

Auto-Start/Stop... not a fan.

Then code it out - very simple to set ASS to either be off by default or remember last used setting (on/off)

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

There are a large thread going at the f30 forum about this issue. The current conclusion is the stress level induced each time the car start-up. It is exacerbated multiple times with ASS. If you look at the amount of N20 engined BMWs, the few cases of timing chain guide failures is pretty small. However that small number gets echoed exponentially on the web.

You will not see similar issues on N55 (35i) cars because N55 doesn't have ASS IIRC.
So far it seems BMW has been quite cooperative with the unfortunate owners that experienced catastrophic problem.

Keep up with maintenance and don't drink from the "Lifetime Fluid" koolaid fountain.

The X3 35i has been equipped with ASS for several years. So your speculation on this point appears misguided.
http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690247

Reports of catastrophic engine failure outside warranty that may result in a $20K repair bill would concern me even if the risk is small. Do you have a source to quantify the risk of failure and how this may change as the miles increase?

Some unfortunate owners have reported that BMW's "cooperation" would leave them with repair bills of thousands of dollars. We may have different definitions of "quite cooperative". In my view, "quite cooperative" might mean BMW is authorizing dealers to proactively replace the "original" timing chain guides with the improved version at its expense and has extended the warranty for N20 engine problems attributable to failure of the timing chain guide.

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by MichiganMike

The X3 35i has been equipped with ASS for several years.

Pardon? What is ASS?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by ba ba boosh

Pardon? What is ASS?

ASS in this case refers to the Auto Start Stop function.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._function.html

[Fast4d]

To the OP, you will pay the residual value to buy it? or will the dealer help you on the price?

if you are over the mileage limit you can pay for it BEFORE end of lease and pay 16 cents a mile. base on that you will only pay 2080. (price might differ).

[pokerface]

You could look into changing the timing chain proactively as well and mitigate the risk of failure.

[Rayscott]

I have a 2012 X3 with 74K miles. Should I be concerned about the timing chain. So far I have had no issues.

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I have a 2012 X3 with 74K miles. Should I be concerned about the timing chain. So far I have had no issues.

I believe your 2012 X3 28i has the six cylinder N52 engine, which is considered by many (including ba ba boosh above) to be fairly reliable. The engine discussed above with potential timing chain guide issues is the N20 turbo four cylinder.

[rjbmw2014]

Originally Posted by pokerface

You could look into changing the timing chain proactively as well and mitigate the risk of failure.

Is there consensus on many miles "proactively" would be?

[MichiganMike]

Originally Posted by rjbmw2014

Is there consensus on many miles "proactively" would be?

I have observed no consensus, but rather a diversity of opinions and perspectives on whether and when timing chain guide failure in the N20 engine is a problem and what owners should do about it.

Some owners believe the 2014 X3 28i is much less prone to timing chain guide failures than the 2013 model.

Others believe that timing chain guide problems may be minimized by more frequent oil changes and/or deactivating the auto start stop function.

Some proclaim that timing chain guide failures are relatively rare and get attention out of proportion to the actual risk.

Others believe that the new timing chain guide introduced by BMW in or around January 2015 resolves any problem and it may be worthwhile to pay for replacement in vehicles with the older timing chain guide design in the N20 engine. As to number of miles when such a change should be made, some reports suggest the timing chain guide failure may occur between 20,000 and 50,000 miles. Whether other proactive work (e.g., replacement of the oil pump chain) should be done at the same time is another question.

https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/08/07...g-chain-issue/

Some report that they would not own a BMW with the N20 engine without a warranty or would only own the X3 with the N55 or N52 engines 6 cylinder engines.

Others have stated BMW has been "quite cooperative" in addressing timing chain guide problems on an individual basis.

As the old saying goes, "you pays your money, and you takes your choice."

[MMBmwX328i2014]

I bought my car brand new and took advantage of the 50,000 miles "free PMs". It is still running like a dream at 112,000 miles So far no major issues. I changed the tires and brakes at 70,000 miles. The oil filter gasket was changed at 111,000 miles. I'm keeping my fingers cross that this baby will take me to 200,000 miles!!!
I was paying $700/month for this car for 5 years so now that its paid off... repairing it would still be cheaper than buying a new one again. Thats how i think about it