[rvang80]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and like last week my 2013 X3 stopped on the Road while heading to my Son's dorm. I pulled over right after it indicated my oil pressure was low and displayed a warning message to shut the car off because engine was at risk of being damaged. The car wouldn't crank after I pulled over and I had it towed it to a BMW service center which is around 150 miles from from where it stopped.. I finally hear from BMW service manager about the results of the diagnostics and he tells me that this is a timing chain malfunction and that it had ceased the engine. The replacement cost quoted to replace the engine is like around 15K -20K. I also reached out to the BMWNA like 2 days back, they called me today to let me know that they wouldn't cover a penny since my vehicle is out of warranty period and that I'm outside of some class action law suit window that already got closed.. I mean I had no clue of this engine issue, no letter/e-mails notifications from NA BMW or my local service center..
I mean, at this point trying to understand what my options are? does anyone has gone this issue like me and can we go for some OEM after market engine.. I haven't had a chance to look into any of those options yet.. I mean I still cant digest the fact that the engine died that hardly had like 70K miles on it.. please advise, if anyone has any repair options researched already. Thank you!

[tom2021]

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1999695
BMWNA agreed to a goodwill for his case.

[Opie55]

It's a well known issue on 2013s. People will say into 2015, but nearly every one reported is a 2013. Your car is nearly an 11 year old model. I doubt BMW will pay anything. Do you expect them to warranty a car forever? A used engine from a later year is the best option. Option two is sell it for parts and move on with your life.

[Bluebulldog]

Well, just bought a new to me 2013 X3 28i, and had it a grand total of 10 days.

Driving just this last Monday, normal conditions, running errands, I had a Drivetrain Malfunction warning come up. It happened previously, but as the vehicle didn't go into limp mode, most research said it was likely a bad plug, or coil, or possibly some older fuel. ( As it had been sitting at the dealer, this seemed likely).

Well, shortly after the drivetrain malfunction came up, check engine light came on, and then low oil pressure warning came on. Engine began making loud ticking noises.

Got it off to the shoulder safely, and it died. After dealing with the dealership, the towing company etc. the dealer offered to take it back for a full refund. As they were being stand up about it. I offered to buy a newer X3 35i off the lot. A little more money, but newer, and with the better engine.

I pick it up in the next 24-48 hours.

[Tommy68]

Bluebulldog what is your X3 mileage? Did you hear any abnormal noise from engine like whining after Drivetrain Malfunction warning came up?

[vision33r]

Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Well, just bought a new to me 2013 X3 28i, and had it a grand total of 10 days.

Driving just this last Monday, normal conditions, running errands, I had a Drivetrain Malfunction warning come up. It happened previously, but as the vehicle didn't go into limp mode, most research said it was likely a bad plug, or coil, or possibly some older fuel. ( As it had been sitting at the dealer, this seemed likely).

Well, shortly after the drivetrain malfunction came up, check engine light came on, and then low oil pressure warning came on. Engine began making loud ticking noises.

Got it off to the shoulder safely, and it died. After dealing with the dealership, the towing company etc. the dealer offered to take it back for a full refund. As they were being stand up about it. I offered to buy a newer X3 35i off the lot. A little more money, but newer, and with the better engine.

I pick it up in the next 24-48 hours.

I have driven the X3 3.5i MSport. The car feel substantially heavier and doesn't handle as well as the X3 2.8i but I'm sure the N55 engine is a lot more bullet proof and more powerful.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by vision33r

I have driven the X3 3.5i MSport. The car feel substantially heavier and doesn't handle as well as the X3 2.8i but I'm sure the N55 engine is a lot more bullet proof and more powerful.

It's odd you felt the the N55 was heavier and didn't handle as well since there's only like 80 lbs difference between them. I drove several 28i and 35i back to back on some nice twisty county roads and didn't feel one handled any different from the other. The difference in handling will come down to the tires/wheels and suspension option, not a negligible 80 lb weight difference

[Bluebulldog]

Originally Posted by Tommy68

Bluebulldog what is your X3 mileage? Did you hear any abnormal noise from engine like whining after Drivetrain Malfunction warning came up?

There was a slight ticking noise, but not for any length of time before the engine died. Mileage was 147,000km

[Bluebulldog]

Originally Posted by vision33r

I have driven the X3 3.5i MSport. The car feel substantially heavier and doesn't handle as well as the X3 2.8i but I'm sure the N55 engine is a lot more bullet proof and more powerful.

Driving the newer X3 this week. Certainly doesn't feel much heavier. Definitely has vastly more power and torque.

However, the 2013 28i, had a lot of comfort options, moon roof, tech package, etc.

My 2014 35i is pretty much as bare bones as you can order, with the exception being the upgraded engine.

[BMWvsEverybody]

Just had my timing chain go out on my 13 28i (160K sMiles). Over 4K to replace at local BMW dealer. 2 year parts & labor warranty. Good luck.

[tom2021]

Originally Posted by BMWvsEverybody

Just had my timing chain go out on my 13 28i (160K sMiles). Over 4K to replace at local BMW dealer. 2 year parts & labor warranty. Good luck.

You did the right thing. I come to the conclusion timing chain has to be replaced once N20 engine is out of extended warranty, 7 years later.

[JamesInSJ]

Originally Posted by tom2021

You did the right thing. I come to the conclusion timing chain has to be replaced once N20 engine is out of extended warranty, 7 years later.

Simple lesson with the N20/N26 engine up through about March 2015 builds: replace the engine/oil timing chain components by 100k miles, and learn what timing chain rattle/whine sounds are like (youtube is your friend) in case it comes up sooner. Don't buy any car with that engine at that mileage without it done, or plan to get it done up to $4k (could be closer to $2500 if you have a RWD only car).

TL;DR

Before picking up any car with the N20/N26 engine, I did my research about it and learned about the timing chain issue. It appears they updated parts sometime in 2015...nobody knows for certain when the changeover occurred, but someone said the consensus seems to be around March 2015 builds. Anything before that with an N20/N26 engine should be considered a first 100,000 mile maintenance item...maybe less considering a couple of the reports here at ~70k miles and another at 146km/90k miles. Once done, the chain and tensioners should be good for the life of the car.

I just bought a new-to-me 2013 X3 xdrive28i and the small dealer bought it used from a local USA-make dealer trade-in, who didn't know what to do with the low-oil problem. They couldn't repeat it after 2 weeks of driving it around, but handed it off to their local BMW mechanic to check out - timing chain issue. Found some plastic pieces of a detonated tensioner come out of the oil drain, but no apparent engine damage or skipped timing. Since I was looking at 320i/328i/X3 28i, and many were in the 100-140k mile range, I specifically sought out ones that had the timing chain and related stuff replaced already, or I was going to offer a price accordingly. I do my own work, and even I don't want to deal with this job...

The AWD X3's from E83 and F25, maybe even current, along with 3/5 series x-drive, are notoriously difficult to drop the oil pan of the engine (necessary for timing chain replacement) because the front drive axle goes through the oil pan. I've dropped the front subframe on my E46 M3 in my garage and it was easy enough. I spoke with a shop owner/mechanic and he told me what you have to do on the F25 to drop the front sub-frame for this job, and another friend/mechanic noted that he considers the 3/5/X3 front oil pan to be the most pain-in-the-butt job he ever does, and that was enough information for me to never want to do it. So $4k sounds about right for the job. It's roughly $700 in parts, $300 in special N20/N26 engine timing tools if they don't already have them, and a crap-ton of labor.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by Opie55

It's a well known issue on 2013s. People will say into 2015, but nearly every one reported is a 2013. Your car is nearly an 11 year old model. I doubt BMW will pay anything. Do you expect them to warranty a car forever? A used engine from a later year is the best option. Option two is sell it for parts and move on with your life.

what about 2017 x3's with N20's?

My 2017 was built: 03/03/2017

this should have the upgraded chains?
I had a mechanic look at the chains and feel it, no slack at all.

You can have a look through the engine oil cap located on the engine.

[pungo]

Seems like the OP @rvang80 has left the building... Seen many 1 post wonders lately

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by pungo

Seems like the OP @rvang80 has left the building... Seen many 1 post wonders lately

oh well... big thanks to those who continue to update the threads they started! I try my best to do this so it helps the BMW community.

[MntBimmer]

Hello All,
My question is: What is a 2016 X3 28i Xdrive with a blown motor worth?
Here's the familiar story with a later production date.

We have a Model year 2016 with a production date of April 2015 with the N20 motor and at 117,000 the motor suffered the oil pressure and drivetrain failure which in-turn caused catastrophic engine failure. I will be reporting this to NHTSA for what ever good that may do.
BMW of course won't do anything to help. We have decided to purchase a new car from a different manufacturer.
Erik

[WoodinX3]

I preemptively replaced the timing and oil pump drive chains on my 2013 two years ago, build date early 2013. It is a bear of a job, and took me about 2 weeks. I have experience rebuilding and replacing engines too. The entire front subframe has to be dropped to clear the oilpan. I still have my special tools if anyone is interested lol!

[Bluebulldog]

Originally Posted by MntBimmer

Hello All,
My question is: What is a 2016 X3 28i Xdrive with a blown motor worth?
Here's the familiar story with a later production date.

We have a Model year 2016 with a production date of April 2015 with the N20 motor and at 117,000 the motor suffered the oil pressure and drivetrain failure which in-turn caused catastrophic engine failure. I will be reporting this to NHTSA for what ever good that may do.
BMW of course won't do anything to help. We have decided to purchase a new car from a different manufacturer.
Erik

Shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I know in my case, the dealer took the 2013 back, and told me he was going to replace the engine at a cost of approx $7K. So working with a sticker price of $13K ( note I'm in Canada), assume a value of approx. $6K.....

If you're US, I'm looking at the market RN, ( I have some time to mess around), 2016 28i higher mileage is still around 18-19K, so likely around 12-13K?