2013 BMW 3 Series (F30) · Known Issue
2013 BMW 3 Series N20 Timing Chain Failure: What It Really Costs to Fix
Quick answer: 2013 BMW 3 Series n20 timing chain failure typically costs $1,500 to $4,500 at an independent shop, depending on which component failed.
Applies to: 2.0L turbo (N20/N26) only. Other versions of the 2013 BMW 3 Series do not have this problem.
What the Issue Is
The four-cylinder F30 3 Series of 2012 to 2015, the 320i and 328i, uses BMW's N20 2.0-liter turbo four (or its close relative, the N26), and that engine has one defining weakness: the timing chain and its plastic guide rails can wear out early, sometimes before 100,000 miles. The chain stretches and the guides embrittle and crack; in the worst case the chain skips or snaps, and the pistons meet the valves. At that point you are not buying a timing chain, you are buying an engine.
BMW acknowledged the problem. Its Limited Warranty Extension SI B11 03 17, first issued in 2017, extended coverage of the timing chain and the oil pump drive chain, with their tensioner, guides and sprockets, to 7 years or 70,000 miles on N20 and N26 cars built from about 2011 to 2015, with the exact production window set by model and eligibility checked by VIN. A separate class action, Gelis v. BMW of North America in federal court in New Jersey, won final approval in February 2021. It covered certain 2012 to 2015 models with these engines, including the 320i and 328i (sedan, Sports Wagon and Gran Turismo), repaid 40 to 100 percent of past chain repairs depending on age and mileage, and added a benefit for future repairs. Its claim deadline passed in 2021 and the 7-year extension has long run out on these cars, so the risk now sits with the buyer.
The saving grace: a worn chain usually announces itself. Caught early, replacing the chain, guides and oil pump drive chain is a significant but survivable bill. Ignored, it is the most expensive way to total an otherwise healthy 3 Series.
Symptoms to Watch For
- 1.A whining, whirring, or "diesel-like" rattle from the engine, most audible at cold start and idle
- 2.Rattle on startup that lasts a second or two before the engine quiets down
- 3.Check-engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes (VANOS timing faults)
- 4.Metal glitter or plastic fragments in the oil filter housing at oil changes
- 5.In late stages: rough running, misfires, or a no-start after a crank
Real Repair Costs
Independent BMW specialist pricing. Preventive replacement of the chain, guides and tensioner is the cheap path; a chain that snaps usually means a replacement engine, which costs several times as much. Dealer pricing for the preventive job runs about $3,500 to $5,500.
| Repair | Typical Cost (installed) |
|---|---|
| Timing chain, guides, tensioner (preventive)do the oil pump drive chain at the same time | $1,500-$3,000 |
| Same job with the oil pump drive chain and VANOS parts | $2,500-$4,500 |
Major issue: budget for it. Ranges are US independent-shop estimates with quality parts. Use them as negotiation grounding, not a quote.
Mechanic's Tip: Spot It Before You Buy
Cold-start the car yourself, and ask the seller not to warm it up first. Stand at the open hood while someone starts the engine: a distinct rattle or whine in the first seconds that fades as oil pressure builds is the classic worn-chain tell on the N20. Then ask for the oil filter housing to be opened during your pre-purchase inspection: plastic fragments from the guides collect there and are clear evidence. Records showing the chain was already replaced, under BMW's warranty extension, the class settlement or by a previous owner, are worth real money: a done-chain car is the one you want.
The Bigger Ownership Picture
Beyond this specific issue, budget roughly $2,000-$3,000 per year for scheduled maintenance and repairs on a 2013 BMW 3 Series. That is a typical US range from Avturo's ownership-cost table, an estimate rather than a quote, and it excludes insurance, fuel, and financing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a BMW N20 timing chain replacement cost?▼
Preventive replacement of the chain, guides and tensioner runs about $1,500 to $3,000 at an independent BMW specialist, or $2,500 to $4,500 if the oil pump drive chain and VANOS parts are done at the same time (recommended). BMW dealers charge about $3,500 to $5,500. If the chain fails while driving, the engine usually needs replacing, which costs several times as much.
Which BMW years have the N20 timing chain problem?▼
Cars with the N20 or N26 four-cylinder built from about 2011 to 2015. The Gelis class settlement listed the 2012 to 2015 320i and 328i (sedan, Sports Wagon and Gran Turismo), 2014 to 2015 228i and 428i, 2012 to 2015 X1, 2013 to 2015 X3, 2015 X4, 2012 to 2015 Z4 and 2012 to 2015 528i, with eligibility also set by production date. Engines built from 2015 on received a revised chain.
Can I still buy a 328i with the N20 engine?▼
Yes, with eyes open. The ideal car has documentation that the chain was already replaced. Otherwise, budget the $1,500 to $3,000 preventive job into your offer and get a cold-start listen plus an oil-filter-housing inspection before you commit. A quiet engine with fresh, clean oil and records is a reasonable buy.
Is the N20 timing chain still covered by BMW?▼
Not under either program. BMW's 7-year/70,000-mile extension (SI B11 03 17) covered cars built from about 2011 to 2015, so its seven years have long run out, and the Gelis class settlement closed to claims in 2021. Any coverage today would come from a separate extended-warranty contract, so ask the seller for the paperwork and check what it covers.
Sources
The facts on this page were last checked against these documents on October 10, 2026. Programs and their coverage end; check the car's VIN with a dealer for what still applies.
- Warranty program: BMW SI B11 03 17: Limited Warranty Extension for the N20/N26 timing chain and oil pump drive chain (NHTSA file) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Service bulletin: BMW 2021 service notice on the N20/N26 timing chain class settlement (NHTSA file) (static.nhtsa.gov)
- Court or settlement record: Top Class Actions: BMW timing chain class action settlement (class vehicles, benefits, claim deadline) (topclassactions.com)
- Court or settlement record: Bloomberg Law: BMW timing chain reimbursement and warranty deal gets final approval (D.N.J., February 2021) (news.bloomberglaw.com)
- Repair cost estimate: BMW Insights: N20 timing chain replacement cost (bmwinsights.com)
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