My 2 x Alpinaâ€™s!

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:09 pm

ok thanks hope it's not expensive if it needs it

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:11 pm

I'd really like to put full leather in it if anyone knows of any going?

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:13 pm

DannyB3D3 wrote:ok thanks hope it's not expensive if it needs it

It is....but cheaper than a blown unit. Chat to your guys and see if there's a good inspection route that's inexpensive, but if memory serves it's an utter swine to get at and once in, it's better to just change the bugger

My well known and trusted local indie 'forza gb' have a tech page on this very subject. It may be your service dept have more up to date knowledge than he ( he's an ex lead tech at Cotswold and red hot in troubleshooting) but here's what he says and his cost as an indicator.

'This problem seems to appear in higher mileage vehicles which may have been serviced with incorrect oils.

The issue is the degrading to the timing chain tensioner and guides which cause the chain to slap... If this chain slap/clatter is not addressed with urgency then the chain quickly wears down the upper and lower pulleys and, in the worst case scenario, the chain jumps sending the timing out which causes severe internal engine damage.

The repair to the timing chain alone is a costly repair as the engine is what would be called back to front where the timing is at the rear of the engine. To gain access the engine and gearbox need to be removed and dismantled accordingly.

The average cost with Forza GB for the full timing chain, guides, tensioners and pulleys replacement is Â£1400.'

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:00 pm

oh god!

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:09 pm

DannyB3D3 wrote:oh god!

Best forewarned and forearmed. Hopefully all good

Can you access any dealer history there that's usually off limits to the rest of us rabble?

Metrics · Post by **Metrics** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:16 pm

I think some N47 cars were subject to a "quality enhancement", aka recall - but i think this has closed now. Maybe your car has already been done?

Either way as a Sytner employee you are best placed to find out via your workshop and BMW. Speak to your workshop guys and have them check it?

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 7:43 pm

Yeah I will do thanks for the advice and warning. I do have access to certain info yeah but is confidential due to data protection etc

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:10 pm

DannyB3D3 wrote:Yeah I will do thanks for the advice and warning. I do have access to certain info yeah but is confidential due to data protection etc

No worries. It's one of those things that's best known about in advance.....oh well.

Hope some file digging turns up useful positive info.

Oh...and data protection my arse. It just makes poor punters unaware of cars' history and ends up paying for unnecessary work if they're concerned. It's pathetic and a poor system. My Porsche dealer shares past history verbally with me, so why doesn't BMW group? I understand why no paper copies handed over, but come on BMW!

PhillV8S · Post by **PhillV8S** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:24 pm

Unfortunately the new GDPR give companies a legitimate reason to withhold any personal data, and as most will err on the side of caution will include all data to make sure they comply. Even though the actual work that has been carried out on a car is not personal if they redact any personal data from the invoice!
Itâ€™s just easier for the lazy dealers to just not release any old info on cars I guess.

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:46 pm

I can tell you exact specification and where the car has been and what work has been done but not in great detail but yeah nothing that shows previous owners details or paperwork copies. To be honest I donâ€™t think itâ€™s worth risking my job over it! Lol.

Letâ€™s just talk Alpinaâ€™s yeah? Haha

ade and liz flint · Post by **ade and liz flint** » Sat Sep 15, 2018 10:39 am

PhillV8S wrote: Even though the actual work that has been carried out on a car is not personal if they redact any personal data from the invoice!
Itâ€™s just easier for the lazy dealers to just not release any old info on cars I guess.

Nail. Head. Job done

I get the list of works performed on Porsche handed over without quibble. No personal info: but the previous owner is on the V5c so that's an easy follow up to add to the paper chase if anything untoward occurs. Whenever I've asked Sytner for background works, I've been sent packing

Hope your own search goes well, Dan. If not, hopefully there are workshop guys who know how to listen for telltale cam chain noise: experienced ears can find faults using a nice metal rod and an ear

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Sat Sep 15, 2018 2:17 pm

so it's not due any recalls they have all been done so will get a tech to look at it next week.

Sab · Post by **Sab** » Sat Sep 15, 2018 9:32 pm

Hi Mate,

Welcome to the forum.

Iâ€™ve bought several parts from Sytner Harold Wood and was often served by Alex who no longer works there.

Also serviced my e92 335i there.

It seems a bit late for the greeting after this potential bombshell.
I wouldnâ€™t worry too much as you seem to have the right people around you to diagnose the timing chain etc, and give you the all clear.
Finger crossed!

I hope you enjoy the cars, they are Stunning!

DannyB3D3 · Post by **DannyB3D3** » Sat Sep 15, 2018 9:50 pm

Yeah Alex was a good guy shame he left!

To be honest Iâ€™m quietly confident my car is ok, it sounds, looks and drives fine but will obviously still get it checked.

Thanks for the welcome

ali · Post by **ali** » Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:45 pm

By the way it's "Alpinas", no need for an apostrophe