[bmw] Timing Belt

["Chris Pawlowicz" <cpawlowicz@xxxxxxxxx>]

Manny asks
>What is overall consensus in changing the timing belt on BMW's?
>My 1999 BMW 323is has 70,000 miles. Everything is working perfect. It has
been
>religiously serviced at the dealerships.

the only BMWs using a timing BELT (which definitely will break and often
destroys the engine) are the 3 and 5 series (E30 and E28) with the small six
cylinder (M20) from the '80s

E30 325e/325/325i
E28 528e/528i

I think every other BMW (including your 323is) uses a timing chain, which is
pretty much good forever.

Those with timing belts should change 'em every 50k miles or 4 years,
whichever comes first.

chris pawlowicz
'89 325i (360 000 km and lots of timing belt changes!)
'74 2002 (chain)
'81 320i (chain)
'99 Z3 2.8 (chain)
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