Timing Chain Failure
The BMW Mini range from 2010 onwards is affected by the same premature timing chain failure that has plagued the BMW Series 1, 3 and 5 models. This problem affects both the petrol and diesel engines.
The timing chain has design faults; firstly, it is located at the rear of the engine bay and is not intended to be a serviceable part. Secondly, it stretches and weakens over time – and ultimately snaps, causing significant engine damage.
What Happens When A Timing Chain Snaps?
When a BMW engine timing chain snaps, the inlet and exhaust valves collide with the pistons, resulting in massive engine damage. This damage can include blown pistons, bent valves, shattered rocker arms, snapped or bent camshaft, snapped or bent crankshaft & damaged camshaft housing.
The table below details the affected BMW Mini models and engine codes:
| BMW / Mini Model | Year Registered | Engine Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Cooper SD (R56) Mini Cabrio Cooper SD (R57) Mini Coupe Cooper SD (R58) Mini Roadster Cooper SD (R59) Mini Countryman Cooper SD (R60) Mini Paceman Cooper SD (R61) | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
N47C16A |
| Mini One D Mini 1.5d | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | B37 |
| Mini 120d & 125d, 218d, 220d & 225d 316d, 318d & 320d 418d X1 25d X5 25d Mini Cooper SD | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | B47 |
| Mini Clubman 1.5 Petrol Mini Cooper 1.5 Petrol | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | B38 |
| 225i 320i 330i Mini Cooper S Mini Cooper JCW Mini Clubman 2.0 Petrol | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | B48 |
BMW Engine Rebuild Service
We have rebuilt over three thousand damaged BMW engines. Often damaged by timing chain failure, but also by water ingress, oil starvation, swirl-flap failure and various other causes. We have developed a thorough, highly successful engine rebuild procedure.
Identifying & repairing the extent of each damaged engine is a labour intensive process. The timing chain is located at the rear of the engine bay, therefore we must remove the entire engine and completely strip down all components to discover and replace any damaged components. This ensures we can restore the engine to perfect running order.
We only perform ‘full factory specification’ rebuilds using genuine OEM (BMW) parts. The engine is rebuilt with modified chains, guides and tensioners supplied by BMW, to minimise the risk of a repeat failure. We provide a 12 month warranty on BMW & MINI engine rebuilds.
Engine Rebuild Costs
If your engine has suffered catastrophic failure then you will require the full engine rebuild procedure, inclusive of BMW parts.
| Engine Code | Rebuild Cost |
|---|---|
| N47C16A | £3,000.00 – £4,000.00 + VAT |
| N47C20A | £3,000.00 – £4,000.00 + VAT |
| B37 & B47 | £4,000.00 – £6,000.00 + VAT |
| B38 & B48 | £4,000.00 – £6,000.00 + VAT |
Whatever the cause of engine damage, each engine is individually stripped and assessed – depending on damage to engine parts, and fluctuations in BMW component pricing, the price may be higher or lower.
Our engine rebuilds are covered by a 12 month non-transferable warranty.
Cheaper Engine Repair Options
If you are considering other companies offering so called ‘re-manufactured’ engines at under £2,000, our advice is to steer clear. It is likely these engines are not rebuilt, nor re-manufactured – as genuine BMW replacement parts cost over £1,500 for the N47 engine variant.
It is more likely that the replacement engine will have been recovered from a damaged car – it’s also likely that it won’t have the modified BMW replacement timing chains, guides and tensioners – so they will just snap again…
It is a skilled and time consuming process to correctly repair an engine damaged by a broken timing chain, cheap solutions will not provide the reliability and 12 month warranty offered by Prestige Engines Limited.
