BMW E60 with the N47 Engine: Timing Chain, Problems, and the Complete Owner’s Guide
Quick Summary
The BMW E60 with the N47 diesel is a popular executive sedan on the used market, but its biggest weak point is the timing chain—mounted at the rear of the engine, on the transmission side. Factory chain components are prone to premature wear as early as 124,000 miles. This guide shows you how to recognize the wear symptoms, diagnose the problem properly, and know what to check before buying a used one.
The Problem: Why the N47 Deserves Extra Attention
You get in, start the engine—and hear a metallic clatter from the transmission side. The noise is worse when cold, and a knock shows up at idle. Those are the classic signs of timing chain wear on the N47.
On most engines, the chain sits up front, accessible once you remove the cover. On the N47, it’s at the rear, on the transmission side. That packaging choice makes diagnosis and repair far harder—and makes the timing chain one of the most vulnerable spots on the whole car.
Delay the diagnosis and the chain can let go, which all but guarantees an engine rebuild.
Timing Chain Wear Symptoms
- Noise at engine startup, especially when cold
- Knocking or rattling at idle
- A metallic clatter when the engine runs around 1500 rpm
The Causes: Design Flaws and More
The N47 diesel family debuted in 2007 in two main versions: the 1.6-liter N47D16 and the 2.0-liter N47D20. Both are four-cylinder turbodiesels with Common Rail injection. The BMW E60 mostly got the 2.0-liter version.
The N47’s defining design quirk is where the timing chain lives: at the rear of the engine, on the transmission side. Reaching it means removing the transmission, which drives up labor time significantly. The engine runs two timing chains plus one oil pump drive chain. The setup synchronizes the camshafts with the crankshaft, but if any of the chains wears out, the consequences can be catastrophic.
The premature wear traces back to design flaws: the timing chain tensioners and chain guides don’t maintain enough tension, letting the chain stretch and jump a tooth. Factory components can start wearing as early as 124,000 miles, and in some cases the problem shows up sooner.
The Fix: Diagnosis and Chain Replacement
Diagnosing Without Teardown
Diagnosis is complicated by the chain’s location on the transmission side. You can’t just pull a cover and eyeball the chain—that would require dropping the transmission. Experienced mechanics can still judge chain condition indirectly: by the noise, by the injection timing advance (via a diagnostic scanner), and by stored fault codes.
If you hear any of these characteristic sounds, get the timing chain checked immediately. Wait too long and the chain can fail—the pistons meet the valves, and you’re into an engine rebuild.
Replacing the Chain: What to Know
Replacing the timing chain on the N47 is one of the most involved and expensive jobs on a BMW E60. Because the chain sits on the transmission side, the gearbox has to come out first—work that demands highly skilled technicians and special equipment.
Key points:
- Timing chain, tensioner, and guide replacement should only be done at a specialist shop
- Highly qualified technicians are a must given the difficult access
- Replace every chain component as a set: both timing chains, the oil pump chain, the tensioners, and the guides
If the chain lets go, the pistons meet the valves, damaging the cylinder head, the pistons, and possibly the engine block. In that case the rebuild can run so high that it rivals the price of the car itself on the used market.
The good news: new timing chain parts don’t have the factory defect. Manufacturers fixed the design flaws, and modern chain kits last significantly longer. Replace the chain in time and the timing chain problem won’t come back.
Automatic Transmission and ELV Service
To avoid automatic transmission trouble, keep up with the service schedule. BMW claims the transmission fluid is filled for life, but in practice that’s not the case. Over time the fluid loses its properties, and wear debris (sludge and metal shavings) clogs the valve body. Plan on an automatic transmission fluid change every 37,000–50,000 miles.
Another common BMW E60 problem is failure of the electronic steering column lock (ELV). The typical fault code is A116. In most cases, resetting the fault counter through CAS diagnostics (the car access and start system) sorts it out. In neglected cases, the ELV module may need replacing.
Prevention: Used E60 N47 Buying Checklist
- Timing chain replacement history. Ask the seller whether the timing chain has been replaced. If so—when, and with which parts. If it hasn’t, be prepared to do it in the near future
- Automatic transmission condition. Judge shift smoothness on the move. Jerks, delays, or clunks are signs of wear. Check the ATF level and condition
- Steering column lock (ELV) operation. Scan for faults. The lock should engage and release crisply as you cycle the ignition—no delays, no odd noises
- Listen to the engine cold. Start it after the car has sat for a few hours. Any knock, rattle, or metallic clatter is a red flag
Bottom Line
The BMW E60 with the N47 can deliver a lot of driving pleasure, but it demands a disciplined approach to maintenance. The main issue is the timing chain on the transmission side. Factory chain components wear prematurely, and replacing the chain is a complex, expensive job.
Diagnose it in time, swap in a modern kit free of the factory defect, and the N47 will serve you long and reliably. Keep up with regular automatic transmission service and keep an eye on the ELV system. If you’re planning a purchase—arm yourself with what’s in this guide and don’t skip the prevention.