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N20 Timing Chain & Guides cost

Timing chain, guides and oil pump chain on the 4-cyl N20/N26. Real prices reported by owners on Reddit and BMW forums, with a link to every one.

N20F30 F31 F32 F34 F22 F10 F25 E84 E89

Typical cost

BMW dealer

$3,500 – $7,000

Median $4,000 · 7 data points

Independent shop

$2,000 – $9,700

Median $2,800 · 5 data points

DIY (parts/tools)

$1,000 – $1,700

Median $1,350 · 2 data points

Ranges are the lowest and highest prices in the table below. They are not estimates. Shop prices include parts and labor unless noted.

Every price we found

Price	Where	Details	Source
$5,000	Dealer	Paid at BMW after a guide piece got stuck	[1]
$3,600	Dealer	Quote from a BMW dealer (c. 2019–2020)	[2]
$6,400	Dealer	Paid at dealer, ~20 hrs at $240/hr, also included oil filter housing gasket	[2]
$4,000	Dealer	Dealer quote, preventive job	[3]
$3,500	Dealer	US dealer quote	[4]
$7,000	Dealer	BMW dealer quote	[4]
$3,500	Dealer	Connecticut dealer quote	[5]
$2,000	Indy	Out the door, chain + oil pump chain, Simi Valley CA (2024)	[2]
$2,800	Indy	Indy shop quote, preventive	[3]
$4,000	Indy	Paid at an indy after a $7k dealer quote	[4]
$2,000	Indy	SoCal shop, "about $2k"	[5]
$9,700	Indy	Indy shop quote (outlier; owner bought another car)	[4]
$1,000	DIY	Parts from FCP Euro, special tools and fluids (AWD F34)	[3]
$1,700	DIY	Parts and tools; owner says it was "a LOT more work" than expected	[4]

Make sure any quote includes the oil pump chain and guide, not only the main timing chain. A dealer tech in source 5 warns many quotes leave it out.
Labor rates in these threads ran from $175/hr (indy, Santa Cruz) to $240/hr (dealer).

Which cars are affected

2012–2016 328i / 428i / 228i / 528i / X1 / X3 xDrive28i / Z4 sDrive28i (N20), and 320i/328i variants. Cars built before roughly early 2015 had the original guide design that fails most.

Symptoms

Whining or whirring from the front of the engine that rises with RPM
Rattle on cold start
Timing / camshaft correlation codes
Pieces of plastic guide found in the oil pan or oil pump pickup

Parts list

N20 timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner)	ECS Tuning Pelican Parts Amazon
N20 oil pump chain & guide	ECS Tuning Pelican Parts Amazon
N20 timing tool set	ECS Tuning Pelican Parts Amazon
Oil pan gasket & bolts (pan comes off)	ECS Tuning Pelican Parts Amazon
BMW LL-01 5W-30 engine oil	ECS Tuning Pelican Parts Amazon

Check fitment for your exact car (VIN) before ordering. Links may become affiliate links in the future.

Had this done? Share what you paid

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Common questions

How much does N20 Timing Chain & Guides cost at a BMW dealer?

Real dealer prices we found ranged $3,500 to $7,000 (7 data points, median $4,000).

How much does an independent shop charge for N20 Timing Chain & Guides?

Independent shop prices ranged $2,000 to $9,700 (5 data points, median $2,800).

Can I do N20 Timing Chain & Guides myself?

Owners who did it themselves reported $1,000 to $1,700 in parts and tools.

Which BMWs are affected?

2012–2016 328i / 428i / 228i / 528i / X1 / X3 xDrive28i / Z4 sDrive28i (N20), and 320i/328i variants. Cars built before roughly early 2015 had the original guide design that fails most.

Cracked expansion tank, coolant flange, turbo coolant line leaks.

$400–$1,500

Water Pump (N20 / B46 / B48)

Electric pump on the N20, mechanical pump and bracket on B46/B48.

$980–$3,600

N55 Charge Pipe

The plastic charge pipe that cracks and puts the car in limp mode.

$500–$1,400

Oil Filter Housing Gasket (OFHG)

The classic BMW oil leak onto the serpentine belt.

$350–$1,950