Question 1

What does a timing belt do?

Accepted Answer

The timing belt, or cambelt, is a vital engine component with a key role to play in keeping your motor running smoothly. It ensures the top and bottom halves of your engine rotate precisely in time with each other. 
Essentially, this ribbed rubber belt with teeth synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft’s rotation. It controls the sequencing and timing of the opening and closing of the valves on the cylinders in your engine to provide the right combustion. 
Camshafts, made up of the main journals, the lobes (or bulges) and the ends, control the valves in the cylinder head. A rocker head takes the spinning motion of an overhead camshaft and turns it into the movement that opens and closes the valves. 
Timing chains essentially perform the same function as cambelts but may be slightly noisier. The chains generally last as long as the vehicle (and generally require less frequent replacing), although the plastic guides they run over may not.

Question 2

How often should a timing belt need replacing?

Accepted Answer

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach for how often to replace yours—a lot depends on your motor’s age and condition. 
There’s also huge variation between manufacturers and different engines. So you might need a new belt after 4 years, or 6, or after driving 40,000 or 100,000 miles. Consult your car’s manual—most manufacturers’ recommendations are based on time passed or miles driven, depending on which elapses first. However, we’d always suggest treating these recommendations as a maximum, and erring on the side of caution.

Question 3

The law, vehicle regulations, and your MOT

Accepted Answer

The timing belt will not be examined at your car’s MOT, but the associated issues of running a car with a faulty timing belt can lead to severe engine damage, which can.

Question 4

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

Accepted Answer

Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will disassemble the parts of the engine to access the timing belt and proceed to examine the timing belt, the belt’s pulleys and tensioner.
Wherever required your timing belt will be replaced and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.
You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
Once the timing belt has been replaced, our mechanics will test your car thoroughly to ensure the correct running of the new part and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

Question 5

What causes a timing belt to stop working correctly?

Accepted Answer

Like most car parts, your timing belt will wear out eventually due to cracking, snapping or tearing. Timing belts are also unpredictable, with few warning signs of damage. (Although starting issues and noise may offer clues.) Driving your car infrequently, oil leaks and temperature changes, among other factors, can all play their part.

Question 6

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

Accepted Answer

If a grinding or squeaking noise is being emitted from your engine, it could be a malfunctioning timing belt.

Question 7

You hear unusual noises coming from the engine

Accepted Answer

If your timing belt has broken, this can cause problems with your engine that lead to the vehicle not starting.

Question 8

BMW

Accepted Answer

BMW AG is a German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer that was established over 100 years ago in March 1916. They also own Mini and Rolls Royce, after taking over the two British marques in 2000 and 1998 respectively.

Question 9

How popular is BMW in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

BMW makes luxury vehicles and is possibly most famous for its sports saloon models. In 2018, BMW had 1.9m vehicles on the roads in the UK, a number that has been steadily increasing each year for the past decade.As one of the ‘big 3’ German marques, along with Audi and Mercedes, BMW carries a strong reputation for making high-quality stylish vehicles, and have captured a large section of the UK market.

Question 10

Luxury family and business models for every driver

Accepted Answer

Probably most popular for the 3 Series and 5 Series saloon models, BMW has got every possible angle covered for the more discerning drivers.The full range includes everything from the 1 Series city car to the full-size saloons and sports coupes of the 7 and 8 Series models.To provide everything you’d ever need for family motoring there’s a seven-seat MPV, their range of X model SUVs, and since 2014, the introduction of their plug-in electric i models. Top it all off with their M model high-performance supercars, the Z4 convertible and the i8 Roadster—and you’ve got the full package.

Question 11

BMW: High performance on and off the track

Accepted Answer

BMW has a successful history in a range of motorsports.They have been significant performers in touring car racing and rally driving, enjoyed success in Formula One with the BMW Sauber team, and BMW cars have been regular competitors and winners at Le Mans since the race’s early years.

Question 12

BMW’s reliability and reputation

Accepted Answer

BMW ranked 16th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. BMW hasn’t always had the best reputation for reliability but to rank alongside marques such as Honda, Volkswagen and Fiat they’re holding their own alongside plenty of the other big names.

Question 13

Recent BMW recalls and reliability issues

Accepted Answer

Various recalls have been made on BMW models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

Question 14

22/03/2019 – BMW X5 (2018)

Accepted Answer

Incorrect tightening torque of left front seat fixing bolts

Question 15

22/03/2019 – BMW X5, 5 Series (2000–2003)

Accepted Answer

Potential rupture of driver front airbag inflator

Question 16

04/03/2019 – BMW X1 (2018–2019)

Accepted Answer

Rear lights may be fixed with incorrect securing units

Question 17

01/03/2019 – BMW X5, X6, 7 Series, 6 Series and 5 Series (2009–2011)

Accepted Answer

Auxiliary water pump’s electronics could lead to a short circuit

Question 18

01/02/2019 – BMW X5 and X6 (2007–2010)

Accepted Answer

The idler pulley bolt could become loosened

Question 19

21/01/2019 – BMW M3, M4 and M4 convertible (2016)

Accepted Answer

The flange of the propshaft may become detached

Question 20

27/12/2018 – BMW X6 (2014–2015)

Accepted Answer

EGR module cooler could leak

Question 21

27/12/2018 – BMW 4 Series (2013–2015)

Accepted Answer

Exhaust gas recirculation module cooler could leakAll recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.

Car make and model	Average dealer price	Price estimate	Average savings
BMW 2 Series Coupe	£455	£300 - £471	£69
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe	£768	£550 - £672	£156
BMW X1	£643	£470 - £575	£121
BMW X3	£654	£510 - £623	£88
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe	£822	£616 - £753	£137
BMW X4	£330	£270 - £330	£30
BMW 5 Series	£715	£496 - £676	£129
BMW i3	£415	£300 - £417	£57
BMW 3 Series	£707	£501 - £613	£150
BMW 1 Series	£599	£486 - £593	£59
BMW 2 Series Coupe	£455	£300 - £471	£69
BMW 3 Series	£707	£501 - £613	£150
BMW X4	£330	£270 - £330	£30
BMW X1	£643	£470 - £575	£121
BMW X3	£654	£510 - £623	£88
BMW 1 Series	£599	£486 - £593	£59
BMW 5 Series	£715	£496 - £676	£129
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe	£822	£616 - £753	£137
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe	£768	£550 - £672	£156
BMW i3	£415	£300 - £417	£57
BMW 2 Series Coupe	£455	£300 - £471	£69
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe	£768	£550 - £672	£156
BMW X1	£643	£470 - £575	£121
BMW X3	£654	£510 - £623	£88
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe	£822	£616 - £753	£137

BMW timing belt replacement

Get an instant quote and save up to 30%

Simply book online and we'll handle the rest

Our expert insights into BMW timing belt replacement

Our expert insights into BMW timing belt replacement

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

Our trusted and certified garages

Millennium Garages

London, UK

Holocene Motor Group

London, UK

Blenheim Transport Ltd

London, UK

Canning Car Care

London, UK

Dundalk Motors

London, UK

Universal Automobile Engineers

London, UK

Here’s what our customers have to say…

Book your next BMW timing belt replacement in less than 5 minutes.

Book your next BMW timing belt replacement in less than 5 minutes.

Try Fixter today

Try Fixter today

Your timing belt replacement is in safe hands with our top-rated mechanics

Your timing belt replacement is in safe hands with our top-rated mechanics

Want to learn more about BMW timing belt replacement?

Want to learn more about BMW timing belt replacement?

We cover all makes and models — anywhere in the UK

We cover all makes and models — anywhere in the UK

Popular locations

Popular services

Find your car model

We're here to help!