Quote:
Originally Posted by c-bass
I well aware that it's plastic and I'm sure your experiences are valid and no I don't have any experience with those guides. All I'm saying is that I personally don't believe that plastic in an engine compartment with a chain running over it is made to last.
If it's "stupendously brittle" to my basic understanding would indicate that material has been compromised from what the original might have been.
That's just my opinion and it really doesn't matter what I think but since the OP asked for our thoughts...I shared mine
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BMW was forced by asinine EU regulations to use shitty plastics and rubber (So they can be biodegradable) was the word I heard .
Glass is brittle, ceramic is brittle, not a certain failure mode. The opposite of brittle will be soft and would not last 160,000 miles.
As long as there's no impact, brittle plus hard can last a very very long time.
All the M62 chain guide failures I've followed were original tensioner well over 100,000 miles.
I'm not remotely saying they shouldn't have used better material just like the vanos seals that fail because they used buna vs. viton, etc but there is no particular lifespan of the gain guides; treat them well with gentle starts, good oil and filter and regular replacement tensioners and they can last 300-400,000 miles.