Timing chain noise...normal or not (M3) ???

[Peter D]

My '04 X5 3.0's engine is a quiet as a church mouse, no problem with it.

But, by comparison, my '01 330 M3 (42K miles) has a real loud timing chain rattle on cold start until the engine (chain tensioner?) gets oil. I say its a tensioner problem, but the local dealer says its normal. I'm about to trip the 4 yr part of my warranty..........and firmly feel that today's normal will become a problem in 3 weeks.

Any one out there with an M3 similar year and mileage that can advise me. i dont recall hearing the noise till just under 30K on the clock, at that time the dealer again said "normal".

Thanks for the help......

[GUINNESS]

So is it a 330 or an M3?? Either way though, it could be the tensioner, it could be nothing, it could be the VANOS. If it's an 01 M3, has all the recall work been completed since 01s had the engine issues?

I would take the car to a few dealers to get second opinions. Also try taking it to a reputable BMW specialist, not a dealer. My mechanic, who is also a very good friend, has both his 330 and M3 in the shop for a problem that sounds similar to yours.

Definitely have it looked at by other places before the warrenty runs out. Also, try posting on other forums like bimmerforums, e46fanatics, and m3forums.

[Peter D]

Thanks for the response, the car is an "M3" convertable, I always refer to it as a 330 because most people outside of BMW owners look ?? when i say M3