my right side exhaust is leaking somewhere,
when i start the car u can hear a little bit of farting/air noise from the passenger wheel well, and thats where i hear that tick tick noise

i put my hand on the motor, front cover aswell and its very smooth, i got 110,000km so it cant b timing chain as the noise comes and goes depending on engine temp/exhaust manifold temp

my guess is where the exhaust manifold meets the mid-pipe donut conection or directly from the port out of the cylinder head

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIBJq7pDIjs

Here is another video I just took.

If it is excess exhaust manifold where you say it might be, is that a very large job to undertake? I guess I'm referring to having somebody else do it. is that a difficult job/Big money?

Thank you for your input!

P2097 states a pre-cat O2 sensor.

Pair that with the sound, and it can be an exhaust leak as Gurjit is suggesting.

Yea it is not your chain.

Thank you so much everyone, For your input.

So, am I correct in assuming that you are stating that ticking noise is/could be a product of an exhaust leak?

The P2097 code is a pre-cat sensor fault. I have replaced both of those as well. Since I did that, I got the descriptions for some other makes of automobiles with the same code. I cross-referenced it with the GM descriptions for that same code and it indicates a vacuum leak Or a faulty MAF or a leak near the MAF. I did just replace the MAF as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay8gS8tJ5EQ

I just drove for about 35 miles. I stopped to take a leak and listen for the noise and there's no noise. I did not shut the car off from the previous video that I posted.
My apologies for the wind noise, but I'm in the middle of nowhere.

The intermittent aspect is what perplexes me the most

CUST SERV. 800-831-1117

E53 X5 SAV PL 1|
| OP NUMBER : 1131051 TOTAL $ 8156.48 |
| MODIFIER : |
| 1. OPERATION : Timing Chain, r&r (ADD Oil & Filter) |
| 2. DESCRIPTION: 4.4i 04/06 |
| 3. HOURS : 55.00 LABOR: 5933.00 SPG LABOR CODE: C |
| |
| 15. BM11-31-7-533-479 GUIDE RAIL 1 0 91.76 91.76 |
| 16. BM11-31-7-533-489 GUIDE RAIL 1 0 66.30 66.30 |
| 17. BM11-31-7-533-483 CHAIN TENSIONER 1 0 69.30 69.30 |
| 18. BM11-31-7-533-488 BOLT 1 0 16.84 16.84 |
| 19. BM11-31-7-548-033 OIL SPRAYING NOZZLE 1 0 39.38 39.38 |
| 20. BM11-14-1-439-717 GASKET F TIMING CASE 1 1 39.93 39.93 |
| 21. BM11-12-7-513-194 GASKET SET, CYLINDER 1 2 134.51 134.51 |
| 22. BM11-12-7-513-195 GASKET SET, CYLINDER 1 2 134.51 134.51 |
| 23. BM11-13-7-545-293 GASKET STEEL 1 1 54.88 54.88 |
| 24. BM11-43-1-287-541 O-RING 1 -1 5.40 5.40 |
| 25. BM11-13-7-506-774 GASKET STEEL 1 2 45.56 45.56 |
| 26. BM11-36-7-546-379 O-RING 4 8 7.36 29.44 |
28. BM11-14-7-506-424 GASKET STEEL 1 2 28.12 28.12 |
| 29. BM11-14-7-506-425 GASKET STEEL 1 4 28.12 28.12 |
| 30. BM11-14-7-558-914 SHAFT SEAL 1 0 88.30 88.30 |
| 31. BM11-21-7-528-438 SPROCKET 1 0 118.25 118.25 |
| 32. BM82-14-1-467-704 COOLANT 2 29 23.80 47.60 |

PARTS: $ 2042.70 |
| LABOR: $ 5933.00 |
| BULK FLUIDS: $ 5.00 |
| MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS: $ 49.92 |
| TAX: $ 125.86 |
| ================ |
| TOTAL: $ 8156.48 |

This is the dealer quote for timing chain and parts .....^

FIFTY FIVE HOURS OF LABOR ?????????????????????????

Tell that dealer to eat shit.

I would love to tell them that. My problem is intermittent at the moment.
My question is...

Even if I do these repairs, I have 191000 miles on the car. the interior is immaculate and the outside is in great shape as well. I have also had the eccentric shaft done under warranty on this one.

At what point does it make more sense to get a used engine from BMRparts?
My indy shop seems a little scared to tackle the timing chain.

I could get one from BMRparts and it would have 60-70,000 miles on it. They also offer a lifetime engine warranty for 35% of the cost of the engine.

The cost of the engine and installation at the dealer is about $6,000

any advice for this frustrated BMW owner who did everything by the book and is now faced with this?