My son's 2013 JCW Paceman is very close to 100K miles. A timing chain over 100K makes me a little nervous. What's the conventional wisdom on replacing the timing chain as a scheduled maintenance item rather than waiting for the death rattle? With some cars I've owned in the past, the timing chain or belt was on the maintenance schedule.

 

I vote for PM, nothing is for 'life of engine' unless is end of life when the chain gives! Some go as early as 50K miles, others go on mush longer. Peace of mind for me was a DIY job at 48K miles but I did have the rattle.

 

BMW's lifetime fluids and parts damages their reputation in my mind. Any MINI owner who has drained their ATF has seen that 'lifetime' is nonsense.

I'm leaning toward having the chain done. It's my son's car and I'm not sure that he would recognize the death rattle if it started (or that I would, for that matter) so better to treat it as a maintenance item.

 

I had the timing chain tensioner and top guide replaced even though I was not having any obvious issues. The tensioner turned out to be completely shot and I am super glad I replaced it. The upper guide was in okay condition but while I was in there I replaced it. I did not remove the chain or the plastic guides. The car ran somewhat better afterwards but I performed a lot of other repairs at the same time (water pump, pulleys and belt, water pipe, thermostat and housing, starter, PCV diaphragm, etc.).