Question:

I’m interested in buying a 525i w/96K miles but wanted to know when the timing belt should be replaced ?  and how much it will cost. Thanks.

Response:

>I’m interested in buying a 525i w/96K miles but wanted to know when the >timing belt should be replaced ?  and how much it will cost. >Thanks.

What year?  If it is 1991 or later, than it is a timing chain and does not need replacing – at least normally.

Response:

John, I believe the recommended change interval is at 60k miles, but timing belt and tensioner really aren’t that big a deal to change yourself. If the car has been well taken care of and you can get it at a good price, I’d say don’t let the timing belt situation be a deal breaker – even if you can’t find out for sure if it has already been changed. At 96k the car is just getting broken in (unless it’s been really ragged out and not taken care of). If you can’t do it yourself, shop around (away from dealer) for quotes. Also, if the water pump hasn’t been changed yet, it’s worth the $45 to put a new one in there while you’re doing the timing belt and buy yourself a little peace of mind. I can’t recall exactly but the timing belt and tensioner wasn’t all that much from the dealer. good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m interested in buying a 525i w/96K miles but wanted to know when the > timing belt should be replaced ?  and how much it will cost. > Thanks.

Response:

For the 318i/E30, BMW first told me to change it every 80.000km (50k miles) !Then they told me to change it every 60.000km (37k miles) The belt broke exactly at 60.000km!!!!!! all valves looked like bananas :-( As i went to a BMW-dealer to ask about, why it could happen that early, they told:  "oooops – we