1995 325i mechanic says he thinks my timing chain needs replaced.
 

Mechanic wants to charge me 1000.00 dollars to replace a timing chain? My car has 189,000 miles on it. Do the timing chains usually need changed at this milage and is a thousand dollars too much?

Thanks in advance for any replies, Jetty

It seems highly unusual to me that the chain would need to be replaced. If the chain sounds noisy, it might just be a tensioner that needs replacing, far cheaper and a DIY job as well.

I agree with 3050 RPM. Tensioner maybe, chain unlikely.

If it sounds like there is a can of marbles in there, the problem is the VANOS, not the timing chain. This would not be surprising at this mileage. I have a '97 with 275k miles that has never even had the O-rings replaced in the VANOS and I know I am running on borrowed time.

The bad news is that while a VANOS is easier to replace than a timing chain, the parts alone are $600 if you bolt in a complete new one, which most folks do, so you are still looking at a $1000 bill. Sorry Bro.

ty 3500

Thank you!

no, don't change it. Mine is 245000 miles. timing chain usually last for life if oil change every 7000 miles at least...

MY car is 250k on it. The timing chain last for life, if you change oil and check oil. One time it happened to me, I thougt it was timing chain, it ended up the spark plugs are loose. So check you spark plugs.