Second Hand BMW i3 Timing Chain
Get quotes for a used or replacement BMW i3 timing chain. Genuine second hand parts from UK vehicle dismantlers - free request, breakers with stock reply direct.
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Buying a used BMW i3 timing chain: what matters
Fitment on a used timing chain varies by vehicle, so a bit of detail goes a long way. Our request form covers what breakers need to know, so every quote you get back is for the correct part:
- State whether it's petrol or diesel
- State the engine code if known
Other used BMW i3 parts
Used timing chain for other BMW models
Fitment questions
Does the BMW i3 have a timing chain?
No — the BMW i3 does not have a timing chain in any of its variants. The i3 is an electric vehicle (BEV) or, in the range-extender version (REX), uses a tiny two-cylinder motorcycle-derived petrol engine that does not use a conventional timing chain assembly in the way a standard combustion engine does. If you are searching for a timing chain for an i3, you are likely looking at the wrong model — double-check the vehicle registration, as a VIN check may reveal you are actually working on a different BMW model.
I've been quoted a timing chain for my BMW i3 REX — is that right?
It is almost certainly not right. The range-extender (REX) engine in the i3 is a small two-cylinder unit derived from a BMW motorcycle engine, and it does not use a conventional timing chain in the way a petrol or diesel car engine would. If a breaker has quoted you a timing chain for an i3 REX, it is worth going back to them to clarify exactly which component they are referring to, and to confirm against your full registration or VIN. You may be looking for a different engine ancillary part entirely.
What should I be looking for instead of a timing chain on a BMW i3?
Because the i3 is electrically driven, common replacement parts relate to the electric motor, inverter, battery modules, reduction gearbox, or associated cooling components rather than anything in a combustion engine valvetrain. For i3 REX owners, engine-related parts would be specific to that small two-cylinder range-extender unit, but a timing chain is not a standard serviceable part associated with it. A BMW breaker who specialises in i3 dismantling will be best placed to identify the correct part from your registration number.
Could a timing chain from another BMW fit the i3?
No — there is no timing chain fitted to the i3 in any variant, so there is no application for a timing chain from another BMW on this vehicle. If you have been advised you need a timing chain and the vehicle in question is genuinely an i3, it is worth re-checking the diagnosis, as the fault may lie with a completely different system such as the reduction gearbox or an ancillary of the REX unit. Always confirm the part requirement against your registration with the breaker before purchasing any used component.