My 09 plate 74,000 mile BMW 118i has just been diagnosed as needing a new engine by BMW Maidenhead as a result of the timing chain tensioner failing and getting sucked into the rest of the engine, causing damage. BMW have offered to pay 50% of the parts cost but are still quoting £7,000 for the repair, despite full BMW service history.

In fact the car had an oil service and diagnosis 3 months ago at BMW Ascot where there was no mention of any problem with the chain tensioner. The engine warning light had previously come on but they diagnosed it as a fault with the oil pressure switch, which they replaced. So I have to ask, should BMW Ascot have identified the timing chain tensioner issue during the previous service? And given the age and mileage on my car should I be expecting BMW to contribute more towards the cost of the repair?

£7,000 is more than I think the car was worth prior to these problems!