BMW 3 Series Timing Belt or Chain (1983-2026)

The BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains or timing belts, depending on the engine and model year. These engines are interference.

Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the BMW 3 Series.

Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.

2026 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2026 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2018 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2018 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2017 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2017 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2016 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2016 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2015 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2015 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2014 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2014 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2013 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2013 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2012 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2012 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

2011 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2011 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2010 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2010 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2009 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2009 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2008 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2008 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2007 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2007 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2006 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2006 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2005 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2005 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2004 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2004 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2003 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2003 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2002 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2002 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2001 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2001 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

2000 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2000 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1999 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1999 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1998 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1998 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

1997 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1997 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1996 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1996 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1995 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1995 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

1994 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1994 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains and are interference engines.

1993 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1993 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains or timing belts, depending on the engine. These engines are interference.

1992 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1992 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains or timing belts, depending on the engine. These engines are interference.

1991 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1991 BMW 3 Series engines have timing chains or timing belts, depending on the engine. These engines are interference.

1990 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1990 BMW 3 Series has a timing belt and is an interference engine.

1989 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1989 BMW 3 Series has a timing belt and is an interference engine.

1988 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1988 BMW 3 Series has a timing belt and is an interference engine.

1987 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1987 BMW 3 Series has a timing belt and is an interference engine.

1985 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1985 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1984 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1984 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

1983 BMW 3 Series - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1983 BMW 3 Series has a timing chain and is an interference engine.

Timing Belt Basics

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.