Timing chain replacement

[m3toocool]

hello i just found out that i need to replace my timing chain becuase there is a loud noking noise. The dealer said its going to run me $3400 and it could take upto 3 days to finish. It cost me 300 so far just to find out what the noise was. So does anyone know anywhere that could intall the chain for cheap. I found a chain for 80 bucks but its from a 97 model m3 and i have a 95. Someone please help with some info.
~Thanks~

[havic]

It's probably the two plastic parts that surround the chain that are broken. Chains rarely need to be replaced. Those plastic pieces cost around $15 or so. It's unfortunate that you have to dismantle so much stuff to get to it. $3400 seems a little steep, but it's a bmw so they figure you can afford it, so they over price things sometimes. You might as well replace the chain if indeed it is the parts surrounding the chain. Sorry, don't know how to install.

[Cro]

I don't have any experience with bmws, but 3 days seems kinda long. They should be able to do it in less than 10 hours. They are probably charging you 8 hours per each day and that is why its so much. I replaced the timing belt on my car and that took around 9 hours because i didn't have all the right tools. At the dealership they told me that it would take them 6 hours. I figure a bmw is a bit more complex than a geo prizm but it still shouldnt take them that long.

I would also have to agree that chains dont need to be replaced that often. My car is a 96 and i replaced the belt last year and prolly could have kept driving with it for another 1-2 years without a problem, but i ddin't know what condition it was in.

Ask another dealership or some of the local service stations for their price. I'm sure that they will charge less.