I have a 2020 2 series grand coupe 218i 41000 miles. Getting rattling in engine car has full BMW service history no warnings standing, I’m frightened to drive it and frightened of getting ripped off by a mechanics telling me it might be something very serious. 

Hi Vincent

Welcome to the Forum

You don't need to accept the first diagnosis, good practice if you can't DIY is always get 3 quotes. Plus don't tell them what you think it may be or what someone else has told you.

A rattle could be as simple as a belt tensioner or as expensive as a Timing chain with many other possibles in between. For garages get local recommendations don't rely on "Online stuff" word of mouth is better. You can also use the Register of BMW Specialists to find a local specialist

Good luck 

Dave

Thanks for the advice Dave, I have been told the car has actually got timing chain which is expected to last the life of the car. I’m guessing it have become a bit slack might just need to be retentioned. It’s odd though because the noise did get worse over a period of time it seemed to appear over a very short period of time. 
or of course it could be something completely unrelated to the timing chain which. The noise is coming from the left hand side of engine bay close to what looks like auxiliary drive belts. If anyone out there has experienced this before please advise. 😬

Morning Guy

Take care if inspecting Belts and pulleys if the engine is running as I said in my original post if you can't DIY get help.

Your drive belt wraps around the main Crank pulley and AC Pump at the bottom of the engine up around the alternator then down under a Tensioner Water Pump pulley

Are you loosing coolant ? I have never worked on a 2 series but did read about water pump/thermostat issues some time ago

It is imposible to acurately diagnose a problem from a description we are just guessing

Dave

No everything with the car is perfect apart from this worrying noise 😔

As you have a noise which worries you clearly it isn't perfect, and the belt area needs checking/attention 

Dave

On 3/1/2025 at 11:39 AM, THFc61 said:

I have a 2020 2 series grand coupe 218i 41000 miles. Getting rattling in engine car has full BMW service history no warnings standing, I’m frightened to drive it and frightened of getting ripped off by a mechanics telling me it might be something very serious. 

 

Cars been into BMW,

£818 for diagnostic check, replace vibration damper, and new belt and alternator tensioner  

ouch 😥 

 

cars only done 40000 miles shocking should last longer than that 🥺

Hi Guy

They do know how to charge don't they 

But at least your back on the road and running smoothly (we hope)

Dave

On 3/1/2025 at 11:39 AM, THFc61 said:

I have a 2020 2 series grand coupe 218i 41000 miles. Getting rattling in engine car has full BMW service history no warnings standing, I’m frightened to drive it and frightened of getting ripped off by a mechanics telling me it might be something very serious. 

 

Cars been into BMW,

£818 for diagnostic check, replace vibration damper, and new belt and alternator tensioner  

ouch 😥 

 

cars only done 40000 miles shocking should last longer than that 🥺

 

yes thanks Dave hopefully that’s the end of it 👌