Broken timing chain

[benf]

My mates got a 325i (3litre diesel) 8 years old, no problems with it well looked after, parked up the other night car fine, went to it next morning and wouldn't start, full electrics but when he put the key in nothing. Had rac out did his checks etc and couldn't do anything saying it is probably the chain possibly destroying the engine, so he got towed to local Ford garage where he knows and trusts the owner, he is thinking along same lines, to get to the chain is apparently a massive job and if it's done the engine could be shot anyway, guess my question is can a car really die in its sleep? I've had 2 cam belts go on me and you know about it, I think it's very rare for a chain to brake but I would have thought the engine would need to be running, any thoughts?

 

[gookah]

There have been reports on some BMW diesel engines having timing chains snap (Mainly 1 series N47 engine) and the chain is at the back of the engine, meaning engine or gearbox out to get to it.
Apparently it wears beyond the tensioners capacity, and then can catch and snap, engine apparently gets quite noisy for a while before the problem

If the chain was too slack it could possibly snap on trying to turn the engine over, apparently that's the way most of them go.

Thread here on 1 Series
https://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?t=62400

I would think these engines are fitted in 3 series too.

 

[benf]

Interesting read, I've got a 125d so I'm worried now it's a 15 reg so should be ok I've sent that to my mate to read

 

[gookah]

I found that thread before making my mind up to carry on and buy a 2012 118d coupe.
But then the car looked too nice, not to buy.....