What timing belt kit is good

[beaubatchelor2]

Hey guys,
We just bought a 323i (m20 b23) and are going to do a timing belt and waterpump replacement. Just wondering what timimng kits are best for our engine and where to get them.
From Beau

[e30davie]

A new one is the best one.

[beaubatchelor2]

Where would you get it from? Any good websites?

[RobDog]

Continental Contitech timing belt with an Ina/febi bilstein tensioner is what most people have been using for years. ECS tuning, Turner motorsport, AutohausAZ, Blunt tech, Barvarian Autosport, and Pelican Auto are all good places that I use to buy E30 parts.

[lukeADE335i]

As you're in Australia, just use clickable.com.au

They're a local online supplier of BMW parts, and with the dollar dropping at the moment are often cheaper than importing from the US or Europe.

They have a limited range as they're a small company, so they don't have everything, but they do have timing belt kits. They stock quality aftermarket parts, but normally only in single brands (no cheap chinese eBay crap).

https://clickableautomotive.com.au/bmw-e30-e28-timing-belt-kit-11311711153.html

Just check that that is the right kit for you car, because they have another listing that does 320i, 323i, 325e etc. This one is for specific years of 323i.

[D.Martijn]

I got a Gates timing belt kit, so far I'm happy with it.

[jeffnhiscars]

I got a Gates timing belt kit, so far I'm happy with it.

They all make you happy...as long as they don't break :)

[hippiester]

I've had a gates kit in for 3 years no prob so far, doing a motor swap and will be using the same kne

[Shock(/\)ave]

I prefer Gates over the other brands having compared their belts with Continental ContiTech and other well known brands. Gates belts have a substantially better feel to them.

Whichever belt you buy, be sure to treat it with a good rubber protectant such as Aerospace 303 to prolong its service life.

[ForcedFirebird]

Been using Contitech kits for eons from 120whp to 500+.

As long as you change them at a regular interval, Gates or Contitech work fine.

[packratbimmer]

The last Contitech kit that I used developed a tensioner bearing squall sooner than my expectations. I am trying the Contitech belt with a SKF bearing next time. The interval was low miles, but six years.

[ForcedFirebird]

The last Contitech kit that I used developed a tensioner bearing squall sooner than my expectations. I am trying the Contitech belt with a SKF bearing next time. The interval was low miles, but six years.

That's 2yr past service interval, technically. They are supposed to be 4yr or 50k, something like that. I just change them every 3-4yr and ignore the mileage. Some cars we service at the shop are on their 4th and 5th belt changes, and I have only installed one Gates belt at customer request.

Had one customer come in with a broken belt. We repaired it, didn't hear much from him after. Almost 5yr to the day (he does 8-10k mi/yr) the cogs came off his belt and he had to do the job again. :(

[cavpilot]

Been using Contitech kits for eons from 120whp to 500+.

As long as you change them at a regular interval, Gates or Contitech work fine.

Truth!

[packratbimmer]

It has been squalling for four years. Sorry I failed to mention that. The car is barely driven. 1-4K per year. My mom drives it when her car is in the shop.

No problems ever with the Contitech belt, just the bearing.

[zaq123]

The last Contitech kit that I used developed a tensioner bearing squall sooner than my expectations. I am trying the Contitech belt with a SKF bearing next time. The interval was low miles, but six years.

I don't think Conti makes bearing, just belts. Who knows what bearing they got there