1989 535i - M30 Enging Life Expectancy

Peter Cole

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Jan 21, 2003, 12:11:49 AM1/21/03

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I'm considering buying a 1989 535i 5 speed with 147,000 miles on it. The car
has been modified with a JC chip and a bunch of suspension work. Looks very
clean & drives great & the asking price is $7500.

My primary concern is how long the M30 3.4 Litre in-line 6 engines run. I've
heard good things but does anyone have any idea? I've traditionally driven
diesel Mercedes & like the 300,000 mile life-expectancy.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

peace

Bob Kegel

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Jan 21, 2003, 6:32:28 PM1/21/03

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On another list I subscribe to a member reports doing a vale and ring job
on his wife's euro '85 732i at 350K miles. The engine now had 505K miles on
it. This guy's a professional BMW mechanic; YMMV.

Longevity is proportional to maintenance. A thorough inspection, including
compression and leak-down tests, should give you an idea how well the engine
has been treated.

microsoft.is.the...@noaddress.com

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Jan 21, 2003, 6:34:56 PM1/21/03

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Change the oil frequently.

Adjust the valves every 50,000 miles. (make sure the oil rail is on
tight otherwise you will loose the camshaft.)

Change the timing chain/sprockets at 400,000 miles.

It'll probably need a major overhaul at 500,000 miles.

One of the best BMW engines ever. Makes it one of the best engines
ever.

Matt O'Toole

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Jan 22, 2003, 7:05:19 PM1/22/03

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"Peter Cole" <misterp...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:pE4X9.3941$bL4.3...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...

> I'm considering buying a 1989 535i 5 speed with 147,000 miles on it. The
car
> has been modified with a JC chip and a bunch of suspension work. Looks
very
> clean & drives great & the asking price is $7500.
>
> My primary concern is how long the M30 3.4 Litre in-line 6 engines run.
I've
> heard good things but does anyone have any idea? I've traditionally driven
> diesel Mercedes & like the 300,000 mile life-expectancy.

No problem with that, and more, but the price might be a little high.

Matt O.

Rafa Lanjarón

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Jan 26, 2003, 4:24:00 AM1/26/03

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My '88 e34 535i has got 303.000km (190.000 miles) with no significant
problems. A couple of years ago it needed a headgasket change due to
overheating but that is all, all the rest has been pure normal maintenance.
It runs as powerful and smooth as ever and the oil consumption is very low.
I do not need to add any oil between changes (every 15.000km.).

Regards, Rafael

"Peter Cole" <misterp...@earthlink.net> escribió en el mensaje
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Roger Poulin

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Jan 26, 2003, 5:06:04 PM1/26/03

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I have an '89 535 5 speed that has been to 5 driving schools in the last two
years and is not babied on the street. About 4 years ago I had the oil pan
gasket and a couple of others replaced and had no problems. The car is
currently at 210,000 miles and still humming.

Roger Poulin

"Rafa Lanjarón" <rpela...@arrakis.es> wrote in message
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C.R. Krieger

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Jan 27, 2003, 1:32:39 PM1/27/03

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"Roger Poulin" <rgpo...@cox.net> wrote in message news:<gZYY9.24318$Vh....@news2.central.cox.net>...

> I have an '89 535 5 speed that has been to 5 driving schools in the last two
> years and is not babied on the street. About 4 years ago I had the oil pan
> gasket and a couple of others replaced and had no problems. The car is
> currently at 210,000 miles and still humming.

Matches my experience. '87 535is bought well-maintained with 212K and
now over 250K. Been to 6000 rpm in fourth on the back straight at
Road America (~127 mph) as well as autocrossed and driven 'briskly' on
a daily basis. Manages to lose about 3 quarts of oil between my
5000-mile change intervals. I'm a lot more worried about those loud
groaning noises the hydraulic pump is making these days at 0 degrees
F. That and the slow radiator leak ...
--
C.R. Krieger
(Sig broke)