'96 BMW 728i M52 engine - advice needed !!!!!
Discussion
I'm just about to buy an April 1996 728i with (I guess) the Nikasil M52 engine. The car has covered just 62,000 miles with fbmwsh. I don't believe the car has had the cylinder block replaced.
I'm getting a full RAC inspection done prior to purchase - should this pick up problems re: bore wear (eg in a compression test?)
If the car seems fine currently can I expect bore-related problems in the next 40,000 miles? I believe that petrol in the UK now is generally ultra low sulphur - does this apply to supermarket petrol (I use Tesco as it's close and cheap!). Will using ultra-low sulphur petrol help prevent future problems?
Finally - any '96 / '97 728i owners out there who can comment on the Nikasil issue? I'd appreciate it if you could state in your reply if you know defeinitely if you've got a replacement block or not. Please put my mind at rest or stop me from buying a lemon!!!
Finally - could you copy any replies to my email at foggy@studentroof.co.uk? I'd be really greatful!!!
I'm getting a full RAC inspection done prior to purchase - should this pick up problems re: bore wear (eg in a compression test?)
If the car seems fine currently can I expect bore-related problems in the next 40,000 miles? I believe that petrol in the UK now is generally ultra low sulphur - does this apply to supermarket petrol (I use Tesco as it's close and cheap!). Will using ultra-low sulphur petrol help prevent future problems?
Finally - any '96 / '97 728i owners out there who can comment on the Nikasil issue? I'd appreciate it if you could state in your reply if you know defeinitely if you've got a replacement block or not. Please put my mind at rest or stop me from buying a lemon!!!
Finally - could you copy any replies to my email at foggy@studentroof.co.uk? I'd be really greatful!!!
I asked this very question when looking at a 328i sport a couple of years ago. The answer from the service manager (not the salesman !) was that if they got a car in from the South of england, they gave it a full compression check and endescope inspection of the cylinders (!!). For some reason the sulpher damage came from petrol available "down South" and if the car came from up here in Scotland then it had never been an issue.
Surprising answer, but kind of suggests an engine check is advisable.
Surprising answer, but kind of suggests an engine check is advisable.
Had an update on this. Apparently it's cars from the North of England and wales that are prone to this due to high levels of sulphur in the petrol. I spoke to both the servicing dealer and BMW UK today and both confirmed that the block, pistons, conrods and camshaft were replaced as a result of the Nickesil issue at 30,000 miles in September 1998 (replaced with the Cast Iron block).
Dare I say it - may the reason Southern garages inspect the cars is that they are wary of being caught with a Northern car, whereas Northern garages, from forums, may not be so keen to check...>!!!!!
However, that said, full marks to the Preston dealer (Bowker) whom I spoke to today, They were brilliant, were able to confirm the service history and the block change (which they evidently did before problems were evident) and have even put a copy of the documentation in the post.
I've just popped back from a test drive and I'm in love!! RAC inspection Thursday, and assuming that's clean I should get the car this weekend. A 62,000 mile immaculate 728 with an engine just 30,000 miles old, full history and RAC inspected for less than ten grand? Why the hell hasn't everyone got one??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dare I say it - may the reason Southern garages inspect the cars is that they are wary of being caught with a Northern car, whereas Northern garages, from forums, may not be so keen to check...>!!!!!
However, that said, full marks to the Preston dealer (Bowker) whom I spoke to today, They were brilliant, were able to confirm the service history and the block change (which they evidently did before problems were evident) and have even put a copy of the documentation in the post.
I've just popped back from a test drive and I'm in love!! RAC inspection Thursday, and assuming that's clean I should get the car this weekend. A 62,000 mile immaculate 728 with an engine just 30,000 miles old, full history and RAC inspected for less than ten grand? Why the hell hasn't everyone got one??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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