E36 M52 & Nikasil issue

[Kinky]

A friend of mine went to test drive a '96 E36 328 today.

She's aware of the Nikasil issues on the M52s.

She asked the dealer if the car still had the original engine, which she was told that 'of course it does'. To which she then asked if it had been checked if there were any concerns with the nikasil issue.

The dealer (been at that location for 30 years) denied there was any such issue - or at least that he was aware of.

It struck me as very odd. So I guess my question is - would you expect a dealer of long standing, and of these types of cars, to be aware of nikasil?

K

[Fox-]

Waste of time buying cars like this from a dealer, buy them privately instead. I often wonder why people even bother retailing 12 year old cars given in order to make anythig out of them they have to sell them for daft amounts of cash.

[Stu R]

Whilst not out of the question that they've not heard of it (assuming they're not a main dealer that is but an independant place!) you'd certainly expect them to have if they've sold any amount of them really as even the quickest of googles reveals it's a widespread problem.

I'm not immediately inclined to suggest walking away or giving them a wide berth, but if they're irrefutably denying there's an issue rather than suggesting they haven't heard of it, then I'd perhaps look elsewhere, saying they've not heard of the problem and denying it exists are two different things though.

I've looked at a few cars over the years where there's been the type of problem that's such common knowledge even my grandmother would warn me off(headgaskets on MGF - that level of common knowledge)and some chancer dealer has disputed its existance. It usually gives an indication of their attitude as a whole and suggests to me they'll say anything to get the sale rather than give honest views.

At the other end of the scale I recently went to Land Rover to enquire about potentially getting a Disco 3 and the sales chap was perfectly honest about the problems they've encountered etc, which instantly gives me more trust in them, even though I know they're a decent dealership anyway.

[Kinky]

From how the dealer was described to me, he did sound genuinely honest in that he's never heard of it. But with 30+ years in the trade (not a Beemer specialist), I'd expect him to at least know of the nikasil issues, and other marques issues like the HG on the MGF, etc, etc.

It just struck me as odd. Sure - I'd understand a young lad; but not a middle-aged chappie.

As for buying from a dealer ..... it's the EXACT spec that my mate is after; the price is right; has the option of a warranty; takes the hassle out of getting rid of her current car; the dealers been there for 30 years; so is established and well known; does servicing, MOTs, etc; and is about 2 minutes from her house.

It's a huge convenience and trust factor for a young female.

And that's not to say she will buy it. There's others out there, and she's in no rush to buy.

K

[Fox-]

How suitable a car is a 328i for a young female? I'd not want my girlfriend in a reasonably powerful RWD car thats for sure.

Edited by Fox- on Monday 24th November 00:54

[Kinky]

Michael,

I'm not sure what you're issue is; as you're making lots of assumptions.

Let me clarify some points; as I suspect our definitions of young may be varying somewhat.

She's got 15 years NCB; has done her IAM training; and is a very confident and competent driver. Plus, you have no idea what she's driven before; so I guess are assuming that all young females should not drive cars over 950cc, or somesuch.

Naturally I'm touched that you're concerned for my mate; but I hope that I've now helped clarify any concerns you might have.

And thank you for your opinions on the very specific and only question I've asked.

K

[chrisr29]

Ring BMW customer services with the reg/chassis number and they'll tell you whether it's had an engine change.

[Kinky]

chrisr29 said:

Ring BMW customer services with the reg/chassis number and they'll tell you whether it's had an engine change.

Cheers Chris - I'll ask her to do that

[Shropshiremike]

Kinky said:

chrisr29 said:

Ring BMW customer services with the reg/chassis number and they'll tell you whether it's had an engine change.

Cheers Chris - I'll ask her to do that

Also make a note of WHEN it had the change (if it has).

In the beginning, BMW did not understand the root cause of the problem - so some Nicasil bottom ends were replaced with further Nicasil bottom ends rather than steel-liner types as on the very late cars.
If that car then avoided petrol in the North West of the country it might still be on its Nicasil liners ( as are many others still running OK ). Just thought I'd point that out if your friend definitely wanted a steel-liner bottom end.
You can do a check to see what sort of a bottom end it has if you look on www.bmwowner.com and search for the pic

[Kinky]

Jeremy,

Thanks for the advice.

And I do agree with you 100% that the Nikasil issue has not gone away, and will continue to exist. Hence my whole concern to begin with, and my astonishment that said dealer had never hard of it.

Fortunately, it's not a BMW dealer (main, nor indie); and I do agree that the mantra 'better safe than sorry'.

I shall pass the messages on.

Thank you all very much. Believe you me - invaluable.

Regards,

K

[blackburnbmw]

Fox- said:

How suitable a car is a 328i for a young female? I'd not want my girlfriend in a reasonably powerful RWD car thats for sure.

Edited by Fox- on Monday 24th November 00:54

Blimey, that's a bit sexist! My wife is 100% trustworthy in "our" RWD 330ci and 3.2s Boxster and not afraid to err, excercise them.

Edited by blackburnbmw on Monday 24th November 21:48

[Mustard]

blackburnbmw said:

Fox- said:

How suitable a car is a 328i for a young female? I'd not want my girlfriend in a reasonably powerful RWD car thats for sure.

Edited by Fox- on Monday 24th November 00:54

Blimey, that's a bit sexist! My wife is 100% trustworthy on "our" RWD 330ci and 3.2s Boxster and not afraid to err, excercise them.

my 60 odd year old dear hasnt manage to kill herself in an E30 325i either .... makes an E36 328i look positively safe by comparision

[Kinky]

blackburnbmw said:

Fox- said:

How suitable a car is a 328i for a young female? I'd not want my girlfriend in a reasonably powerful RWD car thats for sure.

Edited by Fox- on Monday 24th November 00:54

Blimey, that's a bit sexist! My wife is 100% trustworthy on "our" RWD 330ci and 3.2s Boxster and not afraid to err, excercise them.

Richard - I thought the same, but could not be arsed to react to it.

Although I know that some our PH resident young ladies who happen to own and drive on a daily basis such exotica as a koenigsegg, some lambos, a viper, cerberas and many other Tivs, etc, etc, would be quite interested in that comment

[Fox-]

Blimey what a reaction! I think perhaps the confusion is not about me being 'sexist' but our definitions of young. My mother for example drives a 3.0 Z4 without issues.

To me, a young girl is somebody the same age or younger than myself, so, 17-twenties! The young girls I know all see driving as very much an A to B thing and if they care about cars beyond A to B its usually only that it has a flash badge, they'd end up in a tree if they were a bit heavy with the throttle on a wet bend in a 328i. Something us young lads (Including myself) are equally capable of doing! I can't imagine my girlfriend driving a 328i. She thinks her Corsa diesel will bite her...

Obviously what I said doesn't apply to somebody with 15 years NCB but then I'd never have dreamed you were referring to somebody with so much driving experience when you said young girl.

Edited by Fox- on Tuesday 25th November 00:20