The 1996 BMW 328i Coupe: Hopefully Just Bought One!!!

[Darren156]

Hi everyone,

I won this car this morning via the old 'Bay and should hopefully be picking it up next week some time.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

If anyone has any general advice in regards to the 328i they think I should know it would be very much appreciated.

I currently own a 1998 Alfa Romeo 156 V6 so should see a decrease in worry, but maybe not, lol

Thanks!
Darren

Edited by Darren156 on Sunday 28th September 01:28

[clabcon]

30 second nikasil check

[Darren156]

How do I check for that and what exactly is it?

[MitchT]

Ring BMW GB. Tell them the chassis number. Ask if the car has a Nikasil block. If no, buy chamapagne. If yes, sell a kidney.

[Shropshiremike]

Looks like you're OK ( if you do get it ) till Aug 09 on the MOT but a good thing to check before then so you can budget it in at some point is the condition of the rear brake pipes where they come down from over the tank. They often rust here and is an MOT fail. If they've been done already, no worries. It can be quite pricey if you're not mechanically handy yourself

[duff]

Darren156 said:

How do I check for that and what exactly is it?

Worn lining of the engine, a pressure check would confirm if it's suffering - there might not be any obvious symptoms (some may idle a bit lumpy). If it's using a lot oil that might be a sign, check the oil - alarm bells should ring if it's like new and the car was serviced a while ago. Hopefully it's it's had the replacement alusil engine, in which case you've no worries.

[dan101smith]

BMW now charge for the privilege of finding out, but worth doing. Not necessarily the end of the world if it is a Nikasil car though. Hot starting problems also from the same cause, so give it a try after you've taken it on a run.

[Darren156]

Caboosemoose, how do I check then properly?

I mean, it's got 120,000 miles on the clock and is 12 years old, would an issue not have rose long before now if it did have one?

Edited by Darren156 on Sunday 28th September 21:56

[clabcon]

the thing is apparently you wont know until you check the oil weekly and its below the min mark because its used a litre in a few hundred miles say!

[MitchT]

Darren156 said:

I mean, it's got 120,000 miles on the clock and is 12 years old, would an issue not have rose long before now if it did have one?

That's a good point. The problem with Nikasil-linered engines was that they were damaged by high levels of sulphur in unleaded petrol, but unleaded has been much better for a long time, so the chances are that if your car does have Nikasil liners, but is performing properly today, then it should remain okay indefinitely. As you suggest, the issue should have manifested itself a long time ago if were ever going to.

[duff]

MitchT said:

Darren156 said:

I mean, it's got 120,000 miles on the clock and is 12 years old, would an issue not have rose long before now if it did have one?

That's a good point. The problem with Nikasil-linered engines was that they were damaged by high levels of sulphur in unleaded petrol, but unleaded has been much better for a long time, so the chances are that if your car does have Nikasil liners, but is performing properly today, then it should remain okay indefinitely. As you suggest, the issue should have manifested itself a long time ago if were ever going to.

Not always - I discovered mine had problems 2 years ago at 90k miles - The oil went from max to nothing (the dipstick was bone dry) within 1000 miles!!

I wouldn't worry too much though, you've got a solid looking car for less than a grand so keep an eye on the oil and cross your fingers.

[Darren156]

Cheers for the comments guys.

Someone has said to me to let the car warm up at idle, then see if there is any unusual vibration, if there is it's possibly got a Nikasil issue?

I think if I do that test, the lumpy idle test, and the hot start test, and I'm all okay, then hopefully I should be alright.

[Ment-Al]

As someone has said, there is a way of telling just by looking at something in the engine bay - i was given the advice when i was looking at a 328 myself - i just cant remember what it is.

Not much help i know, but do some searches on google.

[Darren156]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Oh right, well unfortunately I don't know anybody with a BMW, let alone a possible Nikasil replacement one.

Can anyone on here tell me how to check? Or locate the pictures?

If someone could it would be a massive help and save me alot of money.

Thanks.

[monthefish]

clicky

(No pics unfortunately)

ETA. I bought a 1996 328i blissfully unaware of the issue, but I got lucky. Bought it at 109k miles, sold at 140k miles and no problems.

There can't be many (if any) cars with the issue that isn't showing yet.

Edited by monthefish on Monday 29th September 15:49

[A S P]

E36coupe.com has buyers guide detailing the difference between Nikasil and Alusil blocks. Not that it helps but I think anything built after week 10 in 1998 has the Alusil block.