328 sport purchase

[bakerk]

Hi guys,
i am cosidering puchasing a 328 sport auto,83k,fsh.Very smooth on tickover and appears to run like a dream.car is a late 97 on a R plate.worry is over the nicasil issue but i would have thought at this mileage any problems would already have come to light.any advice gratefully received .

[derin100]

"If it ain't happened by now it's unlikely to happen at all!"

[deadslow]

The auto boxes can let go and are sealed units (£1700). Manuals a safer bet, but definitely check it finds reverse smoothly with absolutely no thumping.

Nice cars though.

[bakerk]

Hi guys ,
Thanks for the responses.How do you know if the car has a nickasil block,Are they all affected,after what kind of mileage can they be considered to be ok.Will Bmw Customer service have a record of this type of work.Going for a second look at the weekend ,first impressions were very good.The guy has had the car for two years with no problems only normal servicing and it appears to run like a dream.Any more thoughts.Thanks keith

[bakerk]

bakerk said:

Hi guys ,
Thanks for the responses.How do you know if the car has a nickasil block,Are they all affected,after what kind of mileage can they be considered to be ok.Will Bmw Customer service have a record of this type of work.Going for a second look at the weekend ,first impressions were very good.The guy has had the car for two years with no problems only normal servicing and it appears to run like a dream.Any more thoughts.Thanks keith

[GTS Turbo]

check the reg and get the engine number then call a BMW dealer and see what the cars history is and if it has had the block changed!

seriously it's best to check rather than think 'well what the chances they'll all be fixed by now' like i did back last december!

BMW will not pay out to have them fixed but may contribute towards a nikasil fix if the car has full BMW service history.

my car was found to have the prob back in march after service suggested a compression test. BMW wouldn't pay a penny due to 1 service being at a BMW specialist and not main dealer!
luckly i bought the car from a dealer and should have a second hand engine with the nikasil fixed soon. i've waited about 4 months to get my engine too!

hope that all helps!

[BiggusLaddus]

There is an easy "30 second check" for nikasil.

Look down at the engine block from the passenger side wing mirror. If you have an alusil liner then you should see a roughly triangular plate fixed to the block. It will be a bit rusty, and is bolted into the block. Nikasil engines have the same shaped "plate" but its moulded into the block, and not bolted on.

Its quite difficult to see if you're not at the right angle, but you can't miss it if you look in the right place. Haven't got any pictures on the computer, but I'll take a couple of my engine tomorrow.

[bakerk]

Hi guys,
Many thanks for everyones help.I actually rang BMW customer service direct who were extremely helpful.They not only confirmed the block had been changed by a main dealer in Liverpool in late 1998 but also at what mileage.Also they confirmed all the technical updates for this car had been carried out .Well worth a phone call !!!
Off to buy the car tomorrow!!

[Kinky]

Keith - that's great news!

Have the BMW customer services number to hand?

Many thanks in advance,

K

[bakerk]

Hi guys,
The mumber is 0870 5050160.I spoke with a very helpful lady who had all the nickasil info to hand even down to which areas of the uk were most affected .excellent service.
Keith