This Fucking Sucks

[vmelikRUS]

Ok, I posted earlier about my problems, and the worst has happened.
My engine is GONE. I tried researching the problem, and all you guys could do was comment on how stupid I must have been to let it happen, but it wasn't me. I found the reason why it happened.

Do not buy an M52 320/323/328 with an alloy block made before 3/98 unless it's had a new engine under warranty or you get a compression check done. Sulfur in fuel causes premature bore wear which shows as a bad idle and lack of power. Only solution is a new block. - John G. Burns

If only I came across this quote earlier, seems to be a popular topic on the web.
I would have never bought my 97 328i. This is exactly what happened with my engine. White smoke!!! Ahhhhhh. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!.....

Anyway just wanted to let you guys know. This could happen to you, and it will be sudden. No signs of wear, and nothing you could do about it.

Anyway, the car is scrap. I might sell it for parts, unless someone has any suggestions. I am no mechanic, but I have a Bachelors in Computer Engineering, and I can take stuff apart and put back together. Is there a DIY on engine replacements? LOL!

Anyway I am thinking of my next beemer.
Whats a safe model. I really want a 5-series.
A friend told me only the 525i is reliable, all others have somewhat similar symptoms. I also heard that the 318iS is the best/reliable 4 cylinder. Any info as to which model is a safe investment?

[bmw323inewbie]

wouldn't a replacement engine sort it ?
- get a used one, could get an M3 lump maybe, or 328 again, sub 100K miles i'd guess would be best - and pay a mechanic to fit it

[bad man working]

Had a big problem with M52 alloy blocks what it needs is a short motor the dealers were selling them for about £600 which is about 1/3 normal price BMW also extended the warranty to 100,000 miles and four years the new block is mild steel lined so the fault won’t reoccur. It’s a lot of work but if the car is good worth it.. If you can still get the cheap short motor????? (come with crank piston etc built)

[jiggs]

Dude put in a used M3 engine

[94BMW325i]

Yeah my car smelled like sulfur once recently, but I thought it was the catalytic converter.

[kvadgama]

Sorry to hear that man!
Can please tell us which grade of gas you used in that bimmer?

Thanks

K

[BeachBunny]

Oooooooooooohhhhh my fucking GOD! Can someone link me to some more info on this?!?!?!?!?

[BMW-ATI]

Foreal? Will my 325is 94 be ok?

[BeachBunny]

Originally posted by BMW-ATI@May 17 2005, 06:49 PM
Foreal? Will my 325is 94 be ok?

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Probably... I don't believe you have an m52 motor.... Doesn't it have an m42??


I predict panic.

[witeshark]

Wow! Sorry to hear that yo! Maybe you can find a new engine, I hope... used

[Rooz]

Originally posted by 94BMW325i+May 17 2005, 03:27 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(94BMW325i @ May 17 2005, 03:27 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah my car smelled like sulfur once recently, but I thought it was the catalytic converter.

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Foreal? Will my 325is 94 be ok?

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used Neither one of you have an M52 Engines....

[jshearer]

Originally posted by BeachBunny+May 17 2005, 08:56 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BeachBunny @ May 17 2005, 08:56 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-BMW-ATI@May 17 2005, 06:49 PM
Foreal? Will my 325is 94 be ok?

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Probably... I don't believe you have an m52 motor.... Doesn't it have an m42??


I predict panic.

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It is an M50 in the 325. Come on guys settle down and think, not panic.

I would look for a used engine(M3). If you want a 5 series I have not heard about the others(not 525) being bad. In fact I remember reading a while back that the 530 got car of the decade in Car and Driver or something. Check into that.

[BeachBunny]

Originally posted by BeachBunny@May 17 2005, 06:23 PM
Oooooooooooohhhhh my fucking GOD! Can someone link me to some more info on this?!?!?!?!?

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Bumping my request.

[///M Power]

Uh yo sure it's gone? Sure you can't just replace the headgasket or something? Have you actually had it looked at or are you going by smoke color?


Pics please

[vmelikRUS]

Originally posted by BeachBunny+May 18 2005, 12:31 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BeachBunny @ May 18 2005, 12:31 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Bumping my request.

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http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/m52.htm
towards bottom of page

it says they used aluminum block to lessen the weight, what morons. They should have a recall for this.

also
http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/nikasil.htm

thats why it ate my oil...

it says all gases in US and UK have sulfur, and even the best gas is useless.


Where can I mind a short engine?
Someone said they paid 600 pounds for one.
I can only find price ranges from cheapest of $3000 to average $5000.

Will BMW charge less to replace the block after warranty expires?

Should I sue the oil companies for having sulfur in my fuel? LOL.

<!--QuoteBegin-///M Power@May 18 2005, 12:41 AM
Uh yo sure it's gone? Sure you can't just replace the headgasket or something? Have you actually had it looked at or are you going by smoke color?
Pics please

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positive. Mechanic spotted this by white smoke. It was very white and rich in fuel, like Steam (this is for all cars). If the smoke has a sweat smell, then its a possible gasket. He fell short of doing a compression test, after it was extremely obvious, when he removed the spark plugs, gas was spraying out of one of them.

Also, the obvious symptoms are hard to miss:
1) Extremely high fuel consumption
2) Erratic Idling
3) Lack of power in gears