Nikasil still a factor? - BMW Forum

titanium330 · 11-15-2007, 10:43 PM

Hi all,
I am looking at importing an e36 (320i) from Japan and am wondering if I have to worry about the problems with Nikasil cylinder liners. From the research I have been able to find, it looks like european cars with the M52 motors had the liners (I'm assuming the japanese cars fall under this catagory as if you punch one of there vin's in on realoem.com, they spec out as a european model). So my question is, if I bring one of these cars into Canada and it has the Nikasil liners, will our gas (I would run shell 91 octane, top tier fuel) destroy the motor?

dannyb · 11-16-2007, 09:02 AM

But why are you importing it from japan when we have them here and in the states?

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 09:17 AM

The price will be lower, the mileage will be wayyyyyy lower and the general condition will be excellent. I could get a 92 320i with ~60000 kms in excellent condition to my driveway for about $4500. With the exchange right now, you couldn't find a 92 with that mileage in that shape for that price in the states or Canada. If Nikasil is a problem, I will have to look at an e34 or an e30.

dannyb · 11-16-2007, 09:26 AM

wont it be a right side drive?

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 09:32 AM

The majority are left hand drive.

gotKRAUT · 11-16-2007, 10:47 AM

this is so pointless, its so easy to find low mileage E36's

and yes nikisil is still an issue due to the high sulfer count in our fuel on this continent

not to mention why would you want a 320? you can get a 328 for that price

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 01:01 PM

I'm rather surprised I have to defend myself on this thread for wanting to bring a car in from Japan. No one seems to have any hard info on sulfur levels.

Here are my reasons for looking at a Japanese vehicle:

1. $4500 in my drive way is the price I am looking for. I have brought 2 vehicles in from the states before and know what costs are involved. Shipping to get the vehicle to Minot, driving down there and bringing it back would range from $750 to $1100 depending on where it is. Even if I fly down and drive it back it would cost almost the same factoring in flight, gas, food and hotel. This takes us down to $3750, best case scenario.

2. Upon importing the vehicle, I will have to pay GST (6%,$175 ), PST (5%,$145), duty (6%,$175), AC exise tax ($125) and the federal inspection ($205). Factoring this in takes me down to just over $2900 to find a car for.

3. 5 years and older vehicles in Japan are put through a very vigorous inspection process including a "shaker" test. This almost gaurantees the level of quality a vehicle must have if it is still registerable. I have contacts who have bought vehicles through the site I am using and all the vehicles have been represented correctly according to them (a grade of good condition is in good condition etc...).

4. Only vehicles that are 15 years or older to the month are admissable into Canada from Japan, this means that a 328 is out of the question. I would like a 325, but the 320's are more plentiful, cheaper and still a 6 cylinder.

Maybe I am looking in the wrong places, but I cannot find an e36 with a 6 cylinder and 60000 kms (37000 miles) in very good condition for $2900. If these are available in the states, I would be the first one in line to buy one....so no, its not pointless...

I guess what I would really like to know is will gas that is rated as "top tier fuel" destroy these engines (european spec M52)?

gotKRAUT · 11-16-2007, 01:18 PM

top tier or not, nikisil was an issue based on the way in which the fuel was refined, in our case, it has a high level of sulfer

all of it comes from the same place...the only difference between gas stations is that their additives which make up 0.05% of the substance in the fuel

also why are you willing to pay 4500 for a car over seas and not here? you can find TONS of E36's for under $5k, have you even tried looking?

gotKRAUT · 11-16-2007, 01:21 PM

i searched for less than 1 minute eBay Motors: BMW : 3-Series (item 130173925257 end time Nov-20-07 15:27:33 PST)

only has 125k miles...my E30 has 346k miles on it with a stock freaking head gasket...the miles arent an issue

if the most cost affective way of getting an E36 is through importing, then so be it...you have my blessing, it just seems overkill for a 320

gotKRAUT · 11-16-2007, 01:34 PM

holy shat! you werent kidding, E36's are WAY overpriced there.... Canada Used Autos, Cars, Trucks, Boats, Motorcycles Online Classified Ads - AutoTrader.ca that would barely even sell for $4000 usd

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 02:02 PM

Yes, I have looked for them. I guess its super easy to find one if you don't even attempt to use the criteria I am using. You think $4500 is overkill for 320, yet your willing to pay $4400 ($6400 by the time I got it back here) for a car with over 200,000 kms. In my city a 325 with 200,000kms for $6400 is a tough sell. So for 2 grand less I get a car with one fifth the mileage (I guess mileage has no effect on electrical, suspension, interior or body components.....lol).

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Thanks Kraut, vindication feels pretty good.

gotKRAUT · 11-16-2007, 02:18 PM

i still think you may run into some issues if they use nikisil....

titanium330 · 11-16-2007, 02:30 PM

Hence my initial question. Thank you for the discussion though. Do you know if it is a reasonable option to change the liners (alusil I assume?) if I bring the car over? Are there additives I can use to eliminate the sulfur?

Teh Prof · 11-16-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanium330

Hence my initial question. Thank you for the discussion though. Do you know if it is a reasonable option to change the liners (alusil I assume?) if I bring the car over? Are there additives I can use to eliminate the sulfur?

Well you can have the engine block re-bored and put in new liners, but at that point it becomes cost prohibitive.

No, there are no additives to help you.