How many miles is to many miles?

[K-Line]

Im doing an m50 swap this winter so ive been looking for an engine for a reasonable price with reasonable miles. A friend of mine parts out cars and he has an m50 vanos motor with 290k miles for $300. Its in the car still and runs perfectly. Just wanna get a few opinions on this.

[phillye30fanboy]

My M50tu motor has 130,000 miles and I feel sketchy with that.....Hahah it cost me $500. I'd find a better deal if you can, if not then good luck OP.

[surebimmer]

What does that come with? Wiring harness dme and trans? Has the motor had a rebuild at any point? Compression numbers? How handy are you? What is wrong with your M20? Do you still live at your folks house? Knocked up with 5 kids?

[Nick_S]

Not worth it. You can find lower mileage motors easily for around that price. I picked up my M50NV from an E36 with 104k on it for $300 with engine, trans, harness, driveshaft and mount arms. Keep looking.

[klodkrawler05]

If the engine has been well cared for and maintained go for it! I've seen some 140k mile motors that have lots of oil staining (showing infrequent oil changes) with scarring on the cams (showing lots of hard driving causing the top end to momentarily starve for oil) that have nicks in the pistons from dropped valves, all sorts of issues.

on the other hand I've seen 280-300k motors that still looked fresh, the center bores on the block still measured within factory tolerance etc.

The biggest things at that mileage I'd want to know would be has the head gasket ever been replaced and when was the waterpump last replaced?

[K-Line]

Im going to look at another motor tomorrow; 130k miles, $200 with trans. the guy who has it thought it was an s50 and paid $1200! He got royally screwed on that one!

[Munich Man]

what does that come with? Wiring harness dme and trans? Has the motor had a rebuild at any point? Compression numbers? How handy are you? What is wrong with your m20? Do you still live at your folks house? Knocked up with 5 kids?

lol

[TimKninja]

My S50 has 205k on it .i daily it. I know the head was replaced at one point, and it fucking kicks ass .

It's a BMW engine, they don't get tired that easily.

But I'd still look for a lower mileage one . I wouldn't be hesitant of buying an E34/e36 with 300k . But if your gonna swap, why buy a really high mileage engine?

[accident]

My M52 has almost 200,000 miles on it and still runs like a beast.

[e30austin]

My M50TU had 300k+ and ran awesome til the day I pulled it out (was pretty tired, but still ran good). Drove it for years. Never even had a valve cover off once.

[kendogg]

Ya, I'm not sure there is a 'too many' miles per se. I'd recommend a compression & leakdown on any BMW motor. If those numbers are good - run it. maybe doa HG if the motor is out, since it's easiest to do ona stand. Maybe a few gaskets and seals, but otherwise - run it until you have an issue.

[BoxDriver86]

For that price, buy it and rebuild it. Get the head checked out, pick up a gasket set, etc.