How many have been screwed buying private party?

[bdi_fc]

While shopping for a motor, I'm realizing the risk in buying an S50 or S52 from a private party on the classifieds. How am I supposed to tell the engine functions with it out of the car?

Has anyone ever been screwed when buying private party? What precautions do you take to mitigate this risk?

[FredK]

Well, hopefully you can find an engine in a running car so you can see how it runs, do a leakdown test, etc. You can do a cold leakdown test on an engine that is out of a car. Of course, this would require the seller to have a compressed air source... There could be other problems, too, so it's always best to inspect an engine under power.

I don't know if I've been screwed yet, because I have yet to fire up my engine! But I bought my engine from a guy on Ebay with great feedback, and he sold engine related parts in his other auctions.

[equate975]

I got my s52 from funkmasta back when he was in MN. He is in portland now, you can find him on e30tech these days im sure he can hook you up with a good engine, Ill vouch for him ;)

[madjurgen]

Funkmasta, he'll take care of you.

[rede30]

when my brother bought his s50 is was fucked. I am not saying that the guy knew it was jacked but it was. Ask how long it has sat for how and where the motor was stored. Or find a known bad motor and rebuild it.

[Jand3rson]

I got my s52 from funkmasta back when he was in MN. He is in portland now, you can find him on e30tech these days im sure he can hook you up with a good engine, Ill vouch for him ;)

He's on this site quite frequently, too.

[LINUS]

BIG + 1 for Joe!

He got my S52 sale, and I won't do used part business with anyone else unless he doesn't have what I need, and that ain't too often.

-Ben

[Jand3rson]

BIG + 1 for Joe!

He got my S52 sale, and I won't do used part business with anyone else unless he doesn't have what I need, and that ain't too often.

-Ben

Werd to that. Anyone looking for used parts should definitely hit up Joe first.

[matt]

I did. Bought a motor from a guy on here, said it came from a running car. It had a cracked head AND had been moneyshifted (12 bent exhaust valves).

I only paid $500 for it, with the harness and ECU, so I can't be too mad though.

[1990m3]

i got a good deal from a member of this board. 80k 11/95 s50 with matching trans, harness, and ECU for $3k. Local too, so no shipping. Motor runs like a raped ape!

[Jason89i]

.......... Ask how long it has sat for how and where the motor was stored. Or find a known bad motor and rebuild it........

ABSOLUTELY! we got a 34kmile s52 with "compression at 210" from a reputible wrecking yard. after installation (noticed knock in first 5 seconds) we discovered a cracked piston and slightly tweaked valve. a month waisted. they honored warranty.

then we got a 85kmile automatic s52 "compression at 200" from a VERY LARGE and reputible import only wrecking yard. within 2 hrs of EASY driving and idling, valve bound on guide and stuck open. 0 compression in #3. after closer examination, we noticed the engine had been sitting outside (they denied) and had water rings on the throttle body. (you know, like bathtub rings. perfectly horizontal when you lay an engine on its side and let pools of water evaporate over months.) well, water pooled in t-body when it sat outside, ran down the intake, pooled against valves and corroded the stems. forget it, sold the car as a shell.

cheers, jason