m20 life??

[roznic]

What's the most you guys have seen/know(mileage wise) m20 or any BMW engine go for from factory, without any top/bottom rebuilds except for a regular maintenance like T-belt, water pump, plugs, etc.?
No bs, just for a fact that you seen or know!

[dustyperez]

mobile1 did a million mile m20 to prove how good their oil is. they did all the maintenance by the book tho

http://www.mobil1.com.au/performance/miles.aspx

[jlevie]

If maintained per BMW's recommendations if you don't get at least 300k from the engine you are mistreating it. That would include a head & injector rebuild at around 150k. There have been plenty of engines that have gone over 200k with nothing but oil/filter changes done, but mileage, oil consumption,and performance suffers without the head and injector rebuild.

[Steve Corbett]

I have 2 1989 325I's that I purchased with broken odometers, The first has been documented almost 10 years no added mileage. Currently reads 260k. I am positive it exceeds 300K, Still runs great! Second one unknown how long it was broke also 250K indicated but starting to show its age. Leaks like a dog marking his territory and smokes on start up, (valve guides). Both have not had any work other than timing belts and water pumps. My 1984 325E is the low mileage one, 140K indicated, but bad odometer gears as well, confident it is over 200K but less than 250K just judging by interior condition. Just my experience... They're just broke in at 200K. And yes, I did spend the $15 and now I'm racking up more miles.

[roznic]

If maintained per BMW's recommendations if you don't get at least 300k from the engine you are mistreating it. That would include a head & injector rebuild at around 150k. There have been plenty of engines that have gone over 200k with nothing but oil/filter changes done, but mileage, oil consumption,and performance suffers without the head and injector rebuild.

So u think it's impossible to pull over 300k without rebuilding cyl head?? Injectors yea, I get that...

[TheTacoMan]

Local guy here has over 350k on a four door m20, and looks wicked for that many miles. Not sure he is on here

[Cabriolet]

it's all about the PO maintenance. i've driven cars that at 150k miles were tired and others that are are 200k that were just fine.
but i can tell you that if you rebuild the engine it adds more power, stock, than a chipped high engine.
E30DJ's is at ~300k and it is so tired and as bad as my 200k unmaintained m20.
m20b25 rebuild at 175k
m20b27 rebuild at 250k

[jlevie]

So u think it's impossible to pull over 300k without rebuilding cyl head?? Injectors yea, I get that...

That isn't what I said. The engine can go to that mileage w/o a head rebuild. It just won't run right and will burn oil.

[roznic]

That isn't what I said. The engine can go to that mileage w/o a head rebuild. It just won't run right and will burn oil.

I guess just misunderstood...

[MR 325]

300k is easy! I've had a couple.

[Bimmer_man]

my previous e30 had over 300,000 miles on it and it ran like a top. head never been rebuilt, factory injectors, oil changed with highest grade of synthetic fluid made, and regular timing belt changes. ive seen quote a few e30s over 400-500,000 miles on them. some people who DD there e30s do the regular maintenance and dont thrash the engine have gotten over 1,000,000 miles on it. I have only personally herd of one with same head gasket never been opened at all apart from valve cover gasket and usual timing belt that made it to 1,000,000 miles.

[Steve Corbett]

[quote=roznic;4122198]So u think it's impossible to pull over 300k without rebuilding cyl head?? quote]

I currently have 2 E30's and 1 E28 that have over 300K with no head work...Yet.

[E30Gus]

Before I swapped in the b25 my b27 had over 350k and I still dogged it at the track. It did eat some oil but otherwise was pretty strong without any major engine work.

[roznic]

So I guess it is possible to pull over half a mil mark on rare occasion...

[dnguyen1963]

Except for a few electronic gremlins, E30s are well built. If we take good care of the cars, they can last many many miles.