For the m60b40 gurus

[Jean]

What are the most common failure items on these pre 96 engines (e34/e32 540/740 non vanos).

What are the most expensive wear items?

Thanks

[Jb325is]

What are the most common failure items on these pre 96 engines (e34/e32 540/740 non vanos).

What are the most expensive wear items?

Thanks

They are pretty robust.. The only thing thats really a problem is Nikasil, and I'm sure you've read about that if you're looking into an m60. Aside from that, the only thing that constantly goes bad on them is intake/tb/pcv gaskets and valley pan gasket. I had a '94 540i with ~130k miles and it put down 255/269 to the wheels, basically stock, they're great motors.

[JoeMadoo]

I agree. M60's are awesome, but definitely replace the PCV plate gasket, water pump, and all the little rubber vacuum lines before it goes in. I think I have a small vacuum leak in mine but can't for the life of me find it.

[Doughnut]

Just in case you haven't heard of the nikasil problem.
Be sure your m60 does not have any of the "nikasil" numbers, stamped on the block,
M60B30:
* 1 725 970 - Nikasil
* 1 741 212 - Nikasil
* 1 745 871 - Alusil

M60B40:
* 1 725 963 - Nikasil
* 1 742 998 - Nikasil
* 1 745 872 - Alusil

[Danny]

Tired of your m30 already Jean?

[Van Westervelt]

I am putting one of these in my wagon, 2nd on the vac pcv and valley gask. Another not so common item has been ps lines causing mayhem. Ive seen it 3 times on e34s cause a fire.

[Jean]

Jb325is "I had a '94 540i with ~130k miles and it put down 255/269 to the wheels, basically stock" Nice! Would bring my car to under 10lb per hp! :)

JoeMadoo / Van - I've done the intake / valley cover gaskets on my brothers m62, wasn't too bad, and obviously not an issue when the engine is out of the car!

So, no issues with stuff like oil pump nut backing out or bad tentioners and things of that nature? Anything internal to look out for?

The 530i tranny from what I read works just fine yes? I don't see too many 6 speeds for sale :(

Doughnut - So the block has to have these numbers : M60B40: - * 1 745 872 - Alusil . thanks!

Danny - no, not yet. But maybe in the future though. I'll have to buy the mounts and see if it will be cheaper/easier to just switch to the tilton setup instead of relocating the booster/mc etc...

[Jb325is]

Yeah the 5 speed would work fine, but the e34 six speed actually has the largest clutch, even bigger than the e39 540i and e39 m5. I think its 265mm vs 240mm for all of the others. Seems like you could use the larger clutch and flywheel if you had both.. right?

[aaron.j]

Be wary of ones with higher mileage. Timing chain guides like to come apart.

[Jb325is]

Another thing to look into would be converting a 97-98 m62 4.4 to obd1 with m60 parts. It's relatively simple and you can get close to 300whp out of the right m62 fairly easily

[Jean]

300whp NA hmmmm. I might just start sourcing parts slowly ;)

[flawdaboi407]

Timing chain guides take a shit.. ive seen two come into my shop with that problem. scary if you ask me.

[Jean]

Something you would replace along with other gaskets/hoses before dropping it in right ? :)

Or are these priced like the s38 parts?

[Jonsku]

Yeah the 5 speed would work fine, but the e34 six speed actually has the largest clutch, even bigger than the e39 540i and e39 m5. I think its 265mm vs 240mm for all of the others. Seems like you could use the larger clutch and flywheel if you had both.. right?

No sense in putting bigger flywheel in there, the 265mm clutch in E34 540 is big, yes, but E39 M5 has 100hp / 100Nm more and has only 240mm clutch. The secret is in the pressure plate ;)

So, to get some rev-happiness in the engine i'd swap custom made light flywheel in there. I did in mine and i'm very happy of it :)

Something you would replace along with other gaskets/hoses before dropping it in right ? :)

Or are these priced like the s38 parts?

Hmm... just the basic stuff, all the gaskets, water pump, thermostat (also the cover, they tend to crack), oil separator, check oil pump nuts and lock them with Loctite, be sure to replace O-rings for oil-channels in left hand side engine mounting arm, change chain tensioners (and chain if you want to). Check the guide rails for chain, if they look good they're not worth changing (are a bit pricey, you can get whole engine for the price of them).

So nothing special, just normal overhauling. They're good engines, and don't have nikasil/alusil issues in countries with proper fuel ;)

[Jean]

"Check the guide rails for chain, if they look good they're not worth changing (are a bit pricey, you can get whole engine for the price of them). "

WUT?

Ok, did the 92-95 and 96+99 have the same crank/rod/pistons/block or were there differences? I am not talking about the m60 vs m62, but just the m60 stuff.