88 325is with 280k miles

[havoxe30]

hi i have a 88 325is with 280k miles dont know if its stock or not is there anyway to check or run the motor vin to tell if it is the stock motor because it just seems to have way to much power for that many miles

dosent smoke
has bad idle when cold not so bad when hot (but who dosent)
you can hear the valves
no check engine lights

[Jand3rson]

E30's will go to 350-400k easily with regualr maintainence and proper care.

Valve noise on the M20 is perfectly normal.

Sounds like you've got a great running car. :up:

[havoxe30]

thanks it just seemed to run awsome was just wondering

but the valve thing is good news i was getting worried about that

i got a good deal on the car to i paid 1100.00 with tax and reg i paig a total of 1500.00
paint is glossy lookes new a little chips on hood inside is awsome no rips in the leather dash and panels are great carpet is great and runs awsome no check lights or warning lights
and had new cd payer and new alarm only thing bad was the tires and missing the driver door handle trim inside
i think i got a good deal

[Jand3rson]

Sounds to me like you got a great deal. Just keep up on the engine, and take care of it.

And if and when the motor does go, new motors can be found fairly easily, rebuilds are not too expensive, and there's always engine swaps. :D

[kylebes1]

Pictures: Insert here ______

[Matt86es]

Make sure that the timitng belt has been changed....if that breaks you have big problems!

[havoxe30]

thats the only thing i have been uneasy about thats why ive parked it and left it in the garage untill i can change it because it runs way to good to , to risk losing a timing belt and messing up the motor

[Jand3rson]

Do you know how long ago it was last changed? If you don't, park it until you get a chance to do it.

[havoxe30]

no i dont know any info about the motor but it had to be taken care of because it runs great
i just put synthetic in it and i good filter it seems to like it no leaks
but i havent been driving it for about 2 weeks because i dont have time to do the timing belt and i dont want to drive it and risk breaking the belt

i am trying to upload pics but my comp is being stupid

[Digitalwave]

What made you put synth in a 280k M20? Not really necessary (to me at least).

Valve tick is normal in M20's, but they do need to be adjusted frequently (every ~20k) or you risk snapping a rocker arm with out of spec valves.