Don't chip a 200k engine unless you're SURE it's been refreshed/maintained religiously, or if you could care less when the engine goes.
Here's my experience with M42's.
First experience - bought a 1993 318i with a bad motor. What was bad about it? Apparently the timing chain stretched and instead of dealing with it, he kept driving it (duh), as noisy as it got. Eventually the tension was so little it allowed the timing to come off and bend some valves. At least that's the story he gave me - and from what I saw, it seemed accurate.
Second experience - sold jflower a wicked cherry 1991 318i 4 door ;) Engine was in rough shape at a little over 200 - rough idle, black smoke, just not a solid engine. That's been removed from his car since then, and is sitting on a pallate doing nothing.
Third experience - this is my favorite. Sold a 1991 318i 4 door (sterling silber this time) to a guy from NC. He flew up, and headed home. Got 2 hours away, and said the engine died. My first thought was the chain - it was noisy, I figured it was the tensioner, and told him to replace it when he got home. Agreed to swap another used M42 in (from kancamangusdriver) with 180k or something, but in good shape. When I popped the VC off the 200+ mile blown motor, I was shocked to see the chain still intact.
That's when I noticed that right near one of the cam holders, something was amiss. Somehow a CAMSHAFT snapped clean through. Clearly, the engine was officially junk :)
Be wary of these engines over 200k. I've had three bad experiences with them, and no good ones. It was the first year BMW used the M42 - might be a reason for it.
In any case, good luck...
Here's my experience with M42's.
First experience - bought a 1993 318i with a bad motor. What was bad about it? Apparently the timing chain stretched and instead of dealing with it, he kept driving it (duh), as noisy as it got. Eventually the tension was so little it allowed the timing to come off and bend some valves. At least that's the story he gave me - and from what I saw, it seemed accurate.
Second experience - sold jflower a wicked cherry 1991 318i 4 door ;) Engine was in rough shape at a little over 200 - rough idle, black smoke, just not a solid engine. That's been removed from his car since then, and is sitting on a pallate doing nothing.
Third experience - this is my favorite. Sold a 1991 318i 4 door (sterling silber this time) to a guy from NC. He flew up, and headed home. Got 2 hours away, and said the engine died. My first thought was the chain - it was noisy, I figured it was the tensioner, and told him to replace it when he got home. Agreed to swap another used M42 in (from kancamangusdriver) with 180k or something, but in good shape. When I popped the VC off the 200+ mile blown motor, I was shocked to see the chain still intact.
That's when I noticed that right near one of the cam holders, something was amiss. Somehow a CAMSHAFT snapped clean through. Clearly, the engine was officially junk :)
Be wary of these engines over 200k. I've had three bad experiences with them, and no good ones. It was the first year BMW used the M42 - might be a reason for it.
In any case, good luck...
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