engine life expectancy?

[89bmw325ie30]

I just found a sweet deal on a bmw on craigslist and I'm more than likely getting it but it has 220k on the motor. Its a MN driven car but has no rust on it. I will show you the ad here.http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/985259162.html
I went and test drove it and it was great and sounded perfect with the magnaflows. The only thing im worried about is the fact that its got 220k. It seems well taken care of and seems as if that everything that usually goes bad on this car is already replaced. Let me know how many miles you have on your car. Thanks
-John

[DCColegrove]

I've seen them go well past 300K when they are well cared for.

[dashboardmonkey]

My motor has 217,000 and still has crosshatching on the cylinder walls.

When maintained these motors will go hundreds of thousands of miles.

Andy

[jlevie]

I know folks racing cars in Spec E30 with that sort of mileage on the engine. If the engine holds good oil pressure, about all it might need would be a head refresh.

[89bmw325ie30]

Seems to be good all around for oil pressure and no noticeable leaks. So are you talking (jlevie) maybe honing and new pistons as far as a head refresh would go.

[e34john]

300K+

I know this guy that purchased his at about 260K and now daily drives it about 50 miles to work. I have maybe 180K I don't really know ODO died at 16X,XXX about 2 years ago. I beat on it whenever I drive it, but I maintain it well.

[89bmw325ie30]

by well maintenance what do you mean. Is this like just keeping on top of oil changes and having a clean filter? Is there some kind of special bmw maintenance I should know about. Sorry new to these cars and yes I know I need a manual haha.

[nando]

valve adjustments, timing belts, all consumables (filters, hoses, coolant, belts, etc), water pump, sensors if they go bad (O2, coolant, AFM)

go look for the Bentley manual for E30s and read it cover to cover.

[jlevie]

Seems to be good all around for oil pressure and no noticeable leaks. So are you talking (jlevie) maybe honing and new pistons as far as a head refresh would go.

Nothing that invasive. I'm talking about pulling the head and having the guides and seals replaced and valves ground. Unless abused in the past, the pistons, rings and bores should be fine.

[89bmw325ie30]

valve adjustments, timing belts, all consumables (filters, hoses, coolant, belts, etc), water pump, sensors if they go bad (O2, coolant, AFM)

go look for the Bentley manual for E30s and read it cover to cover.

Well if the guy is telling the truth which he should since the owner before him worked at the largest bmw dealership in MN. Then most of the belts and valve adjustments are in spec for now. How long should I wait before replacing all the belts again? All belts were changed at 187k and it has 220k on it now. So should I get a good life out of these belts or replace them often? Again sorry for so many questions just want to make sure I am getting a good car.:D

[nando]

don't even think twice about it, replace the timing belt, tensioner, and waterpump immediately. Never go by the PO's word on this, unless he has receipts to back it up, you're living on a wing and a prayer.

most of the rest will last quite a while, for example if the hoses have ever been replaced, they're probably fine. but any original rubber is going to be on the verge of failing after ~20 years and 220,000 miles.

[shiftbmw]

That car still has lots of life it would seem...and in addition if you blow your motor they are easy/cheap to source and easy/cheap to install.

[SpecM]

get the car, they are very reliable and can easily live to see the high side of 300k

[accident]

My motor has 217,000 and still has crosshatching on the cylinder walls.

When maintained these motors will go hundreds of thousands of miles.

Andy

+1

250,000+ (my original ODO was broken when i bought the car) and the crosshatching remains, and it still runs awesome. except when it's cold. FUCK YOU COLD START VALVE.

[Miasma]

+1 on the Timing belt, Tensioner, And water pump. You will guarantee no catastrophic valve to piston contact and over heating. These motors are quite easy to learn top to bottom.