Before I start, this car is my daily driver, and has 180k on the odo.
Last week I brought my car in to get a few leaks checked out, and the news has gone from bad to worse to worst:
At first they told me all I needed was a new cylinder head gasket, and intake manifold gasket, as both were leaking. So I said okay, do what you gotta do, in fact, while everything is taken apart, do the timing belt and water pump too, for peace of mind. For this they quote me $1250, and even agree to paint my valve cover and intake manifold black. Not too bad so far
Well, they take the cylinder head off and send it to a machine shop to make sure it is level, etc. (Note: this is a remanufactured head, installed by another shop about 4 years & 35k miles ago) they see that 2 of my valves have small chunks broken off, which they tell me is a preignition issue. Great. After a closer look, the cylinder head has little cracks developing all over due to getting too hot. Fantastic.
So they quote me $1000 for a new head. Now we're up to $2250. This is where he tells me he can get me a 67k original miles m20 for $3650. This figure includes the cost of the motor, all labor, new gaskets, timing belt, water pump, paint, and a 1 year parts & labor warranty.
Now, I am a college student, so I'm on a budget, but I can afford both of these options, but not much more. If money were no object I'd throw in an s5x and be done with it. This car is my daily driver, so there is no chance of me parting it out.
So I need some advice, do I keep my bottom end and go with a new cylinder head, etc for $2250. There is no guarantee as to how the bottom end will hold up
Used 67k original miles m20 installed for $3650 with 1 year warranty
Find a motor on my own
Look for another car, and keep this on the back burner until I'm ready and more financially able of dealing with it
Thanks guys, I'm really at a loss here
Last week I brought my car in to get a few leaks checked out, and the news has gone from bad to worse to worst:
At first they told me all I needed was a new cylinder head gasket, and intake manifold gasket, as both were leaking. So I said okay, do what you gotta do, in fact, while everything is taken apart, do the timing belt and water pump too, for peace of mind. For this they quote me $1250, and even agree to paint my valve cover and intake manifold black. Not too bad so far
Well, they take the cylinder head off and send it to a machine shop to make sure it is level, etc. (Note: this is a remanufactured head, installed by another shop about 4 years & 35k miles ago) they see that 2 of my valves have small chunks broken off, which they tell me is a preignition issue. Great. After a closer look, the cylinder head has little cracks developing all over due to getting too hot. Fantastic.
So they quote me $1000 for a new head. Now we're up to $2250. This is where he tells me he can get me a 67k original miles m20 for $3650. This figure includes the cost of the motor, all labor, new gaskets, timing belt, water pump, paint, and a 1 year parts & labor warranty.
Now, I am a college student, so I'm on a budget, but I can afford both of these options, but not much more. If money were no object I'd throw in an s5x and be done with it. This car is my daily driver, so there is no chance of me parting it out.
So I need some advice, do I keep my bottom end and go with a new cylinder head, etc for $2250. There is no guarantee as to how the bottom end will hold up
Used 67k original miles m20 installed for $3650 with 1 year warranty
Find a motor on my own
Look for another car, and keep this on the back burner until I'm ready and more financially able of dealing with it
Thanks guys, I'm really at a loss here
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