How many miles to expect from M20 engine?

[Cyrano]

I am trying to find an 325is, but most of them have high milage, how much should I expect these engines to last for. And if I do need to swap it out, what engine could I use and how much would it cost on average to get it swapped.

thanks for the time

[alpinee30m50]

They last a long ass time. My dads had 210k on it and it was going great until the 80k mile timing belt finally broke. As you can tell it was very poorly maintained

[619E30]

Depends on how well it was maintained, and swaps range anywhere from $1000-$10,000

[IronmanE30]

I have 260K on the vert and the compression test is still good. It all depends on the maintenance. Some folks have over 400K on their cars. You drive them till they die.

Used motor go from $100 to $400 and we do the swap ourselves so I can't help you with actual shop prices but I would guess from $500 to $1000.

Cheers,

Jim

[einstein57]

The head is probably good for 180-200k miles. A head refresh is a a few hundred bucks. The bottom end should be good for 400k. I have about 320k on mine.

[Cyrano]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm am gonna check out this 88 325is 2door that has nice mods and looks nice. But the only problem is it has around 240k on the clock. Asking around 4k. Then there is a bone stock 89 325i with 110k on the clock asking 3k. But im thinking when its all said and done i would have spent the same amount on the stock....

[nando]

I would get the stock '89, personally. Mods aren't worth a lot, and $4k is a lot for a car with a quarter million miles on it. Plus there are a lot of other things that just wear out on a car with that many miles.

and who knows what other "mods" are lurking under that car.

[Cyrano]

I would get the stock '89, personally. Mods aren't worth a lot, and $4k is a lot for a car with a quarter million miles on it. Plus there are a lot of other things that just wear out on a car with that many miles.

and who knows what other "mods" are lurking under that car.

Thats what im thinking.

P.S is the m52 engine a direct swap or modifications are required?

[Victell]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm am gonna check out this 88 325is 2door that has nice mods and looks nice. But the only problem is it has around 240k on the clock. Asking around 4k. Then there is a bone stock 89 325i with 110k on the clock asking 3k. But im thinking when its all said and done i would have spent the same amount on the stock....

240k is not a big deal for an M20. If compression check is good and no blue smoke on cold startup (valve guide seals), I'd say 240k is ok as long as the rest of the car has been maintained.

But paying 4k for an 88 e30 in cali quite possibly could be a rip-off. Make sure you shop around. And take your time. Is nobody here on R3V selling one?

How many miles to expect from M20 engine? All of them.

[Cyrano]

4k is a lot for it. But I think that seems to be the going price, I have been looking for about 2 weeks now and the range for them is from 4-6k.... that's with the common mods on the car.

[Victell]

what are these mods you're talking about

[e34john]

They are going for a lot because you are buying the car at the wrong time. These things are a lot cheaper when they aren't in season.

[Cyrano]

what are these mods you're talking about

things such as wheels, full exhaust, shocks/springs, short shifter, mtech2 valence....

Im sure something will come up

[Shimanek]

my odo stopped working at 221 and the car sat for a year with a bad dme, and started right up when a new one was finally put in, i bought the car in unknown condition, and besides my trans issue, i really find it to be reliable.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

My car was never maintained and got it's ass kicked, should have gone to the crusher. 300k and I can't kill the damn thing.