Originally Posted by Mike1
Originally Posted by Stu @ M Developments
Bloody serious bargains these cars. The 2.5L Straight 6 has virtually no problems either, just keeps on going until you dont really need it anymore. lol
Nice car Stu but I wouldn't say no problems.....
Has it had a new bottom end at any point? Nicasil problem - well known - BMW should be able to tell you if it's been done in the dealer network under recall if you give them the chassis number.
Ask them at same time if it's had the steering column recall/.
Has it had a new water pump at any point? - you might have a plastic impellor one and if it goes and you don't catch it quick it might take your head gasket too. The temp gauge needle shouldn't waver when up to temp - should stay rock solid - if it even starts to inch up to hot - stop quick and get it checked.
Worn RTA bushes can give funny handling - rear damper top mounts can "clunk" over bumps - the E46 M3 Convertible ones are better as a replacement.
Bushes at rear of front wishbones can give vague steering and similar effect to warped discs
Check rear brake pipes as well.
Hope she enjoys the car though
All these problems are extreme cases, it's only the M52 engines that suffer from Nikasil and it wasn't fitted to every car. Peak torque in the hand book will tell you if it was, although many dont have the original. Only early E36's were fitted with plastic impellors and were done away with quick smart and would have shown up by now. The only thing that does effect them and I've experienced it, is the rear top mounts and as you say E46 solves it
