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The Nikasil Myth, Bag yourself a bargain V8
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/546008
Written by Timm from the U.K. board
Last edited by shogun; 07-01-2008 at 02:11 AM.
3 Grand Master
i am contemplating a e 39 540,and spoke today to the service manager of my local dealer he said(as I thought) that Nikasil was not an issue in NZ.However he is from the UK,and nikasil or not he said at one time his dealership were "replacing 2 or 3 engines" PER WEEK!
Gone but not forgotten
4 Grand Master
It is true... Nikasil is overblown. We even did an informal survey here on Bimmernut and the result is about 90% of us have no problem.
Major Contributor
Gas price is the sticking point. You will notice in auto commercials mpg is again being stressed instead of horse power. Despite the sweetness of ride, 17 mpg around town is not going to be good enough at $4 a gllon.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
3 Grand Master
17 mpg compared to what....And what happens to all these old cars?You can buy lots and lots and lots of petrol for the price difference of an older car compared to a new one.
Grand Master
My 528iTA uses 9.5 litres / 100 km in mixed driving - down to 8.4 on a trip.Originally Posted by Paul in NZ
Plenty of power, IMHO, and rack & pinion steering.
The M52TU is seriously sweet to drive AND to listen to between 5 & 6 k rpm.
"I'm not the village idiot.
But when he retires I'm next on the list."
3 Grand Master
if only you could get a 530 manual trans.
Major Contributor
17 mpg compared to 35 mpg and above for gas mizers. The 1982 Honda Civic 5 speed wagon I used to own years ago get 37 mpg around town and up to 50 highway. That was when gas was below a buck a gallon. A trip to the gas station cost about $10. Now it is $60 to $75.
'01 540it, 6/01
'03 325i 5 speed, 9/02
'10 535ix. 9/09
'10 mini 6 speed
'15 mini countryman 6 speed
Big Time Poster
Well, I don't know that it "wasn't an issue". Yes there were lots of cars that were getting new motors around here. One tech I know personally replaced dozens of them.
I will say, that the ones that were very problematic have most likely been replaced, and the ones that were good, are still good. Evidently, statistically speaking, the cars with auto tranny seemed to show signs of problems more often than those with manual tranny. No one I have talked to has a theory as to why.
I tried and tried to get a new motor, but, mine was and is a good one, never really showed any issues, and couldn't fail the tests. I tried on several occasions. Leakdown is still good.
I would run nothing but synthetic in the car though. The M60 and M62motors with all their complex valvetrain don't seem to respond well to infrequent changes with the dyno juice.
Agreed, if you find a well cared for car, it could be a great bargain. I know if I had to sell mine I wouldn't be able to get much for it.
Robert Callaway
Dallas, TX
'94 530im 143k mi
'94 Land Cruiser FZJ-80 202k mi.
"If I could have back all the time and money I ever spent on cars.......I'd spend it all on cars."
4 Grand Master
They are plentiful.
"The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"
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