E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

P

prash1973

Member
Bros,

Need your advice on something..

I recently (2 weeks ago) bought a 1992 320i. Everything about it is in fairly good condition given the fact that it has done 320K km!

When driving it I noticed that it's power delivery and fuel consumption was not very good. (Power is OK but NOT what I would expect of a 6 cyl 2L)... So I took it into J4C for a thorough checkup and diagnostics. They did a full compression test, then a wet AND dry leak test.

It turns out that 1 or 2 of the cylinders are not getting proper compression - they suspect it could be piston rings but given the age, it could even need a full cylinder rebore, piston replacement, etc. Ultimately, they recommended a FULL rebuild at a quoted price of $5K+. (Ouch!)

What do you guys think? Is it worth doing? I only plan to drive the car for another 2 years and then sell it...but will this be lost money? I really do want the increase in power & economy - but $5K on top of what I have paid for the car seems a little heavy - especially if it will not be recoverable at selling time. Do you guys think 5K for a rebuild is fair? Should I look at any other workshops - or is it worth spending a little more to get the high quality of work from J4C?

All in all, I do wanna say that the guys at J4C are great - very thorough and reliable - but just a little expensive! Your advice/opinions most welcome - HELP! :confused:

Thanks to all who reply!

Prash
Prash.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Find a used 325i engine in m'sia better prash. Get the same M50 B25, ask around chop shops. Not worth rebuilding if that is the cost. For SGD5k=RM10K u can do more hehehehe take my advice.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

The next time don't buy a high mileage car unless you know the previous owner had taken care well and had done engine rebuilt on it, and also when buying cars check how many owners already, if more than 4 i suggest you walk away. Oh yeah thats the price you pay when you get a used car, be prepared to loose money. You really didnt heed my advice do you hehehehe
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Hey bro...

Great to hear from you again!

So you reckon buy a new 325 engine better? I was thinking same but only problem is :

a) if I buy a half cut from a chop shop, how can I tell what condition the engine is in?
Isn't it just as risky that I may have to do rebuild on that? Or do they sell it "rebuilt" (guaranteed no need to rebuild again) already? (This would apply even if I buy the same 320 engine in half cut / engine only form, right?)

b) what kind of "LTA issues" will I encounter if I decide to put a 2.5 engine in a 320? WIll it have to go thru any major certification/inspection to be passed for SIngapore road use?

c) What about all other parts like gearbox, electrics, etc..? Can it handle bigger engine or does all that have to be changed as well?

(I am thinking of calling your mechanic sometime too for this - he can do rebuilds right?)

Cheers,

Prash.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Car with high mileage = risky true.... but frankly the engine is still driving fine!

I am only looking into this option because i want 100% ! :laughlik:

I can easily keep driving this car in current state - but you know how it is man - you always want more power, etc..! This is why I took it in for diagnostics - get baseline and then see how!
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Normally chop shops they bring in engine in good condition. How good we can't tell cause when you get it, you still need to strip it and see the condition inside and do the necessary parts. You said one of the cylinders compression is low, how low? what are the figures? Is your car drinking engine oil?If not then leave it as it is. And also u said u want to use for next 2 years i think its better you leave the engine as it is unless the condition gets worse. Yes my mech. friend can do rebuilt but depends on the condition of your engine wether its worth rebuilding or not. Parts are a bit expensive for you engine so be prepared if you really want to do rebuilt.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

b) what kind of "LTA issues" will I encounter if I decide to put a 2.5 engine in a 320? WIll it have to go thru any major certification/inspection to be passed for SIngapore road use?

Lets not get into too detail about this, why?u willing to pay more road tax is it? ehheheheheh

c) What about all other parts like gearbox, electrics, etc..? Can it handle bigger engine or does all that have to be changed as well?

Parts on E36 320i and 325i are similar, of course it can handle. Using back the same type of engine u dont need to change the wiring harness, same goes with the gearbox.Its basically plug and play.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Well if engine oil is not dropping then no problem then, is you car lazy to move off?I mean hesitant to move off?if yes then low compression problem is affecting it.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

"you car lazy to move off?"

a little... which is why i took it in for comp test.
Once it gets going, is fine - but I know it can be better.

The guys at workshop said if i do the full rebuild can get upto 20-30% more power.

So question is : is 20-30% worth SGD 5K ?! Not too sure.... (maybe better to do that swap - then power increase should be 40-50% ?)
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Put your money somewhere else if your just driving it for 2 yrs....I would adopt the attitude: if it's aint broke dont fix it!

There's a lot more to do besides the engine rebuild. Electronics, rubber, suspension parts are all in the pipeline too....
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

prash1973 said:
"you car lazy to move off?"

a little... which is why i took it in for comp test.
Once it gets going, is fine - but I know it can be better.

The guys at workshop said if i do the full rebuild can get upto 20-30% more power.

So question is : is 20-30% worth SGD 5K ?! Not too sure.... (maybe better to do that swap - then power increase should be 40-50% ?)
Click to expand...

Well if its only a little then its a normal, unless like my previous engine when i even pedal to the metal no spontaneous engine respond. Got 2 second pause then engine revving up:furious:

Of course lah SGD5k for rebuilding is not worth, swapping engine should be around RM4k~RM5k. For me i spent RM4k in total(swap engine, strip and change necessary parts, minor service on auto transmission, overhaul power steering rack)hehehehe.......but the question is how long r u going to keep the car, as for me i;m keeping it till its life ends in 2011.:lol2:
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Ersalle - damn man - that is cheap..!

Your guy do the job? How long did it all take?
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Nope i did it at my JB w'shop, i did look around but in the end my JB mech source for it. Time taken almost 2 weeks.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

ersalle71 said:
b) what kind of "LTA issues" will I encounter if I decide to put a 2.5 engine in a 320? WIll it have to go thru any major certification/inspection to be passed for SIngapore road use?

Lets not get into too detail about this, why?u willing to pay more road tax is it? ehheheheheh

c) What about all other parts like gearbox, electrics, etc..? Can it handle bigger engine or does all that have to be changed as well?

Parts on E36 320i and 325i are similar, of course it can handle. Using back the same type of engine u dont need to change the wiring harness, same goes with the gearbox.Its basically plug and play.
Click to expand...

Pardon my ignorance, I came across a 325 whole auto box is 4 or 5 speed. If I am not wrong, a 320 is 3or 4? Sorry not too sure, but i clearly remembered that its different.

Just be careful when planning your rebuild. You dont want to be sucked into the black hole.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Its not clear, u didnt state wether its E30 or E36 325i. For e36, if auto transmission 4 speed is made from GM, this unit is mostly m'sia market if the auto gearbox comes from there. In Singapore generally there are 4 speed or if ur lucky 5 speed ZF auto transmission gearbox, all are electrohydraulic shift.
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

ersalle71 said:
Its not clear, u didnt state wether its E30 or E36 325i. For e36, if auto transmission 4 speed is made from GM, this unit is mostly m'sia market if the auto gearbox comes from there. In Singapore generally there are 4 speed or if ur lucky 5 speed ZF auto transmission gearbox, all are electrohydraulic shift.
Click to expand...

I believe this thread is about e36 320?

How difficult is it to pair a standard 4 speed with the 325 engine?

Regards,
 
Re: E36 320i - Engine Rebuild - Help!

Depends on the degree of damage on your transmission. Minor service like ATF oil change, filter change are cheap. Flushing not so cheap cause it depends on how many litres of flushing fluid required. Then next would be servicing the transmission valve body which is not so cheap also, then changing internal parts like clutch plates etc. this is expensive and considered as overhauling the whole transmission unit. No guarantee also how long it will last after that, the best look for a good used auto transmission or convert to manual. Overhauling cost can be higher than getting a used one.
 
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