All,
I've got a high mileage M3 (229,000 miles). It is an unmolested automatic 4 door...at least one previous owner was a female.
How do I tell if the engine is original to the chassis. It runs well and burns acceptable amount of oil (for a 90 mph commute!) so wonder if it has been replaced in the 21 years of existence.
Thanks!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/WqfcGf]
As I recall, there is a VIN sticker on the aft of the head.
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Only the head carries a VIN sticker and those can easily fall off during any machine shop work. Any S52 in your car is “numbers matching”.
While it is true that “any S52 is numbers matching”, a missing matching VIN sticker opens the possibility that a “400” casting head ( w/‘lighter’ springs) from a 323/328 has been installed for a repair.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 04-24-2018 at 01:33 AM.
Any plans on selling it?
1997 Estoril/Dove M3 sedan (62k miles)
1999 Imola/Modena M3 coupe (1 of 2) S54 swapped
2002 Estoril/Black M3 coupe (Individual)
2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (500hp daily)
Thanks folks...exactly what I was looking for. Will take a look tomorrow for the sticker. I have no service history on the power plant.
Selling: matter of fact I am - engine and trans only.
https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts...567206204.html
My son and I are using this car as a learning tool...swapping in an LS engine and teaching him autocross - thread:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...or-with-LS-T56
Thanks!
Unless they're rusty or damaged, i'd just rebuild the stock calipers so you know you have good parts. It's super easy, takes like 5min per caliper once its off the car.
Put a block of wood (1x2") between the piston and floating part to catch the piston. If you don't have compress air, hold a bike pump up to the brake line and blow out the piston. (i use a bike pump). Remove boot and seal. Put in new seal and coat with brake fluid or lube. Coat piston with brake fluid or lube, put new boot on the end of the piston, stick other end of boot into the caliper groove, press piston in.
TXBDan: Likely a mis-post? I'm keeping the calipers...a good bleed and brakes work like new - thanks!
The engine block has its number 'printed' on it. (above the left engine mount bracket for S/M5x)
The service booklet should mention chassis number and engine number. At least there are entries for it on one of the first pages. The selling dealership should have written it down.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Couldn’t those VIN stickers be ordered? An stuck on any new part?
A number stamped in the block like the VIN is harder to tamper.
Have you checked for the engine number above the left engine mounting bracket?
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiß III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
SMG • SRA • PDC • AUC • OBC • GSM • HK • UURS • IHKA • FGR • MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
For christs sakes. Yes someone could have put that sticker on there. No, someone didn't bother to do that on a 6k car so they could sell it to a collector as some numbers matching classic.
Were you driving this on a trailer back from CA?
CURRENT: LimeRockParkEdition E92 M3 - BSM/Silverstone E70 X5M - AW/Dove E36 M3
PAST: Techno/Dove E36 M3 - Techno/Dove E36 M3 - LSB/Black E46 M3
Who would have thought that nobody went through the trouble of swapping another S52 into this 20 year old car to dupe the next owner?
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