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Thread: Whats your opinion

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Palm Coast
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2004 325xi

    Whats your opinion

    I'm looking for some advice from any and all, I bought a 2004 325xi from a private owner who had rebuilt the motor, well after the transaction we titled the car and drove it 40 miles home, the car went into limp mode, took it to the shop...the cams were reversed, missing bolts on the intake, vanos seized and broke. I have always had older bimmers (1976 630cs),(1984 528e), never had newer models as I put 500,000 plus on the 2 I had. I need some insight into this motor with the Vanos, and whether or not it is worth putting a motor in it or not. Is there problems with these motors? I can get a motor for $1000 - $1500 and I guess another $1500 to install, I am unable to do the work any longer so I will be at the mercy of a mechanic. I need to make an informed and educated move here to get approved by my CFO...hehehe

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    264
    My Cars
    325xi; 740i
    My first question would be did the valves hit the pistons? If not then what's stopping whomever from just switching the cams? What is the mileage on the current engine? Bolts for the intake are a special size but can be found for as low as $0.50 each. If the valves never hit the pistons the only part that might warrant a new engine would be the vanos unit, there could be four different routes for that. 1. Possibly rebuild 2. Junkyard vanos and rebuild 3. Buy a new unit (I have seen from $450-$900) 4. Another engine which could have a similar vanos problem or possibly be worse for wear. That's just my two cents worth at least.
    New Daily:
    2011 Audi A6 Avant 3.0T prestige. 1 of 368

    ----FOR SALE-----
    04 BMW 325xi 143k


    The Fun car:
    94' BMW 740i 308k miles

    Fresh 72k mile engine with all new seals. True E34 Manual Trans Engine Harness. 6spd Transmission Swap, Getrag 420G. RHD LW Single Mass Flywheel. E39 M5 Clutch. E39 M5 Shifter. Factory Car Phone. Factory 6CD Changer. Factory Electric Sunshade. Not So Factory Factory Electric/Heated Rear Seats. E38 Heater Valves. E43 M5 calipers/brakes

    Sold:
    1996 Oldsmobile Aurora; 194k miles but with a bad paint job and dented fender resulting in a payout to buy the 740i

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    west chicago il
    Posts
    509
    My Cars
    01 E46 330i 5sp man spor
    Cams are marked E and A. E is ein something (intake in German) and A is aus something (exhaust in German) so E is not exhaust. Maybe the cams are not swapped. Bearing caps are also marked E and A with numbers designating their position starting from the front E1,E2,ect. Do a compression test or leak down test if cams are actually installed wrong.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Palm Coast
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2004 325xi
    Quote Originally Posted by yukon101 View Post
    My first question would be did the valves hit the pistons? If not then what's stopping whomever from just switching the cams? What is the mileage on the current engine? Bolts for the intake are a special size but can be found for as low as $0.50 each. If the valves never hit the pistons the only part that might warrant a new engine would be the vanos unit, there could be four different routes for that. 1. Possibly rebuild 2. Junkyard vanos and rebuild 3. Buy a new unit (I have seen from $450-$900) 4. Another engine which could have a similar vanos problem or possibly be worse for wear. That's just my two cents worth at least.
    Thankyou for the info, I have found metal and heavy sealer in the coolant when I took the front off, Im afraid of what Im going to find inside. Let the journey begin. hehehe

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Palm Coast
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2004 325xi
    This was valuable info, thanks so much.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Norwich, Connecticut.
    Posts
    486
    My Cars
    E46 wag. E36 convertible
    rebuilt the motor? Sounds like you got screwed! If you bought 'as is' you didn't do homework and now you are needing. For the amount more of money needed to reconstitute this fail, I'd bet with greater knowledge and a keen eye, you could find another 'real deal' for less!...sucker! Learn more about these BMW cars..lots on YOUTUBE...Great German cars...just learn more before buying.
    Last edited by Eaglesail; 05-13-2018 at 02:23 PM.

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