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Thread: Thinking of buying e38 for daily - what motor?

  1. #1
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    Thinking of buying e38 for daily - what motor?

    Hey there, im switching from e34 to e38 probably, thinking of motor to chose, only city driving, lots of traffic etc, about 50 km daily driving.
    I've been hearing lots of good stuff about 2.8 engine but on the other hand, much ppl saying that they overheat in e38 very often, is that true?
    I dont need an rocket, 6sec to 100 etc, i just want reliable engine that will last for long with good maintenance and quite low (as for e38) maintenance and fuel economy.
    Also, m60b30 seems to be very often skipped with opinions of outdated and expensive V8 that also exists in E32, so guys, what would be the best choice?

  2. #2
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    Forgive me if I don’t know what’s available in Poland but in US E38s only come with V8 or V12. Do NOT get V12 unless you have limitless $$ and a spare car for when it’s in the shop. I loved driving my 2000 750iL when it was in good health, but, every 6 weeks or so something would go wrong and I’d be back to the mechanic for serious money.

    If it’s possible to get a 2.8 into an E38, I believe you’d be seriously under powered.

    So, I’d get a V8 but try and make sure it’s had the timing chain/guides done (replaced).

    Jay


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  3. #3
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    I got used to underpower (m50b20 with auto trans in e34), but thats not the problem, i cruise mainly or stay in traffic so i wouldnt use more power to be honest.
    I dont even consider anything higher than 3,5L so V12 is a no no
    From what i've seen we've got there:
    m60 with 3.0 or 4.0
    m62 with 3.5 or 4.4
    m52b28/m52TU28
    and couple of m73 which i dont even look at

  4. #4
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    My current 2001 740iL has the M62. I love it. Has 189k miles, very reliable, does 27mph on highway, 17mph city. Very happy.

    Good luck.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    '01 325Ci Convertible, 5-speed
    '01 740iL, Stahlblau with beige interior & 18" M-Pars, GROM bluetooth
    '03 X5 3.0 six cyl, Gray on gray

  5. #5
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    There's nothing wrong with the M52TUB28, paired with the 3.23:1 differential it takes off pretty sharpish and is surprisingly frugal on a cruise - it just runs out of puff above 90 MPH.

    The M62TUB44 is the 'best' engine for performance, but the complication of Vanos does make it a bit noisy and less reliable.

    I think the best of the bunch is the M62B44 - especially if you replace the 105C thermostat with an 85C stat - they are usually trouble-free and have a lot of grunt....
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timm View Post
    There's nothing wrong with the M52TUB28, paired with the 3.23:1 differential it takes off pretty sharpish and is surprisingly frugal on a cruise - it just runs out of puff above 90 MPH.

    The M62TUB44 is the 'best' engine for performance, but the complication of Vanos does make it a bit noisy and less reliable.

    I think the best of the bunch is the M62B44 - especially if you replace the 105C thermostat with an 85C stat - they are usually trouble-free and have a lot of grunt....
    Timm is right, M62TUB44 would be perfect but too many headache with VANOS. It could get costly to replace or rebuild all the VANOS related parts (units, solenoids). You dont have those issues with M62B44.
    Best would be of course a M62TUB44 where PO already did all the VANOS work for you

  7. #7
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    It’s all about money...

    in Europe, with high petrol prices, the 728 would be a great choice. There are plenty on M52 engines and parts and maintenance would be easier and less expensive. Additionally, the M50/52/54 engines are probably the most reliable engines BMW ever made. My M50 in my e34 did not break down until 240,000 miles, until then, it needed very little maintenance. None of the V8s I have are anywhere near that reliable, they all need maintenance.

    If if you have money to burn, go with a V8, but if not, the 728 will be very reliable and much less expensive, just not as powerful.

    02 e39 540i Sport (Son), 01 DINAN 7 (Me), 12 e70 X5 x35i (Mrs), 95 e34 525i (Daughter 2), 01 e46 325Ci vert (Daughter 1)

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by kouks View Post
    It’s all about money...

    in Europe, with high petrol prices, the 728 would be a great choice.
    In Europe we run v8 engines on LPG so fuel price is not an issue.

  9. #9
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    Hmm, I've heard that the V12s are actually more reliable in the later cars, as they don't have the timing chain guide issues, VANOS issues, or valley pan gasket issues. The radiator is the same basic unit and can be brittle and need replacing every 100k miles, but the rest of the car is the same basic car as the V8 and 6 cyl versions. Keep up on the batteries and regular maintenance, and you should be good to go. Both my V8 cars were quite reliable (a '98 and an '01 Sport) and my next E38 will most likely be an '01 750iL Sport.

  10. #10
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    The V12s are more complicated and finicky than the V8s (mostly from the electronics perspective), but have less major mechanical concerns.

  11. #11
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    it will run on LPG, obviously fuel ecenomy is one thing, but mechanical reliability is second, i think 2.8 is the way to go, ill probably miss the v8 sound etc but.. maybe someday

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by shiremux View Post
    it will run on LPG, obviously fuel ecenomy is one thing, but mechanical reliability is second, i think 2.8 is the way to go, ill probably miss the v8 sound etc but.. maybe someday
    V8 is just expensive to maintain as it is more complicated. And for some reason same parts for the 6 cylinder are 4-5 times more expensive on the v8 like the intake boot for example.

    They are both equally reliable when maintained properly. Member here just recently posted 400k miles engine photos which he maintained himself for years. Even timing chain is still original, guides and all...

  13. #13
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    what is the lifespan of the timing chain in the m52b28 and the m60 range?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by shiremux View Post
    what is the lifespan of the timing chain in the m52b28 and the m60 range?
    Close enough to forever on both engines....
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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