How many miles an M40?

[fozzymandeus]

Is an M40 engined car with 150k on the clock knackered?

Hands up if you have an M40 engine and done big miles...

I'm looking at a 316i with those miles (1990 2dr) as a daily driver for a 60 miles round trip commute. Think I'm mad? Will I save money on petrol over an E36 323i?

[E30Mark]

187k on my m40 318i auto... it runs surprisingly well & quiet...

[fozzymandeus]

Hmm sounds positive... If I did 30k in mine that's 3 years worth of commute.

I think I'll be investing. Also, the car is a little rusty, I think from standing - it's worst on the leading edge of the front wings and below them on the inside of the front panel (I didnt realise this was steel until I checked - it's all plastic on the E36!!) It's solid underneath, no holes... is this a big repair?

[magnumlove]

Mines on 149k and it seems fine. Pulls away well, doesn't use oil or water and is not tapperty! I plan to keep mine and get it over 200k or untill it goes bang!

[munky30]

the engine my car came with had 178k on the clock (m40 1.6) and ran fine.

[pnd]

I had over 200 k on my 318i and when i sold it it went to be raced in the seloc bmw series how long it lasted there i don't know but it did at least one season on the old m40; shows what oil changes can do! as for saving money on fuel over an e36 323 I doubt it; certainly not significant enough to ditch the six pot for IMO of course.

[fozzymandeus]

The figures suggest I'll make some savings... also my 323i lives on V-Power which is a drain at 300 miles a week. (10k per year cos I'm a teacher and only work 33 weeks a year.. )

...and I drive everywhere at 4000rpm in the sixer.

BTW this 316i is "as well as" not "instead of". The 323 is a cabby so mostly for use when (or if) the sun shines... and I want to keep mileage down.

[pnd]

sorry i thought you meant the 318 also with yours being a cabby it will use more fuel. A nice 316 will make good daily transport but for fucks sake buy a good one so much cheaper in the end and not that much more in the first place with a 316.

[fozzymandeus]

The one I've found is pretty decent... just been standing at some point in its life. It's got a new ticket, so will give me 12 months cheap motoring at the least... only problem is the bodywork. It's got a non-sport lux interior in beautiful condition... Bodywork is a bit pink, but all panels match and colour degradation is uniform across the car, so a machine polish will see it shining... It's simply the little bit of rust, which is all on the outside of the car. The inner wings and firewall panel are solid, as is the rear.

I'm not really used to tolerating a bit of rust... I've spent alot of cash keeping my 323 completely mint. (and it'll swallow more cash at my ludicrously expensive bodyshop... the little 316 would go somewhere else if it needed paint)

[pnd]

look at the sunroof and behind the rear lights before you say its got little rust also discolouration of a red car is not that easy to fix it has this you should be buying it very cheaply. in all honesty these cars can end up spending a lot of time in the shop the only ones that won't are ones that have already had the work done. good excuse to be late for school though!

[fozzymandeus]

Incidentally, the car appears to have rear disc brakes... I didn't think 4 cylinder E30s had them unless 'twas a 318iS. What's the possible explanation?

[darkchild]

Whats your budget as the later 316i/318i E36's are peanuts now and the M43 engine (chain driven cam) is a far stronger and smoother thing than the M40.

[fozzymandeus]

Want an E30 really as already have one E36 - used to have an E36 316i on the chain cammed M43, liked it alot but been there, done that. Also, this car has a key advantage... it's at a garage less than a mile away.

[darkchild]

Want an E30 really as already have one E36 - used to have an E36 316i on the chain cammed M43, liked it alot but been there, done that. Also, this car has a key advantage... it's at a garage less than a mile away.

[cypriot_boy_2k7]

my ones have 130K and 160K one runs like a pile of shiteings and the one with more runs like new:D