M52 Nikasil

[SAP1]

I'm looking to buy an E36 328i with under 100k miles. If it still has the Nikasil engine should I be worried?

[jimmyspeed]

what year is it?

[SAP1]

1996

[nickso]

If it runs Ok I wouldn't give it a second thought.

[jimmyspeed]

if its a sport the earlier cars came with a LSD which would be a bonus

[darkchild]

Its now 19 years old. Assuming its even still on its original block it'll be fine.

[Andyboy]

Even so, Nikasil engines don't like lots of cold starts - that's what buggered them. So once it's started, try not to switch it off again until it's good and warm.
It may well have had a block swap by BMW in the past. Look at the back of the block below the starter and you'll see either a pear shaped casting lug (nikasil) or a rusty steel tag with a bolt (steel liner replacement).

[DanThe]

Do a compression test if your worried, they still turn up now and again with no compression, usually through auctions

[SAP1]

Sorry for the late reply.

Went to look at the car it was a 1996 328i Moordoor.

The body work was decent but when looking at the car the cooling system pressurized and overheated, so I walked away there is plenty 328's out there so onto the next one

Thanks for the advice lads

[DanThe]

Headgasket FTL

[SAP1]

Yup LOL, warped head