Engine rebuild or overhaul 320iSE

Post Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:36 pm

Hi Zoners,

I have a 320i SE that has done 103,000 miles. Is it worth thinking about a rebuild or overhaul? I want to keep the 320 for a long time.

The engine has the ticking sound whilst warm which I have been told is the injectors. What do you suggest, i.e new tappets, piston rings, injectors etc and how much do you think I might be looking at? I live in the greater London /Essex area.

Post Tue Jun 20, 2006 5:40 pm

throw a 2.5 in it the 320 is bit of a rubbish engine TBH
get extra 50 horese for a not of lot of work

Post Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:33 pm

if your gonna rebuild stick a 2.5 in.. 2.0 is a waste of time in the long haul

ticking is a normal thing, any tapping is the tappets which arent difficult to adjust, 103k is barely run in tho

Post Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:33 pm

Here you go: http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=37935

Post Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:59 pm

eldarvanyar wrote:I have a 320i SE that has done 103,000 miles. Is it worth thinking about a rebuild or overhaul?.

Treat this engine properly, and when its done three times this it might benefit from a rebuild.
It's NOT a Ford.

Post Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:33 pm

Hi Guys, thanks for all the info, I'm not sure about doing an engine transplant just yet, the engine has been well loooked after as you say this is not a Ford.
Is the 2.0L M20 considered a bad engine then, if so what's wrong with it ? To be honest I am not into going really fast anymore, I have done all my speeding thrills (i think) and there are to many speed cameras now. I am more into keeping the E30 going as a future classic, not to say that I am not open to some subtle mods. If a rebuild is not necessary maybe I will just sort out the tappets. Still welcome any of your learned knowledge.

Post Wed Jun 21, 2006 5:25 pm

i've owned a few 320s and compared to a 325 they're gutless , but i've never head any issues with overheating /headgasket failures , nice smooth engine but low on economy but as Brian indicated looked after & it will serve you well for a few more miles yet. Upgrade the throttle body to a 325 and that will improve the driving experience without altering the originality of the car too much

Post Wed Jun 21, 2006 5:40 pm

My experience of the 2.0l M20 compared to the 2.5l is that the 2.0l is gutless, it uses more fuel and costs the same to insure.

I honestly can't think of 1 good reason to have a 2.0l over a 2.5l.

If anything the 2.0l makes a slightly sweeter noise.

Anyone got a real justification for the 2.0l?

Post Wed Jun 21, 2006 7:21 pm

Is the 325 more economical than the 320? How can that be as the 325 is bigger and more poweful.
I had an ecotech valve put on due to the poor economy. I was getting 15-18 miles around town and 25 on a run. The ecotech gave me an extra 3 miles on both. What does the 325 give? Is the 320 more reliable ? An engine swap is sounding the way to go.

Post Wed Jun 21, 2006 8:24 pm

320i was introduced for tax reasons in Germany. Not applicable in the UK, but, apparently still a very valid reason in Eire, and probably a few other countries as well.
320i drinks as much fuel as a 325, but doesn't deliver the performance. It's only a little faster than a 318i, but a lot smoother and nicer sounding, and doesn't seem to crack heads quite as often as the 325i.
If you can live with the fuel consumption, there's nothing wrong with a 320i, BUT don't waste time and money trying to tune it.