how long does my motor last

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by StanF18

We can debate whether typical BMW engines die at 300K miles or at 600K miles, but you've made the most relevant and practical point to this discussion: the rest of the car will break down LONG before the engine does! So if the OP is still around to hear feedback to his question, a well-maintained engine is NOT the rate-limiting factor on a 3.0i's "life expectancy".

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by StanF18

a well-maintained engine is NOT the rate-limiting factor on a 3.0i's "life expectancy".

It eventually could be if you keep replacing parts. I have changed a ton of parts on my e36, which now has 294,000 miles. All new cooling system, driveshaft, differential, motor mounts, control arm bushings, Bilsteins and many other misc. parts. I keep replacing them becuase the engine is still strong. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be worth it to me. Now I know that the X5 is a much more complicated and expensive car than my e36, but some people may keep throwing new parts at a high mileage model if the engine is still running well.

[JIMROD]

The resale or salability of our cars as they get less expensive is also a consideration when repairing all the issues, you couldn't give away another brand car with 200,000 miles on it so yes, you end up putting more $ into a car you like but, you also can sell it much easier. Therefore we fix 'em. (didn't mean to drive off course here)
Gotta go now load up the X5 for vaca to Outer Banks.

[c4racer]

I was kinda hoping to get 200K out of my 4.6is. I just purchased it with 95K on the clock. Runs and drives like a new car - all maint has been kept up always at the dealer. PPI showed no issues other than brakes were 2/3 worn. Some things have already been replaced - entire cooling system as preventative and alternator because it died. Also all other long term maint items have been done except spark plugs.

Now that is a V8, which may not last quite as long as a I6, but I had 200K as a reasonable service length in my head. And sure - some other things on the car are going to need to be replaced from time to time, and I kinda doubt the trans will make it that long. But considering the car is still just as nice as it was new, buying it for 1/4 of the original price when maybe 1/2 of it's useful life has expired is not a bad trade-off.

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

I had a E21 320 with 300K on it, stolen. Then had a E30 325 with 300K on it, sold it, saw it was still on the road 2 years later. I currently have a E32 740iL with 310K, yes a V8 M60 engine in it, still running strong, and a E53 4.4, another V8 M62 with 115K on it, original tran running strong. So expect it to last as long as you take care of it.... Taking it to Jiffy Lube for and a oil change is not quite what I call taking care of it either..... Needs a BMW oil filter!!!

[oztme]

Hi Guys,

Don't compare taxis to road cars as they aren't a good benchmark of what to expect in a family car.

The reason is that they are used in a VERY different way, meaning the wear and tear on the engine isn't as severe. I can't remember the article I read, but there are a number of factors that favour taxi engine life, including:
- far fewer cold starts per km driven (ie: cold started, then driven for 16 hours)
- I also read something along the lines of there are acids and stuff that get into your oil on a cold start. Something to do with the piston clearance on a cold engine lets a bit of fuel biproducts into the oil. This boils off in a taxi, but in a car that's run for 10 minutes then sits all day, things aren't as sweet.

Sorry my facts aren't bulletproof (haven't got time to do the research), but you get the idea...

As for what the BMW engine would get: dunno.. For the same km on an enginee, the one that does lotsa long freeway mile trips would be better than one that sits in traffic inching along day

Cheers,
Scott

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by BlackE32_SilverE53

I had a E21 320 with 300K on it, stolen. Then had a E30 325 with 300K on it, sold it, saw it was still on the road 2 years later. I currently have a E32 740iL with 310K, yes a V8 M60 engine in it, still running strong, and a E53 4.4, another V8 M62 with 115K on it, original tran running strong. So expect it to last as long as you take care of it.... Taking it to Jiffy Lube for and a oil change is not quite what I call taking care of it either..... Needs a BMW oil filter!!!

Taking proper care of these German cars is way more important than on a Honda or Toyota for example. Some of those cars will go past 200K even if you do not do all the right things.

[wallyx5]

Well for what its worth, I am at 248,700. Still on the same tranny and drive line. No major repairs or builds, still on the same water pump. I have replaced the brakes quite a few times. Replaced one of the two catalytic converter, that was a real pain in the butt. Still on the same oil separator, and air suspension. And most importantly I drive this truck as hard as I can every day...I wished I had bought a 4.4 or 4.6, but now I am just going to drive it untill it dies just for curiosity.