Nikasil issue. Is it a big deal now?
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Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=10245
Printed Date: 15-May-2024 at 18:32
Topic: Nikasil issue. Is it a big deal now?
Posted By: Fergal
Subject: Nikasil issue. Is it a big deal now?
Date Posted: 01-September-2004 at 11:22
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I'm looking to buy a 96-98 E39 (520/523). This will be my first BMW and
I just found out about the Nikasil problem affecting cars of this age.
The two cars I've looked at so far have had full BMW service histories
and had done approx 100k miles each. It seems the the cars within my
budget (£5k) will all be about this age/mileage. Question is, do I need to be concerned about the Nikasil problem if a car has done 100k miles? If it's gone this far it should be ok, right? Also, how can I tell if any car I'm looking at has a Nikasil engine or not? Cheers Fergal |
Replies:
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 01-September-2004 at 16:28
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The short answer is that you should be concerned about it because getting it wrong is an expensive business and a car may not look such good value if you have to drop a couple of grand to replace a knackered engine. BMW may help if the car has an fsh but getting goodwill gestures seems to be a bit hit and miss. There have been quite a few threads over the past couple of months that go into lots of detail about it and it would be worth your while wading through them, but the attached web link is a very good summary. There are some checks you can make up front but these may not catch cars with wear that has started but is not too far advanced yet. Just because it has hit 100k doesn't meant that it won't rear its head, its primarily a product of how much high sulpher fuel its been exposed to and at what point in its life. Equally its not certain you will experience it, my 523 has close to 80k and its as tight as a ducks ar5e, not needing a top up between services. Cars after week 10 production of 1998 have a steel bore block and will not experience the problem, but you need to check the built plate in the engine bay to be sure of when it was built. Also, many affected cars have had their engine replaced and if so then great. BMW Customer service car help identify if it has been replaced if you can get the chassis number (should be visible through the windscreen without needing to open the bonnet if you are browsing on a forecourt). http://www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm - http://www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm ------------- Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93. Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 08:14
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Fergal I asked about this recently on this forum and the answers I got from a few helpful chaps (Dergside) was to look at the built date sticker which is located on the inner wing of the passesnger side. It's above the cabin air filter casing on that side. If it says built after March 98 you are on to a winner as this is the mythical week 10 of production when the change to steel liners was made. My E39 523i SE was built in June 98 so I'm tickety boo!
Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Just!Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 02-September-2004 at 08:51
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Mine is a 1997 523i, but I am not too worried about it. No sign of it and recent engine compression tests showed it to be quite healthy. ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |