Premature Block Wear on 523 and 528
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
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=9979
Printed Date: 28-April-2024 at 20:12
Topic: Premature Block Wear on 523 and 528
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Subject: Premature Block Wear on 523 and 528
Date Posted: 19-August-2004 at 13:37
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I have heard about the premature block wear that can affect early 2.3 and 2.8 engines. I looked at a 528i registered on 01.08.98 last year and the dealer said that this car was not affected by the dodgy blocks when I asked about this early wear. I have just bought a 523i SE first registered on 01.08.98 and it has done 46,000 miles and it has full BMW service history and I have every receipt for every penny spent on it. I have nothing to say that the block was replaced. I read on the Honest John (from the Daily Telegraph Motoring section) web site and (I'm sure) the Parkers guide web page that cars registered before Sep 98 were affected but in BMW mags I have read they mentioned March 98 was the last date for cars to be affected by the premature block wear. Can any clarify the cut off dates and reassure me that I'm ok 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 |
or worry me that I'm not ok?
Replies:
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 19-August-2004 at 13:59
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The M52 engines produced from week 10 of 1998 (march) onwards have the new steel liners instead of Nikasil. ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 19-August-2004 at 16:10
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Andrew In the engine bay on the 523i (inner wing I think - can't remember which side) there should be a plaque that tells month when the car was built. Killian is right about the build date. If it is March or before then call BMW Customer Service with the VIN number to check. If its later then you are fine. I've had my '97 for 18 months now and brought the mileage from 44k to 76k and its fine - no oil consumed, runs sweet as a nut, no vibrations, etc, so even if you find it is earlier, its not a foregone conclusion that you will have a problem. Someone mentioned on an earlier thread that Scottish cars are less prone to the problem anyway, that it escaped the worst of high sulpher fuel. I don't know if that is true, but as it happens my car spent all its life in Scotland until I bought it. ------------- 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: 20-August-2004 at 07:57
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Dergside Thanks for that. My sticker/plaque says Built in June 98. So can I take it from there that I'm o.k? Or could the engine have lain about before it was plopped into my car? 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 |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 20-August-2004 at 09:22
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Everything I've read said that the mods were made from week 10 production in 1998, no if's or but's, so you should be fine. ------------- 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. |