I have a 3.8 Touring with EDC.
The engine was rebuilt 7 years ago in Germany by Lorenz (invoices at hand and I even have the rebuilding process taped on video).
The car has run some 40 000 miles since the rebuild and was in the hands of a real fanatic (in its positive sense).
I have had the car for a few months and has put around 4 000 miles into it.
My question is: How many miles (kms) can be expected from a properly rebuilt engine? Does anyone have any experience? Is there anything special about rebuilt engines that I should be aware of?
As far as I know, at Lorenz they took out the old engine (the oil pump was blown) and replaced with a rebuild one, new pistons, rings etc. But I'll check it once more. I just have to translate from German.
I know the guy, from whom I bought and he'd just had the oil changed in the car before he sold it to me, so I haven't changed it, yet.
Basically, there are two things I am most afraid of: one is an engine failure, the other is the EDC. I follow the thread on EDC (mine seems to work fine now, knock on wood) and hope that by the time I need replacement, it will be fixed.
I am very pleased with the car, so far. I have a 968 CS with M030 package. That means, I intend to use the M5 as a GT car. It is far behind the Porsche in terms of sportiness, but the two are not comparable. I found this out right away when I took both of them to my favorite twisties. The M5 is fantastic, if you don't step into it from the Porsche. It felt huge and very heavy after the 968. But then again, tight hairpins and very twisty road is not what the M5 is about, I guess.
There are two things I can't get enough of, though. One is 3rd and 4th gear acceleration above 5000 rpm , and of course the sound of the engine, even at idle. I could probably have afforded an E39, but I much prefer the looks of the E34, let alone the feeling.
My plan with the car is, to use it more or less as a daily driver and for longer trips. For very spirited driving and track days, I have the Porsche and an Aprilia RSV Factory .
However, I read that people take these cars to the Nordschleife and other tracks and keep wondering what it can be like.
Enjoy your car as BMW intended ......as long as you are proactive with regards to maintenance i.e. Regular oil changes every 3 to 5,000 miles , valve clearance tolerances checked every 10 to 20,000 miles depending on driving style .......and also , mechanically sympathetic i.e. Do not thrash her from cold etc a fully rebuilt engine could last anything up to 200,000 miles .
One proactive measure that many of the members here subscribe to is the fitment of the S50B32 ( E36 M3 Evo ) chain tensioner ....run a search to discover more .
Regular maintenance and inspections are key to keeping these beauties in fine fettle !
p.s. These cars were born to be driven at the Nordschleife ......stay in touch in order to see when our next big meet will be held there .Many of our continental friends in Germany and Holland are regulars there and give you guidance .
Having a 968CS is a good excuse to go to the Ring!
Personally, the Tourist days don't cut it for me as much as one expects, but alledged changing of rules might mean less vehicles which would make it worthwhile.
If an engine is properly rebuild, it should see the same mileage as a OEM one, however, as with all engines, its all down to how the engine is used. I don't picture you as a cheap boyracer, so I think that'll do. MAke sure you don't "underdrive" the car either, i.e let her rev. Too careful drivers often reflect in low revs with high throttle angle combined with a too high gear, and that's not something the S38 likes. Personally, I never fully floor it in first to save the driveline, and I never floor it below 3,500 revs in the other gears as it will generate more oil pressure with greater revs and the momentum of the engine will make sure it revs freely, whereas the choice of a wrong (higher)gear could cause the engine to "choke". Don't rev the car further than 7k, but also don't drive under 3k and floor it in any other gear than first and perhaps 2k in 2nd.
Would also consider the running in proceedure of any new or rebuilt engine
to be a significant factor in how long an engine lasts & how much oil it may consume.
I would suggest that the On board service indicator should be largely ignored
also.
There is the potential to run 10k mile oil changes if the indicator is followed
& largely motorway mileage has been undertaken.
S38 is not a long service engine & its technology does not support
long service intervals regardless of oil type.
Significant fuel, water & metallic debris will be present in extended oil service
changes.
Would support the previous comments on oil service timings.
I do change the oil every 6000 miles, or rather, I plan to do so. Since, I don't use it that hard, mostly in town or long trips, but these are not hard miles, I suppose 6000 miles is not too long. I never give much to the official service intervals. On my bike, I change it myself. I saw what the oil was like in my previous Ducati after 4000 miles, whereas the factory recommendation was 6000 miles.
If I get 60 000 miles out of it without major repair, I'll be satisfied.
I do change the oil every 6000 miles, or rather, I plan to do so. Since, I don't use it that hard, mostly in town or long trips, but these are not hard miles, I suppose 6000 miles is not too long. I never give much to the official service intervals. On my bike, I change it myself. I saw what the oil was like in my previous Ducati after 4000 miles, whereas the factory recommendation was 6000 miles.
If I get 60 000 miles out of it without major repair, I'll be satisfied.
I have acouple of points to make- I recently killed my old 3.8,It blew a piston after a bit of enthusiastic driving,had not changed oil after about 4k & also valve clearances needed doing which I am reliably informed caused the prob,what I am saying here is never underestimate the possible probs caused by missing oil changes and when combined with valve clearance probs it could be fatal.
Also I now own a 3.6 which had a complete new engine from bmw around 65k ago,it is absolutely perfect,oil is changed every 3000 miles & the valve clearances were checked by farrell recently and were found to be spot on which is a very rare ocurrence.
As mentioned by others previously the key is regular proactive maintenance & you should get plenty of life out of her.
, and of course the sound of the engine, even at idle. I could probably have afforded an E39, but I much prefer the looks of the E34, let alone the feeling.
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