3.8 Engine Problems - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Cyrus · 20th April 2005, 22:26

Why do so many 3.8's blow up?

Every month I read another 3.8 has put a ole in the side of the block.

Why is this?

Aso, alot of 3.8's seem to go wrong alot more than the 3.6's.

Why is this?

kris · 20th April 2005, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus

Why do so many 3.8's blow up?

Every month I read another 3.8 has put a ole in the side of the block.

Why is this?

Aso, alot of 3.8's seem to go wrong alot more than the 3.6's.

Why is this?

Probably rod bearings, only after 50K miles:

http://www.e12m535i.com/E34_M5/images/rod_bearings/

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/.../message/42704

M5touring reg · 21st April 2005, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus

Why do so many 3.8's blow up?
Every month I read another 3.8 has put a ole in the side of the block.
Why is this?
Aso, alot of 3.8's seem to go wrong alot more than the 3.6's.
Why is this?

-
hearsay and rumours, normally it is the driver/owner who is the problem and not the engine -

it just might be that the 3.8 is a little less forgiving to -incorrect- treatment like 'pedal to the metal' with low oil-temp etc. and needs a little more care
with warming up AND cooling down BUT with proper treatment and that
INCLUDES HARD DRIVING the engine will hold, there are cars out there with
400.000 km - also the rpm-limiter does NOT work at down-shift, i.e. down-shift from 5th to 2nd in high speed is NOT a good idea, it can happen to the best though

Pepsmeister · 21st April 2005, 00:47

The 3.6 is considered more reliable because it is less tweaked. The distance between essential parts of the motor are greater than in the 3.8, and this means that the 3.6 has a greater "screw-up safety margin".

Still, when you hear of the 3.8s getting busted, it is usually because of maintenance carelessness of either the owner or the owner before him...

The 3.8s are more sensitive to maintenance. However, as long as this is carried out properly, these engines should not be a problem and are good for a couple of hundred thousand miles.

Bryn · 21st April 2005, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus

Why do so many 3.8's blow up?

Every month I read another 3.8 has put a ole in the side of the block.

Why is this?

Aso, alot of 3.8's seem to go wrong alot more than the 3.6's.

Why is this?

Where are you hearing of these incidents?
In 4 years of ownership I've only seen/heard of a handful of terminal engine problems with the 3.8.
Nothing compared with the number of E39 M5/E46 M3 engines that are being rebuilt/replaced.

I think the general consensus is that they are very reliable.

Cheers,
Bryn.

Phlem5 · 21st April 2005, 13:54

Just out of interest I was at the dealers yesterday and I priced an engine, complete less ancilliaries - £8000 odd plus VAT, inc 15% mark up.
I'm just going to top up my oil ! inspection 2 might be in order as well.
cheers,
Phil.

Mmm-Five · 21st April 2005, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phlem5

Just out of interest I was at the dealers yesterday and I priced an engine, complete less ancilliaries - £8000 odd plus VAT, inc 15% mark up.
I'm just going to top up my oil ! inspection 2 might be in order as well.
cheers,
Phil.

Mine had a new engine, gearbox, exhaust system about 80,000 miles ago due to BMW 'technician' error.

The total bill including VAT and labour (£80/hr) was £22k - at today's labour rates (£120/hr) I could see it being closer to £25k!