Fried Beamer

[cweberj30t]

The only reason I'm posting this is to see what you guys think of my diagnosis. My buddy has a 98 328si with a 5 speed. Only has about 60k on it. He was driving on the highway in 4th gear at about 70 mph. He was passing a car in the middle lane, dropped it into 3rd and hit the accelerator. When he went to shift back to 4th, he accidently put it into 2nd and let out the clutch at about 85 mph. The car violently jerked forward as he almost went through the windshield. He put the clutch in immediately and said that the check engine and oil light came on. The car was still running but was shaking badly and would stall at low rpm's. He was about 20 miles from home, so he decided to drive the rest of the way. There is no pinging or ticking coming from the motor and I thought It was probably his timing belt slipped a few degrees and that's why it was running so shaky. I drove it and it seems like it's only running on 4 cylinders. Is there anything else you guys can think of?

[IvoryJ30t]

bent valves or conrods. that sucks.

im going to say the motor is toast.

[PalmerWMD]

Fred...

[PalmerWMD]

Bavarian Engine Exchange may be a good place to start engine searches.

Fred...

[1qckser]

On the SR series motors when this happens they are designed to spit out the rocker arms so no valvetrain damage occurs, maybe the BM is the same way, I too thought I had destroyed my SE-R but after pulling the valve cover off and seeing what happend I was shocked, looked like WW3 inside the head , broken rockers everywhere, shims all over the place, but after replacing the broken stuf and putting it back together it ran great, went from 3rd to 2nd @ about 88-90 mph, did this at Englishtown. Goodluck.

[Altiman94]

I would say it has a bent valve(s). Do a leakdown test and that will help you pinpoint the problem. Is there any sort of warranty left?

[97Q45t]

The engine is gone. A friend of mine has a 95 325is happened exactly the same 4-5 years ago. New engine is needed.

[Altiman94]

I wouldn't go so far as to be sure that it needs a new engine. DO a leakdown test first and see what really is wrong iwth it. IF it's a problem in the block, it probably would be wise to buy a new engine, shortblock atleast. Head problems are much easier to fix and won't require a new engine be purchased unless you so opt.

[cweberj30t]

He has a guy looking at it this week. It doesn't sound good though. They want $12k for a new motor including labor. OUCH!

[Jesda]

Boy, and to think, we piss and moan over 5k for the Q.

[97Q45t]

It would be a better choice if your friend try to find a used engine. $12,000 for a new engine is a joke. Don't do it. It should be much cheaper, especially 3 series engine are not hard to find. My friend had his '95 325is engine installed for $2000 total. The enigne was like 40-50k miles.

[DJ MF]

Not related to your question cweber, but are your rims stock? I've never seen the black cover that you've got....I don't think I like the look of it, but it is unique...

MF

[cweberj30t]

Yeah, I painted them black. The silver paint was fading and I decided to try something different. It took me a while to get used to them, but I like the way they turned out.