It sucks, and is now confirmed. My 6er has a Blown HG. I was quoted between 1,600 and 1,900 for the repair, which is way out of my budget, and I'm not even considering putting that much money into a car with 200,000 miles on it.

So I guess my questions are: Is it possible to drop an M30 into an M90 without anything major? If I had to fix it, how hard is it to get an M90 Headgasket? Does it use the same gasket as the M30? Would a 200k mile M90 engine with a blown HG be sellable to anyone?

Also, would asking $3 to $4k for a Euro 6er in fair condition with this problem be dreaming?

You can put an M30 in for the M90, although you will be upset with the power loss and feel of it. The M90 headgasket cant be hard to find, it is different from the M30. The M90 is basically a SOHC version of the M88 or S38 found in the M6. That motor is awesome. The only problem with a blown headgasket is possible damage to the block or head. You have a tough decision to make. Your options are:

1. Rebuild motor by shop (obviously, as you stated it)
2. Pull motor and rebuild yourself (cheapest, not many have time/space/equipment)
3. Put M30 in (probably cheaper than option 1 as a running M30 can be had for about $500)

Option 3 might sound easy, but there might be issues with switching motronic systems and going from euro to north american equipment.

As for selling the car, $3 to $4k for a euro in fair condition is not bad, if fair means the car runs, doenst look too bad (old paint, old interior) and little to no rust.

Hope this helps

-Jeff

Look at it this way: If you want to sell as is, good luck. Two, changing engines---you are going to be in it about as much as if you just fixed the gasket. Three--how big of a sixer freak are you?? If one really loved his car, he would put a new gasket in it.
Take it from me, M-90's are hard to come by, you are a lucky man.

I have not rebuilt a 6er engine, but less than two years ago went from absolutely no knowledge of working on a car (other than changing the oil) and bought a 91 318 with what was thought to be a blown HG or cracked block (mixing oil and coolant, etc). Turned out to be the rubber gasket between the head and block above the water pump, a common problem for that engine. Did all the troubleshooting and work ourselves. Granted it is a 4 cylinder engine but now a family member has a fun reliable car. Learned alot fast, and no longer shy away from car stuff. I now know a great little engine shop that works on heads and blocks (took time out to educate me and put up with my simple stupid questions) and a junk yard/recycler that lets me roam around the property looking for parts. Now the family has 3 BMWs and soon a 4th (including two 6ers, 1 with an M90).

Anyway, the point is, if it was me, I would open up the engine and find out what is really wrong before choosing #3. If you do the work, for 2 or 3 the initial work is about the same and you probably wont be happy with an M90 (as stated earlier). And the bonus may be the satisfaction of saving an M90.

If you feel confident in your abilities, I would choose door #2. Depending on millage, you may find that the block does not need to be bored. This makes it extremely cheap!!! A set of rings, bearings, valve job (the expensive part), and a good gasket set. The bad side, you may find the cam shot due to poor lubrication to #1. I still think you will want to keep the M90 over an M30 conversion.

I still think you will want to keep the M90 over an M30 conversion.

+1

If I could get $3k for the car in the condition it's in now (Running, but with the blown gasket), I'd totally take it. Think that would be within the realm of possibility?

If I could get $3k for the car in the condition it's in now (Running, but with the blown gasket), I'd totally take it. Think that would be within the realm of possibility?


200k miles and blown head gasket. The rest of the car would have to be in perfect condition to warrant $3000 dollars. You might get that by parting it out.

Just my opinion

200k miles and blown head gasket. The rest of the car would have to be in perfect condition to warrant $3000 dollars. You might get that by parting it out.

Just my opinion

I can't part it out, I'm renting my apartment and there isn't a place for it, and I don't have any of my old tools.

What about in the $1,500-$2000 range? It's got a pretty clean interior, recaros, 18" Type 32 replicas, and obviously the M90. I'm moving in less than a month and don't want to have to tow it to my new place.

Got any pictures that you can throw up?

Ok, here's the AD - I'm kinda running out of driveway space so I'm gonna let her go for $1,000.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/396277340.html

I mean, the type-32 replicas and tires are worth close to my asking prince alone.

I can work with any shipping company if anyone here wants to buy it.

too bad that you have to sell. at that price you should be able to sell pretty quickly. you're too far away for me.

oh man i would love to pick this up. It would be the perfect project car for me. if only I had a truck to tow it. good luck.

Crap if I was closer to ya I'd jump on it.