1st post in this forum. Long time bimmer owner, thinking about picking up something older. I spotted this on ebay - item number 290145115304

In the body of the ad he says he has service records and will sell it for $2900. This seems too good to be true. My nephew lives out there and I've sent the seller an email asking for contact info so he can go by and check it out.

Is this the M90 engine? What is the output on these?

Tom

Man you're a lucky guy! I hope to find a car just like that around the Bay Area at that price in December!

Not sure about the engine output but it looks rather nice! If all goes well, good luck!

1st post in this forum. Long time bimmer owner, thinking about picking up something older. I spotted this on ebay - item number 290145115304

In the body of the ad he says he has service records and will sell it for $2900. This seems too good to be true. My nephew lives out there and I've sent the seller an email asking for contact info so he can go by and check it out.

Is this the M90 engine? What is the output on these?

Tom

If you can get that car for $2900, I'd grab it! The mileage may be low due to the failure of the odometer gear (fairly common), but if the condition in person is close the the condition of the pix, it would be worth that easily with twice the mileage. The motor is an M30, not an M90. The M30 is pretty much universally regarded as the most reliable motor BMW ever made. Pretty peppy when matched to the 5-speed. And it has sport seats.

I agree that it seems too good to be true at $2900, but if it checks out - buy it.

Thanks, I'm familiar with the M30. I did some reading after my post, I guess the M90 only came in earlier or Euro-spec cars? Looks like the M30 would be a better candidate for a TCD turbo with it's lower compression. If I could get the car for $2900, It'd be a snap to spend another $4k for a TCD Stage 1 kit and have a really fun ride for less than $8k.

Tom

Thanks, I'm familiar with the M30. I did some reading after my post, I guess the M90 only came in earlier or Euro-spec cars? Looks like the M30 would be a better candidate for a TCD turbo with it's lower compression. If I could get the car for $2900, It'd be a snap to spend another $4k for a TCD Stage 1 kit and have a really fun ride for less than $8k.

Tom

Tom - you're right - M90 was never delivered in the US. It is more closely related to the M88 that is in my car. And an M30 is surely a better bet for the guys at TCD - it is their favorite lump of clay... :D

What about this car on Roadfly:

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=40543&sortby=&dir=

He says it's Euro-Spec, what does that mean exactly? Is that just another hot rod term that people throw around or is it really different? BTW this car looks really nice, just more than I'm willing to give for a "fun" car right now.

So what is the M88 and how is it related to the S38?

Tom

What about this car on Roadfly:

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifieds/cars/detview.php?view=40543&sortby=&dir=

He says it's Euro-Spec, what does that mean exactly? Is that just another hot rod term that people throw around or is it really different? BTW this car looks really nice, just more than I'm willing to give for a "fun" car right now.

Tom:

As I look at the description on eBay, that car seems more likely to be a fraud - the "check with me before you bid" bit is the same as an M1 listed there now that is undoubtedly a scam (wants $22.9K ! :rolleyes).

Euro-spec means it is a gray-market car. People would buy them in Germany, etc. and bring them over to the US (servicemen, etc.) and "federalize" them - make them conform to EPA and DOT specs. The most obvious difference is the bumpers. Compare the eBay car to the one on Roadfly and you'll see the much more attractive bumpers they got in Europe. There are other differences (overall, euro cars tend to be lighter) but overall the same car.

Personally I think they are very attractive mechanically and cosmetically, and worth a premium. I doubt the car on Roadfly is a scam, but you'd have to think about the price carefully. It is a little bit of a rare area. I'd want some fairly extreme documentation on the miles. I'd haggle on the price. To me, that car is easily worth $12K. There are a few negatives for me - the interior is a rare color (Lama - same as mine) but has been altered for the stereo and has comfort seats. I don't like the wheels at all (and I'm usually a 5-spoke guy). At $14K, I begin to think about some of the M635's I've seen stolen out there for good prices. If it is anywhere close to your budget and it checks out, it would probably be worth it if you're in it for the long term...

So what is the M88 and how is it related to the S38?

The M88/1 was the motor in the M1, the M88/2 was the same motor prepared for Group 2/5 and the M88/3 was the original motor for the euro M6 and M5. The US Gov. had many requirements on the motor requiring a number of changes, and dual row timing chain was added, so the US motor was designated the S38.

Some other details from The ///M Registry (http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=5):

How do the M88 and S38 engines differ?
The M88 is the non-catalyst version of the S38 engine. With a 10.5:1 compression ratio and a single-row timing chain, it is identical to the one found in Euro-spec E28 M5 sedans. Power is rated at 286 hp (DIN) at 6,500 rpm with 251 lb/ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The M88 can be identified by the inscription on its cam cover: the propeller Roundel plus the words “BMW” or “M Power.”

The S38 is the “clean” version of the engine, introduced for North America but later offered in other markets as well. It utilizes a duplex (double-row) timing chain and lower 9.8:1 compression designed to work with catalytic converters. This reduced the horsepower to 256 hp (SAE) or 260 hp (DIN) at 6,500 rpm and torque to 243 lb/ft at 4,500 rpm. The S38 has the inscription “BMW M Power” on its cam cover but no Roundel.

I see what you mean. The 6'er does have a valid vin # though. We'll see if he contacts me. My nephew has agreed to go look at it. I doubt I'll hear from him though, I'm pretty certain you're right, nice catch.

The M5 and M6 are much more appealing to me, but people keep describing them like boats (a hole in your garage you throw money into). That's why I keep looking a 5's and 6's with the M30. Easy to turbo to increase the fun factor without being so darn expensive to keep. I wouldn't consider myself a collector. I want something to play with and enjoy and my interest may change to another series of Bimmer in a few years, but I do keep coming back to the Bimmer.

Tom

I see what you mean. The 6'er does have a valid vin # though. We'll see if he contacts me. My nephew has agreed to go look at it. I doubt I'll hear from him though, I'm pretty certain you're right, nice catch.

The M5 and M6 are much more appealing to me, but people keep describing them like boats (a hole in your garage you throw money into). That's why I keep looking a 5's and 6's with the M30. Easy to turbo to increase the fun factor without being so darn expensive to keep. I wouldn't consider myself a collector. I want something to play with and enjoy and my interest may change to another series of Bimmer in a few years, but I do keep coming back to the Bimmer.

Tom

I wouldn't say they are holes unless they haven't been maintained. You do have to factor in things like changing the timing components if they haven't been done. Parts are more expensive. But if you take care of them and it is a weekend car I'd say you can live well with it - just don't buy an abused / project one unless you have disposable income or very good mechanical skills (or both). If you want someone to check out the Roadfly car, we might be able to scare up somebody on the E24 board there...