FOR SALE E89 non Runner

[dscoot]

Hi. Just looking for advice and possible sale of my e89 2l petrol manual M sport. Its a 61 plate with 120k on the clock and broke down on Saturday for the first time. Had it recovered to BMW and they have just informed me that they have found excessive movement in the crank shaft which they think has then thrown the oil pump chain which in turn has had a knock on effect on the timing etc. It was about £250 for them to strip enough to see what I have described above but they would need to do several hundred more pounds (at least) of work to give me a definitive decision on weather the engine is toast. I'm not sure that I want to spend another grand or so only to be told its no good so looking for options as to how I find a new home for what will be described as a non runner. Car is white with black leather interior, 19inch wheels and sat nav, telephone etc. Condition is very good and interior is like new. Full service history and MOT till December 22. At the last MOT in December 21 I had new front tyres, service and rear discs and pads. Front discs and pads were also done a couple of years ago. Just wondering if anyone would be interested or have any suggestions for me. Car is currently and Sandal BMW Wakefield. Just to rub the bad luck in even more I had given it a clean, polish & hoover 2 days before it broke down! Thanks and any advice or ideas would be welcome, Scott

[Smartbear]

Hi, the best bet is to get your engine repaired or to fit a used engine. I’d be using an independent garage for the work & not franchised bmw because of the high costs they charge.
Selling your car as a non runner will decimate its value.
Rob

[dscoot]

Thanks for the reply Rob

[IRD]

I’d agree with Rob. If you sell it as a non-runner with the problems you have described you are basically just selling the shell. Ask around and see if you can find a trusted independent garage. Get them to check that the dealers assessment is accurate. Because they are not known a’stealers’ without reason. Then try and source another engine if necessary. However, you look at it. Your bank balance is going to take a hit.

[MikeyH]

Hi dscoot, Welcome to the forum, shame it's under such awful circumstances. It seems like a well look after car and would be a shame to just give it away. Perhaps a second hand engine could be found. Anyway the best of luck and I hope you sort things out satisfactorily. Mike.

[enuff_zed]

Welcome aboard.
I'm with the other learned members too.
Maybe look for an accident damaged car, preferably rear ended?

[dscoot]

Thanks IRD, Mikey, Enuff Zed. Had a good chat with a local German car specialist this afternoon
They are going too see if they can locate an engine. Fingers crossed. Scott

[MikeyH]

That's good, all the best and hope this works out for you

[Nanu]

Like other members have suggested, take it to an Indy and have it re assessed before making any decisions.

Good luck

[Special Kay]

I'd have to concur with the rest of the members, personally I think your much better off getting a 2nd hand engine and getting it fitted than letting the car sell for shade of its true value. It may also be advisable to seek out local independent engine reconditioners that could assess the damage and quote for repairs. But ultimately, its your prerogative as to whether or not its economically feasible to your current circumstances. Either way, good luck

[Mr Tidy]

I'm sorry to hear of your engine issues, but welcome to the forum anyway.

As others have said I would hope you'd get a better outcome selling it as a runner so good luck getting it fixed.

[dscoot]

Thanks All
Went to BMW yesterday and the technician took me through the issues. Timing chain is still in tact but slipping as you manually turn it and some of the plastic guides have broken. As a result of the slipping chain the inlet cam and outlet cam orientations are no longer synchronised so timing is way out. Looking down the timing chain from the top you can see that the oil pump chain is missing from its sprocket and looks like a chipped tooth on the sprocket. If it was just the above then I think the technician would have just recommended the timing chain replacement and sort out whatever has been going on with the oil pump chain. What has thrown a spanner in the works is some movement of the crankshaft. As the engine is not out and the sump is not off its hard to say but he put a prize bar at the gearbox end and another at the front end and he was able to wiggle the crankshaft backwards and forwards. This is what he meant by the excessive movement. They have said that the very least would be the timing chain / oil pump issues at about £2k or more but if they get the engine out and have a good luck at what's causing the crank shaft movement it could be that its would cost loads more or need a new engine. In other words I could probably spend £1k or more for them to strip down only for them to tell me i've wasted my money. A local German car specialist in Wakefield had a look for a replacement engine for me but they said they are a bit scarce and prices have shot up over the last few months along with car prices. Only engine they could source was £3k + VAT + labour for the swap which would come to over £5k. I've called a couple of engine places recommended by friends and another BMW / Mini independent but when I mention the crankshaft they all want to give it a swerve or warn me that like BMW they might spend money stripping to get a look only to tell me its not viable. I don't think I can afford to take the risk so I'm thinking of advertising it as a non runner. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks
Scott

[Smartbear]

Your indy guy would be the way to go, the cost will be recouped compared to selling as a non runner at a salvage price imho.
Rob

[Chippie]

Sorry to hear the problems you are having but from a financial point I think you’d be better off changing the engine, as it stands as a none runner you might not get £1000 for it, spend the £5k on it and it should be worth around £10k, that’s around £4k more if you we’re to then sell it, or you could keep it and enjoy it for a few more years.

[MikeyH]

If you are going to replace the engine how difficult would it be to change up to a 2.3i 6 pot? Someone on here might know. Would it be viable?