High mileage E89 3.0i auto

B

BERG

New member
Looking at a really high miles E89 3.0i auto, 200k+. I've been driving a 6 speed version for a couple of years now and unfortunately it was totaled recently so I'm looking for a replacement. I replaced the eccentric intake cam sensor on mine but other than that it had been super reliable with basic maintenance. I'm ok with moderate DIY things but not sure what I would in for with a car having so many miles? Any huge warning sings you guys might be able to point out?

Secondly I still have the wrecked car and was thinking of trying to manual swap the new one. I have all the parts, why not? Unless the electronics reprogramming is going to be an issue.
 
Firstly welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

Sad news about your manual car but it must have made a good impression if you are looking at another one.

By all accounts the N52 engines are pretty bulletproof, it's ancillaries like water pumps, starters, alternators, etc. that tend to die. I liked them so much in my Z4s I've had a 325i that I sold on 139K and replaced with a 330i that is on 127K and they've both driven really well, but that's a fair way short of 200K!

Converting to manual sounds like a plan, but I've no idea about potential electronic issues.
 
I’ve not seen one at 200k but seen a few 23i at 150k running well..

Auto to manual ..probably easier than other way around..coding the auto on the vehicle order may fix it..
 
[ref]Mr Tidy[/ref], Thanks for the welcome. I'm a big fan of the E89. My first was a 35i that I bought to build into a race car. It was super cheap and had a rebuilt title. I drove it on the street for 8 months and when it wouldn't pass NY inspection (tune, down pipes, intake, BOV...) it came off the road. I shortly realized how much I enjoyed driving it and I bought the 3.0i manual. It came with 92k and yes the starer did die but it was so easy to change I forgot about it! It was my daily year round even in the upstate NY snow. That was till the 18 year old driving to fast in sketchy weather hit me head on. I can attest to the safety of these cars though, I walked away with only a back injury. So now its on to #3. I'd love to get a low miles 35is but I'd feel guilty driving it in the winter. So I'm on the hunt for a beater...
 
B21 said:
I’ve not seen one at 200k but seen a few 23i at 150k running well..
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Well, my E61 N52 30i with automatic transmission will just reach 482 TKm, exactly 300k mls.

No engine related issues in the past, but dozens of smaller components around the block had to be renewed. An absolutely perfect running engine I won't miss anymore, as it's consuming cheap LPG.20250212_074857.jpg
 
BERG said:
[ref]RobbiZ4[/ref], That's remarkable! Running on LPG? Didn't even know that was a thing.
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Indeed.
Each N52 can run on LPG. There exist Prince as well as Vialle solutions. The latter has been mounted on my E61 400 TKm ago (around 100 TKm).
Unfortunately, both companies don't exist anymore.

In Germany I know several E89 runnung on LPG as well. But it was more usual on the elder E85's.
 
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