Average BMW Shelf Life - United Bimmer Community

**CAPiTUL** · 07-17-2006, 08:11 PM

What would you say the average shelf life of a BMW engine is?

**TJsBimm** · 07-17-2006, 08:24 PM

400,000 to 500,000 if maintained well.

**c1apton** · 07-17-2006, 09:18 PM

I like the Bentley Manuals' maintenance charts - :

at 400,000 miles it recommends replace engine...

**Numark318i** · 07-17-2006, 09:24 PM

..lol
hmm..anyone actually seen a bmw with that much mileage

**zeaq328i** · 07-17-2006, 11:13 PM

I've seen Merc and volvo has 300k milage and still running good.

**B3M2W5i** · 07-17-2006, 11:46 PM

well.. my friend's e30 is at 3XX,XXX and still going strong

**Rooz** · 07-17-2006, 11:55 PM

didn't they drive the new 6ers when it was a concept car for some very extensive miles to test them?

**Numark318i** · 07-18-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B3M2W5i

well.. my friend's e30 is at 3XX,XXX and still going strong

good stuff.

**CAPiTUL** · 07-18-2006, 12:58 AM

You think 400k is the average, though? Or the exception? *Edit Note: I guess I should've qualified this by saying - average shelf life before you have to put more money into it than the car is worth.*

I guess a follow up to this will be, which E do you think is the sturdiest? 30,36, 46, etc. ?

*Edit Note 2: I'm really feeling the 645 drop top. Very sexy auto.*

**Numark318i** · 07-18-2006, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAPiTUL

You think 400k is the average, though? Or the exception? *Edit Note: I guess I should've qualified this by saying - average shelf life before you have to put more money into it than the car is worth.*

I guess a follow up to this will be, which E do you think is the sturdiest? 30,36, 46, etc. ?

*Edit Note 2: I'm really feeling the 645 drop top. Very sexy auto.*

645 ftw..although..thats alot of fucking money. heh.

on the E thin...E30 ftw. but thats a biased opinion.

**da_bull** · 07-18-2006, 05:05 AM

E34 525ia because it doesnt have enough power to get itself outta the way, ask me how I know...

**Dudesky** · 07-18-2006, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numark318i

on the E thin...E30 ftw. but thats a biased opinion.

There's more truth to that than you think. E36's were never meant to last very long; they were designed with recycling and a shorter lifespan in mind. E46's haven't been around long enough to see how they will fare. But I doubt they will surpass the durability and reliability of the E30.

"Shelf life" is probably a bad term for what you're asking. If you're asking how long they actually last on the road, that of course depends on how well they're maintained. But from what I see on all the forums, I'm guessing the average is maybe 160k before moderate (fixable) problems start to occur with the engine, and I see a lot of folks rebuilding the engine at around 200k. It's probably rare that a motor can go 300-500k w/o one. But it doesn't mean it can't do it. The rest of the car is of course, a different story.

The question of how much is enough before you're putting in more than the car's value is moot . . I'd say if you're planning to have it for longer than 100k, then you've already decided that it doesn't matter.

**c1apton** · 07-18-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

"Shelf life" is probably a bad term for what you're asking. If you're asking how long they actually last on the road, that of course depends on how well they're maintained. I'd say if you're planning to have it for longer than 100k, then you've already decided that it doesn't matter.

So true. "Shelf life" is for perishables (like bread) - I think he meant average lifespand and as Dsky said it depends on maintenance and driving/driven conditions. In Dskys' area potholes, congestion & stop & go driving is hard on any car. Get down in Kansas, Texas the long stretches of highway are great for them but heat takes its toll. You have to adjust your maintenance schedules to your driving conditions & habits. If maintained well, you should expect at least 200k+. Keep in mind maintenance isn't just replacing stuff, it's also looking for potential problems before they happen (like soft or swollen hoses, leaks, wear) That's why BMW refers to them as "inspections", their techs go looking for potential problems & they're not just trying to sell you something. (I'll see if I can find an old checklist of what dealers' use)

**c1apton** · 07-18-2006, 08:44 AM

Follow up: CPO checklist - http://web.archive.org/web/200308141...tdetail_b.html

Also - good info link: - http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/technical.html