Cam Belt or Chain on 3 Series?

[PatHeald]

I'm looking at a 1995 328i Coupe Sport.

It's quite a nice car, with less than 30k miles and one 67 year old female owner...

The question is....

Do these motors have a timing belt or chain?

Cheers

Pat.

[Zod]

chain

[Tabs]

The real question should be, 'does it have a nikasil problem?' Do a search via Scoobyzoom or SilverbackMike's profiles for details of how to check.

[silverback mike]

Definately a chain.
The nicasil bore wear problem is more important, as stated above.
Basically, to cut a long story short, if the car uses excessive oil, and is very lumpy on tickover, loss of power etc etc it may be the nicasil bore wear problem.(our fuel munching away at the nicasil liners)
Have a look at the top of the drivers door when started up, sounds daft, but if it is moving up and down, you may have a problem.
BMW changed the engine up to 100k with a fbmwsh being evident.
Jaguar also had similar problems. My 328i had no problems and it was on its original engine, with 103k.
If it hasn't done it by now, It probably isn't going to happen, but it is one to watch.
Hope it helps a bit.

[PatHeald at Work]

Thanks chaps.

I recall that a major engine-out job was done about seven years ago.

I presume that this must have been the nikasil bore job.

The motor is silky smooth and uses no discernable amount of oil.

Hmmm, I think I might have found my next daily driver.

Cheers

Pat.

[silverback mike]

Good luck, they are smashing cars.

[PatHeald at Work]

Just quoted £313 fully comp.

Not too bad really.

I think that's decided, then.

Pat.