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Bulletproof Euro Powertrains

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by wax, Aug 5, 2012.

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  1. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 wax, Aug 5, 2012
    Some Engine/Tranny combos just won't die & as such, make excellent beaters & taxis. To my way of thinking, those types of cars should exclude prohibitively expensive repairs to *other* hydraulic components, namely, suspension.

    There have been a myriad of posts and threads which mention, recommend, if not sing praises of general E- this, M-that, but lost among them are mentions of what *particular* combo/year/sleeper is to be avoided or . . . [angelic chorus]*the one*[/angelic chorus].

    Now that the conditional blathering is out of the way . . . what would you sing the praises of?
     
  2. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    #2 Jdahlstrom, Aug 5, 2012
    The bmw M30. I have owned them for the last 5 years and they are dead reliable. Highly recommend an e34 535i/5.
     
  3. chp

    chp Formula Junior

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    #3 chp, Aug 5, 2012
    Merc W124 can go several hundred thousand miles. But I can`t guarantee that a 20 year old car will run forever. R129 is based on the W124, if that helps you any.
     
  4. Mowgli

    Mowgli Formula Junior

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    #4 Mowgli, Aug 5, 2012
    Volvo B230 motors.
     
  5. JeremyJon

    JeremyJon F1 Veteran

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    #5 JeremyJon, Aug 5, 2012
    porsche 993 :)
     
  6. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 wax, Aug 5, 2012
    It's not so much for me as it is anybody and everybody else. A few years ago, I moved thousands of threads around & was amazed at the variety and scope of inclusion, exclusion, and certainly, repetition. Purposes of threads were and remain many - not the least of which is sorting out "which car should I buy, is best", etc..
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M30#Models
    To be sure, of all the versions and permutations of M30, you're recommending;

    M30B35
    3.4-liter (3430 cc) SOHC inline 6-cylinder
    9.0:1 compression ratio
    218 brake horsepower (163 kW) @ 5700 rpm
    225 lb·ft (305 N·m) torque @ 4000 rpm
    87 AKI / 91 RON octane fuel or better recommended
    Applications:
    1982–1988 E24 635CSi
    1982-1986 E23 735i (160 kW)
    1988–1989 E24 635CSi
    1988–1993 E34 535i
    1988–1993 E34 M535i
    1988–1992 E32 735i (155 kW)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W124#Engines
     
  7. Jdahlstrom

    Jdahlstrom Formula 3

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    #7 Jdahlstrom, Aug 5, 2012
    Yes the M30B35 is what i was referring too. They take kindly to boost as well. Very simple motor with relatively cheap parts.
     
  8. lor2435

    lor2435 Formula 3

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    #8 lor2435, Aug 5, 2012
    2001 Audi A4 2.8 with a 5 speed.

    Just under 160k miles, one timing belt, oil and a coolant temp sensor. Original clutch is still strong.
     
  9. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 wax, Aug 5, 2012
  10. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 wax, Aug 5, 2012
    Well, duh! ;)
     
  11. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 wax, Aug 5, 2012
    That's great! Am I correct in understanding the '97-'01 A4 were the only models with this engine option?

    B5 Engine?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A4#B5_engines

    2.8 V6 30v DOHC
    193 PS (142 kW; 190 bhp)
    280 N·m (207 lbf·ft)
    240 km/h (149.1 mph)
    7.4 sec
    1997–2001
     
  12. lor2435

    lor2435 Formula 3

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    #12 lor2435, Aug 5, 2012
    I believe the '00 model year upgraded to 30v and 190hp. Earlier years were 12v and 170hp.

    1.8's are nothing but trouble and vastly underpowered unless you're into tuning. 2.8's are generally very reliable but are difficult to tune and much harder to find (esp with a manual)

    '00 or '01 2.8 avant with a 5 speed is the best and rarest of all the B5's.
     
  13. chp

    chp Formula Junior

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    #13 chp, Aug 6, 2012
  14. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 wax, Aug 6, 2012
    Thanks, Gents - Perhaps this can assist in the endeavor to provide a concise list for shoppers:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward's_10_Best_Engines

    BMW
    2011 - 3.0 S6 - N55 DOHC Turbocharged
    2011 - 1.6 I4 - Prince DOHC Turbocharged
    2010 - 3.0 S6 - M57 DOHC Twin-turbocharged diesel
    2009 - 3.0 S6 - N54B30 Twin-turbocharged
    2009 - 3.0 S6 - M57 DOHC Twin-turbocharged diesel
    2008 - 2009 - 3.0S6 - N54B30 Twin-turbocharged
    2007 - 3.0 S6 - N52B30 - naturally aspirated, magnesium-aluminium block, Double-VANOS, Valvetronic
    2007 - 3.0 S6 - N54B30 twin turbo
    2006 - 3.0 S6 - N52B30 - naturally aspirated, magnesium-aluminium block, Double-VANOS, Valvetronic
    2004 - 3.2 S6 - S54
    2003 - 3.2 S6 - S54
    2003 - 3.2 S6 - M54
    2002 - 3.2 S6 - S54
    2002 - 3.2 S6 - M54
    2001 - 3.2 S6 - M54
    2000 - 3.2 S6 - S52 DOHC
    1999 - 4.4 V8 - M62 Vanos
    1999 - 3.2 S6 - S52 DOHC
    1998 - 4.4 V8 - M62
    1998 - 3.2 S6 - S52 DOHC
    1998 - 5.4 V12 - M73
    1997 - 4.4 V8 - M62
    1996 - 4.4 V8 - M62
    1996 - 3.2 S6 - S50
    1995 - 4.0 V8 - M60
    1995 - 3.2 S6 - S50
     
  15. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 wax, Aug 6, 2012
    Reformatting the list may be more to someone's liking. Ascending cc followed by Descending years. Start with plentiful BMW listings . . .

    BMW

    1.6 I4
    2011 - Prince DOHC Turbocharged

    3.0 S6
    2011 - N55 DOHC Turbocharged
    2010, 2009 - M57 DOHC Twin-turbocharged diesel
    2009, 2008 - N54B30 Twin-turbocharged
    2007 - N54B30 twin turbo
    2007, 2006 - N52B30 - naturally aspirated, magnesium-aluminium block, Double-VANOS, Valvetronic

    3.2 S6
    2004, 2003, 2002 - S54
    2003, 2002, 2001 - M54
    2000, 1999, 1998 - S52 DOHC
    1996, 1995 - S50

    4.4 V8
    1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 - M62 Vanos

    4.0 V8
    1995 - M60

    5.4 V12
    1998 - M73
     
  16. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

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    #16 tundraphile, Aug 6, 2012
    I have little doubt the 5.0L V8 and 5-speed transmission(722.6) in my old '03 ML500 would go several hundred thousand miles. When I traded it at 125k it was still working perfectly with zero problems and absolutely no engine oil used during its lifetime. When I changed the transmission oil & filter at 117k it still looked red.

    I pretty sure that combo was standard equipment in all of the normally aspirated V8s from Mercedes at the time (CL500, CLK500, S500, etc)
     
  17. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

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    #17 wingfeather, Aug 6, 2012
    This data seems to contradict the number of people who curse their German cars in public due the cost of repairs. Perhaps the engines are good, but the rest of the car is shoit?
     
  18. Devilsolsi

    Devilsolsi F1 Veteran
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    #18 Devilsolsi, Aug 6, 2012
    My mom had an 87 300E that went to about 180K before it was donated. I can't think of any major issues we had with the car, other then awful traction in anything other than perfectly dry conditions. It even survived having a massive branch fall on the roof of the car while my mom was diriving. According to the firemen that arrived on scene, "In a lesser car, you would be dead"
     
  19. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 wax, Aug 6, 2012
    This thread seeks to point out which engines are most likely to avoid that scenario.
     
  20. lor2435

    lor2435 Formula 3

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    #20 lor2435, Aug 6, 2012
    The people who complain buy the wrong cars and probably don't service them regularly/properly. German cars can be very reliable if taken care of; their driving experience can't be matched by a more easily maintained Honda.
     
  21. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 wax, Aug 7, 2012
    Again, this compilation is per "Wards 10 Best Engines"
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ward's_10_Best_Engines
    FWIW - 2002, 2003 are not mentioned & YMMV, as lor2345 demonstrated on posts 8 & 12.

    Audi

    1.8 I4
    2001 - EA827/EA113 20valve Turbo DOHC

    2.0 I4
    2010, 2009 - EA888 DOHC Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection Valvelift
    2008, 2007, 2006 - EA827/EA113 Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection DOHC

    2.7 V6
    2001, 2000 - 'biturbo' 2xDOHC

    3.0 V6
    2011, 2010 - DOHC Supercharged Fuel Stratified Injection

    3.2 V6
    2005 - Fuel Stratified Injection 2xDOHC

    4.2 V8
    2006, 2005, 2004 - 40valve 2xDOHC
     
  22. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #22 wax, Aug 7, 2012
    Mercedes-Benz

    3.0 V6
    2007 - Bluetec Turbodiesel

    3.2 S6
    2005 - DOHC CDI Turbodiesel
    1999, 1998 - SOHC

    Daimler-Chrysler

    5.0 V8
    2002 - M113 E50 SOHC

    3.2 V6
    2001, 2000 - SOHC
     

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