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[alistair]

Sorry if this is a bit of a noob question, but i've had a look and cant find what i'm looking for.  I'm going to be looking at a 200K mile TD is there anything i should be careful of with these? How many miles can these engines take?

Many thanks

Alistair

[Turk]

I have two 2.5td's. A manual with 93k on the clock and an auto with 225k. The only thing wrong with the Auto is the drivers side rear shock has come through the top mount. The engine is fine.
Properly maintained and serviced, the straight six 2.5td will go on forever, but I suppose that could be said of any properly maintained vehicle.
Check the rear wheel arches. I found that even my '00 face-lift had slight corrosion there. If it's just a bit of bubbling, use it as a price reduction point. They usually go behind, on the arch seam, so a fair bit opf cutting away can be done without it showing. A bit of rust treatment and sealant and there shouldn't be an issue.

I can only speak from my own experience.
Wait for it tho...Mr "Crappy BMW's !!" will be along soon, no doubt.  

[TheBoy]

Wait for it tho...Mr "Crappy BMW's !!" will be along soon, no doubt.  

You called

The engine is capable of huge mileage, IF (and its a bloody big IF) it has been well maintained.  Remember, the earlier ones had a 4.5k MAX service interval (ideally every 3k).  Later ones have a 7.5k service interval, yet no changes to engine or oil, so that was purely a marketing ploy (the 4.5k service must have been too embarrassing for Vx - TD Omegas were sold to high milers, so people were having to service every 4 - 6 weeks!!).  Poor oil servicing can cause massive problems (been there, done that).

The engine is also prone to very expensive repairs, which in reality are terminal.

When you view, start from cold. It should start absolutely on the button, as soon as glow plug light out.  If it doesn't, walk away.  If the seller does the 'that will be glow plugs mate', ask yourself why he hasn't changed them himself then.

The cooling system on these is problematic (waterpump sheds its impellor, rads silt up, stats seem to fail).  It should cruise at just under midpoint on gauge. Try to give it a good hard slog from standing start to motorway speeds a couple of times in quick succession (so a good 20s on foot-to-the-floor throttle). If it goes up to anywhere near the 100 mark on the gauge, walk away.

If its an auto, any tiny glitch or anything not absolutely perfect with the gearbox, walk away.


Be aware some parts for this engine are expensive - fuel pump is about £1200.  Waterpump is about £100 for genuine. Rads about £250.


Get a good one, and give it tlc (inc 3k oil changes), and it can be a good workhorse.  An abused one will be a whole heap of hassle.


A chip is a good idea to get up the lacklustre performance, though if its an auto, you will need to put on the stronger AR35 gearbox first.

[alistair]

Thats really helpfull!  Many thanks for that! Dont fancy £1200 for  a fuel pump [smiley=shocked.gif] [smiley=shocked.gif]  do they pack up regularly?

[TheBoy]

Thats really helpfull!  Many thanks for that! Dont fancy £1200 for  a fuel pump [smiley=shocked.gif] [smiley=shocked.gif]  do they pack up regularly?

never seen a failed one myself, but does seem they do fail...

[yatesDELTA]

i find it hard to believe its necasery to service every 4.5K miles.
how important is this?
or is it just a silly recomendation that needn't be followed
sorry if it sounds like a stopid question

[MickAP]

i find it hard to believe its necasery to service every 4.5K miles.
how important is this?
or is it just a silly recomendation that needn't be followed
sorry if it sounds like a stopid question

It means change the oil and filter every 4.5k miles.
That's what I do, well every 5000 miles.

Mick

[yatesDELTA]

i find it hard to believe its necasery to service every 4.5K miles.
how important is this?
or is it just a silly recomendation that needn't be followed
sorry if it sounds like a stopid question

It means change the oil and filter every 4.5k miles.
That's what I do, well every 5000 miles.

Mick

cool. Also ive read on previous posts some business to do with glow plugs. Never owned a diesel so car eot tell me what they are for, how much they cost to replace and the implication if not replaced promptly

[platty]

i find it hard to believe its necasery to service every 4.5K miles.
how important is this?
or is it just a silly recomendation that needn't be followed
sorry if it sounds like a stopid question

It means change the oil and filter every 4.5k miles.
That's what I do, well every 5000 miles.

Mick

cool. Also ive read on previous posts some business to do with glow plugs. Never owned a diesel so car eot tell me what they are for, how much they cost to replace and the implication if not replaced promptly

As diesels fire under compression only (no spark) they need to be at a certain temperature before this will occur. When you turn the ignition on a little coil light will appear on the dash for about 5-6 secs. This indicates that the glow plugs are operating, these screw into the engine close to the combustion chamber - during this 5-6 seconds they heat the block slightly to allow the diesel to ignite on compression once you turn the key.

If they are shot, the light will stay on for ages and even after it goes out the car will still struggle to start. They cost about 30 quid for a new set and take a couple of hours to get in (depending on how old the current ones are!).

Also I religiously do my oil every 4.5k to 5k along with oil, fuel and air filters. There is no real reason not to as it only costs about £30 a time for cheap bits, and for me 4.5k will see me 4 months driving (works out £90 a year...). I would rather do this than let it slip and potentially face a bigger repair bill in the future. When the oil comes out, it is clear to see that its ready for a change (its like black water - even when cooled down). Every other change I also run a good engine flush through and this brings out all sorts of muck!

[TheBoy]

i find it hard to believe its necasery to service every 4.5K miles.
how important is this?
or is it just a silly recomendation that needn't be followed
sorry if it sounds like a stopid question

Oil change every 4.5k MAX (so every 3k really, if possible).  It is vitally important.  In addition to the lubrication issues (as per petrols), the diesel has small oil piston cooling jets that can block up if oil servicing not done properly.  Trust me, when those block, you end up with huge issues, which will likely end with replacing the head.

In addition, remember these are chain driven, so abused oil will increase wear on these, and when these chains stretch, that is not good.