135k miles, don't 3IM

david_connoll · 10-22-2024, 07:24 AM

I'm Ireland and have a 325i m sport 3 litre manual car.
I'd love to add a 3IM and a tune to get a few extra bhp.
Is 135,000 miles too used an engine to be doing this?
Timing chain done at 100,000.
Any general advice would be great.

Tambohamilton · 10-22-2024, 07:32 AM

It's fine, crack on.

whyzee125 · 10-22-2024, 11:43 AM

Only if every stock 330i was about to expire at that mileage. Absolutely zero worries, proceed with confidence.

cosmosschwarz · 10-22-2024, 12:11 PM

Why was the chain done? I've had multiple BMW inline 6's over 200k and have never seen a timing chain go bad, other than the guides/tensioners on the V8 cars.

david_connoll · 10-22-2024, 04:39 PM

Thanks lads, would like to do the tune and inlet manifold possibly exhaust and air filter too.

chris55552 · 11-05-2024, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_connoll

Thanks lads, would like to do the tune and inlet manifold possibly exhaust and air filter too.

Ive recently done everything you have listed and can endorse all with confidence and a smile. The 3sim really wakes it up, I it far exceeded my expectations. The N52 is a lovely motor and rewarding benefits of owning one should be taken advantage of.

ptpending · 11-05-2024, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_connoll

I'm Ireland and have a 325i m sport 3 litre manual car.
I'd love to add a 3IM and a tune to get a few extra bhp.
Is 135,000 miles too used an engine to be doing this?
Timing chain done at 100,000.
Any general advice would be great.

EU market hadn't such a gift for e9x 325 series like US
you either have 2.5 volume N52B25 engine, or have N53 engine where volume is already 3.0l but there are a lot of other issues

Spence90 · 11-09-2024, 01:56 PM

What about all the 330i n52 we have in Europe with magnesium valve covers and zf6hp gearboxes or manual. Are those not as good as US specs

Tambohamilton · 11-09-2024, 05:33 PM

Yeah they are. The point was that in the US the 325i is just a detuned 330i (missing 3sim too). So in the US you can turn a 325i into a 330i without much effort. In the EU with the 325i being 2.5L, there's not much you can do.

ptpending · 11-09-2024, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence90

What about all the 330i n52 we have in Europe with magnesium valve covers and zf6hp gearboxes or manual. Are those not as good as US specs

330i n52 is fine

but TS was asking about EU 325i

10-22-2024, 07:24 AM	#1
david_connoll New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 325i m sport 3L Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Dublin, Ireland iTrader: (0)	135k miles, don't 3IM I'm Ireland and have a 325i m sport 3 litre manual car. I'd love to add a 3IM and a tune to get a few extra bhp. Is 135,000 miles too used an engine to be doing this? Timing chain done at 100,000. Any general advice would be great.
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10-22-2024, 07:32 AM	#2
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3166 Rep 4,034 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	It's fine, crack on.
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10-22-2024, 11:43 AM	#3
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1994 Rep 4,018 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	Only if every stock 330i was about to expire at that mileage. Absolutely zero worries, proceed with confidence.
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10-22-2024, 12:11 PM	#4
cosmosschwarz New Member 8 Rep 27 Posts Drives: E91 325xi Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Delaware iTrader: (0)	Why was the chain done? I've had multiple BMW inline 6's over 200k and have never seen a timing chain go bad, other than the guides/tensioners on the V8 cars.
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10-22-2024, 04:39 PM	#5
david_connoll New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 325i m sport 3L Join Date: Oct 2024 Location: Dublin, Ireland iTrader: (0)	Thanks lads, would like to do the tune and inlet manifold possibly exhaust and air filter too.
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11-09-2024, 01:56 PM	#8
Spence90 New Member 21 Rep 29 Posts Drives: Bmw 330i Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	What about all the 330i n52 we have in Europe with magnesium valve covers and zf6hp gearboxes or manual. Are those not as good as US specs
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11-09-2024, 05:33 PM	#9
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3166 Rep 4,034 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Yeah they are. The point was that in the US the 325i is just a detuned 330i (missing 3sim too). So in the US you can turn a 325i into a 330i without much effort. In the EU with the 325i being 2.5L, there's not much you can do.
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