Thoughts on recently purchased 28k mile LSB E46 M3

[Nate047]

Almost every full S54 engine build that I have seen on the forums and in build videos have had some type of build quality issue and/or used subpar aftermarket internal parts. This LSB engine has had the whole nine and then some, and the previous owner did not seem to put a ton of miles on it.

I would highly prefer the stock 28k miles engine and would never open one with such low mileage other than redrilling the VANOS oil pump disc to save the exhaust hub. I am shocked after reading those invoices lol

I'm 99% sure I know the previous owner of this car, he's a really interesting dude and he has a number of other crazy ass cars at Thermal. Completely building out a 30k mile LSB is exactly what guys like him do lol. I'm very close friends with Marc the owner of Bavarian Workshop, I know a personal vouch doesn't really mean anything but anecdotally I would have no concerns about build quality. Personally. But I get the concern in theory, if you don't know the shop and owner.

[davidinnyc]

Drive that thing until it explodes!

[oceansize]

I'm 99% sure I know the previous owner of this car, he's a really interesting dude and he has a number of other crazy ass cars at Thermal. Completely building out a 30k mile LSB is exactly what guys like him do lol. I'm very close friends with Marc the owner of Bavarian Workshop, I know a personal vouch doesn't really mean anything but anecdotally I would have no concerns about build quality. Personally. But I get the concern in theory, if you don't know the shop and owner.

Since OP is a regular member on the forum we will all definitely see how it goes, which is why I said drive if for a couple of months, make sure everything is as it should be before investing a single dime in additional modifications or an attempt to return to stock. Obviously OP should do some upfront due diligence via logging, code scans, etc. to make sure reported data is good.

[Nate047]

Oh for sure, I would also just leave it as is for a while, learn the ins and outs. But that's my approach anytime I buy a car.

[enjoy_m3]

wow what a car, crazy the engine was rebuilt twice. Well if you're ever in the market for a z4mc, lol

[cornerbalanced]

I was honestly SOOOO close to bid on this car. I too worried about the engine rebuild and how that car was run to have any potential future issues especially since that engine was rebuild 3 times in 20k miles.

It seems like a steal for an 2004 LSB with 28k and all those mods.

I sent you a PM.

I have worked in Motorsports so was a bit less turned off by this. It is not uncommon for some (race) cars to have their engines taken out and refreshed after just a session or two. I presume the seller of this car owns races cars that require their engines to be rebuilt/refreshed on a seasonal basis. If you have the money—it makes sense. Doesn’t necessarily indicate any flaws with the engine itself.

[kaiv]

Congrats Elliot, hope you have fun with this one!!

[BL92]

Love it
Why remove the catch can?

[Sharocks]

Love it
Why remove the catch can?

OP sold it about a month or two after getting it.

It had issues sadly.

[bigjae46]

OP sold it about a month or two after getting it.

It had issues sadly.

Curious and nosey...what kind of issues?

[Sharocks]

Curious and nosey...what kind of issues?

IIRC the stroker motor was having compression loss or something.

He made a thread about it.

He also buys and sells cars often so that's part of the nature of that game.

[bigjae46]

IIRC the stroker motor was having compression loss or something.

He made a thread about it.

He also buys and sells cars often so that's part of the nature of that game.

That was my guess...BMW stroker build gone wrong. Seen that story one time before...🤣

[bimmerfan08]

Might have missed it in the original listing and this thread. How much power did the motor produce with all the upgrades?

[cornerbalanced]

IIRC the stroker motor was having compression loss or something.

He made a thread about it.

He also buys and sells cars often so that's part of the nature of that game.

Had poor leakdown in one of the cylinders! Theory is that a piston ring didn’t seat properly, allowing some blow by. Car was still drivable, pulled hard still…just consumed oil.

Sold the car to a fellow forum member who had the time and resources to go through the car properly. Too much of a project for me.