1m reliability

[Lt1camaro]

Hi guys, I was looking at a used 1m with around 15k miles on it to buy. The problem is, the original owner tuned it ALOT. He has a JB4 Map 3, Water/Meth kit, upgraded blowoff valve, oversized intercooler, and a meisterschaft exhaust system. My question is, how reliable is this car with this amount of tuning and will it last me the next 3-4 years if I decide to DD it.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

Hi guys, I was looking at a used 1m with around 15k miles on it to buy. The problem is, the original owner tuned it ALOT. He has a JB4 Map 3, Water/Meth kit, upgraded blowoff valve, oversized intercooler, and a meisterschaft exhaust system. My question is, how reliable is this car with this amount of tuning and will it last me the next 3-4 years if I decide to DD it.

if i were you, i'd look for a stock car......with good service records. i am a believer that modification decreases reliability...no matter what people seem to believe on forums, etc.

[MDORPHN]

Originally Posted by Lt1camaro

Hi guys, I was looking at a used 1m with around 15k miles on it to buy. The problem is, the original owner tuned it ALOT. He has a JB4 Map 3, Water/Meth kit, upgraded blowoff valve, oversized intercooler, and a meisterschaft exhaust system. My question is, how reliable is this car with this amount of tuning and will it last me the next 3-4 years if I decide to DD it.

Intercooler can only help. Exhaust and bov should have little or no effect on reliability.

Affect of JB4 and water/meth depends on settings and how well they operated.

If concerned, get a compression and leakdown test performed and, perhaps, an oil analysis. Assuming all is good, I wouldn't be concerned and you could simply have them removed.

Neil

[GimmeanM]

I can't speak to the meth kit or the BOV, but an intercooler, exhaust and software (JB4, Cobb or other) are really common and not very invasive in my opinion. I would however want to know about what maps he was running (I'm not too familiar with JB4) to be assured that they were stock maps, or if custom tuned I'd want to talk to whoever did the tuning to feel all warm and fuzzy. I would assume that most 'stock' maps for any N54 are relatively safe. Custom stuff can push the limits on reliability which is why I said I'd want to find out more.

I agree that service records mean a lot and understanding as much as you can about how the previous owner drove and took care of the car.

I also agree that mods almost always make a car worth less. If you decide to pursue this could be a negotiating point for you. Undoubtedly a similar mileage car in similar condition without any modifications would be worth more.

Oh, and one last thing...some intercoolers require some trimming to some parts of the car to fit and apparently others do not. Personally I wouldn't want something that had been trimmed.

[craina]

As others have said the only things that could potentially degrade reliability would be the JB4 and meth kit. I would not be running a water/meth kit unless I really wanted to push a lot of power and the car was custom tuned appropriately. I remember reading a thread a few months back about a guy (335i w/ n54) who took his car out to the track running jb4 and water/meth. Something went wrong w/ meth kit, engine hydro locked. Dead. I don't think this is a common occurrence, but scary nonetheless.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=807663

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Intercooler can only help. Exhaust and bov should have little or no effect on reliability.

Affect of JB4 and water/meth depends on settings and how well they operated.

If concerned, get a compression and leakdown test performed and, perhaps, an oil analysis. Assuming all is good, I wouldn't be concerned and you could simply have them removed.

Neil

+1

[Lt1camaro]

Ok thank you for all the help and information guys I will definately perform a compression, leakdown, and oil analysis test if I should consider buying the car. I really appreciate all the help!