eaglecomm

I am starting my search for a T100 and most of the ones I find have over 200k miles. I have had a few yotas in the past and I know they run great for a long time, but its never easy buying a vehicle with high mileage seeing as most of them are multi-owner and the current owners know what they did but rarely what the previous owner (or 2 or 3 or 4) did. And if its a dealer selling it.. I usually get the 'owner loved it' and 'everything up to date' etc etc yada yada.

So even though I am seeing a few 500k engines out there still running, is there any concensus on how long these engines should go before a rebuild is 'best'. Whether its to regain horsepower or reduce oil consumption.. whatever...

If its around 250k-300k, then a lot of the trucks in my price range are right around the corner from needing some work that may not be in my budget.

Any thoughts on the subject?
Thanks.

xxxtreme22r

rebuilds should really never be judged by mileage. It should be judged on engine noises, compression, and maybe even fluid leaks. You can have one engine at 80K that needs rebuilt and another at 250K that needs nothing.

eaglecomm

Yeah, the preference is not to judge too much based on mileage, but I am in the market for a T100 and I have to judge a lot of the trucks on mileage (and the ad in CL and how it was written etc) and other factors because I can't go listen to the engine readily. So while I realize it not a sole determining factor, I was mainly looking for any btdt and trends/gotchas I could follow while in my search.

In other news.. glad to see others with a bmw love too. I have an E38 and just sold my second 94 540 6/spd. Using the money to fund my T100 purchase.

xxxtreme22r

There is quite a few on here with BMW's. If the seller won;t let you do a quick compression check on the engine prior to buying, walk away from it. Also I have learned by experience, another thing that throws a red flag up for me if if the engine oil has recently been changed. I think twice when looking at a vehicle that just had it's oil change, since I have seen quite a few times people change the oil to mask a headgasket problem. They make it seem as though maintenance is kept up etc etc, but who in there right mind if they know they are gonna sell their vehicle changes the oil in it?

BMcEL

Fishy people.

Zolgar

... I would :p
It's not very expensive (Usually with a coupon one of the local mechanics actually makes it cheaper to have them do it than to do it myself), and it seems to me to be right up there with giving it a good cleaning. Car buyer is going to want the vehicle they buy in the best possible condition.

ChuckDelta

I'm no expert, but I just bought an 85 land cruiser with 265,000 miles-(ish) on it. It is running great and so far I think I got it for a good deal. the previous owner allowed me to take it to a land cruiser specialist and get it looked over, and get a compression test on it before I bought it. I would suggest doing that with any high mileage vehicle you buy. Also, look out for the other little things...It's not just the engine that can give you a headache, but everything from superficial cosmetic things to wiring, door handles, fuses, etc. If lots of little things don't work, it might be quite a project to fix them all, (unless you like fixing lots of little things...)

xxxtreme22r

Yeah but me as a buyer would look for any possible way to bargain the price, and needing an oil change is one of em. Now if the engine oil was all sludgy then I would pass as well. And car washes make the vehicle look better and adds more value then an oil change would it also doesn't really mask any real issues with a car other then a good waxing might make the car look like it was just painted. Car wash costs what maybe $5.

eaglecomm

Yeah, I actually do like fiddling with all the little things. But not to the extent that I need them have a functional truck. Unless I go in to the purchase knowing it and I am paying the right price. I like projects. Most of the time, the reason I sell a vehicle is because for the most part.. the project is over and I have nothing left to fix. The truck will be number 23 in my list of vehicles over the years. A lot more of the earlier cars were fixer uppers since I was young and didn't have much money to buy nice ones.. and the later cars now are projects since I like to work in the garage fixing them.

As far as oil changes go.. even if the seller says they recently did an oil change (and everything else checks out).. unless the oil is extremely clean.. I will do an oil change anyways. I like to know whats in the engine. I have never thought about it being suspicious to have the seller say they just changed the oil.. but something to think about in the future.

Permafrost

You make a good point! And as Zolgar states, car buyers wanting the best condition on the other side. I buy and sell several a year, it's my "beer money." However, I'm careful about what I turn. I'm slow to buy and even slower to sell. I rotate my DD's with a projects and therefore I can sell with a little knowledge to pass on. I allways perform an oil change service prior to the new owner taking ownership and have used that as a selling tool to gain a few more $'s.
Back to the OP.
Honestly, mileage means little to me, condition means everything.

jeremys87yota

i had an 87 toyota that i was selling to a guy and he brough it to his friend who was supposably really good with toyotas, and he checked it out..( i think it was on its way to blow a head gasket) the guy said it was nice and that his friend should get it, but the guy just wanted to look at one more thing, he opened the radiator cap!! right after they test drove it! coolant went everywhere!! Burning coolant!! and then i found out he blew the head gasket hahahah!! a week after he bought it..
i would say dont judge it on mileage, judge it on how it sounds and stuff. pretty much what they all said.

Jkelley429

iTrader: (1)

while were on the subject of engine life, ive got a rod knocking. how long do yall think itll last before going all the way out. my driving style is usually pretty easy, but i occasionaly have to prove a point when somebody talks smack about my truck LOL. ive heard theyll go for quite a while with a rod knocking, but im planning on replacing the motor next summer.

sixstringslut

Jkelly I would suggest a good working oil gauge. As long as you have 20 psi and baby it you should be OK for a bit. It probably will not be the knocking one that goes through the block but one of the others that is starved from low pressure. IMO
Right now a bearing job would be cheap in comparison.

Kentucky Hunter

I agree %100 with the bearing job. Swap 'em out soon and be done with it. She's just a ticking time bomb now. And speaking of oil changes, new cars and rods knocking... I once got a V6 Pontiac Grand Prix at auction for a then new FWD class on dirt. I did the oil change as soon as I got her off the trailer and what poured out? 90 weight. Put fresh 15w30 in and heard the rod knocking within seconds...