Strange Engine Bay Discoloration

[thebeej21]

Hello everyone, looking for some advice. I'm currently selling my E90 M3 and looking to get into an F80. I found a potential car that has everything I'm looking for, though more miles than I'd prefer. It's a 2016 with 55k miles.

One of the things giving me pause is a sort of rust colored ring in the engine bay. Anyone seen anything like this before? I searched around, but couldn't find anything similar. What could cause that? Would you stay away from this one?

[123M4]

Prob stained during a service where someone laid dirty parts on the cover too long. Do you see this residue anywhere else? I see other dirt where is the cars location? Also no need to rush to buy a M... I waited 2 years to avoid those ugly orange,red and white interiors.

[thebeej21]

Originally Posted by 123M4

Prob stained during a service where someone laid dirty parts on the cover too long. Do you see this residue anywhere else? I see other dirt where is the cars location? Also no need to rush to buy a M... I waited 2 years to avoid those ugly orange,red and white interiors.

That's funny, I'm specifically looking for the white or red interiors.

It's been in Texas it's whole life. I don't notice that residue anywhere else. I don't love how noisy it is either which you can hear in the video. I'm very familiar with the BMW valve lifter "tick", as I experience it on my E90, but it goes away after the engine is warm. That video was shot after it had been running for 15 mins, mostly idle.

Forgive me as I'm still learning the F80/S55 quirks. I plan on getting an extended warranty as I have Easycare on my E90 and they've been great. I just don't want to make a mistake due to impatience.

[123M4]

Originally Posted by thebeej21

That's funny, I'm specifically looking for the white or red interiors.

It's been in Texas it's whole life. I don't notice that residue anywhere else. I don't love how noisy it is either which you can hear in the video. I'm very familiar with the BMW valve lifter "tick", as I experience it on my E90, but it goes away after the engine is warm. That video was shot after it had been running for 15 mins, mostly idle.

Forgive me as I'm still learning the F80/S55 quirks. I plan on getting an extended warranty as I have Easycare on my E90 and they've been great. I just don't want to make a mistake due to impatience.

Different strokes for different folks. Haha I knew it was Texas only cars I ever see caked in that red dirt/clay.The injectors are loud as fuck not just the lifters. My e46 330ci has 180k no major repairs original clutch been ticking its whole life. How much is that car going for? I just spent 57 on a F82 with 11k miles. Previous owner had 100k into it and traded in for a Toyota....

[Poiseuille]

well, tbh i think i'd pass on a 3 y/o F80 with an engine bay that looks like farm equipment....at any price.

[ChuMpion3]

Looks like residue from a puddle. In Houston, that would scare me.

[Arick]

This would scare me. Especially since it's in Houston.

What I don't understand is why the dealership didn't clean it? That seems odd too.

[einscot]

Originally Posted by thebeej21

Hello everyone, looking for some advice. I'm currently selling my E90 M3 and looking to get into an F80. I found a potential car that has everything I'm looking for, though more miles than I'd prefer. It's a 2016 with 55k miles.

One of the things giving me pause is a sort of rust colored ring in the engine bay. Anyone seen anything like this before? I searched around, but couldn't find anything similar. What could cause that? Would you stay away from this one?

no offense but why in god's name would anyone buy a 55k mileage M3 at this point.

[FatRear08]

Originally Posted by einscot

no offense but why in god's name would anyone buy a 55k mileage M3 at this point.

Putting this one aside with its rust mark or whatever that is, what’s wrong with a 55k mileage M3? No good?

[thebeej21]

Originally Posted by einscot

no offense but why in god's name would anyone buy a 55k mileage M3 at this point.

As someone in the middle of selling a 60k mileage M3, I'm happy not everyone feels this way

Seriously though, there are plenty of factors why one buys an M3 with 55k miles. Money, color combination, options, transmission choice, location, timing. Mileage isn't everything. It's a car, these things don't have a self destruct mileage...I hope.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. I think the bottom line is, if I decide to go any further with this one, I'll get it looked at, and a good PPI done. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything obvious.

[Brasko]

Almost looks like they set a metal bucket or pan on the engine and left a ring of surface rust on the engine cover.

Also would take a look at that oil filter and housing. The wear on the oil filter looks a little excessive, especially for a part of the vehicle that doesn't get touched/removed much.

[ellipsis212]

Yeah, pass. My engine bay is pretty much spotless at 14k miles and it rains here every other day. No reason for it to look like that.

[dezzracer]

So many better, cleaner M cars out there. I would pass.

[minn19]

I would run the other way. But, if you are still seriously looking at this car I would get to the bottom of what left that mark. If you can't, I would definitely look at something else. Like others have said, there are tons of better used options, but you might have to compromise on color/options etc.

[TommyLights]

These comments are hysterical. Did you do a PPI? Did you ask the dealer to clean and/or explain how the mark got there?

[///M///]

How much you paying for it? That's a really dirty engine bay.

[wdskukm3]

Probably just a dirty engine bay. Don't automatically think it's a flooded car just because its in Houston. Have someone look at it before you buy. Get a couple of opinions from your mechanic buddies. Test drive it.

[bmrwrld]

Also appears to ba a lot of water calcium build up in the entire bay. That car was soaked, maybe at an angle just enough for the bay to be submerged.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by wdskukm3

Probably just a dirty engine bay. Don't automatically think it's a flooded car just because its in Houston. Have someone look at it before you buy. Get a couple of opinions from your mechanic buddies. Test drive it.

That is more than just your normal run of the mill dirty engine bay.

[wdskukm3]

Being that it's a 2016 with high mileage just have a mechanic look at it. I see some calcium build up but that could be from the previous owner not cleaning the bay. Just have someone look at it to be sure.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by einscot

no offense but why in god's name would anyone buy a 55k mileage M3 at this point.

as someone whose first three BMWs were purchased used i can promise you that i never regretted any of them. in fact, there was one non-M E46 that i dearly wish i'd kept. it's all in the maintenance records which, of course, you only get from a private seller.

[thebeej21]

An update, I will not be buying this car. The front bumper was being repainted since it had...issues, and the plan was for them to drop it off at an independent shop I chose for a PPI after it came back from paint. So naturally they sold it to someone else in NY before it even "came back", (I'm not sure it ever left honestly). I guess I'll never know what that mark was, or if it was mechanically sound. If whoever bought the car is on this forum, let me know how she treats you

I do appreciate everyone's thoughts. My gut was telling me not to get that car, but I was being impatient because it's the only silverstone/silverstone full leather with adaptive suspension and executive package in the country I can find. Oh well, I'll continue to obsessively check all the car shopping sites until I find my F80. Good thing my E90 hasn't sold yet.