[Gizm0]

What a great engine... I've always wanted an e30

http://www.theguardian.com/technolog...ion-mile-motor

The trip counter on this car stands at 41,187 miles. For a 20-year-old car that's peanuts, and probably explains why the bodywork and interior is in such good nick. The red leather seats look as if they've hardly ever been sat on. You'd guess that this little beemer has been doted on by one very, very careful owner. But that's only half the story. It has only had one owner, but far from nurturing this car, they did everything they could to destroy it.

That owner is the American oil company Mobil. In 1990 it bought this BMW 325i, with its state-of-the-art 2.5 litre in-line 6-cylinder engine, and decided to drive 1,000,000 miles in it. Actually, that's not entirely true. They didn't drive anywhere in it. They didn't even leave the garage. They stuck it on a rolling road – the vehicle equivalent of a hamster wheel – fitted it to a never-ending fuel tank, stuck the throttle at 85mph and kept it running, day and night, for four years. It's enough to turn your green heart black.

Mobil didn't totally deprive the car of love. They followed all BMW's recommended service and oil-change schedules. After 1,000,000 miles on the treadmill, the car's power plant was taken apart by mechanics, who were astonished to discover that engine wear was negligible and still within factory specifications for a new car. BMW were understandably thrilled that their product was so durable. Mobil, too, were thrilled, as they saw it as proof-positive of the life-enhancing benefits of their synthetic oil products.

To help raise awareness of the importance of checking your engine's oil levels, the million-mile motor has been unshackled from its rolling road and given its head on the open road. It's estimated that half of us never check the oil level of our car; in fact, most of us would probably be hard-pressed to even find the dipstick, yet this 60-second check could save you a fortune in repairs.

Of course, the oil and BMW's genius explain why the engine is in such good fettle, but it's the fact that the car has barely seen the light of day that explains why the body and interior work is almost perfect. If it had endured two decades of street life there'd have been many more scars to boast about.

The modern equivalent of this car would cost you up to £30,000, but in its day this 325i was the height of refinement. It has an onboard computer, airbags, cruise control and a decent stereo, but on a run up the M11 it all feels charmingly basic. There are buttons to press which do only one thing! You want the radio on, you flick a switch and on it comes. It's a blissful return to those heady pre-tech days when digits were still fingers.

The 325i's engine was throaty and rewarding. The drive was effortful. It felt like driving was a skill once again, something you could work on. The most surprising thing was the astonishing visibility. The windows were all enormous. Today's thickened pillars have come at a cost. On the M11, every extra mile felt like a bonus. After all the years whirring away in the dark, this hard-working pit pony was relishing a gallop in the fresh air.

[KingOfJericho]

I'm not at all surprised that an engine that's under absolutely no stress would last 1,000,000 miles with little to no wear.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I'm not at all surprised that an engine that's under absolutely no stress would last 1,000,000 miles with little to no wear.

You're right, but still impressive. What's more impressive is this: The three million miles volvo P1800



Irv Gordon, 74, passed the 3-million-mile mark Tuesday in his 1966 Volvo P1800 during a road trip on Alaska's Highway 1.

Three million miles is six round-trips between the Earth and the moon. Or, for the more local travelers, it’s 537 schleps from Los Angeles to New York City and back.

It’s also the distance 74-year-old Irv Gordon has driven -- in a single car. On Tuesday, Gordon’s 1966 Volvo P1800 passed the 3-million-mile mark during a road trip on Alaska’s Highway 1.



The retired Long Island science teacher set a world record in his Volvo in 1998 (most miles driven by a single person in a non-commercial vehicle). But he says it’s never been about the number of miles, but rather what he’s seen during his journey.

“It’s not about getting to the 3 million miles; it’s about the trips that got me to the 3 million miles,” Gordon said. “I never had a goal to get to 1 million, to 2 million.”

After buying the cherry red coupe new in 1966, Gordon wasted little time piling on the miles. He picked it up on a Friday and put so many miles on it over the weekend, it was back in for service the next week.

“I couldn’t stop driving the car. It was a holiday weekend, and I brought the car back to the dealership the following Monday for its 1,500-mile service,” Gordon said.

With a 125-mile daily commute, the mileage quickly stacked up. He reached 500,000 in 10 years. Just over 20 years after buying the car, he hit his first million miles.

Each of the million-mile marks has come during a special trip. The car rolled over to 1 million in 1987 while driving around Central Park. Two million also came during a New York City trip in 2002.

And this latest (ahem) milestone came during a drive along the Turnagain Arm in Alaska, one of only two remaining states Gordon had never visited. “The best way to explore America is by car,” he said.

Now that he’s eclipsed 3 million, the possibility of another million miles depends more on him than it does the car, Gordon said.

“The car may be able to take it, but I’m not so sure about me.”

[KingOfJericho]

Yes, the volvo is impressive.

[P1]

My friend works at a Dodge dealership and recently a 1-ton dually came in with 1,000,000 miles on the ticker. I believe it was a 2003. Original everything, just the interior was looking a bit worn (seats etc.). Just goes to show if you take care of something, it'll last.

[Chihuahua]

When I took my M20B25 engine apart for a stroker induced rebuild at 199306 miles, There was absolutely no wear in any of the cylinders. In fact, I could still see the original cross-hatching marks from when BMW had originally bored out the cylinders. This car was driven HARD by myself and best friend that I bought the car from. It would be nice to see BMW return to simple, effective, and RELIABLE engineering.

I actually have the fold-up brochure from Mobil 1 with that very E30 in it.

I still have my E30, and I'll never get rid of it. To me, the E30 is the best three series there ever has been.

[Meeyatch1]

I wish they had more pictures of the car, and it's interior.

[bedema]

I had had 5 e30 so far, and I love every single one of them. Nothing beat an old good e30

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by P1et

My friend works at a Dodge dealership and recently a 1-ton dually came in with 1,000,000 miles on the ticker. I believe it was a 2003. Original everything, just the interior was looking a bit worn (seats etc.). Just goes to show if you take care of something, it'll last.

Diesel?

[P1]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Diesel?

I should have mentioned that. Yes, it was a Cummins.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by P1et

I should have mentioned that. Yes, it was a Cummins.

It's amazing how much longer an engine can last when fueled by a lubricant.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

It's amazing how much longer an engine can last when fueled by a lubricant.

Not just engines...