1988 Bmw M6 problems

Common 1988 Bmw M6 problems

Common Problems with the BMW M6 1988

The BMW M6, particularly the 1988 model, is a high-performance vehicle with a powerful engine and luxurious features. However, like any other car, it is prone to certain problems and issues that owners often encounter. Here are some of the most common problems with the BMW M6 1988, based on complaints from owners of this car:

1. Rod bearings

One of the most common problems with the BMW M6 1988 is the issue with the rod bearings. Rod bearings are a critical component of the engine, and if they fail, they can lead to complete engine failure. Even if caught early, the repair cost for this problem can be over $3,000 at a shop.

2. Throttle actuators

Another common problem with the BMW M6 1988 is the issue with the throttle actuators. This problem can potentially add up to $1,500+ repair bills.

3. SMG Transmission

The BMW M6 1988 also suffers from common problems with the SMG transmission. This problem can also potentially add up to $1,500+ repair bills.

4. Valve cover gasket oil leak

As an aging engine, any wear and tear parts are fair game for failure. Many BMWs suffer gasket oil leaks, faulty water pumps, cracked coolant hoses, etc at 10+ years and higher mileage. All of these repairs can add up if you're taking your M5/M6 to the shop.

5. Rear electric windows

If the rear electric windows are slow, it's due to lack of use. Get some silicone spray with a straw attachment and use it to lubricate the runners. Put them up and down a few times a day and they'll recover. If not, you'll need to strip and re-grease them.

6. Water leaks in the boot

Water leaks in the boot can be caused by failing tail light gaskets, the inner ones cost 40 quid each. The outer ones slot into the chrome surround and may also need replacing. It's a good idea to remove the tail lights to check for rust as there will probably be some.

7. Headlamp wash / wipe motors

The headlamp wash / wipe motors always gunk up. Remove them (grilles have two screws hidden on the inside behind the indicator housing) and clean everything that moves. The control relay is hidden behind the indicator inside the inner wing.

8. M30 engines

For the M635CSi and US M6, the M30 engine is used. These engines are known for a small oil leak from the front of the block, live with it. Overheating can cause the alloy head to warp. This may be caused by a bad viscous coupling leading to overheating in traffic. The 15-year-old radiator is often the real culprit though.

9. Piggyback oxygen sensor systems

The main expenses you will have will be under the hood. Steer clear of early M6s with the M88 engine, which they shared with the E28 M5. These are all gray-market cars and had to be federalized. U.S.-market cars had an S38 engine under the hood. We’ve yet to find any two M88 cars that were brought up to U.S. standards the same way. The problems with these are not with the body or lighting but with the piggyback oxygen sensor systems. The high compression combined with our fuel and these generic systems inevitably leads to detonation, which in turn breaks the piston ring lands. Even the best-maintained cars eventually succumb to this.

10. Transmission problems

Good used transmissions are almost impossible to find, and BMW doesn’t sell new or remanufactured units presently. If you do have a transmission problem, rebuilds are not cheap, but the boxes are very robust.

11. Dual air-conditioning systems

U.S. cars have dual air-conditioning systems, which are prone to problems. Often the valve that splits the refrigerant between front and rear fails, leaving you with only one part working. The car needs both to keep you cool; that’s why BMW added the rear unit–and its accompanying beverage cooler. Most U.S. cars have had the rear load-leveling suspension deleted by now in favor of the conventional 635i-type suspension. This is not going to bring down the value of the car much, but we often find that not all the components were removed in the conversion.

12. Electronics

Forum discussions suggest that the BMW M6 1988's electronics, such as relays, sensors, and switches, are more likely to cause problems over time. Additionally, various rubber items can degrade and cause issues.

In conclusion, while the BMW M6 1988 is a high-performance vehicle with luxurious features, it is prone to certain problems and issues that owners often encounter. These issues include rod bearing failure, throttle actuator problems, SMG transmission issues, valve cover gasket oil leaks, and problems with the rear electric windows, water leaks in the boot, headlamp wash/wipe motors, M30 engines, piggyback oxygen sensor systems, transmissions, dual air-conditioning systems, and electronics. Owners should be aware of these issues and take proactive steps to maintain their vehicles and address any problems as they arise.

What engine is in a 1988 BMW M6?

The 3.5-liter DOHC inline-six was produced from 1984-1995 for BMWs like the M5 and M6. The S38 engine came in 255, 311, and 335 HP variants, and for the 6 series, it was only available mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

How much horsepower does a 1989 BMW M6 have?

256 horsepower

The powerplant made 256 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 243 lbs. -ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Backing up the six-cylinder engine was a Getrag 280/5 five-speed manual transmission. According to the BMW M Registry, 1,767 M6s were built for North America.

What is the top speed of the 1987 BMW M6?

BMW electronically limited even its sportiest models to 155 mph in the U.S., but Rug Cunninham BMW ran a de-limited M6 in the 1989 La Carrera Pan American race in Mexico and reported a top speed of 176 mph.

What is the oldest BMW M6?

The M6 lineage began in 1983 with the M635CSi model of the E24 6 Series range, which was powered by the M88/3 DOHC straight-six engine (which was a modified version of the engine used in the BMW M1 supercar).

What engine is in a 1988 BMW M6?

The 3.5-liter DOHC inline-six was produced from 1984-1995 for BMWs like the M5 and M6. The S38 engine came in 255, 311, and 335 HP variants, and for the 6 series, it was only available mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

What happened to the M6 BMW?

Production of the M6 ended in 2011, with sales over the five-year run totalling 9,087 for the coupe and 5,065 for the convertible.

How much horsepower does a 1989 BMW M6 have?

256 horsepower

The powerplant made 256 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 243 lbs. -ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Backing up the six-cylinder engine was a Getrag 280/5 five-speed manual transmission. According to the BMW M Registry, 1,767 M6s were built for North America.

What is the top speed of the 1987 BMW M6?

BMW electronically limited even its sportiest models to 155 mph in the U.S., but Rug Cunninham BMW ran a de-limited M6 in the 1989 La Carrera Pan American race in Mexico and reported a top speed of 176 mph.

1988 Bmw M6 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw M6 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Bmw M6 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.