The Nikasil problem affecting many M60 and M52 engines are quite well documented overseas. In summary, the problem may be described like this: petrol with high sulphur content can damage these engines' Nikasil-coated cylinder liners, resulting in all kinds of serious problems. Do Malaysian-spec BMWs have the Nikasil problem? If so, how were these problems addressed? I understand the Malaysian-spec E36 328i and E39 523i & 528i have the M52 engine...
Do M'sian BMWs have Nikasil problems?
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E46Fanatic
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Probably got, but dealers will just keep mum about it here and not take responsibility... 
Malaysia Boleh!
Malaysia Boleh!actually, fuel in malaysia (all brands) is just so-so. it's better than in most developing countries, but is quite a lot worse than in europe for example. the main culprit is high sulphur content, which is exactly the element which wears through the nikasil plating.
it's also the reason why most conti manufacturers have not brought in their fleets of fuel-efficient and high-torque diesel engines. BMW is an interesting exception by daring to bring in the 5 series diesel, but I reckon they're either taking a risk or their system is somehow superior to others (although I doubt the latter because the sensitive components - injectors, pumps etc - are only supplied by a couple of companies e.g bosch, siemens etc)
it's also the reason why most conti manufacturers have not brought in their fleets of fuel-efficient and high-torque diesel engines. BMW is an interesting exception by daring to bring in the 5 series diesel, but I reckon they're either taking a risk or their system is somehow superior to others (although I doubt the latter because the sensitive components - injectors, pumps etc - are only supplied by a couple of companies e.g bosch, siemens etc)
DingChavez
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AFAIK, the petrol in malaysia has low sulphur content, hence not an issue with the nikasil engines. the country most affected with the nikasil issue is the US and some part of europe. Anyways, i think the BMW guys have changed to alusil. not sure about the afore mentioned engines though
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Not sure now low our fuel sulphur content is... But I have seen many white cars with yellow sulphur stains on their bumper near the exhaust... Hmmm
Slide
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If your car has not started consuming lots of engine oil and still has a smmoth idle, then you're pretty much okay.
I've done over 100,000kms on my car and all is still great.
I've asked AutoBav and they said Malaysian cars are not affected.
I've done over 100,000kms on my car and all is still great.
I've asked AutoBav and they said Malaysian cars are not affected.
Can it be concluded therefore that the imported petrol used by consumers in Malaysia have high sulphur content?
If so, what would be the fate of the M52-engined BMWs in Malaysia (eg. e39 523i/528i)? Can it be safely assumed that Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Alusil liners (Alusil liners were introduced by BMW to overcome the Nikasil fiasco) and not Nikasil liners? Or could it be that some Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Nikasil liners (eg. the early batches) whilst some Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Alusil liners (the later batches)? Were these early cars recalled to have Alusil liners retrofitted?
Info from the internet says that early UK-spec M52-engined BMWs have Nikasil liners and I would not be surprised if some of these cars reached our shores...
If so, what would be the fate of the M52-engined BMWs in Malaysia (eg. e39 523i/528i)? Can it be safely assumed that Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Alusil liners (Alusil liners were introduced by BMW to overcome the Nikasil fiasco) and not Nikasil liners? Or could it be that some Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Nikasil liners (eg. the early batches) whilst some Malaysian spec M52-engined BMWs have Alusil liners (the later batches)? Were these early cars recalled to have Alusil liners retrofitted?
Info from the internet says that early UK-spec M52-engined BMWs have Nikasil liners and I would not be surprised if some of these cars reached our shores...
Malaysian CRUDE OIL has one of the lowest sulphur contents in the world.
Malaysian PETROLEUM has quite high sulphur content - high enough that it doesn't meet Euro3 or Euro4 emmissions requirements - and high enough that VW refused to sell it's latest turbodiesel engines to a local manufacturer due to fuel compatibility concerns.
Why does our fuel have high sulphur? I'm not so sure that it's "imported" low quality fuel. AFAIK, the fuel we buy is locally refined from our own crude. I heard it's something about adding sulphur to improve the refinery yield - because the refineries here are under pressure from the govt to increase yields in order to keep the cost of fuel low.Then again, on this point I could be talking out of my ass. Will have to verify with friends in oil&gas.
Malaysian PETROLEUM has quite high sulphur content - high enough that it doesn't meet Euro3 or Euro4 emmissions requirements - and high enough that VW refused to sell it's latest turbodiesel engines to a local manufacturer due to fuel compatibility concerns.
Why does our fuel have high sulphur? I'm not so sure that it's "imported" low quality fuel. AFAIK, the fuel we buy is locally refined from our own crude. I heard it's something about adding sulphur to improve the refinery yield - because the refineries here are under pressure from the govt to increase yields in order to keep the cost of fuel low.Then again, on this point I could be talking out of my ass. Will have to verify with friends in oil&gas.
FYI. Our crude is actually one of the sweetest in the world and fetches a high price in the open market. Hence we sell them off and buy inferior quality crude from middle east to be refined here for local consumption. Middle east crude has a lot higher sulphur and wax content and cost more to refine. We are not so bothered about the refining cost as labour and everything else is cheaper than developed countries.
