BMW Marine Engines help needed!

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marksaab

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Hi
Looking at buying a "project" Sealine, it sank at its moorings a few months ago. May be worth getting BUT its got a BMW 220 Petrol engine in it that may need work.

Seems they were only fitted to USA boats.

Anyone know if parts are available in the UK?

Thanks

Mark
 
I have no direct experience, but I remember a couple of BMW powered fletcher sportsboats from the eighties. They always seemed to have leg problems and the engines were never particulaly good. Might be an idea to consider reengining from the start ?
 
Wouldn't even consider trying to do anything with that engine especially if its been under water. Lot of work but a change to Volvo or Mercruiser sterndrive would be my choice. Second hand Volvo petrol engines could be cost effective, have a chat with Coastal Rides,

http://www.coastalrides.com/
 
Hi Mark

I brought a Farline Carrera a couple of years back with a B220 and spend a fourtune on it and in the end i replaced it with a new Volvo Penta. The parts are only available from V12 engineering in Canada or as someone else has mentioned PH Marine in the UK. The shortage of supply means prices are high. If you can buy the boat at the right price then go for it.

Happy to chat if you want to PM me

Will
 
[ QUOTE ]

Seems they were only fitted to USA boats.



[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen UK Sealines with BMW engines, rare though.

As has been said, they were generally regarded as bad news, parts are hard to come by, there are no proper dealers and it will hit residuals (no one wants a BMW engined bot unless it is very cheap).

Better to re-engine with a second-hand Mercruiser or Volvo engine and leg (and possibly cheaper!)
 
Hi Ari

Just had a very nice chat with Will at Boat Services in Norfolk.
Pretty much had the same advice! I think the engines had it anyway but looks like re-engining is straightforward.

Mark
 
Hi Mark,
if the boat's been sunk, make sure to get it for a price that assumes the engine's useless. You haven't given any details as to how long it was under or what remedial work was taken after refloating, but generally sinking a boat is bad news and will go a long way towards ruining an engine.

There was a guy near me who had BMW engines and they cost him a lot of money and were never right. Personally I would avoid them and reengine with something more "common" - Volvo, Mercruiser, CAT.....

If you factor it into the purchase price you'll be fine - someone already mentioned Coastal Rides - I've used them several times and recommend giving them a call, even if just for advice. They're very helpful.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Paul
 
Hi Mark,surely you will basically be buying a bare hull,but do not forget to factor in the time to to strip out all the affected wiring/electronics/soft furnishings before you can start the rebuild.If this was an insurance jobby,it might be worth considering why this boat has not been bought by the trade.Good idea to troll the boaty sites to find out what an average example of this boat will sell for.Bear in mind that a decent diesel to make the boat get up and go will be expensive.Some old marinised Ford transit will not do the job.
 
There are a fair number of these engines about in the UK - I've got one which runs like a dream.

Parts are available - remember its basically a bmw car engine
and are really no more expensive than comparable volvo bits.

Like any engine - they're fine if they're properly looked after, and like all bmw's of that era - designed to run forever and pretty indestructible.

Peter at PH marine in Wargrave is the guru.
 
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