Sulfur & BMW V8's - What you need to know.

["Dana White" <dbwhite@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Don't know if anyone else has already mentioned this on the 740iL and "bad
gas" thread, but for all sorts of info on sulfur in US gas, the
530i/540i/740i V8 sulfur issues, etc., go to the 530i Home Page (URL in my
signature below).   The focus of the site is the E34 530i, but the
sulfur-related information applies to the E34 530i and 540I, and the 740i
(E32 or E38?) that shares the same V8 as the E34 540i.

The 530i Home page has a link to Brett Andersen's web page that contains
info on the V8 engines that are affected and how to check your serial number
to see if your engine is stock or replaced, etc. (Brett's a BMW Master
Technician, and all-around BMW expert).  The 530i Home Page also contains a
FAQ on the sulfur issue that explains how the BMW warranty works, and
information on sulfur levels in US gasolines.  We have a link to the most
detailed report I've ever seen on sulfur in US gasolines as well, if you
crave that kind of info.

Bottom line is that BMW has released so little information to the public on
this issue that it is not clear how many engines they have replaced, where
and when they replaced them, how much sulfur is "too much," or how to avoid
(or accelerate?) sulfur-related problems.  Unfortunately, the amount of
mis-information floating around BMW mailing lists and message boards on this
issue is pretty high.   Our web site is an attempt to put some straight info
into folks hands about the issue and about the warranty.

(One caveat - our information is pretty US-centric.  We've not been able to
find out too much about how BMW is handling this issue outside North
America.)

Happy motoring,

Dana
'95 530ia
BMWCCA
530i Home Page: http://home.pacbell.net/dbwhite/530i-Home.htm

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