Hello,

I am considering buying a 1988 740 GLE equipped with the 16 valve B234F engine. I have heard about it's share of problems and the general consensus against it due to it's interference design, but I have also heard that with carefull maintainance it can be a trouble free car. The car in question threw the timing belt at low rpm so what would be the best way to go about checking for damage? I have been told the easiest way is to put the belt back on with the timing set, and then do a compression check to detect bent valves. Assuming the check comes out with good numbers can I be absolutely sure that the valves are in perfect working order? If they aren't what would be the cost of rebuilding the head?

In the event that the engine checks out and I am using it as a daily driver what should I be doing maintainance-wise? Obviously pay attention to the timing belt changing intervals, but should I be checking the tension periodically-changing the belt more frequently than recommended etc...?

Thanks,

Steven Teifer