Dilema: Tranny swap or full swap?

[edvc520]

Hi all, I'm new here. Please excuse me for not having all the knowledge on the E30s. Been reading on the forum a lot, but can't absorb all the terms and technical details in a short time.


Just purchased my 89 325i cabrio 2 days ago. Unfortunately it's an autotragic.
My intention was to get a getrag 260 for tranny swap, however, I've come into a dilemma.
Since the swap is going to cost me $1,500 for parts and labor already, should I spend a little more for an engine swap as well?
My main concern is the reliability of our 30 yr old E30s, don't really care much about the horsepower.
Is there any economical full swap that I can consider? Or just do a tranny swap and call it a day?


Thank you all!

[jeffnhiscars]

I'd say a 30yo e30 if it's in decent shape, is more reliable than any swap.

[Dagamus(NM)]

If you are not doing the 5 speed swap yourself, a motor swap is going to cost a heck of a lot for what you get.

M20 is an easy engine to work with.

[Das Delfin]

I mean if you m50 swap now it's a 25 year old motor with an unknown history and much greater potential for error during the swap process.. plus most m50 and all m52 are variable valve timing and have twice as many camshafts which add complexity and reduce reliability because they'll be due for a rebuild.. also timing chain guides of the m50 are harder and more expensive to replace than the timing belt/tensioner of the m20. The thermostat is like 5 times as expensive in the m50..

For what it's worth I've driven across the country and back on my m20 .. just regular maintenance

[jeffnhiscars]

I'll add, having just done a 5 spd swap, I paid close to $1500 US for parts alone with nothing really fancy. Even if you do the labor yourself, which it sounds like you aren't, you will be closer to C$2k

[cheffy30]

My m20 autotragic.... While not hip with the gearheads.... is and has been perfectly reliable as my daily for 15 years my friend.... regular maintenance.... It has 249k on the clock.... purring... Spend your money wisely....

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

[TobyB]

Another M20 vote- trying to get a swapped car worked on is worse than being the
most pimply teenager with an overbite and suspenders at a Saturday night dance...

t

[101]

Having recently done an M52/OBD1/ZF320 swap into an 87 eta coupe ... and tallying up the costs involved - just do the transmission swap. A full motor swap done correctly is going to be a LOT more than $1500 and a lot more complicated.

[ttrousdell]

If you keep up with maintenance m20s are super reliable. just do the 5 speed swap.

[uturn]

Keep it stock and drive it while you collect parts for a M30 swap.