Hey, I found an M50 from a 1991 525i for sale that is pretty local. Motor has 108k miles on it and it's "guaranteed to run". The price is $325. Help me out, is this a good deal, should I invest?
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Estoril E36 M3/4/5 | Toledo E53 X5 3.0 | LeMans E90 335D M-Sport
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is it a complete motor with harness and ecu? if so, go for it.______________________
ex-Chief Operating Officer
Blunt Tech Industries
West Coast and Pacific Rim -
I need to call and check that. If it is just the engine, is it still worth my time/money?Estoril E36 M3/4/5 | Toledo E53 X5 3.0 | LeMans E90 335D M-Sport
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Find out more details, like was it from a wreck? Did it have an auto or 5spd attached to it.
I picked mine from a auto 525i wreck. the oil change sticker on the windshield and odometer were within range. whoever owned it prior had the money to maintain it.
See if you can get a harness with it, does it have accesories? ie: alternator, ac compressor, power steering? starter?
You will still need the ECU, 413 red/burgandy tag/label. E36 engine arms. If the engine was attached to a automatic trans you will need to buy a flywheel, clutch, etc... many more parts ....
Do the research before you jump onto somthing. I know you are excited.
it is worth taking the extra time. Trust me!
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won't he need a different ecu then the 413 because its a non-vanos motah?______________________
ex-Chief Operating Officer
Blunt Tech Industries
West Coast and Pacific RimComment
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If it includes all accessories, and was stored indoors, and looks reasonably complete, it's a great deal. You'll need the 402/3 DME, as the engine is non-Vanos. If it is a manual, SCORE! The early non Vanos M50 equipped 525is came with the ZF 310 transmission, the same as the 95 M3.
How long is the guarantee? Because you have to complete the swap and fire up the engine within that warranty period. Otherwise you'll be SOL.
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Ahh yes non vanos, my bad. you will need a different ecu.Originally posted by hugh jassComment
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Just joking but was it lost?Comment
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Which motor is better for a swap? vanos or non vanos? should I go ahead and read through the Dohc swap thread to become more familiar with this? also, if this would be my first swap would that thread be the most helpful info?Estoril E36 M3/4/5 | Toledo E53 X5 3.0 | LeMans E90 335D M-Sport
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You definately want to read the first couple pages of the thread to get an idea of what all is involved.
Vanos vs non vanos... Fuck it.
Either way you'll have a better engine than an m20 in there. My first go around was using a vanos engine, my second go around will be with a non-vanos. Both engines are/were under 70k miles.
The engine you're looking at seems like a pretty damn good deal to me. The nice thing about it is it comes with the correct oil pan, which can be the 2nd most expensive part of the swap. The price is right, and even if it doesnt come with accessories, I'd still hit it. I just got my nonvanos off ebay for 650 shipped from south carolina, no accessories (which is ok, I dont use power steering, or A/C and I'm going for the 140 amp alternator, so I'd be replacing it anyway.) I wouldn't recommend trying to do the swap for as cheap as possible.
If your current engine is in running order, and your car is your dd, I'd just start collecting high quality parts, all new replacment seals, gaskets, etc. Get a light weight flywheel, take your time and go through the engine, clean up the wiring harness etc... You'll be happy that you did.
-Addis
Doing something M50 related? -> http://www.addissimo.com
On Myspace? ->http://groups.myspace.com/r3vlimited
BF2142 SN = BillyGooseComment
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Addis, are you gonna do another swap?Comment
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I read here that the m50 in itself is not that much of an improvement. If I'm going to spend over $1000 on this swap and not see much results is there a point? Would it be cheaper just to buy an M50 E30 and go from there instead of me sourcing/purchasing parts for a swap?
Estoril E36 M3/4/5 | Toledo E53 X5 3.0 | LeMans E90 335D M-Sport
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M50 came from an automatic and is bare engine only. Waste of time/moneyeffort?
Or, should I try to buy it and clean it up, replace gaskets, etc. Then try to sell for some profit. Maybe part it out? Suggestions?Last edited by GaryE30; 06-20-2006, 11:49 AM.Estoril E36 M3/4/5 | Toledo E53 X5 3.0 | LeMans E90 335D M-Sport
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It's only OK deal now. Does it come with the intake manifold and t-body? If not, the engine is almost worthless. You'd need to source a power steering pump and alternator, which is around $80 together. You'd need the E36 PS pump anyway. Harness, another $100. Manifold, $100. Does it at least come with the brackets and engine mount arms?Comment
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I dont want to burst your bubble, but from what I got from the guy on the phone was it is a M20, he said it had a aluminum intake man., not a black one, I was going to stop by somtime this week, since I am going to the in the manning/summerton area anyways. I was hoping to pick it up to throw in the e30 while I finish up the stroker properly. - Graham
ps, there is a big mainly bmw junkyard "somwhere" in the south east of the state, I was trying to buy a wrecked 318ti for a 5 lug from copart and the guy who told me about it said the guy who owns it buys darn near every bmw that passes thu.
pps, check out regionals section on Bf.c, we have a crew in columbia who meet up every other month or so to shoot the shit and stuff and grill out, be nice to have another e30 guy aroundComment
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