Engine source recommendations

[cbr]

So do to some monumental stupidity on my part my plan for swapping out the M50 engine I have in my 89 325is got move from the some time in the future to now. In looking for a replacement engine I've got a couple of options and I'm curious what peoples' recommendations would be on where to source an engine.

Option 1: various dismantlers outside of Sacramento (there's a couple that look like they have decent options right now). Looks like they will all be right around $2500 for the complete motor with accessories + DME. If they don't come with the clutch (my assumption) I'll need to swap out the clutch/flywheel (the existing ones are fine it's just a racing clutch with is seriously not fun around town).

Option 2: a couple of C/L options that work out to ~$1400-$1500 for the engine but will definitely need some work sooner rather than later. One in particular has been floating around C/L for ~6 months for $2k with complete engine, trans, and driveshaft (I don't need the trans/driveshaft but could resell them) and has some valve "noise" that the current owner decided it was easier to swap the motor vs. track down.

As I see it I've got the more costly option 1 (by probably $1500) where I might not have to put money into the engine or the less costly option where I will almost definitely have to put some money into (though I'm happy to do basic head work myself).

So as I said I'm curious what other peoples' thoughts are here (particularly if you've done this project in the past). Unless something unexpected happens I'm planning purchasing the motor this week and have everything back up and running by the end of the year. On a related note if anyone knows of someone in the Bay Area with a S52 in great shape they're looking to get rid of for a reasonable price let me know...

Chris

[exhaust]

Considering we're mid way through December, why not tear down and build the cheaper motor over the winter? It will save you some cash, you can sell what you don't need and you'll have more piece of mind since the junk yard motor may not be much better.

I'm not sure about your area, but on the East Coast we've got a pretty big Facebook presence for BMW parts. I found my S52 with all accessories, DME and a few odds and ends for ~$2k. Look around the FS threads, part outs, etc.

[968Reckless]

Look on bimmerforums, engines seem to be pretty fair in price over there.


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[cbr]

Considering we're mid way through December, why not tear down and build the cheaper motor over the winter? It will save you some cash, you can sell what you don't need and you'll have more piece of mind since the junk yard motor may not be much better.

I'm not sure about your area, but on the East Coast we've got a pretty big Facebook presence for BMW parts. I found my S52 with all accessories, DME and a few odds and ends for ~$2k. Look around the FS threads, part outs, etc.

Thanks for the heads up on Facebook... unfortunately not really an option for me since I don't have an account there (largely just because at this point...).

In terms of winter, living in San Francisco we have weather that ranges from really nice to kinda miserable so parking it for the winter doesn't mean quite the same thing! :) That and also due to living in SF it's currently taking up all of the driveway and making me nuts with parking being even tighter than normal.

[grinchxvx]

You should be able to get a m50 or m52 for less than 1000 easily. I would say 500 even. They're all over junkyards, maybe just go pull one yourself


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[cbr]

Sorry, I wasn't clear in my original post... I bought the car with the intent to swap something "fast" into it (and I've been kicking around the standard suspects S52/S54/M62/S62) and settled on the S52 since the difference in the amount of work/time/money required to do the others right doesn't balance out for me in comparison to the amount of usable fun I'd get from the swap.

The M52TU was also on the original list but I wanted more power than I could get out of one of those :)

[edited for late night coherence...]

[Andrew325is]

Why not include the M54b30 in your search? Similar power to an S52, plus smoother and better mpg. Since they were made up to 2006 you should be able to find a low miler.

[R3Z3N]

why not include the m54b30 in your search? Similar power to an s52, plus smoother and better mpg. Since they were made up to 2006 you should be able to find a low miler.

+1