Is an S52 with 170k+ miles worth it?

[E3IS0]

Hello guys, there is a local guy parting out his e36 m3 with 170k miles, he is asking $2800 for the S52 without trans but with accessories ,wiring harness and ECU. Do you think its worth that much money with this amount of miles?

Thanks in advance.

[roguetoaster]

At that price, no, and not even at half the price. But a high mileage example with good compression and leakdown numbers is nothing to fear.

Of course, these days an S52 is hardly worth installing in an E30 considering the other options available.

[McGyver]

Of course, these days an S52 is hardly worth installing in an E30 considering the other options available.

Wait, I missed the boat on s52 swaps?!? I mean, that's what I was dreaming about in 2009, but I thought I still had time. What are we doing now?

[roguetoaster]

Wait, I missed the boat on s52 swaps?!? I mean, that's what I was dreaming about in 2009, but I thought I still had time. What are we doing now?

M54, N52, and if you want turbo N54/5. While the first two have little modification potential they do make similar or more power compared to an S50/2 and get vastly better mileage.

But, you should do whatever makes you happy.

[McGyver]

But, you should do whatever makes you happy.

Huh. Well that's cool. I'm currently doing a turbo m20. It's crazy how time changes things.

[reelizmpro]

Huh. Well that's cool. I'm currently doing a turbo m20. It's crazy how time changes things.

Of course and the guy with the Tesla swap is scoffing at all of us ICE guys. S50/S52 are great engines but people tend to ask too much for what it is IMO especially when there are newer engines like M54 available at junkyard prices. The problem is labor in swapping the newer tech into the car which gets cheaper as people come up with solutions over time. In 2017, I paid $2800 for my S52 with trans + harness but ended up with an engine that needed a lot of work. It needed everything...headgasket, vanos rebuild, exhaust valves, stripped threads on the block, leaking oil filter housing, wrong injectors, chipped valve cover, missing beauty covers, etc. I should have stuck with my original plan of a cam'd or FI M52 swap but the S52 was offered to me by the shop. Even a cam'd M52 with headers would offer good bang for the buck. It all comes down to your needs.

[bradmer]

Hello guys, there is a local guy parting out his e36 m3 with 170k miles, he is asking $2800 for the S52 without trans but with accessories ,wiring harness and ECU. Do you think its worth that much money with this amount of miles?

Thanks in advance.

That sounds a bit steep, I paid $1,800 for an 83K mile s52 with harness and ecu 5 years ago. Then paid another $1,000 in parts to freshen up the vanos and all bolt on's. He wanted $450 for the ZF trans so I stuck with the g260 I had already.

Everything has been figured out for you on the s52 swap with numerous detailed threads plus you get obd2 for troubleshooting. One forum member on here has 3 or 4 different e30's with s50 motors.
Or you could invest that same amount of cake into your M20 and have something even more special.

reelizmpro that totally sucks that your shop did you that way.

[E3IS0]

Of course and the guy with the Tesla swap is scoffing at all of us ICE guys. S50/S52 are great engines but people tend to ask too much for what it is IMO especially when there are newer engines like M54 available at junkyard prices. The problem is labor in swapping the newer tech into the car which gets cheaper as people come up with solutions over time. In 2017, I paid $2800 for my S52 with trans + harness but ended up with an engine that needed a lot of work. It needed everything...headgasket, vanos rebuild, exhaust valves, stripped threads on the block, leaking oil filter housing, wrong injectors, chipped valve cover, missing beauty covers, etc. I should have stuck with my original plan of a cam'd or FI M52 swap but the S52 was offered to me by the shop. Even a cam'd M52 with headers would offer good bang for the buck. It all comes down to your needs.

Yes I agree, they are asking too much.

At that price, no, and not even at half the price. But a high mileage example with good compression and leakdown numbers is nothing to fear.

Of course, these days an S52 is hardly worth installing in an E30 considering the other options available.

I am going with S52 because I am planning for a turbo charged setup after driving for one year or so. M50 is very cheap and it can handle the turbo charger but I want to have fun with the S52 as an NA for now.

That sounds a bit steep, I paid $1,800 for an 83K mile s52 with harness and ecu 5 years ago. Then paid another $1,000 in parts to freshen up the vanos and all bolt on's. He wanted $450 for the ZF trans so I stuck with the g260 I had already.

Wow that is cheap compared to the prices now.

[dmanb2b]

too expensive for motor with no trans or records

[DÌEGØ]

Yeah that’s a bit high. I picked up a 210k mi S52 + ZF + harness/ecu for $650 3mo ago. Then spent another $2-2.5k to refresh the engine/trans and swap parts....

[ZEKTI]

I'd cap a budget for motor only at 1800 in US and that's on the high side. I messed up and didn't fully tear mine down, just regasket and timing and it's a tired motor. If you do grab one, do the whole engine. Also Diego that is a great deal!!

[ZekeTheSneak]

Yeah that’s a bit high. I picked up a 210k mi S52 + ZF + harness/ecu for $650 3mo ago. Then spent another $2-2.5k to refresh the engine/trans and swap parts....

You got a build thread? My elderly s52 smokes and needs rings.

[dmanb2b]

I'd cap a budget for motor only at 1800 in US and that's on the high side. I messed up and didn't fully tear mine down, just regasket and timing and it's a tired motor. If you do grab one, do the whole engine. Also Diego that is a great deal!!

What this guy said...I tried refreshing a S52 with unknown miles that was "good"...ended up re-ringing and dropping the motor to make it right.

[Ocelot]

I just bought a junker '95 M3 for less than that to swap my E30. I had to drive two hours into the next state over and tow it home, but there are deals out there if you're patient. All of that to say, personally I would not pay that amount ofoof money for that engine with that many miles.

[E3IS0]

I just bought a junker '95 M3 for less than that to swap my E30. I had to drive two hours into the next state over and tow it home, but there are deals out there if you're patient. All of that to say, personally I would not pay that amount ofoof money for that engine with that many miles.

Awesome. How many miles did it have? check the vin number dont trust the odometer on the dash.