325ix engine rebuild cost comparing to 325i

[Wanganstyle]

325ix engine rebuild cost comparing to 325i

Hello so I have a 89 325ix that needs a complete rebuild top and bottom. I took it to a shop that specializes in e30s and they quoted me around 6-8k plus labor for the engine rebuild and another 3k+ in others items like brakes bushings. I honestly was not expecting to cost that much. What's so special about the 325 ix that it costs that much more to rebuild? Also they said that it will need larger Pistons due to the block work and they said that nobody sells them so they would need to custom order them? How true is that? Also rear axles are going to be expensive because nobody sells them anymore? The car was supposed to be for my wife, but now I am not sure what I should do. Can I please get some advice/ideas on what I should do?

Since you are local Bay Area perhaps try some other bmw specific shops?

Bay Area labor will cost more than Sacramento

If you want engine work perhaps find an engine specialist. Like one with a machine shop in house that builds engines for work.

If you want to take photos of the car and post on Instagram then perhaps pick a Instagram focused shop.

Even removing the engine and shipping it to Socal or a not so local engine builder may be a more cost effective option

[EyExR]

A hone should never be more than .001" of material removed (.002" on a fresh bore). The piston to wall clearance in an m20 is <.001" when new, so anything more than glaze removal and you really should over bore.

Remember, one size over (.25mm or ~.009") is about as thick as 3 sheets of copy paper - and since we are talking clearance, you have to divide that number by two sides.

Basically, if it catches your fingernail at all, it should be machined.

Thanks for that!

I guess you have to pull the head to get a fingernail on there? Do you check for roundness with a head off as well?

[Akrunner]

Great tips! After doings some more research I have decided to bring the car home. Going to pull the engine myself and take it to a machine shop. Can someone help me out with a list of parts I will need for a complete rebuild? I talked to 2 different machine shop and both of them were around $5+k for complete top to bottom rebuild.

[Wanganstyle]

Great tips! After doings some more research I have decided to bring the car home. Going to pull the engine myself and take it to a machine shop. Can someone help me out with a list of parts I will need for a complete rebuild? I talked to 2 different machine shop and both of them were around $5+k for complete top to bottom rebuild.

Bmw dealerships are good for parts and parts data.

Make friends with the parts Dept guys at your local dealership. Even if you don’t buy anything they will happily give you a printed quote of what they could sell you for your project

[bankrupt]

Found an Ix longblock

Check out Sacramento Craigslist. It is in the sfo , San Rafael craigslist . Rebuilt $1250. PS you get it or I will.

[Akrunner]

Check out Sacramento Craigslist. It is in the sfo , San Rafael craigslist . Rebuilt $1250. PS you get it or I will.

I emailed the guy so hopefully its still available. I really would like to to buy it.

[bankrupt]

Did you get the engine? How does it look ? Ps. You owe me a beer:)