Saw a b35 today at the pick n pull

[browntown]

So there's an e32 735il automatic at the pick n pull. It has a good looking b35 sitting in it.

Things I've noticed that are already missing are: intake/maf, starter, alternator. Pretty sure it still had its oilpan, exhaust headers and downpipe, and everything looked pretty complete. I figure the these are things I can find from dismantlers for reasonable money.

Negatives beyond the missing big items include an ecu that has been rained on, and a couple small wires in the harness recklessly cut (I assume in their raid of the starter).

Some questions:

How much of a bitch is it to pull a motor at the junkyard? I'm assuming I'd just drop the whole bottom out onto a pallet and have a forklift get it out. I'd like to think the enormous transmission would be able to be removed easily. I think I'd want to buy an electric impact first just to make things a lil easier.

Should I buy it? I think if I've read everything right, I don't even need it's electric harness and I can just use the m20 ones from my 89 325i (computer too?)

What can I check while at the junkyard? I'm sure most of the fluids are drained at this point, so just hope it's a runner and rebuild all the seals when I get it home?

What's a good price for an incomplete unknown condition m30? I'm in no rush to buy one, but I don't think I've seen one in as good condition (cosmetically) in a yard in a while.

[Garageaholic]

I hope it's not a cash for clunkers car... or that engine is FUBAR and you should forget about it.

I wouldn't pay any more than $400 for a complete unknown M30 with stuff missing.

[Jean]

You can buy it as a long block and it's under $250 out the door IIRC. pnp now has price list on their website.

I would get it, then get it on the engine stand asap and check everything out. You can always get the alternator/maf/intake later from another b35 since they aren't exactly rare but finding a clean one is not as easy as you found out.

If it's bad, you can still bring it back and get store credit or exchange for another one.

[Zacm829]

Worth a shot, take off the valve cover and make sure everything looks legit.

The engine will run off your late model harness with a little modification for the fuel injectors. You will need to find a B35 Ecu however, but the forums are your friend for that. Make sure it has its oil pan or you will be hunting for another B35 one. Good Luck!

[browntown]

Took some pictures in the rain today, 179 ecu, exhaust has been cut just south of the headers, driveshaft is already gone. Harness looks mostly complete. As mentioned earlier, the alternator/starter/intake/maf are all missing. I did see another m30 starter on an old 528 that I might steal and add to this long block.

Anywho here are the pics of what the yard manager calls a "core engine". Pics will take three posts, be patient.

[browntown]

pic post two. please hold

[browntown]

one more, thanks.

[kylelauffer]

i dont see why not if everything you see there that is visible is missing. i would just do the math of how much everything would add up to be and make a decision if its worth it.

[Jean]

You don't need any of that stuff on the driver side, honestly I would pull it and grab another starter/alt/afm from another m30 car to make it complete. They always cut the downpipes before the cat to remove the cat. Fact that the driveshaft is gone only makes it easier for you to pull the engine/tranny out as one unit.

When I got my b35 it was missing an afm and/or starter IIRC, I just had them write on the paperwork that it was missing and I came back for it another day since I paid for a complete engine with accessories..

From pnp online price list - engine / core / total (before tax and their bullshit environmental fee).

300-1 Engine Short Block Car $124.99 $19.99 $144.98
300-2 Engine-Block W/Heads (Long Block) Car $149.99 $29.99 $179.98
300-4 Engine-W/All Acces Flywheel Forward Car $179.99 $49.99 $229.98

"Should I buy it? I think if I've read everything right, I don't even need it's electric harness and I can just use the m20 ones from my 89 325i (computer too?)"

Personally I like the b35 harness as it fits the engine perfectly and looks better as well...and no you don't want to use an m20 dme, get the 179 dme.

[yert315]

Pop the valve cover off and inspect the head. Check for broken rockers, light colored fluids, or bent shafts. I bought a refurb'd alternator for $120, though it was with an $80 core charge. M30 AFM you can get from an e28, e24, e32, or e34, they are all the same.
For any other parts, keep an eye out on the forums. Jean almost always has some kind of M30 parts for sale.

[LowR3V'in]

Also check the plugs and turn it over.

[StereoInstaller1]

Josh, my man, I am telling ya...call the shithole yard here in Oly, there is 2 E28s WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, they are both mostly complete M30s.

BOTH cars have been there over a year...no C4C!

Come up, crash at my pad (super comfy foo-ton) have a beer or three with my honey (hell, smoke a bit of her weed, WTF...o wait, you be job hunting...NVM) and we will go rape some E28 motor!

I bet I could get 3 or 4 guys to come help, fuck, we will have that shit out in 2 hours!

Oh yeah, the pool hall down the street has 2 tourneys a week, sunday and thursday.

call me sometime, fucker!

Luke

[browntown]

as soon as I get my new company car (read: free gas), I'll come up and steal the tranny. Right now I'm fixated on e32 love. I should have just bought an e32 the last time one was dangled in front of me and screw these little e30 contraptions.

[browntown]

Crap, b35's all over the place. There's a running 88 735 entire car for sale locally that I can probably get for about 800-1000$. Is there enough stuff to part out of these cars to recoup any money in buying a complete car? Figure the catalytic converter is worth a couple hundo right?

[drift]

Looks like a good deal there. Aren't 735iL E32 equipped with EWS ?
Hope the radiator coolant still there, and it's clean. No creamy oil in the crankcase.
Most likely the Auto Trans is shot.
Happy M30-ing!