Engine replacement advice

Hi,

I recently got the unfortunate news that what I though was a simple overheating issue was in fact a blown head gasket in my 1998 528SE 2.8 Petrol (120K miles) and am looking for some advice from some of the members here on the options available.

I was thinking about scrapping the car as I was quoted 1300 euro for new gasket/skim/pressure test + labour etc. and the car is probably not worth much more than that to be honest.  The problem is I really like the car, and had recently put paid to a lingering steering shimmy / suspension problem and some other non-engine issues that left me the wrong side of 900 euro, but had the car driving perfectly.

The labour charge to pop in a replacement engine not that much more than replacing the head gasket - I've found a 2.5 engine with 80K miles on it going for 500 euro, and the garage say they will put it in for 1,100 euro, including a new clutch if they find the existing one is almost worn through when they take the old engine out (minus about 180 otherwise).  Between the cost of the engine, the courier to get it to the garage, and the labour I'm looking at circa 1680 euro to put this thing to bed.  I can probably get the engine down 100 euro, though not sure if there is room to manouveure on the labour.

Have any of you any suggestions on how to bring this in more cheaply, or even opinions on whether it is worth doing?

I only do < 10K a year in it and was hoping to get another 2 - 3 years out of it.  I also think it's a real shame to be writing off the car when there is little else mechanically wrong with it.  Looking around the net I think I would have to spending about 7K to get something that was enough of an improvement in terms of mileage / age to bother with the spend.

Would be grateful for any advice.  I'm located in Dublin.

Thanks,
Jim.


Edited by jc10001

Is your car single vanos? I may have the correct 2.8 engine here. It will cost you a bit less to get fitted considering its the same engine.

Thanks

Ben,

One more thing - I'm guessing the single/dual vanos engines are not interchangeable in these cars?  That there are other parts involved that make it incompatible?  Thanks.

Peter,

Yup I thought so too but haven't had one swapped in before so don't have a point of reference.  The price was about 700 for the engine, about 100 for the replacement oil and whatever other consumables  need to be replaced for the job, and then about 180 for a clutch which may or may not be required (can tell when they take the engine out).  Works out about 980 + 13.5% VAT = around 1100.  Nothing is ever simple ...

Ok Jim ill check it out later on and get back to you. Its a 97 328 so you will have to change the sump. Its not a huge job after that.

Also, would you consider selling the car as is??

Thanks

1300 to replace a head gasket? What do they charge an hour, 50 Euros?

keep in mind, if you don't find a LOW mileage engine off the exact same spec, you can end up with more money (to get it running properly) or with an engine on borrowed time (due to mileage of "new" engine)

As you already said, E39's are not worth a lot. Why don't you buy another one matching your previous in spec/miles?

But sometimes it's better the devil you know. With your current car you know what money was spend and what condition the rest is.

Maybe look for another quote elswhere for the head gasket?

UweM3, MBW1,

Thanks for the replies.

Have any of you had any experience with any block seal products for this kind of problem - if is of any use, and would it give me say another 10K miles in the car?  I've read mixed reports.  Thanks.

Thanks Andrew - didn't realise it was such a short-term solution.

As most say. You cant mix a engine with single vanos (before 09/98) and a  car who have  a enginge with double vanos (after 09/98).

So its only a engine M52TU double vanos after 09/98 to 09/2000 if your car is a 1999 modelyear made efter 09/98