Engine replacement advice
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=45485
Printed Date: 02-May-2024 at 09:18
Topic: Engine replacement advice
Posted By: jc10001
Subject: Engine replacement advice
Date Posted: 19-August-2009 at 21:09
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.
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Replies:
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 08:09
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Don't go putting in an engine of a different size into your car. The electrics will all need changing, not mention re-registering the car with a different engine.
I would think that you can get the price down for splitting the engine and putting a new CHG in.
It is a tough one.
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current
'13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto
Previous
'04 04 E60 545i SE Auto
'03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen)
'98 S E39 523i SE Auto
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Posted By: Ben O Brien
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 09:04
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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
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99' 740iL
99' 728i Sport
98' E39 M5 - Avus Blue, Dec Car!
96' M3 Saloon - Estoril Blue
94' M3 3.0 Convertible
91' E34 M5 - 3.6, Macau Blue
*E36 M3's Breaking*
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 09:29
Andrew, Ben,
Thanks for the replies. Ben, do you have any more details on the engine - age, miles, modified block etc.? I'll have to check with the mech on whether it's single/dual as I don't have access at the moment to do a visual check and am not sure off the top of my head.
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 09:36
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.
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Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 09:39
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1100 euros to fit an engine!
That's a lot of money.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 09:47
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 ...
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 10:32
Ben,
The engine is a single vanos apparently - thanks.
Regards,
Jim.
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Posted By: Ben O Brien
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 11:01
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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
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99' 740iL
99' 728i Sport
98' E39 M5 - Avus Blue, Dec Car!
96' M3 Saloon - Estoril Blue
94' M3 3.0 Convertible
91' E34 M5 - 3.6, Macau Blue
*E36 M3's Breaking*
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 20-August-2009 at 11:53
Thanks Ben. Would also consider selling for the right price - do you want to take this off board we could discuss what info you need and figures - feel free to pm me.
Regards,
Jim.
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Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 21-August-2009 at 05:54
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?
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E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg.....
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Posted By: MBW1
Date Posted: 21-August-2009 at 08:46
Forget about changing the head gasket. There is a slim chance it might
work, and a massive chance that it will not. The threads in the alloy block
for the head bolts weaken once the engine has been overheated and it's
very likely that they will strip when the bolts are being tightened. Even if
they don't strip on tightening, they can still let go after a few miles,
allowing the head to lift and the gasket to blow again.
Then there is the problem of the alloy sinking between the steel bore
liners, and the engine is an instant write-off if that's happened (most do).
Basically, forget it. Another engine is the only way to go. If it was a 520i
or a 523i, you could have fitted an older type iron block engine from an
E36/E34.
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I don't have a carbon footprint. I drive everywhere.
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 21-August-2009 at 10:30
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 21-August-2009 at 12:17
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Use it only if you plan to trade the car in, i.e. enough to stop the water leak enough to drive it to a dealer.
Don't use this and sell it privately if you value your front door.
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Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series!
Current
'13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto
Previous
'04 04 E60 545i SE Auto
'03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen)
'98 S E39 523i SE Auto
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 21-August-2009 at 12:57
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Thanks Andrew - didn't realise it was such a short-term solution.
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 27-August-2009 at 08:26
Hi Ben, sent you a few pms, not sure if you are monitoring the address they're going to.
Jim.
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Posted By: Hasso
Date Posted: 01-September-2009 at 07:12
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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
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BR Hasso
BMW 540T 2001 6 speed.
BMW 316G (biogas) -1998
http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bilder.asp?bil=40895
http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45700
http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=40865
http://www.autopower.se/galleriet/bmw.asp?bil=45749
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Posted By: jc10001
Date Posted: 01-September-2009 at 08:06
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Thanks Hasso - it's single vanos - think I have found an engine, just have to find out mileage and neg price now - cheers.
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