RIP 1995 525iA - 300K miles

[Unregistered]

Today on the way to work I noticed a lot of smoke from the rear of the car. It looks like the head gasket is blown at the rear of the engine. The engine has a VANOS rattle and now the head gasket. So what do I do, Fix the head gasket and VANOS (don’t know price), Replace the engine with a used engine ($2500 engine and labor) or sell it. The car has been very good for its life of 302,000 miles. Rebuilt transmission last year due to an accident and a pinched transmission cooler line. I’m leaning towards replacing the engine. Any options or opinions are appreciated.

Thank you
John W. List
1995 525iA
302,000 Miles

[Mike M]

i'd replace the engine...but that's just me.

instead of selling it, though, i'm sure you'd get more if you parted it out.
if you do, i call sideskirts and lower door trim! ;)

[Tiger]

You spent the money on tranny... might as well go for the engine. Your cost of ownership remains extremely low.

[rickm]

Take a look in the back of a Roundel Magazine (BMWCCA), several places have rebuilt engines available. Sorry to hear about your loss! If you don't have access to a Roundel let me know and I'll email you some names an addresses when I get home tonight.

[1992 BMW 535i]

Rebuilding Expense = $3,000.
New Car Expense = $1,000 down, plus higher insurance, tax, licensing, loss of money already in the car ????

[Unregistered]

Found a local engine from a 1993 325iA with 86K miles for $1100 that includes 1 year parts and labor warrenty. Would this swap out be hard?

[Tiger]

As long as it is same exact engine... pretty straightforward.... and would buy it instantly as it is covered by parts and labor!

[Rigmaster]

Don't buy it just yet!! AFAIK, the '93 is "single Vanos", while the '95 will be "double Vanos". They can be interchanged but are not exact replacements (you will lose Vanos on one of your cams with the single Vanos)..


Bret

[Unregistered]

Brent,
I think your wrong. 93-95 M50TU had single VANOS. The M52 that came out in 97 has Duel VANOS.

[DanH]

How is the body?
I would replace the engine if the body is still in great shape...not rusting out etc...
302k miles is pretty good. I am hoping to get past that point myself...just less than 70k to go for me.

[winfred]

the m52 was also single vanos, the one that had dual vanos was the aluiminum block m54, the m52 is just a m50 with a longer stroke to come up with 2.8 instead of 2.5, the other main difference is it has a tone ring on the crank for the refrence mark sensor, everything else is a bolt on that's why it's so easy to install one on a earlyer car


Brent,
I think your wrong. 93-95 M50TU had single VANOS. The M52 that came out in 97 has Duel VANOS.

[Unregistered]

The car is in great shap. No rust or body damage execpt for a few dings. It is a southern car and only seen snow a few times. Rebuilt tranny last year due to accident with dog. Interior is good only 2 small splits in drivers seat. On a 10 scale I would give it an 8. Engine problems only after 275,000 miles and always used Mobile 1 oil.

Thanks
JWL



How is the body?
I would replace the engine if the body is still in great shape...not rusting out etc...
302k miles is pretty good. I am hoping to get past that point myself...just less than 70k to go for me.

[Dick Schneiders]

Brent,
I think your wrong. 93-95 M50TU had single VANOS. The M52 that came out in 97 has Duel VANOS.

[ryan roopnarine]

you can generally get totalled car m50tus for 7 or 800 USD, plus installation.

[Tiger]

Totaled car means twice the amount of work... take out two motors and put one in... alot of time involved.

[Tiger]

Oooh... so there can be a 528i E34?

[ryan roopnarine]

i meant you can buy them already out of the totalled car, ready to drop in, beginning in the 700 range.

[shragon]

perfect time for an s50 (e36 us-spec m3 motor) swap.