Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I was a member of roadfly.org a while back, but switched to a 2000 E320 W210 and gave my E34 to mom for Christmas. Anyways the timing belt broke on the baby and according to the mechanic "broke the rockers" so now I'm looking at replacing the engine as opposed to just redoing the head, as suggested by a mechanic. Does anyone know what type of engine I should be looking for and the approximate cost? I have a friend who has a dealership who has offered to accept "dinner and a movie" for the labor, so I'm just curious as to what I should ask before buying the engine. Also if anyone has any links to places on the Internet that they would recommend I'd greatly appreciate it.

Some info on the car:
1990 525i, inline 6, auto
Dinan engine and tranny chip
Always taken care of and serviced ahead of time

Thanks for all of your help. Cheers!

Just drop in a junkyard motor and change the timing belt at that time.

That's a ridiculous deal that your friend is offering on labor. Wow.

+1 Plus, might as well get a manual tranny while you're at it. :) Maybe, you have to include dessert as well. ;)

We used to date a while back, and still managed to remain friends after the breakup. Great girl! $100 dinner vs. $1000+ labor is a no-brainer.

I've done a bit of research, and I've found engines for as low as $795 on the Internet. I'm planning on checking locally, and I'll include junkyards. Thanks 4500 RPM and BMRSEB.

We used to date a while back, and still managed to remain friends after the breakup. Great girl! $100 dinner vs. $1000+ labor is a no-brainer.

I've done a bit of research, and I've found engines for as low as $795 on the Internet. I'm planning on checking locally, and I'll include junkyards. Thanks 4500 RPM and BMRSEB.

No problem, just make sure you change the belt on the used junkyard engine. One thing is for sure: Scrap the old one.

Gotta get an M30. Forget the M20!

So you're taking a favor from the shop and asking them to swap in a totally different motor? Are you guys trying to make yourself look stupid?

@4500 RPM - According to the mechanic (this is a different one than who is doing the engine) the timing belt snapped and caused the rockers to break. I've got another one on order...

I'm actually happy with the M20 that came with the car. While I drove it, I had a few upgrades done that increased its performance. It was a great car to drive. It never had any problems - once I replaced all the cooling components and installed the chips. I preferred driving the Bimmer over the Mercedes any day, still do, hands down.

I'm aiming for another 100K miles out of the car. The E34 is solidly built and I have never had any of the undercarriage rust issues or other problems I've heard about, thankfully.

I've found that I should be looking for an Alusil motor instead of a Nikasil due to issues with premature failure. Anyone know how I can identify that engine? I've read that they have different engine codes...

Easy there bud! Now you're talking completely different engines! The Nikasil/Alusil issues pertained only to the M60B30/40 engines found in the E34 530i and 540i resp.

By now it there haven't been any issues I think it's a safe bet on these engines. However, we're also talking about V8 engines over your I6. And within that as some have mentioned the Big Six (M30) over the Little Six..(M20) :)

If you're thinking about swapping in an M60 that's more of an undertaking than an I6! Why not maybe an M50 w/VANOS ('93+ 525i engine), if you don't go the M30 (535i engine) route?

Also, I would suggest you do some reading in the FAQ's posted at the top of this forum, very helpful in getting an understanding of these cars, engines, etc. Good Luck..

Easy there bud! Now you're talking completely different engines! The Nikasil/Alusil issues pertained only to the M60B30/40 engines found in the E34 530i and 540i resp.

By now it there haven't been any issues I think it's a safe bet on these engines. However, we're also talking about V8 engines over your I6. And within that as some have mentioned the Big Six (M30) over the Little Six..(M20)

If you're thinking about swapping in an M60 that's more of an undertaking than an I6! Why not maybe an M50 w/VANOS ('93+ 525i engine), if you don't go the M30 (535i engine) route?

Also, I would suggest you do some reading in the FAQ's posted at the top of this forum, very helpful in getting an understanding of these cars, engines, etc. Good Luck..

Haha, No, I don't want to upgrade the engine. Yeah, I'd just like to replace the inline six with another inline six that works, just to get it back on the road for Mom. If I were still driving it, oh yeah, I'd be upgrading but since it's for mom, it's got probably more than enough. She shouldn't be racing anyway!

Movado1999

Your in Ocala and im in Miami, I have a whole car 1990 that runs all it needs to be drivable is the following.

Inside Door panels the covering started peeling and my son tried to start the project of re covering them but that didn't get him too far.

Driver side rear A arm with Strut and Axcel, he took a turn a little too fast
and hit the curb.

Make me a decent offer for the whole car, you can mount it on a Uhaul trailer and take it away.

here you will get a good running motor and many extra parts body is in great shape except for front and rear bumper plastic all cracked in pieces.

email me at xaviervp AT bellsouth DOT net and I can get you some photos if you want.

Think about it a joy ride to beautifull miami :)

Xavier

The place to find engines, and most other major parts is:

http://car-part.com/