Ok, I know there is a buy/sell thread on here somewhere, but this is no casual search for parts to upgrade my baby, this is an emergency. As soon as we got back from the Honeymoon I called my mechanic and he told me the news- the head is worthless... she's dead if I don't find a new head!

I need a single VANOS m50 head

If you have the correct engine/head lying around, or if you know someone who does PLEASE PM me. It's my daily so I have no car until she's fixed- plus she's my baby, and I'm not letting her die!

I'm sure most of you are wondering how in GODS good name did I let her get to this point? well, I've said it before, and my mechanic has confirmed it- the PO did NOT- I repeat, NOT baby this car, and did not disclose this problem to me prior to the purchase- or at all.... My mechanic has told me that it's not all my fault, that the damage was done before I took ownership, although my driving it didn't make it better, but then again, that's how we found the problem in the first place.... anyway, compression test found 4 cylinders are cocmpletly fucked..... so now we're in search for a new head... please if you know of a single VANOS m50 head ANYWHERE please PM myself or Fidhle007... he's the one working on the car.

Thanks guys!!!

Got to say it: needing head right after a honeymoon is NOT a good sign (sorry; too easy).
Is your mechanic sure it can't be machined?? If not; call around to the local parts yards. Good luck, I feel your pain.

Im guessing it just needs valves from being over revved? Maybe not.. but if that is the case take the head to a machine with some new valves from BMA and you'll be set. A new set of exhaust valves is much cheaper than another head.

Also if you buy a head and have it shipped make sure its packed extremely well. I've bought and had a couple sent to me and they are easily damaged during shipping.

Got to say it: needing head right after a honeymoon is NOT a good sign (sorry; too easy).


:lol

In my case remachining parts will be more expensive.... they're WAY too far gone... it over heated WAY too many times, it's warped and cracked, and, well, like I said, Fucked. replacment is our better option to ensure we won't be having this discussion in the near future, either....

thanks for the packing tip btw!

and yeah, coming home to that REALLY sucked.....

Yeah, trying to get head from people online is hard. (once again, too easy)

Yeah, trying to get head from people online is hard. (once again, too easy)

hahaha, yeah, i figured i'd get a couple thoughts like that... it if makes you feel better, i'm laughing right along with you...

but really... anyone know where i can find a 93 or newer single VANOS m50 head?????

check out this search engine www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com)

:lol
Sorry to thread jack but your sig is OMG sex :3some
In my case remachining parts will be more expensive.... they're WAY too far gone... it over heated WAY too many times, it's warped and cracked, and, well, like I said, Fucked. replacment is our better option to ensure we won't be having this discussion in the near future, either....

thanks for the packing tip btw!

and yeah, coming home to that REALLY sucked.....

Watch ebay.. and search back a bit.. there is a guy in Tulsa parting a 94 525i. (which is vanos) Im going to go down and pick up some parts from him soon, so if he can't pull the head we can barder a little on the stuff I want and I can help him pull the head off. Just a thought.. danielesach is his screen name

check out this search engine www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com)

Thanks! found a couple possibilities!

Sorry to thread jack but your sig is OMG sex :3some


Watch ebay.. and search back a bit.. there is a guy in Tulsa parting a 94 525i. (which is vanos) Im going to go down and pick up some parts from him soon, so if he can't pull the head we can barder a little on the stuff I want and I can help him pull the head off. Just a thought.. danielesach is his screen name

Hmmmmm...my only hesitation is how far you guys are from me.... shipping will kill me...... trying to save on this a bit too, REALLY low on money...

Hmmmmm...my only hesitation is how far you guys are from me.... shipping will kill me...... trying to save on this a bit too, REALLY low on money...

I had a head shipped from the east cost and it was about 85 bucks..

Hit him up, I doubt he'll sell the engine as a whole considering where he is located, but I bet he'd sell you the head. I know he's already sold quite a bit of stuff and may give you a heck of a deal.

Brother check this out on ebay, ITEM NO. 230159862678, hope this helps.

Brother check this out on ebay, ITEM NO. 230159862678, hope this helps.

Brother huh? something tells me you are 1) a fellow firefighter, and 2) under the impression I'm male......sorry, but Lady Firefighter here!

anyway, I'll have to check that out, thank you.

Please accept my apologies, I was in a hurry to give you a lead and I didnt even verify your user name. Anyway, Have a great day and hope you get the parts that you need.

Please accept my apologies, I was in a hurry to give you a lead and I didnt even verify your user name. Anyway, Have a great day and hope you get the parts that you need.

Lol Don't even worry about it! I wasn't offended by it at all... heck generally when people look at me they don't believe me at first. considering my 5'2'' 125-130 lb frame, I don't blame them. :)

Gotta say... Thats pretty cool.

Gotta say... Thats pretty cool.

The Firefighter thing? I think so! It's the only thing I could ever do 40+ hours a week.... doesn't even feel like work, I love my job!

The Firfighter thing? I think so! It's the only thing I could ever do 40+ hours a week.... doesn't even feel like work, I love my job!

Yes, and being a female. I always think its cool to see woman step out of the norm and do things above and beyond the stereotypical woman's job/career.

Yes, and being a female. I always think its cool to see woman step out of the norm and do things above and beyond the stereotypical woman's job/career.

Well thank you very much... my mother always told me "don't marry a doctor, BE one!" and for awhile I was going to be, then I joined the Fire Dept. and got into EMS, caught the Fire bug, and the rest is history!

P.S. not to make this thread officially pointless, but thanks to eightynine535 I found a head for my car, ordering it tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for your help, I think my blood pressure is officially going down. I'm very happy to know my baby will be back and claiming the parking spot furthest from the building (and flaunting the fact she's the only bimmer not only at our apt complex, but also in town) once again!

The beast lives! :buttrock

glad to help.

I just caught this thread. Check w/ joel @ Theeurodepot.com located in Concord NH. It can save you shipping.IM SURE he'll have one ;) I have an entire non vanos engine but dont reall want to split it up for the head.

Yea - I'd get to know them - they are in your neighborhood and seem to have lots of E34's... (http://www.theeurodepot.com/salvage_yard.php?idc=7)

Well, we've got one ordered and my husband is picking it up tomorrow, it's like 2 hours away from me in Mass, but it's only $350 and because my hubby's picking it up we're skipping out on shipping charges, so I'm happy.

SO glad I'll have my car back soon!!!

Ok, well, I HAD one ordered and picked out and all, however, they started pulling it off the engine today and realized the cams screwed and the head is no good.... so searching again.... my mechanic called the euro depot and they don't have what we need, but thanks for the idea....

anyone else have anything? I really need my car back... I'm getting really sick of my apartment...

I'd try Vines (http://www.vinesauto.com/) or Terry Sayther (http://www.terrysaytherauto.com/parts.htm)

Good luck!

Checking up on them now, doesn't seem to be much, but there are possibilities.... thanks...

Anyone else? everything I seem to try comes close, but is either m30 or m20, or non vanos, etc.... any other ideas are welcome. Thanks guys.

I know VANOS was introduced in '92, but was there a definative prod. date? How can you tell the difference between a M50B25 and an M50TU? I can see what I can find down here in Mass, but I would need to know how to differentiate between the two.

Kate, would you be interested in a whole new engine as well?

IIRC M50TU is from July 1992 production. Look for the actuator mounted on LF corner of head just above radiator hose w/banjo nut for oil line & just above oil filter housing. GL Kate

Try here (http://www.metricmechanic.com/pg106.htm)..

I know VANOS was introduced in '92, but was there a definative prod. date? How can you tell the difference between a M50B25 and an M50TU? I can see what I can find down here in Mass, but I would need to know how to differentiate between the two.

Kate, would you be interested in a whole new engine as well?

not completly opposed to it, but only as a last measure. My best friend wants the oil pan and wiring harness from that engine, and I need the head, but then I have nothing to to with the rest of it. I could sell the other parts, but I don't think we can come up with the money for the whole engine... unless you know of one for cheap........;)

I found a cylinder head from a 11/93 325IS with an M50 motor... I'm assuming that since it's between 7/92 and xx/94 that it's single VANOS...

Hmm... called the place and found that they don't have the one I found online... however they do have one from a burn car - the guy I talked to said the cylinder head was in good shape, and since it was from a burn car he'd cut a deal for $295. Take that info with a grain of salt I guess... *shrug*

Hmm... called the place and found that they don't have the one I found online... however they do have one from a burn car - the guy I talked to said the cylinder head was in good shape, and since it was from a burn car he'd cut a deal for $295. Take that info with a grain of salt I guess... *shrug*

$295!! HOLY S**T do tell me more!!! if it's the right one, I'll take it! (as long as it's not warped, cracked or otherwise damaged, of course.) that's the cheapest I've seen so far....if you have this guys contact info or know if it's the right one, please let me know, that's an insane deal...

Ironically it probably isn't too far away from you... Place called The Euro Depot in Concord, NH - 1-603-225-3636... I called about this:

11/93 325IS M50 CYL HEAD W/CAMS GOOD

...and when I talked to the guy he told me what I just told you. They may still have this one... now that I think about it I said 1993 but this car is a '93 prod but '94 model. I would ask about both.

Let me know how it turns out... I'll keep perusing inbetween program compiles.

Let me know how it turns out... I'll keep perusing inbetween program compiles.

Thanks man, I talked to him, and that head really seems like a BIG possibility... just have to talk to my mechanic, but if I get this one, you have saved me at least $200 so, THANKS!!!

Try here (http://www.metricmechanic.com/pg106.htm)..
I'm hurt, you didn't try my link..:(





























;)

Thanks man, I talked to him, and that head really seems like a BIG possibility... just have to talk to my mechanic, but if I get this one, you have saved me at least $200 so, THANKS!!!

Hey, anything for a fellow EMT and 525i owner ;)

Keep us posted with how it works out - if it doesn't pan out we can keep helping you in your search.

I'm hurt, you didn't try my link..:(

yes I did! I didn't find what I needed, but I DID try it.... so there :stickoutt

Thanks for everything guys... really means alot, not to go all gushy on you, but I really miss my car!!!!

UPDATE!

Well, we found one from Euro Depot (thanks man!!!) and we're sending it to the machine shop to have it checked and remachined, and if it checks out, it's goin in the car!!!!

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

*grins* awesome! here's to hoping you get your baby back on the road...

I know how you feel... I've only had my 525i for a week and I'm already rapidly entangling myself in a complicated romantic relationship (to my girlfriend's mock chagrin). It's all love right now, I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into love-hate in the near future... :-P

*grins* awesome! here's to hoping you get your baby back on the road...

I know how you feel... I've only had my 525i for a week and I'm already rapidly entangling myself in a complicated romantic relationship (to my girlfriend's mock chagrin). It's all love right now, I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into love-hate in the near future... :-P

oh, it will... just wait...... ;)

UPDATE!

Well, we found one from Euro Depot (thanks man!!!) and we're sending it to the machine shop to have it checked and remachined, and if it checks out, it's goin in the car!!!!

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Good luck Kate.:buttrock

Sorry I havent been of any help, I havent any clue were to start looking for anything around here

thats good to hear! I was in pretty much the same boat as you, my head was warped by .017, so it had to be heated back into shape and the cam had to be pressed, needed some new valves and some guides as well, But upon getting it shipped back it was dropped and packaged poorly, so it had to be sent back again. Big headache, so avoiding shipping is the best idea. Ended up spending over 500 dollars for just head machining and parts.

thats good to hear! I was in pretty much the same boat as you, my head was warped by .017, so it had to be heated back into shape and the cam had to be pressed, needed some new valves and some guides as well, But upon getting it shipped back it was dropped and packaged poorly, so it had to be sent back again. Big headache, so avoiding shipping is the best idea. Ended up spending over 500 dollars for just head machining and parts.

Yeah, my husband and I are hand carrying it to the machine shop, an leaving explicit instructions to package it well.... I need this part... but picking it up from the parts place and bringing it to the machine shop today... it's like 3 hours worth of driving, but it's worth it to get my baby running again! :buttrock

PM sent. Good luck!

Well, the head we found is good, but it's going to need a rebuild... they should be finished with the remachining and rebuild and have it to the mechanic some time next week. I just might get my car back by next weekend!!!
:alright SO HAPPY!!!

Sweet!! Hadn't heard from you and was wondering how that went. Glad that it worked out for you.

My baby currently has quite a few of her innards on the garage floor as I am doing quite a bit of tuneup work.