E34 M5 Engine swaP?

[Lastb0isct]

Hey guys, i just want to get a rough feel of cost for what im thinking about. Just figures here so don't gimme the "too much money" excuse ;). Alright i have a 95 530i and im wondering how much it'd cost to throw in the M5 engine, M5 transmission, suspension(including sway bars, coilovers, and such), and M5 interior or re-upholstered black leather interior(if i re=upholstered it'd only be the rear seat as the fronts are fine).
Now i figure roughly 5k for the engine alone, 3-4k for suspension, and about 1k(very rough since i don't know at all). I would be doing the install myself, thanks guys!
-Derek

[TreyG]

I know a guy that bought a converted 535. The guy that did the swap told him it cost around $15k. But thats with non-oem upgrades. Brakes and suspension were aftermarket.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Someone on bimmer.info did it himself, it was a huge expense. You're way low on the engine I think, at least for a running S38. Also possibly a tranny and driveline, BMW transmissions aren't universal. No way in hell it's worth it, you'll have as much or more money in it than a real M5, and the car won't be worth as much.

[TreyG]

Someone on bimmer.info did it himself, it was a huge expense. You're way low on the engine I think, at least for a running S38. Also possibly a tranny and driveline, BMW transmissions aren't universal. No way in hell it's worth it, you'll have as much or more money in it than a real M5, and the car won't be worth as much.

I concur. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Wait for an M5 to pop up like they always do, and make an offer on it. Whatever it needs fix it, upgrade it do whatever and you will still make out cheaper. Do not waste the time and money.

[xatlas0]

Hey guys, i just want to get a rough feel of cost for what im thinking about. Just figures here so don't gimme the "too much money" excuse ;). Alright i have a 95 530i and im wondering how much it'd cost to throw in the M5 engine, M5 transmission, suspension(including sway bars, coilovers, and such), and M5 interior or re-upholstered black leather interior(if i re=upholstered it'd only be the rear seat as the fronts are fine).
Now i figure roughly 5k for the engine alone, 3-4k for suspension, and about 1k(very rough since i don't know at all). I would be doing the install myself, thanks guys!
-Derek

You would have to replace a lot more than you think. You would essentially need the entire front clip, as your front subframe is entirely different from any straight 6 e34 and the engine bay configuration is totally different than yours right now. That is about 10k. The interior in total would be about 3-5k. The transmission is another 2-6k, depending on if youy get the 5 or 6 speed.

Honestly, a much more realistic swap would be a M60B40 versus the M60B30 you have in there now.

[Lastb0isct]

yea i was thinking the M60B40 but the weight is large. What's the difference in weight on the M60B40 vs. S38?

[Antrieb]

yea i was thinking the M60B40 but the weight is large. What's the difference in weight on the M60B40 vs. S38? They are both the same weight. The extra 1 liter comes from boring and stroking.

[CobaltFire]

Considering that a rebuild on an S38 is somewhere around $12k (a full rebuild), plus the front clip and all the mounts and electronics...

Just buy an M5. :)

[xatlas0]

yea i was thinking the M60B40 but the weight is large. What's the difference in weight on the M60B40 vs. S38?

Remember, the S38 is an IRON block. THe M60 has an aluminum block. It weighs the same as your current motor. No matter how you cut it, it makes absolutely no sense to do what you are suggesting.

[Alpha5]

Considering that a rebuild on an S38 is somewhere around $12k (a full rebuild), plus the front clip and all the mounts and electronics...

Just buy an M5. :)

I agree. check this: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=195875602&dealer_id=57436691&car_year=1991&search_type=both&make=BMW&model=M5&distance=100&address=93105&advanced=&certified=&bkms=1146279292244&max_price=&min_price=&first_record=26&end_year=2007&start_year=1981&isp=y&pager.offset=25&lang=sp&cardist=95

E34 M5. $15,800. Almost the same price as doing an engine swap.. more or less.

[onewhippedpuppy]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq/

332 lbs for the S38 vs 321 lbs for the M60, the V8 is slightly lighter.

[Grim Reaper]

Just get an M5 as all the others have said.

Starting with the motor swap your estimate is a couple KKK large low just to bring the used motor up to spec and install.

Here's a shortlist you would most likely have to start with:

Maintenance

Pull pan and do mains and rods and definitely change oil pump - $400
New tensioner and most likely chain and rails - couple hundred
New thermostat and waterpump - not cheap here either
All new hoses and vacuum lines for entire motor
New motor mounts as yours won't work
New clutch - budget $500 for clutch and other parts while youre in there

This list goes on and on. Just get the M5 and be done. They are worth every penny

[abakos]

There are seriously a lot of differences between the two cars. If you are in it for the M5 performance, then buy the M5, you'll save yourself a bunch of money.

If you want to do just to say you did it? Well...crazier shit has been done, but you'll get more performance and value out of a real M.

The only way I would consider such a monumental task was if I had access to a wrecked M5 for maybe 5k or so...

[VentoGT]

I agree. check this: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=195875602&dealer_id=57436691&car_year=1991&search_type=both&make=BMW&model=M5&distance=100&address=93105&advanced=&certified=&bkms=1146279292244&max_price=&min_price=&first_record=26&end_year=2007&start_year=1981&isp=y&pager.offset=25&lang=sp&cardist=95

E34 M5. $15,800. Almost the same price as doing an engine swap.. more or less.

This car has had a serious accident and is salvage title...has failed to meet whatever stratospheric reserve the guy has for it on eBay 3 times. Lots of stories on this car. There is a car on www.bimmer.info (http://www.bimmer.info) red/black and 101K miles asking $16K on it--he seems rather motivated.

As others have said, unless you really want the project and plan to never sell the car it would not be a sound financial decision. You won't be able to recoup the cost of doing this all yourself...I wouldn't want to buy a converted M5 unless it was well less than 50% of a real M5 price...think $6-8K you might be able to recoup, maybe less come selling time. I would think you would be able to get what your normal 535 would go for despite all the work you put into it.

The price point that these cars are at just doesn't make any sense to buy the expensive stuff in pieces as that can quickly outweigh the cost of buying a complete running M5.