M54 to S54

[moihawk]

Should I E46-M54 to E46-S54?

This is my first post ever.

I have a E46 02 330ci manual 5 speed I've had this car for six year and been playing with the thought of swapping to the M3 S54 engine. I know their are a few extra parts I'm going to need

Matching set of DME/EWS/Key/Ignition Tumbler/Guage ClusterM3 DriveshaftM3 Rear End (Diff/Subframe/Lower Suspension, brakes, exhaust)
Control arms
Front End Brakes (not necessary)MK60 DSC (Recommended)
6 speed shift knob

i got this information from a combination of videos i will put at the end of the post


I'd like to keep the car long term so it would be a large investment but it would also be an awesome oem sleeper.
Are there affordable OEM shortcuts (example)
-leave 330ci front brakes
-leave single muffler

should i buy a whole M3 back end? or shop? I have a lot of time for RD

how much would this cost? - all parts purchased and taken to a shop.


references:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnaZqKbvwT4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td8MgQ_3KGs&t=1188s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaS7E09A-Rg

[Muzz258]

So you are going to get a shop to do the work with you providing the parts. Sounds expensive. Most people do the work themselves.

What you need is a parts car. Hopefully a lightly damaged M3 that has been written off for a bent body frame or something.

The easy alternative is to save up a bit and buy a M3 and be done with. It will have a higher resale value.

[randy72877]

An m3/s54 swap for a coupe is probably not worth it. Just sell your car and get an m3. The amount of work to turn a standard coupe into an m3 is more than you think. It makes more sense to build a sedan or touring model into an m3 because they never existed.

Sent from my S61 using Tapatalk

[MarcoZandrini]

My advice: sell the 02 and buy an M3.

[moihawk]

I've already paid a pretty penny to keep it running... now its feeling pretty good so im going to fix some interior because it needs love .... it is a rare velvet blue only 300 of this color were painted. Yeah without being able to do it myself I dont think it will be worth it. I sure with i had a shop or a sponsor or something that would be an awesome sleeper/passion project/greasy boi.

would it make a difference if i plan to keep this car until the engine blows? no? okay.

[harrier]

Unless you don't maintain it the engine will last a loooong time.
You will get sick of the maintenance long before the engine goes.

Don't do the swap. Do your own work for a year or so and get to know the car.