2005 X3 for purchase and then repair?

[328iFun]

Hey everyone! New the "X" world over here - Spend most of my time in the FI forum.

I found 2005 X3 on FB marketplace for $1000.00 but it needs a transmission. My wife has been wanting one of these forever.

Worth the purchase to swap the trans out? If I'm not mistaken, its a GM trans: 5L40e.

I have an auto from an E36 m52b28, will it fit?

Thoughts? Should I go through with it. I have lift and would be swapping the trans myself.

[jclausen]

No it will not fit get the right transmission

[dukedkt442]

A $1000 E83 will be the most expensive BMW you'll ever own. The bad transmission is just a tip off the under-maintained and over-abused iceberg. As mentioned above, the trans won't swap over. You'll need the right transmission, and then also need to replace everything else that the owner rode hard and put away wet: expect M54 oil burning issues, failed/worn transfer case, and loud/vibrating differentials. Drivetrain components' lives should be the same as that of the vehicle itself, the owner accelerated their end of lives.

Even a $3000 2005 E83 will likely take quite a few dollars and labor-hours to make reliable enough to feel comfortable putting someone else into. The cooling systems (specifically the expansion tanks) are a guaranteed failure item.

[jclausen]

Ya it sounds like you would be headed down the rabbit hole