E30 Zone

Having just put a 2.5 into my 320 I'm about to inform the DVLA of the change. Had a look on their webiste and it says:

DVLA will need written evidence of any changes to engine number and cylinder capacity (cc). Written evidence can be:

* a receipt for the replacement engine
* written evidence from the manufacturer
* an inspection report provided for insurance purposes
* written confirmation on headed paper from a garage if the change in engine size took place before you bought the vehicle

I did the conversion myself and the insurance company didn't require an inspection report so I don't have any of the documents they have requested. Is this a problem or should I just send off my V5 with the amended details and hope for the best?

Just send off the form... the only reason they'll care is if you're reducing the capacity & moving it into a cheaper tax band

I would just send the v5 off with amended details bud, its what was going to do with my transplant

Nice one, cheers for the quick responses, it'll be in post tonight.

Afternoon all,

I've heard back from the DVLA, they have just sent my V5 back without amending the details and informed me that I must provide one of following documents as proof of the engine change (amended from the original post):

* a receipt of purchase from a garage, on headed notepaper confirming the engine number, engine size (cc), the fuel type for the reconditioned or replacement engine, if one is fitted
* If you existing engine has been converted, written evidence on headed paper from the garage that carried out the work
* An inspection report from a body such as the AA or RAC
* An inspection report provided for insurance purposes
* If the change took place beofre you bought the vehicle, we will accept written confirmation of the change on headed paper from a garage
* Written confirmation from the manufacturer containing the engine number and size

Now I don't have any of the above as I did the swap myself. I asked at my local garage and they suggested that I write to the DVLA informing them of the situation and hopefuly they will accept this (I could also forward them photographs to show that I did the swap myself).

If they don't go for this the only other option seems to be to get a report done by the AA or RAC, but I'd really rather not go down this route as it's bound to cost an arm and a leg.

What do you think? Has anyone else had this problem before or got any other ideas on how to sort it out?

Cheers

get an inspection done by the AA or even a friendly local garage owner for a £20 bung.

Just goes to show the amount of trouble you can land yourself in just by being honest....

Go for the last option. BMW (GB) are usually quite helpful with this kind of thing.

I've finally got this sorted, I did go for the final option in the end, sent BMW UK an email with the VIN, engine number and size of both my current and donor cars, they sent an email back confirming the specs and I sent the whole lot off to the DVLA. Got it back in the post yesterday with all the details updated.

Thanks Brian, top quality advice (as always).

i wouldnt even have bothered telling them before, my old e30 was registered and insured as a standard 320i and it was a 2.5 turbo. 320 and 325 engines are both m20's which means they look pretty much identical

Err, I think a turbo charger hanging off the exhaust looks nothing like a standard 320i