E30 Zone

Which has more usable parts/better for the swap?

328i.

What are the sumps like on the E39 528i, are they E30 ready like E34?

If you get the 328i engine you'll need to swap the sump and oil pick-up for a 525i/528i one. If you get the 528i engine you'll need the engine mount arms and exhaust manifolds from a 328i engine so there's very little in it.

EDIT: I've just realised the 528i is an E39 and I have no idea if the sump is correct like the 525i E34 one is!

I would personally chose depending on condition, rather than where the engine is from. As a guess the engine in a 5 series might have had a better life at the hands of a half dead old fecker, rather than the usual 328i driver... Even better, get the engine from an Auto, install a spigot bearing and the engine loom from a manual and it'll probably be even better (IMO auto engines have an easier life and no pressure from the throw out bearing on the crankshaft thrust bearings from pressing the clutch in all the time).

Just some food for thought..

HTH

Jai

e36 has more usable parts, such as rad. brakes prop diff etc...

E39 sump is at the rear like the E36 so is useless, the E39 loom and engine mount arms are also useless