Looking into a future m50/52 transplant...

[Green]

I'm hoping to start on sorting and sourcing a conversion in about 6 months time and going to spend the time up to it understanding and researching all i can about it.

I'm currently considering either 2.5, 2.8 or a 3.5.. but undecided as to what's simplest and not going to cause me wanting to take a sledge hammer to it.

There's just a few quick answers i'd appriciate.

What parts can i keep from my original 320i?

Would it be easier to purchase a whole donor vehicle? Ifso which donor would be best to choose from?

Is there a particular 'easiest' option from the choice of these engines?

What's the most Cost effective way of going about it? And on average how much do these things damage your wallets

I know someone who's a bit of a bmw fanatic, and he was saying that a v8 transplant wouldn't be that much agro either, and the sound of a v8 does sound tempting if it's doable without massive ball ache.

Sorry about my ignorance i'd like to just clear a few things up, and sort my ideas out first before i get all tunnel vision about it.
I shall most likely have my friend do with with me, but out of curiosity how much would someone charge to do all the work or part of it. Not that it'll be likely i want to pay for it, but who knows!

Thanks in advance...!

[nickso]

read the m50 sticky thread. then search for m50/52 threads.....e30beemerlad and cook318is are good starters.

wallet damage depends on how far you want to go, a cheap donor means a cheap convo. 3.5 is possibly the easiest but i would be going for 2.8 myself (well i actually am) v8 is a great idea but i'm not sold on the gains from a BMW v8 convo, seems a lot of work for an average gain. if i was going v8 it would be a balls out chevy LS1 swap, the beemer lump just isn't worth it IMO but a shit load cheaper than an LS1.

[Green]

I've read over a couple so far, and i think you're right in saying the 3.5 is possibly the easiest. One of the benifits i can see of using an m50/52 would be fuel consumption and what i gathered was a lighter engine as well?

There any other benefits of choosing am50/52 over a m30?

[Jhonno]

I've read over a couple so far, and i think you're right in saying the 3.5 is possibly the easiest. One of the benifits i can see of using an m50/52 would be fuel consumption and what i gathered was a lighter engine as well?

There any other benefits of choosing am50/52 over a m30?

M50 is just as easy as the M30

The 24v lumps are quicker over the 1/4 mile.. Better on fuel day to day and much lighter

M30's have good torque