How much money is a 3.6 from an M5?

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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:13 pm

How much can I realistically expect to pay for a complete turnkey engine from an early 90's 3.6 M5, any ideas?

So tempted by this conversion but if the hardware costs alot in the first place then I'll have to can my plan and go to the M30!

cheers
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DieselMeister
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:00 pm

Dude, if you gotta ask you won't like the answer ;)

I would have thought that it would be easier to find and buy a complete car but unless it was a write off, it would end up costing £3-5k and up for even an early one. The only one I've seen went for £1500 without a gearbox....

Still I'd be interested to know the going rate for this and the S38, ready to go. Any more useful posts chaps?
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:07 pm

ive no idea either but as youd need so much id buy a doner car ,take everything you need then break the rest for parts to recoup some of the costs
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:12 pm

hehe yeh i knew it really, just hoping by some miracle that there may be a way of doing it - there is a 3.8 on ebay at the mo but i assume the bidding will take off for it near the end of the auction!

ah well sigh............
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:16 pm

at least if you buy a whole car you can hear the engine running and have some idea of the history/condition,safest option really.
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:18 pm

hello mate
i have a very good M5 for sale it has high mileage but it has been well cared for i am only after 3K for the whole car
Ther are many people on here who can vouch for the.
you can sell some of the bits
to cover the costs of buying as you only want the running gear.
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:23 pm

give this lot a call, maybe expensive but at least you'll have an idea.

http://www.fabdirect.com/index.html
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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:30 pm

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Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:17 pm

This conversion is well worth the money over an M30 conversion.

An E34 3,6 M5 is a formidable beast and will easily be quicker than an E30 with an M30 in it.

Buy a complete car which you know has a good engine and gearbox. One with some damage on it will cost you around £3000.

If the car has the throw star alloys and decent leather you'll get £1000 back almost straight away just with these two items leaving you with a total cost of about £2000.

Now that makes a cheap engine, gearbox, and full running gear. You'll recoup more money from other parts sold aswell.

Fowler's car is a good one to look at or mine (puts out almost stock figures)

Both are £3000.

Do it because you'l never regret it!
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Post Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:50 am

yes folks its true these engines really are the bollocks!
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Post Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:33 am

Buying the engine and gear box is one thing. Getting it in and running right is another thing. You only have to look at the problems P is having with his one :( Things will have to be fabricated and dont forget you're matching a new engine to an old car so there will be tears and expensis involved. I reckon to do this conversion and do it right and nicely will set you back about £6k to £8k unless you're talented like Glenn mechanics wise and can do the work yourself :wink:
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Post Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:51 am

Yeah, you need to make sure the engine is sweet before you start, not wait for 9 months, do all the work and find out its fooked!
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Post Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:20 pm

bigpimpin wrote:Yeah, you need to make sure the engine is sweet before you start, not wait for 9 months, do all the work and find out its fooked!
just drive the doner car for a few months and get the engine tip top before u take it out no?
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Post Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:27 pm

Cheers guys, some useful info there. Buying a complete car would definately be the way to go unfortunately I've just had the girlfriend in my ear saying she wants a modern plasticky whack car which she has only just decided to tell me about!
Funny thing is she likes driving my car but still wants a modern car - i say why? - and she says, beacuse she does!!!! :mad:
The E30 has so much character and drives well and with an M powerplant on board would be the muts nuts imo. Looks like I got some persuading to do!