Best donor car for M50 conversion, opinions needed

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Sphinx
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:47 am

Hello again everyone, my frantic question asking will die down eventually, trust me lol

I've been reading a few of the M50 conversion threads, in particular the 30 odd page one...epic doesn't come close! I've not even made a dent yet!

I'm considering donor cars for the M50B25 vanos engine and considering all the parts needed, what do people think is the best one to go for? e36 or e34? I'm quite keen on the idea of a donor car so I can hear the engine running and it would easier to transport it if it had a bit of mot left on even.

My initial thoughts are that an E34 would be easier to find and cheaper to buy but would the e36 have a few more parts needed to make up for extra expense? (i'm still not 100% on every little things needed for the conversion)
Also thinking about re-sale of the parts I wouldn't need; again I think e34 parts may sell a bit easier than e36 parts depending on spec.

Any opinions or experience welcome :)
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georob
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:00 pm

I used e34 Sport for mine.
E34 x 1 - V8 + lots of CF
E30 x 2 - Tourings (1 x M50, 1 x M40)
RS6 C5 - Stage 1 remap - 500bhp

George
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:14 pm

daimlerman
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:29 pm

I used E34 525i.Needed E36 engine mounts and engine harness. I reasoned that buying a running E34 would be easier than swapping the sump etc.Still have an E34 interior,gearbox and diff cluttering the place up,though...
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georob
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm

Why did you need the e36 harness?
E34 x 1 - V8 + lots of CF
E30 x 2 - Tourings (1 x M50, 1 x M40)
RS6 C5 - Stage 1 remap - 500bhp

George
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:47 pm

On E34 the ECU lives in a sealed box roughly where the battery lives on my touring.E36 hides the ECU under the dash a la E30,so the harness is longer to reach this location. If you already have your battery in the boot,E34 harness and a similar box arrangement will work fine.
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BigBavarian
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Post Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:51 pm

I used a e34 525 auto, m20 flywheel, clutch and starter, battery in the boot and the ecu just about fits under the dash still
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