Ahmedsinc

Cam sensors are a possibility too. Get it diagnosed by a BMW specialist, will be cheaper in the long run

Team McM I assume?

+1 Though I disagree that it's going backwards - going form a newer car with a large number of known reliability issues to an slightly older car with far fewer problems sounds like an upside to me The M54 wagon is only 3 years older, not 300! I can't imagine there'd be a huge difference in real world gas mileage either, not like going from a Prius to an old school 440 Mopar The diagrams are pretty comprehensive in the Bentley manuals - unless you've set fire to the looms everything can be fixed Guys like Brent & Ray would be able to supply you with what you need too, could even go harvesting from Pick a Part if you have the patience & time Hope you start getting some happier news soon!

My bad, completely overlooked the need to replace the N46 slushy. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-999797069.htm Swap across your M-sport bits into this and sell the remainder of the lemon. Not the cheapest solution but if you need a car on the road quickly it will be better than going through the ballache of a full engine, driveline & loom conversion. Really feel for ya dude, this sucks!! Oooh, nearly forgot - you'll need to add about a grand to the conversion costs to get the cert done. Might be cheaper but given it'll be engine + trans and other bits I'd anticipate around 1k

Well that will make it easier then. Im accustomed to E36s where theres a difference between the diff carriers. You don't already have the trans? Need to factor that into the budget, plus the cost of the TCM and any required wiring. Pretty confident that the looms will not be interchangeable. Whats the car worth as a parts mule? Might yet be more cost effective to cut your losses and get something less inclined to commit suicide on your drive home from work?

T56 will probably stand up to more abuse for longer than the G420 but thats only my opinion. Is this to possibly go in the 190E?

Not a hell of a lot of B30 wagons around, but you're dead right on the cost scale. If he can do the B25 conversion for minimal outlay it'd be a damn sight better than another N46 thats only going to grenade itself in short order

If you have a parts mule to steal from I'd do the conversion. You will need to get it certed as it's a greater than 20% power increase AND you're increasing the displacement. Cert should be straightforward as you've got all the OEM parts at hand for the exchange, will probably have to install driveshaft hoops though. Not 100% sure as you'll have an OEM non modified DS but best to speak with an inspector directly. Full engine, loom, dash, EWS, TCM and trans plumbing to go from a - b. Diff too, not sure if the subframes are different between the small case & medium case types on E46? Maybe bigger brakes from the 325i as well, if applicable? I'm not savvy with E46 rotor sizes except for the 330i stuff. It'll be a big job, but at least you'll have a driveline setup that will last longer than 146,000km. Sorry to see it happen to you but I can't say I'm surprised! Edit: for all the hassle involved why not go to the M54B30 & a manual box? Not exactly cheap but the benefits would be worth the effort

Getrag 420G. though you'll have a hard time fitting it to anything aside from the matching engine. Afaik the bell housing is a one piece casting as part of the trans casing and they're specific to the V8, I6 & S54, three different ones in total. Supra & skyline used the G233 apparently. G260 was used in the V6 Commodores, G290 was the 5 speed box used in the V8s up to the VT, then went to a 6 speed T56. You'll probably find a T56 for cheaper than a 420G unless you're planning to bring one in from overseas. Which engine are you toying with?

Keep us posted on what BMW charge for the parts - I need to replace the weather seal & wiper cowling on the wifes wagon too

Any updates?

Sitting engines tend to collect oil in the cylinder bores, so will produce blue / greyish smoke on first start, smoke in the engine bay points to a failed gasket or cracked cover

If your head gasket failed that badly it wouldn't be burning on the exhaust manifolds. Mayo under the oil cap is typical but not always present. Look for a discoloured patch on the headers for clues as to the leak location. Sometimes it can be hard to spot under artificial lighting too. Is the oil loss bad enough to be noticeable on the dipstick?

What was the reason for the replacement? Edit: Has the cooling system been correctly bled? I understand the M20s are particularly troublesome to get right

Sounds like it could be a damaged rocker gasket & a blocked radiator / jammed thermostat / failed water pump. Is it a replacement engine you've installed or have you just done a HG replacement? A little more info would help

I understand Milland can get them ex-BMW. Failing that, your local stealership is your only option Edit: Yes they are coded to a specific vehicle. Just getting another key cut to the barrel will only solve half the issue

^ +1 Above statement applies to everything from E34, E36 & E38 up. Have seen perfectly competent & intelligent mechanics stumped by BMWs, God help those of us that try to figure it out for ourselves!

If one was to really nitpick it would also run better with the radiator temp sender plugged in. But I'm not one to nitpick

Epoxy a couple of bolts to the floor. Avoids driving into something you ought not to have drilled into and eliminates any chance of the holes rusting

Cheap is right! Quick mental math comes up with around 22k worth of parts in that car easy.

CH in 18" or 19" would go close to 1k, 17s really don't hold a lot of value these days outside of LMs, style 5s, genuine Alpina etc. If he took the Chinese plastic circles off the wheels he might find a buyer a little faster.

Have got a set on the mrs' E39 wagon, but I'm just too damn lazy to pull one off and throw it at my car much easier to let someone else do all the hard work and learn from their findings! Hmm, main reason I'd want them would be to utilise the extra width and have the 255/40, already run 225/45 all round on the current rims Edit: Apologies to OP for thread hijack

If you do get some 66s 'd be very keen to find out how much work is needed to get the 9" rears to fit

The 265/5 was the box used on the Euro E30 M3; E28 & E24 coupes, when they do come up for sale (rarely) its usually missing the bh as the seller is changing to a race trans. As I don't have a 265/5 to confirm or deny my hunch it's entirely academic, but thanks for the offer

I have a hunch that the Jatco bh would work with the Getrag 256/5 dogleg box. Having said that, I'd need to have a 265/5 to test the theory on first I vaguely recall the G250 weighing around 30kg compared to the 70kg of the jap auto. Either way, it's a damn sight lighter than the horrible slushy it replaced!