Fix and keep or cut losses? BMW X3 went pop

[BERGS2]

I have a 2016 BMW X3 2.0 Xdrive-

Just over 100k miles on the clock - very nice cosmetic condition

Earlier this week, whist my wife was driving to the gym on morning, it let go in spectacular fasion on the A24.

Had it recovered to a local garage who confirmed that a piston had made its way through the engine block - i.e. the motor was totally fooked

My quandry is should i have the engine swapped (c. £5.5k for an unwarrented used unit, inc labour)

or cut losses and put as a non-runner on ebay and see what happens?

Car cost me £10k about a year ago - so say its worth 9k or so now, so in theory if i can get over £3.5 as a non-runner, its a better financial outcome than swapping in an exchange engine and potetnailly devaluing further?

No attachemnt to the car - just want the least painful financial outcome (and to get mrs B back on the road ASAP!)

thanks all,

bergs

[fflump]

I would imagine that a there is a somewhat limited pool of buyers in the market for a leggy X3 with a banjaxed engine. Obviously the engine mileage is a moot point but other things may be showing signs of wear. That said, in your shoes I'd stick it up for auction and let the market decide.

[soad]

Someone will buy it (as is), just don’t let it go too cheaply.

[reddiesel]

No Warranty with the used Engine so you would have to sell immediately .If you take this course of action then my advice is to mention nothing about having changed the engine . Nobody ever checks and in my experience it can blight a sale if you do . Caveat Emptor .
It is therefore a purely mathematical equation , how much for the engine and what is the value of the completed vehicle . Breaking and selling the Parts will take an age unless you get a quote for the removal of the whole car from a Salvage Agent . Its the old story I am afraid in that they will want it for next to nothing .

[samoht]

That sucks, sadly not as rare as one would hope.

fflump said:

I would imagine that a there is a somewhat limited pool of buyers in the market for a leggy X3 with a banjaxed engine. Obviously the engine mileage is a moot point but other things may be showing signs of wear. That said, in your shoes I'd stick it up for auction and let the market decide.

+1 stick it on eBay as-is I think.

If you try and repair it I would be concerned about (a) cost of repair ends up escalating (b) new engine blows up immediately before you can sell (c) used car market is a bit soft right now and you end up making a chunk less than you hoped post-repair.

I hear Ecsy loves buying four-pot diesel SUVs with blown engines and fixing them

[ZX10R NIN]

BERGS2 said:

I have a 2016 BMW X3 2.0 Xdrive-

Just over 100k miles on the clock - very nice cosmetic condition

Earlier this week, whist my wife was driving to the gym on morning, it let go in spectacular fasion on the A24.

Had it recovered to a local garage who confirmed that a piston had made its way through the engine block - i.e. the motor was totally fooked

My quandry is should i have the engine swapped (c. £5.5k for an unwarrented used unit, inc labour)

or cut losses and put as a non-runner on ebay and see what happens?

Car cost me £10k about a year ago - so say its worth 9k or so now, so in theory if i can get over £3.5 as a non-runner, its a better financial outcome than swapping in an exchange engine and potetnailly devaluing further?

No attachemnt to the car - just want the least painful financial outcome (and to get mrs B back on the road ASAP!)

thanks all,

bergs

£1795 supply & fit for the 2.0d:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294817457744?fits=Car+M...

[Mr Tidy]

ZX10R NIN said:

£1795 supply & fit for the 2.0d:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294817457744?fits=Car+M...

I'd go for that option!

[Frankychops]

reddiesel said:

No Warranty with the used Engine so you would have to sell immediately .If you take this course of action then my advice is to mention nothing about having changed the engine . Nobody ever checks and in my experience it can blight a sale if you do . Caveat Emptor .
It is therefore a purely mathematical equation , how much for the engine and what is the value of the completed vehicle . Breaking and selling the Parts will take an age unless you get a quote for the removal of the whole car from a Salvage Agent . Its the old story I am afraid in that they will want it for next to nothing .

You sound like an honest guy

[Jamescrs]

ZX10R NIN said:

£1795 supply & fit for the 2.0d:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294817457744?fits=Car+M...

Description says engines are sold on an exchange basis of them receiving a reparable engine. It sounds like the OP’s engine is not repairable if a piston has exited the block.

[macron]

A piston through the block seems unusual, I mean 100k is not that much, is this a known fault or something having gone awry? Wrong oil? No oil? The result of longline servicing?

[skeeterm5]

Many years ago a piston came through the side of the block on a 2.8 Capri that I was driving.

I only needed a short block as everything else was ok.

Is this an option for you rather than a complete engine?

[QuickQuack]

samoht said:

I hear Ecsy loves buying four-pot diesel SUVs with blown engines and fixing them

This deserves more recognition.

[reddiesel]

Frankychops said:

You sound like an honest guy

When was the Motor Trade ever honest ? Do you have any Practical advice to offer or are you just on here to be a virtue signalling halfwit ?

[reddiesel]

Mr Tidy said:

I'd go for that option!

Me too , fit it and get rid .

[ZX10R NIN]

Jamescrs said:

Description says engines are sold on an exchange basis of them receiving a reparable engine. It sounds like the OP’s engine is not repairable if a piston has exited the block.

Agreed but that gives the OP a ballpark figure, he can also give them a call & find out the extra cost of not having a bottom end.

[BERGS2]

ZX10R NIN said:

Agreed but that gives the OP a ballpark figure, he can also give them a call & find out the extra cost of not having a bottom end.

yeah that a good shout - thanks

garage has quoted £2800 + VAT on the sourced replacment engine - maybe they're being cautious / building in a bit of fat?

the place up there looks like it'll at least be able to guide -even if it is a chunk more change....

from looking at the price that modern-ish stuff goes for on the 'bay as non-runners - anything getting close to 35% of the market value for a 'runner' sounds like its a relatively minor issue

this place seems to do a number of my age/type of car.

on that basis - it looks like i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get an exchanged lump in there

thanks for the advice

[reddiesel]

BERGS2 said:

yeah that a good shout - thanks

garage has quoted £2800 + VAT on the sourced replacment engine - maybe they're being cautious / building in a bit of fat?

the place up there looks like it'll at least be able to guide -even if it is a chunk more change....

from looking at the price that modern-ish stuff goes for on the 'bay as non-runners - anything getting close to 35% of the market value for a 'runner' sounds like its a relatively minor issue

this place seems to do a number of my age/type of car.

on that basis - it looks like i'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get an exchanged lump in there

thanks for the advice

Take my advice fella and get rid as soon as you can after this has been fitted