E39 530I Engine replacement -

E39 530I Engine replacement -

Author
Discussion

Meke

Original Poster:

3 posts

23 months

Saturday 6th May 2023
quotequote all
Hello all.

Bought a 2003 530I in December and experienced HGF driving back due to coolant issue.

Sat in a garage since then and not much has happened other than a sniffer test and engineers confirming block is damaged.

Looking at swapping the engine. Would a newer model E60 3.0L fit as someone mentioned this, or I am I better to stick with another E39 engine?
(If anyone is selling one)

Any recommendations on who can fit the engine, wasted a lot of time with the current garage it’s at.

Cheers

Riek

44 posts

43 months

Saturday 6th May 2023
quotequote all
Early E60 530i had the M54 engine as the E39 530i did

this engine was also fitted to the E46 330i (probably the most common car to have it), E85 Z4 3.0i (not 3.0si) and E53 X5 3.0, and doubtless some others too

the later N52 engine fitted in later E60s would be a bit of a faff to fit.

d_a_n1979

9,682 posts

79 months

Saturday 6th May 2023
quotequote all
Stick with the M54 engine 3.0

It's a simple swap over then...

Just ensure that the engine you get has been healthy, looked after & maintained before you buy it

Try Quarry Motors, well known & trusted BMW breakers in Sheffield.

Or the likes of Nick & Simon Garland; again, tried & trusted breakers of BMWs, especially the E39s and E60s: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/rotripbmwspares?_trkpar...

Meke

Original Poster:

3 posts

23 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
Thanks will drop them a message.

In the meanwhile does anyone have a recommend for a garage in the London Essex area who could facilitate the swap?

d_a_n1979

9,682 posts

79 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
Speak to Martin Hinds of Dartford Transmissions

He's well respected in the E39 arena

I-am-the-reverend

928 posts

42 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
Meke said:
Thanks will drop them a message.

In the meanwhile does anyone have a recommend for a garage in the London Essex area who could facilitate the swap?
David Olias (Classic MD Autos) is Essex and pretty handy.

http://www.classicmdautos.co.uk

The E60 530i M54 is identical to the E39 unit - same block/head/sump etc.

You'll need to swap over the manifolds and engine wiring but that's no biggie.

I'm told a 'dead' 3.0 short engine has a value for the internals (crank etc) so if you can take that home and bang it on the Bay of E, that's a couple of hundred notes saved.

d_a_n1979

9,682 posts

79 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
I-am-the-reverend said:
Meke said:
Thanks will drop them a message.

In the meanwhile does anyone have a recommend for a garage in the London Essex area who could facilitate the swap?
David Olias (Classic MD Autos) is Essex and pretty handy.

http://www.classicmdautos.co.uk

The E60 530i M54 is identical to the E39 unit - same block/head/sump etc.

You'll need to swap over the manifolds and engine wiring but that's no biggie.

I'm told a 'dead' 3.0 short engine has a value for the internals (crank etc) so if you can take that home and bang it on the Bay of E, that's a couple of hundred notes saved.
Yup some bits can and will be reused so deffo agree that it's worth keeping hold of if possible.. And if you've the room/inclination etc

M54 out of the E46m 330i is also the same engine, so there should be some available

Just need to ensure that the car/engine has genuine paperwork to show it's been looked after & maintained...

Worth while replacing the whole cooling system, rocker gasket and oil filter housing gasket whilst it's all out; peace of mind them thumbup

Aluminati

2,758 posts

65 months

Wednesday 10th May 2023
quotequote all
https://www.pmwltd.co.uk/

Are the ultimate in Essex. It’s more likely the head is damaged rather than the block, so explore that first.

Finding a decent low mileage engine is always going to be a gamble.