Sourcing a used M54 engine

[ahlem]

Any suggestions on the best way to locate a good used engine? 2001 M54 for the X5. There is a debate going on at home about whether I should swap in a used motor or sell as-is. Mrs. doesn't think the effort will be worth it. Looking at the cost of a good used SUV these days makes me cringe and think a used motor is the way to go. If it was a plug and play, probably two weekends would do it. If I refresh gaskets, maybe a bit longer.

[Effduration]

I’ve bought an sold a few M54’s…don’t have any at the moment.

The best (and usually cheapest) used engine is one that you pull out of running parts car, with known mileage and which you can run a compression and/or a leak down test on.

Failing that, buy one from a dismantler with a warranty, but make sure you read (before you buy) and follow EVERY word of the warranty…they are written to make it hard to collect.