Need Used 3.0 Engine for my 2004 6M/T
 

133k miles on my beautiful X5 with the 6-speed manual but unfortunately I am almost certain I have a head gasket leak that is building pressure in the cooling system. From what I have gathered if all goes well a head gasket replacement is $5k but the studs usually strip when tightening the head back on, so then you need a new engine.

It seems the logical thing would be to swap in a used engine. Or I could part the entire vehicle out or sell as is.

What would you do?

How hard is it to replace the engine?

All options are expensive...

have you owned and maintained since new?

how much for used, rebuilt engine?

if the prices are comparable I might consider dropping a new engine if I were you. post up in the manual trans registry and keep us posted!

Yes, original owner... done most maint myself, clutch replaced recently by BMW. I am in the 6M/T registry, thanks...

Used engines look to be between 2,500-5k with varying miles... of course it doesn't make much sense to replace it with one with high miles.

$5k seems excessive for a head gasket. I just called my friend's Indy shop, and he said $2,500-$3,000. But it can be easy to mis-diagnose this. I'll PM you his shop's details.

Many thanks Skyline... the $5,100 was from Bridgeport BMW.

Find a good BMW oriented Indie, get a 2nd opin and quote...the dlr price is usually stiffer.
If it were mine, I would fix it: $3-4Gs on an older car that you know and you like, is considerable cheaper than a new car, paying cash or money down/payments or lease.
But, your decision.

It is your oe engine and no one 'knows it' like you do; I would repair, vs dropping in someone else's used motor.
GL, mD

^ I'm with the above. If the indy knows what he's doing and uses and good torque wrench, the studs shouldn't pull out. If you overheated the engine then I'd say, yes, get a new engine. However, since you haven't stated any overheating issues, I'm going to assume the head gasket took a dump on its own rather than as a result of overheating/warped head.

PS. Your engine should be good for a long while. Many on this forum have well over 250K on their motors and they are still running strong. That said, I wouldn't consider replacing your engine; especially since you're the original owner.

Bridgeport BMW is a pig...Look for indy shop..

I just did my head gasket, none of the holes stripped out.
Bit, it is common, and not the technicians fault. These are prone to stripping out the treads for the head bolts.

If you get a used engine expect to pay 20-30 hours in labor plus the engine and all misc parts. And then you have an engine that you don't know the history
Head gasket is the way I would go.

Sent from my SGH-i917 using Board Express

And the threads can be repaired to be stronger than the factory holes

And you are not (easily) going to find a used motor with much lower miles than your currently at.