Expert on Engine Replacement.

My 2002 325xi engine is **** n' shot and not worth rebuilding; going to get an engine replacement, which a shop is roughly charging me about $4500 for used engine and labor. That being said, since Im spending this much, I know the 330xi engine is the SAME, and need to know roughly what it takes to swap in a 325xi! I called some place the works on BMW's and he said you're better off just buying a 330xi! Quoting me at like $10k for the job! Wtf?

I have done some research on it, but only found on 325i with 330i engine swap - there a difference with Xi? People were saying, just use old intake manifold, throttle body, and intake boot and the rest is plug and play! No sensors will be thrown, etc. Has anyone done this with an Xi or know anyone that has?! Really, really contemplating going for it.. I mean, why the hell not?!

Parts are same as 325->330 swap.

Originally Posted by Kubica

Parts are same as 325->330 swap.

Appreciate the info, but very vague. Ive done quite a bit of reading on it, and cant pinpoint definitive answers. Any BMW Mechanics on here???

Wow, this is nuts. Called several places - none have the same answer! EuroTech in Minneapolis; yea just need to flash the ECU if doing that. Imola Sports; its pretty extensive with wiring and all that. Called BMRParts to see what they said; yea, you have to swap trannys too otherwise it wont hold up. Really?! No one has the same answer...

Yeah man I for a quote of 5k just for labor on a simple engine swap. -_-

The engine will cost you 2 grand. Rent an engine hoist and do it yourself.
BTW it doesn't have to be a 330xi engine, it can be from a 330i or a 530i. The tranny is the same between 325 and 330.

Originally Posted by jerseyzillest

Yeah man I for a quote of 5k just for labor on a simple engine swap. -_-

Yea its nuts; I keep getting different quotes and answers. Some think its simple, some think its more work than originally thought. Gonna really have to research before considering, not gonna get stuck halfway through the swap and NOT being able to pay for it!

Originally Posted by e46alfonso

The engine will cost you 2 grand. Rent an engine hoist and do it yourself.
BTW it doesn't have to be a 330xi engine, it can be from a 330i or a 530i. The tranny is the same between 325 and 330.

If I had the 'right' tools I would! Need to remove tranny and re-tighten clutch, etc. Tools that I dont have. I know the engines arent based off of models, I just didnt know the engine code - its M54B25 and I want the B30! Im just banging my head with research and calling around; a lot more trouble than I anticipated. Just all these forums I read on it made it seem, 'simple' to put it lightly.

Originally Posted by xDLXSFx

My 2002 325xi engine is **** n' shot and not worth rebuilding; going to get an engine replacement, which a shop is roughly charging me about $4500 for used engine and labor. That being said, since Im spending this much, I know the 330xi engine is the SAME, and need to know roughly what it takes to swap in a 325xi! I called some place the works on BMW's and he said you're better off just buying a 330xi! Quoting me at like $10k for the job! Wtf?

I have done some research on it, but only found on 325i with 330i engine swap - there a difference with Xi? People were saying, just use old intake manifold, throttle body, and intake boot and the rest is plug and play! No sensors will be thrown, etc. Has anyone done this with an Xi or know anyone that has?! Really, really contemplating going for it.. I mean, why the hell not?!

Might we inquire as to the origin of the 325 engine's demise?

Originally Posted by GCoop

Might we inquire as to the origin of the 325 engine's demise?

Haha not at all. Long story short, I was retarded and bought the BMW from a dude in PA - turned out he rarely changed the oil, hence the low price. Driving back, the oil pick-up got clogged, starved the cams, and SNAP! Exhaust cam snapped in half. That was a fun trip...

Don't throw your money away on incompetent mechanics. Buy a beater to get around with and do the swap yourself.

Originally Posted by e46alfonso

Don't throw your money away on incompetent mechanics. Buy a beater to get around with and do the swap yourself.

Dude, I really would. But I would be spending more money probably on just the tools to get the job done! Especially with BMW's, always need those specialty tools. I honestly dont think Im THAT mechanically inclined to do that.

Keep the info coming people! All appreciated!

Originally Posted by xDLXSFx

Dude, I really would. But I would be spending more money probably on just the tools to get the job done! Especially with BMW's, always need those specialty tools. I honestly dont think Im THAT mechanically inclined to do that.

First of all, the tools required to do an engine swap is a simple $100 set of tools from Sears, there's nothing all that special about it. Only thing you might need is a tool required to align the clutch to the transmission, but those tools aren't expensive. I'm not sure, out of ignorance, what the tools required to mate an autotragic trans to the engine are.

Only differences between the 330 engine and the 325 engine are the intake manifold, the MAF, and the ECU software. Other than that, it's plug and play with everything.

Here's the simplified version of how I'd go about doing it:
1.) Drain oil, coolant, and trans fluid out.
2.) Drop the trans out the bottom.
3.) Unplug and disconnect all hoses, accessories (alternator, PS pump, AC compressor, etc), and wiring from the engine.
4.) Disconnect engine mounts and lift the sucker out.
5.) Reverse steps to reinstall.

It is a lot of work and isn't quite as easy as I made it out to be, but it's not difficult. Just tedious.

If you don't want to do it yourself, just buy a 330i engine and give it to the shop to swap. Tell them it's a 325i, they look the same.

Ummmm...like I said the parts to swap in a 330xi motor into a 325xi are exactly the same as you need to swap a 330i motor into a 325i. Plenty of info available on this site.

Sam- you forgot to mention that the passenger side axle needs to come out and front diff unbolted from the oil pan.

Originally Posted by e46alfonso

The engine will cost you 2 grand. Rent an engine hoist and do it yourself.
BTW it doesn't have to be a 330xi engine, it can be from a 330i or a 530i. The tranny is the same between 325 and 330.

Everything above the oil pan is the same. Oil pan/pump are different to RWD bimmers. OP would be smart to source a 330xi motor with the same DME as his car has now.

Originally Posted by Kubica

Sam- you forgot to mention that the passenger side axle needs to come out and front diff unbolted from the oil pan.

Everything above the oil pan is the same. Oil pan/pump are different to RWD bimmers. OP would be smart to source a 330xi motor with the same DME as his car has now.

I'm sure I also didn't mention many, many other things that need to come off. Like I said, I gave the abridged version of an engine swap.

Also, no need to source an Xi motor. Just take the oil pan/pump off the engine that's fvcked up and swap it over. Make sure to give it a good cleaning. You may run into DME troubles, but those can be programmed over relatively easily.

how would the 325i ecu deal with the increased displacement/larger maf?

Originally Posted by Kubica

Everything above the oil pan is the same. Oil pan/pump are different to RWD bimmers. OP would be smart to source a 330xi motor with the same DME as his car has now.

Oil pump is the same. He just has to swap the oil suction pipe and pan and loctite&wire the OPN.

Wow. Thanks for pitching in guys!

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

I'm sure I also didn't mention many, many other things that need to come off. Like I said, I gave the abridged version of an engine swap.

Also, no need to source an Xi motor. Just take the oil pan/pump off the engine that's fvcked up and swap it over. Make sure to give it a good cleaning. You may run into DME troubles, but those can be programmed over relatively easily.

Yes. I found on this forum a guy that swapped a 330i into a 323 or 328i and said basically same thing - to use old oil pan, old intake manifold, old throttle body, old MAF, and flash the ECU. But now I cant find it! Damn...

Originally Posted by redbull 325is

how would the 325i ecu deal with the increased displacement/larger maf?

I read that if you use 330 injectors and 330 MAF, to flash the original ECU with a 330i.


Here is a forum I recently found (http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...=705252&page=2). Seems like mujjuman has done it himself! Lets see if I cant get a hold of this fella...

Originally Posted by xDLXSFx

Yes. I found on this forum a guy that swapped a 330i into a 323 or 328i and said basically same thing - to use old oil pan, old intake manifold, old throttle body, old MAF, and flash the ECU. But now I cant find it! Damn...

I'm 100% sure that the 330 intake and MAF are different and am 75% sure the throttle body is different too.