E36 M42 engine removal advice needed

[Bill K]

I need to install a replacment long engine in my 95 E36 m42 but not sure whether it would be easier to remove front panels and take out engine and gearbox ctogether or remove gearbox then lift engine. Any advice would be appreciated.

[doitover]

I don't have a link to a description of this but it is possible to drop the front subframe and lift the body off of it. If I was ever faced with this, it is what I would probably do.

[deansweet]

Personally speaking, unless you own a shop or have a lift at your disposal.
I have never worked on an E36, but how much different can it be from an E30?!

I would recommend Pull the engine/trans as a single unit by removing the bumper, hood, radiator support, unbolt engine mounts, unbolt trans from drive shaft and transmission cross brace, disconnect all wires, hoses, lines(label them with something semi permanent) etc is the way to go.
Rent a hoist and don't screw around with dropping it from the bottom.