What to do: swap or fix?

[bmwpower]

I'm debating what I should do with my 1991 318ic.  The engine was overheated.  It's going to run me over $1K+ to fix the head (cost of used head included) and get it running again.  The car has just over 98k on it, so it's still relatively new.  All panels match.  No body damage except for a couple dings.  Would I be happy with the power of the 4 cylinder?  I'm not sure.  Should I bastardize a fine example?  I don't know.

An S50 engine might cost around $2k-$2.5K.  I have most of the other major parts I would need for the swap (G260, driveshaft, etc.) from my 325ic. I'll still need a lot more of the little things, but I'm not concerned with those as I can acquire them over time.

I guess the question would depend on what a S50 swapped 318ic would be worth in the end.  Can anyone give me a ballpark figure on what you think it would be worth?

What would the car be worth if I fixed it all up?

Help!??

[nomad]

It'd be worth something when swapped to a very small part of the buying market. In that market there are a lot of folks who will assume you did a hack job.

On the other hand, if you find the right buyer then you may make out well in the end.

I'd assume $3k for the whole deal. Maybe more for incidentals. Why not M50 with cams and a few mods?

That is a nice example though.

It's taking time to source a head, but resurfacing and pressure testing is only $100.

[D. Clay]

The car looks good in the photos and worth fixing. dino245 on this forum has a built up M42 for sale. Your profile doesn't indicate where you're from, but a good used M42 with 100K miles would be $1000 or less. People talk about S52's for $2-3K but the complete swap can go $5K easy if you do it yourself. There's exhaust, electronics, A/C, brake booster, and 14 other things to mod or upgrade you don't think of at first. It's easy for it to become the never ending story or a tragedy. I'd keep it original and spend a grand on it.  It would be worth $5K easy if nice, and if you want more power, I'd talk to dino.

[bmwpower]

I already have the used head, but the head has 2 bad valves that need replacing.  The shops I've talked to have said they usually just rebuild the whole thing, hence the $799 price tag + $150 gasket set + $200 for the used head.  I'm already over $1k.

I've paid $55 for clean and check on the used head...used head checked out ok.

It'd be worth something when swapped to a very small part of the buying market. In that market there are a lot of folks who will assume you did a hack job.

On the other hand, if you find the right buyer then you may make out well in the end.

I'd assume $3k for the whole deal. Maybe more for incidentals. Why not M50 with cams and a few mods?

That is a nice example though.

It's taking time to source a head, but resurfacing and pressure testing is only $100.

[bmwpower]

$5k??  Really?  If so, I'd probably just keep it original.

It's pretty nice.  I hope you're right.

The car looks good in the photos and worth fixing. dino245 on this forum has a built up M42 for sale. Your profile doesn't indicate where you're from, but a good used M42 with 100K miles would be $1000 or less. People talk about S52's for $2-3K but the complete swap can go $5K easy if you do it yourself. There's exhaust, electronics, A/C, brake booster, and 14 other things to mod or upgrade you don't think of at first. It's easy for it to become the never ending story or a tragedy. I'd keep it original and spend a grand on it.  It would be worth $5K easy if nice, and if you want more power, I'd talk to dino.

[BrandC]

Why throw a race engine into a convertible?

Keep it functional for the streets as a cruiser. It's a nicer car on the street. Nobody wants to see you try and kill yourself on a track with a 'vert.

[bmwpower]

Why throw a race engine into a convertible?

Keep it functional for the streets as a cruiser. It's a nicer car on the street. Nobody wants to see you try and kill yourself on a track with a 'vert.

I'm not going to track it.  I just want a car for the weekend cruise, but with more power.

[D. Clay]

180 HP ain't exactly can't get it to the ground power. Granted, a new 3 series is heavier but, the base model has 230 HP. It was just as a response to the original poster's mention of more power. The M42 would be a bolt in.

[bmwpower]

180 HP ain't exactly can't get it to the ground power. Granted, a new 3 series is heavier but, the base model has 230 HP. It was just as a response to the original poster's mention of more power. The M42 would be a bolt in.

Oh, ok.  I thought his post was directed at the S50.  I guess quotes would have been in order...

[nomad]

Exactly why I'm backing out of the E30. Everyone says they are so incredibly cheap but when you start out too high the costs don't justify the benefits. I'd be better off with a 6 cyl $600 beater that I can just keep running from the junkyard. I'm not in the market for a beater.

I already have the used head, but the head has 2 bad valves that need replacing.  The shops I've talked to have said they usually just rebuild the whole thing, hence the $799 price tag + $150 gasket set + $200 for the used head.  I'm already over $1k.

I've paid $55 for clean and check on the used head...used head checked out ok.

[bmwpower]

Exactly why I'm backing out of the E30. Everyone says they are so incredibly cheap but when you start out too high the costs don't justify the benefits. I'd be better off with a 6 cyl $600 beater that I can just keep running from the junkyard. I'm not in the market for a beater.

I have other cars, so this car would be a weekend cruiser, if anything - not a day to day car.

If the value is there like everyone is saying, I'll probably just get it fixed and try it out for a little while and see what I think.