EWS and M42?

[funez]

Are there any M42s with EWS? I have a late 95 318i. My M42 engine got a broken rod. I'm replacing it with another M42.

However, my original quote on the labour was 600. Now I'm told the labour will go up 300 because the M42 I'm replacing it with does not have EWS. Something about the coils not matching up properly, and having to take parts like the starter and intake from the original, and replace the ones on the new engine.

Apparently the M42 with EWS is rare because it was only installed in late 95s.

Is this accurate? Are there different variations to the M42 engine?

[fabe]

I am running a E36 M42 with EWS in my E30...

However, I have no issues when I replaced the starter... Not too sure what are your mechanic's concern with the starter..

[funez]

He said a non-ews engine will not work in my ews car without taking the accessories from the old engine, and putting them on a new one.  He also said the coils did not match up, witch makes me think it might be an e30 M42 that it is being replaced with.

However, a member from another forum said that as long as it was an M42, it didnt matter weather the new engine was ews or non-ews, that it should be a direct swap without modification.