S54 engine

[Portmyster]

Hi every one I am just trying to get some research on the S54 engine in the M3. At the mo I have 1999 2.8double vanous engine BMW Z3. Would the M3 S54 engine be an easy transplant into the Z3, would I need stronger clutch, diff ect as it would be a nice project for the car and also if I baught a early example S50 M roadster would the S54 engine just drop in and no other modifications be needed.

I live in west yorkshire and is there a BMW specialist near me who would carry out this.

[falkster]

Who is going to be doing the work mate?? You'll need the whole drivetrain so that would be engine, box, and maybe rear axle (the one off the Z3M would be ok).

For the cost you could always get rid of yours and buy a Z3M which you can get for as little as 6k these days.

[Disco_Biscuit]

Why do you want an S54 engine? my S50 ran 13.4 @ santapod and thats standard, some S54 can't run that

[mat205125]

I think that the nuts and bolts will be far more straight forward than the wiring, clocks, keys and engine management side of things.

Why not just go out and buy an M roadster.

[Portmyster]

Yep I am deff finking of that, as prices are quiet low at the moment. What are the running costs like on the M roadster, does any one use their car every day?. Reliability should not be an issue I think with them if serviced regular. As these cars are getting rare are they starting to head for modern day future classics. Because if this was the case I would hold onto the car for a considerable amount of time and that’s why I am asking if the modern M3 engines would be a straight swap.

[zmrjason]

Buy a Z3M.....Makes no sense to mess about component swapping. If you buy a complete car you can judge its history and condition as a whole. Buy and engine or component and am sorry you haven't got a scooby where its been or what its had done to it!

[mat205125]

It's the Breadvan Coupe that will end up as the future classic IMO, and that just makes the roadster even more of a bargain. I've read that dynamically they are different cars, but running costs should be comparable.

[Portmyster]

I also think that its the coupe that will be a future classic, which exactly makes the M roadster a bargin the roadster does remind me thoe of the classic shape from the 60s. My thought is im going to hold onto my 2.8 till September then I will have had that a year, get it sold and look for a mroadster. What are the chances of finding a good example with around 40-50k on the clock for around 8000-8500 pounds.