e34 vs e39 swap. please weigh in.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
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From: Portlandia
e34 vs e39 swap. please weigh in. I'm getting ready to buy either an e34 or an e39 estate in the next few months.
My thought process is as follows. I'm probably gonna have my first child in the next year or two. I want something safer (by a wide margin) than the '66 chev LWB pickup I DD now. I also want something that's pleasant to drive long distances as we visit family from California to Canada.
That said my income is set to increase in the next few years to the point where I'll probably replace the car I purchase now with something else.
So I want to buy a car now, that I can swap and make a toy out of later.
The BMW estates drive fantastic and look great.
Of the two iterations which will be easier/more better to
#1 maintain at the mileage/price ranges I'm looking at ($3000, 100-140k)
#2 complete the actual swap
also, I'd appreciate any insight on which models are easiest to swap (v8 vs i6) and find aftermarket suspension parts for.
Thanks,
Doug
My thought process is as follows. I'm probably gonna have my first child in the next year or two. I want something safer (by a wide margin) than the '66 chev LWB pickup I DD now. I also want something that's pleasant to drive long distances as we visit family from California to Canada.
That said my income is set to increase in the next few years to the point where I'll probably replace the car I purchase now with something else.
So I want to buy a car now, that I can swap and make a toy out of later.
The BMW estates drive fantastic and look great.
Of the two iterations which will be easier/more better to
#1 maintain at the mileage/price ranges I'm looking at ($3000, 100-140k)
#2 complete the actual swap
also, I'd appreciate any insight on which models are easiest to swap (v8 vs i6) and find aftermarket suspension parts for.
Thanks,
Doug
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 152
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I am in almost the exact same position as you. Although I had an E90 bmw already. 07 3 series. I bought an E39 and will sell the E90 soon. It looks like the E38 & E39 is one of the easiest swaps, especially the pre facelift models as the GM computer can used to run almost everything. Also, there are LS motor mounts available from Madison, who is BF member. You can also use off the shelf headers that are about $350. You will need a GTO front sump pan and to mod it. Thats about it, aside from a driveshaft modification. Obviously, I am over simplifying it but it looks to be the easiest swap of the BMW's.
