BMW engine swap as of 2020

sprytnyspawacz

Afternoon,

I've got a brief question on swapping an engine in a 2005 BMW 316i 1.8 petrol which I own. The shell, chassis and interior are immaculate and I'd like to keep it, as the engine died, I can get my hands on a M54 2.2 or 2.5 both available with all the drivetrain. I've heard the engine-gearbox-propshaft swap is pretty much plug and play and I've got a person that knows how to do the wiring loom. My question is as of 2020, who and how can find out that you've got a different engine under the hood and in the book and what consequences could one suffer? I'm not gonna lie, I'd like to commute it for cheaper before I change to an engineering job in 6 months to declare it 2.5 and be able to afford to drive it properly.

galwaytt

you're aware of the road tax on it as a 2.5, right ?

sprytnyspawacz

Well yes, the point is to have it 1.8 in the book and 2.5 under the hood so you pay 1.8 tax. I know that there's hundreds of people doing it but I've never heard a story with anyone having any unpleasantry by doing so.

CoBo55

This should be good....

Del2005

sprytnyspawacz wrote: »

Well yes, the point is to have it 1.8 in the book and 2.5 under the hood so you pay 1.8 tax. I know that there's hundreds of people doing it but I've never heard a story with anyone having any unpleasantry by doing so.

You'll get caught at your first NCT when the engine numbers don't match.

If you get away with that you will definitely get caught when you need it most, an insurance assessor will see it and your insurance will be cancelled. If you are responsible for the claim you could be sued for the 3rd party payment, if you are the 3rd party then you will have trouble from the cancelled policy. Insurance companies are looking at the terms and conditions of the policy for any excuse to avoid paying out.

selectamatic

Nct don't check engine numbers a car could have a replacement engine for a number of reasons if it passes the emissions test there'll be no issue.

If you ever had an accident and an insurance assessor was involved they'd spot the bigger 6 cylinder engine.

If the guards ever wished to look under the bonnet chances are they'd spot it too (its very very rare that this would happen but it can) and the guards who ask generally know what they're looking at.

sprytnyspawacz

That should be clear enough, no point to mess about. I'll get another 2.5 coupe and swap around the nice bits, thanks for prompt responses.

Tails142

I swapped the engine in a 730d for another 3.0d engine from a 5 series after a timing belt failure, never had any questions about it at NCT

colm_mcm

At the risk of backseat modding. I’d say read the motors forum charter, especially the bit about looking for advise on doing something illegal.

frozenfrozen

could have sworn you were a mod colm