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      09-27-2021, 05:45 PM   #1
Ascanio
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OPINION Rebuilt S54 engine - Auto Clinic of Ormond

Hello I am soon (I hope) going to be the proud owner of the car of my dreams, an e85.

I am looking at a sale ad for a Z4MR with a rebuilt engine (by Auto Clinic of Ormond Inc in FL), with 140k miles on the clock.
Does anyone know that shop? Can I expect the engine to have been rebuilt better than stock?

I am not new to rebuilds, for example if I were to buy a Ducati motorcycle, especially something special like a 1098R, I would have the engine rebuilt before ever cranking it up, to make sure no fat rod bearings have been installed due to lax tolerances in the street bike assembly line. And I would have it done by a MR. Nobody, whom I know personally and has built and driven rally cars and racing bikes all his life.

So… given the S54 engine has known.. quirks.. would you rather get a stock one, with low mileage, or a rebuilt one by these folk?

Thank you for your answers and happy drives!
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      09-27-2021, 05:59 PM   #2
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BTW, the seller has receipts for the work, nearly 10k USD for the engine work.
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      09-27-2021, 07:28 PM   #3
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Thats a reputable shop, but I've never dealt with them personally.
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      09-28-2021, 07:29 AM   #4
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In general, would you prefer a stock S54 with the risk of it being a “bad” unit due to lax tolerances in the assembly line, or a rebuilt one that (if done properly) should be bullet proof?

It’s clear the current owner has taken proper care, and spent over 13 grand on it a couple years ago, bringing the mechanical parts back to new (also brakes and control arms, for example, on a 146k miles car).
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      09-28-2021, 07:41 AM   #5
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What is a rebuild engine?
It's a nondescript term
Without a list of checks or list of components swapped/work done it says nothing.
Also the reason why it was rebuild can be very very important.
It could have been just worn, it could have a spun bearing, It could have had a money shift, but the block could also have been cracked and welded...
All very different.
But if the 10k spent was all necessary, that engine was in a very poor state I imagine.
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Last edited by GuidoK; 09-28-2021 at 07:47 AM..
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      09-28-2021, 07:54 AM   #6
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As someone who is rebuilding a used engine for their Z4M

I am ~7k deep in parts alone.. so.. these motors are offensively expensive.

That being said, if it was done by a good shop and it has good compression, I would say go for it.
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      09-28-2021, 08:36 AM   #7
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Well the receipt #1 (2019) cites items such as
- Water pump
- Oil pump
- Different types of bearings
- Timing guide rails
- Head bolt set
- Head gasket set
- Crankcase gasket set
- Clutch kit

Comments: "R+R Engine Overhaul, Adjst valves, salvage parts from spare"


Receipt #2 (2020) cites items such as
- Oil change (Redline 10W60)
- Crank position sensor
- Thermostat
- Coolant
- Front left control arm

Called up the garage, boss told me he remembers about the car, they "rebuilt the engine from the ground up", they didn't want to share details over the phone, since I am not the owner of the car, I can only imagine there was another engine from which they have scavenged the parts (there are circa 3500 USD of new parts, circa 5000 USD of labour).
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      09-28-2021, 12:03 PM   #8
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OK so the owner had the engine rebuilt as a precaution, because he wanted a “bullet proof engine” and not having to be concerned with rod bearings nor valves.
He says there wasn’t any issue with the engine to begin with.
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      09-28-2021, 11:37 PM   #9
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That list of replacement parts isn't a rebuilt engine, that list is consumer usable items (possibly oil pump aside) on the S54, possibly a warped head, And if they payed 10k US to do that, I'll hold the rest of my comments right here as they rest would include a shit load of swear words..

Also of note... Front left control arm.. what happened to the right?
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      09-29-2021, 09:55 AM   #10
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Agree with Vanne. Looks less of a rebuild and more of parts swap. Either way, the parts replaced are worthwhile and need to be done anyways at that mileage. Esp the head gasket, rod bearings, guide rails.

I'm sure the bearings were on their way out; the car was probably driveable though, but I can see why the owner would want to "rebuild" it. The $$$ investment and newer parts is something you would have to deal with anyway with an aging M car. That said I would go for it, depending on the pricing this looks it will be a better deal than buying a stock one at lower miles.
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      09-29-2021, 09:59 AM   #11
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Well this is 16k USD. I also found one with 30k miles on the clock for 32k USD.
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      09-29-2021, 10:42 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanne View Post
That list of replacement parts isn't a rebuilt engine, that list is consumer usable items
I think it's also more in the details.
I mean, that shopping list is nice, but that's only half the story.
Lots of things I consider to be standard to replace, but when I see that list are not on the list. I can't tell if they then are replaced or not.
For example, if the engine has done 150k miles and the head comes off, that would _for me_ be the ideal moment to also replace things like valve stem seals. Costs only $50 or so.
Also inspect/replace vanos bolts and check or replace the other problems the vanos can have.
They might have done this or they might have not
When the clutch is replaced, that would for me also be the moment to replace the rear main seal ($30), and with work on the front maybe the front balancer had to come off, or maybe even the timing case, replace the front main seal ($25).
All nobrainers to do in situ, but have they done that or not?

Although the camshafts and followers are also known wear items on the s54, that is not something you replace for 'just to be sure' like the parts mentioned above, as they fall in a completely different price range.


So whether or not an engine rebuild has been done good or not: I'd make a list what you would do/check/replace and verify if they have been done.
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