525i to 540i Touring Swap.

[Gizmo]

Just thought I'd do a little research on how much work is it going to be. My dad bought a 2001white 525i Touring a while back and it has +190 000km, its an awesome car for moving big stuff as its load bed is flat with the opening, easy to get long boards of wood which my dad does as his hobby is woodwork. He wanted it faster as he has had v8's for some time now so I instructed him to buy a donor 540i and do the swap over, that way you can regain some money in selling a 525i sedan.
Now last week he bought a silver 2001 540i sedan with 194 000km, style 42's, SATNAV with big screen, shorter diff ratio, memory seats and steering wheel ect.

The plan is to swap all the good 540i bits over to the touring body and end up with two perfect working cars, this will be done in a few months time so I want your thoughts on this swap. The only area I think can be a problem is the rear suspension as the 540i diff is larger and I have heard that the suspension is quite different on the touring, other than that it should be a straight swap?

 

[zaleonardz]

Now this sounds like a heck of a lot of fun

 

[andrewbuch]

:bravo: its about time... You always telling of these projects and getting us excited and now its finally happening.... Good luck & I will be following closely

 

[Raybimmer]

Have heard the swop needs a lot of wiring swopped as well . Good luck . There was a e39 540i touring on Gumtree about a year ago for R80K .:thumbs:

 

[Gizmo]

The 540i touring is RARE!!! I will be swapping the dash wiring harness, engine harness, cluster, steering column, all other boxes and ecu's, keys+door locks, satnav and harness ects. I will drop the entire front suspension, subframe, motor and auto tranny in one with the use of a 2 post lift. Will be fun.:yuck:

 

[andrewbuch]

Does that mean you got your lift installed at your house??

 

[moranor@axis]

why not sneak your 325i onto the lift and accidently fit the V8 there... :fencelook:

 

[Gizmo]

Does that mean you got your lift installed at your house??

It will be in a few months, the garage extension has got to be built first...

---

why not sneak your 325i onto the lift and accidently fit the V8 there... :fencelook:

it crossed my mind for the e36...:fencelook:

 

[andrewbuch]

why not sneak your 325i onto the lift and accidently fit the V8 there... :fencelook:

it crossed my mind for the e36...:fencelook:

& then add 2 turbos to it

 

[Sankekur]

Would the front subframe from the V8 fit directly onto the 3 series?


Just promise to post lots of pics

 

[moranor@axis]

V8 e36 raise:

 

[Gizmo]

Will post lots of pics!

 

[Gizmo]

Would the front subframe from the V8 fit directly onto the 3 series?

No way, bolt locations are very different and the e36 engine bay is narrow, the e46 has more room to play with.

 

[Sankekur]

Would the front subframe from the V8 fit directly onto the 3 series?

No way, bolt locations are very different and the e36 engine bay is narrow, the e46 has more room to play with.

Hmm, interesting

 

[andrewbuch]

Hmm, interesting

I see the cogs in your head turning... you could take the Green Mumber & get rid of that crappy M43 in replace for a V8i.... I see it as well!!


DO IT

 

[Sankekur]

Hmm, interesting

I see the cogs in your head turning... you could take the Green Mumber & get rid of that crappy M43 in replace for a V8i.... I see it as well!!


DO IT

:idea: