It is always entertaining to see these guys (a mech of all people) telling you that 'all it needs is a new crank'

. "Broken crank" can also mean a whole host of things in terms of the root of the catastrophic failure...
This is a tier above "slight bearing knock, my guy can do it for R10K" on a V10
No... Go and look at
@General.Massacre 's recent rebuild: You are in for exactly the same kind of thing because it is exactly the same kind of engine in terms of layout and complexity. IIRC R150K-ish - probably 200K to do it properly.
You can swap an engine in I guess? But it is an N63 so good luck with finding a good example of that and you will have some refresh work on it.
Then you have all the sitting car problems... and all the problems that have not been disclosed and can't be tested... and then the 'wonderful' electronics of the time...
If it was only R30K to realise 200K in additional value then the owner would 100% be doing it.
A fool and his money are soon parted...
A sucker is born every minute...
plenty of quotes to go around for this.
Exactly this Llew,
My crank didnt even need replacing, it was just polished, if it had to be replaced, add upwards of 15k extra for a good second hand crank (If you can find one), or pay out for a brand new one from agents.
S63 rebuild was initially quoted between 200k - 250k.
Even an engine swap, sure, if you can find one in good condition, looking at maybe 120k for the engine alone, plus the labour to have it installed, all serviing and checks to be done etc, still north of 150k.
In my experience, any mechanic that remotely tells you or hints that these engine "Just" need this, or that, or wont cost much more than x, is straight up just lying and trying to pass off problems to get it off their hands.
You pay to play. You want the fun and enjoyment, and guaranteed tears of the V8? sure, pay the 50k. but behind Door No.1 is a 150k+ new engine somewhere, behind Door No.2 is a 200K+ full rebuild.
Next concern, which i still dont know yet, is a specialised mechanic/shop that will correctly, and pedantically work on these engines in the Cape Town area. Garage808 wont do it, ive already enquired, Brilliant Mechanical Workshop, maybe, but im still yet to chat with Rolf fully, that will come in due course.
My school fees have been, and are still being paid. its not a cheap exercise, and you take it 100% at risk. Just know that just coz a "Mechanic" says its JUST needs a 30k spent on it for a crank, doesnt make it so. not even an Opel Astra will cost you 30k to fix for a rebuild. (Crank failure as said above extends to the whole motor.).
Leave this thought alone, its foolish. Look for a good running example, and work from there.
Thanks for coming to my tedTalk.