Re: Bavarian Engine Exchange

["Petit, Charles" <cpetit@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The place that does this is located near me and is actually a wrecking yard
for BMW's exclusively. When it was time for a new engine for me I contacted
them and got the skinny on this deal. They do not rebore the cylinder walls.
all they do is a hone job and what they call polishing the pistons. (no I am
not trying to make this x-rated) They claim that since they have virtually
an endless supply of engines to choose from, that they can pick only the
ones with minimal cylinder wall wear. As for the other parts, if it doesn't
say that they replace it then they are using parts from the old engine. I
chose not to use them for the simple reason that I can build my own engine
(with new pistons and bored cylinders) for what they are charging for their
quasi rebuild job. If you feel confident enough to do your own engine and do
some careful shopping for parts, you can come in at or below their price.
Good Luck,

Charlie Petit
Technical Editor
Alldata Corp.
cpetit@domain.elided
(916) 684-5200 ext. 3318

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man 
to fish and he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer"
77 530i
84 533i (w/euro 3.5L)

>I have seen the advertisements in European Car and also I think in Roundel
>for Bavarian Engine Exchange and am curious to wonder if any of you have
had
>any experience with them.

>I am not anticipating any need of their services/products, yet for future
>reference their advertisements seem attractive.  I doubt that I could get a
>local rebuild or exchange for a comparable price to what they are offering.


>Two questions that do arise from a review of their advertisement and web
>site (www.bavengine.com) are: 1)  that they do not indicate that pistons
are
>replaced.  Yet, if they are rebuilding  the block wouldn't there be a
>re-boring of the cylinders to remove any out of round, and if that, then
>wouldn't oversized pistons be needed or is it acceptable to take up the
>slack with oversized rings alone? and 2)  I notice that they make no
mention
>of the crankshafts that they use - reground or whatever.

>Anyway - any one of you have any experience with these folk to share?

>Thanks
>Harvey
>Hopeful that I am not in near need of their services.
>528e, running well, burns no oil, 138+K miles

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