545felix

the cost involved in the swap would easily dwarf the difference in insurance costs. you'll never get the money you put into it back when you sell it. and what do you think would happen if you crashed it and asked the insurance co to replace 535 engine parts in a 530?

Michiganmike

I traded a 2003 530i (E39 sedan) when I purchased my 2010 535i (E61 wagon), My insurance increased about $140 per year for a 7-year newer, more expensive car with the more powerful turbo engine. The annual cost of registration increased as much as the insurance. I recognize insurance rates vary widely for different drivers and between states, but are you sure there is significant potential insurance savings through this gambit? I agree that if your car is in an accident, and especially if it is totaled, the insurance coverage may be an issue.

Incidentally, my insurance agent told me insurance was lower for my E61 wagon than the E60 sedan, which may be part of the reason for the smaller than expected increase. If you want to save on insurance, look for a 535 wagon.

mookish

You might wanna get a quote for both cars, no way the increrase (if any) is enough to warrant an engine swap. Once complete, you would have put in enough time and money and headache to purchase and cover a 550 and have mod money left over. Also this likely isn't a simple driveway swap like we used to do in the old days, you will need the dealer to get involved and that's where your costs skyrocket.

I went from a 1998 e39 528 to a 2004 e60 545 and my insureance (full coverage) went up about $200 per year. And that's here in NYC. That's 6 years newer, 6cyl to 8cyl. and only $200. Do the math, not worth it one bit.

1600

Go all the way and swap for V10

Diamond

You are limited by your transmission-the 530 tranny is only rated to handle 290 foot pounds of torque-well in specs for an n52 engine but not enough to reliably hold an n54s torque. So by the time you replace tranny and engine-seems like way too much effort and money

dave_davis1987

One thing i would say, is if you don't tell your insurer the car is modified with a new engine, then your insurance under the 530 would be null and void. How can you expect to pay the same amount for a 530 with a 525 engine in it? Honestly, given the number of different faults with these cars, you'd be better in my opinion, swapping it.