Good source for rebuilt S54s?

[m2pc]

Hello, I'm new to this forum, but not to the E46 M3. I used to post a lot on Bimmerforums.com back in the day.

I purchased mine back in 2012 with 54K miles on it. Drove it for over a decade, did the Vanos refresh, subframe reinforcement plates welding, SMG pump relocation, etc. But as I approached 100K miles, the car suffered a catastrophic rod bearing failure. So now I'm looking to have a local mechanic swap in a rebuilt S54 engine. Are there any recommendations for good sources for rebuilt engines? Thanks much in advance!

My car has been sitting in the garage for nearly 2 years and I'd love to get it running again....

Edit: I kept my car mostly stock all these years so I'm unfamiliar with what mods can be done when swapping in a rebuilt engine. I would like to stay CA emissions legal if at all possible, but would love to explore options like beefing up the bottom-end or anything else to gain more power/reliability with the engine.

[Slideways]

What is your budget and location?

IMO, quickest and most cost effective option is to find a pulled, tested working, sub-100k mile engine. Replace bearings, upper chain guide, redrill VANOS oil pump disc and check cam bolts and add a headgasket if engine has more than 100k miles.

[sbay]

Mpartsww usually has some 10-20% ebay sale around Black Friday where you can score an S54 for a good chunk off

[bigjae46]

There was a guy in E46Fanatics that had a bunch of S engines. I bought a couple from him, no surprise issues. He can ship freight too.

How times have changed, about 10 years ago I got a used S54 for $2500, from manifold to manifold with flywheel/clutch/PP and wiring harness.

[oceansize]

What is your budget and location?

IMO, quickest and most cost effective option is to find a pulled, tested working, sub-100k mile engine. Replace bearings, upper chain guide, redrill VANOS oil pump disc and check cam bolts and add a headgasket if engine has more than 100k miles.

This is the way.

[EthanolTurbo]

Anyone got one in SoCal? 😇

[Nate047]

Buy a SMG vert and part it out

[George Hill]

Buy a SMG vert and part it out

I got one for sale, lol

But you are in SoCal, try reaching out to Anri

[eacmen]

I got one for sale, lol

But you are in SoCal, try reaching out to Anri

No direct experience with Anri but based on his posts here that is who i'm going to if I ever need an engine!

[Nate047]

I got one for sale, lol

But you are in SoCal, try reaching out to Anri

Cut that piece out of the floor and send it to me lol 😂

[George Hill]

Cut that piece out of the floor and send it to me lol 😂

If someone will buy the engine I absolutely will, lol

[EthanolTurbo]

I got one for sale, lol

But you are in SoCal, try reaching out to Anri

Anri quoted me $15k to rebuild my S54. 🤐

[George Hill]

Anri quoted me $15k to rebuild my S54. 🤐

Doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I certainly wouldn't do it for that price.

[bimmerfan08]

Anri quoted me $15k to rebuild my S54. 🤐

What was the scope of work?

[EthanolTurbo]

Doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I certainly wouldn't do it for that price.

I mean, at that price I can grab a few cores and just sit on them. I don't want anything exotic and would like to have spares on hand for track.

What was the scope of work?

Full rebuild + Anri's tweaks so better than OEM.