The swap questions I never see answered...

[SDKmann]

I really hope I dont get the "Use the search button!!!!! Grrrr!!!!" thing with this but Ive never seen these questions answered. What does this do to your insurance if anything? Do you have to tell them you did a swap? Does anyone go to the dealer with swapped cars? Im not a very technical person and would probably need dealer help sooner or later, would they turn me away? Also what is the weight balance for the car after its swapped?

Sorry if these have already been answered. Im sure Ill have more "living with a swapped car" questions later. Thanks in advance.

[Philly]

Originally Posted by SDKmann

I really hope I dont get the "Use the search button!!!!! Grrrr!!!!" thing with this but Ive never seen these questions answered. What does this do to your insurance if anything? Do you have to tell them you did a swap? Does anyone go to the dealer with swapped cars? Im not a very technical person and would probably need dealer help sooner or later, would they turn me away? Also what is the weight balance for the car after its swapped?

Sorry if these have already been answered. Im sure Ill have more "living with a swapped car" questions later. Thanks in advance.

As for Insurance, it only means something if they know about it.
You don't have to tell them anything, to them its still a 318ti. Same as people who slap a massive turbo on their little hondas, its still a little honda to the insurance company, even though it might be pushing 400hp.

as far as the dealer, i guess it all depends if they want to work on your car - id avoid the dealer at all costs except for the re-aligning of the ecu/ews type of thing.... IMO, find a nice euro shop who specializes in BMW's and german cars if at possible, that way you save money and get dealer quality work.

The weight balance issue, well i can't answer that one til im done my swap

[Bluebimma]

Insurance, tell them if you want to raise your premium and cover the engine you now own, otherwise, leave it be.

Dealers are decently cool with swaps as long as theyre in "spec", meaning, can be worked on without too much of a hassle using their equipment and knowledge.

Weight balance, +70lbs to the front of the car. roughly 35lbs per the drivers and passenger side of the vehicle. You can notice it a bit, but not much with the correct suspension setup.

[SDKmann]

Originally Posted by rwd_king

IMO, find a nice euro shop who specializes in BMW's and german cars if at possible, that way you save money and get dealer quality work.

Unfortunately this is Iowa, if it aint a mustang we dont work on it here sonny...

Ok this is a question that is asked a lot but I didnt know this before. There is a car Im looking at that I was thinking of buying to do the swap on and I thought before that it was a manual, now Im pretty sure its a auto. What is the likelihood of swapping out that slushbox for a 5 spd and keeping the costs below insane?

[Philly]

find a junkyard and get the proper pieces... its pretty straightforward from what ive seen. I can't imagine it being ridiculously expensive.


and I hear about, if its not a Chev,Dodge or GM around here, forget about it... have to travel 1hr+ for dealer or any euro shops...

[Philly]

Originally Posted by Bluebimma

Insurance, tell them if you want to raise your premium and cover the engine you now own, otherwise, leave it be.

Dealers are decently cool with swaps as long as theyre in "spec", meaning, can be worked on without too much of a hassle using their equipment and knowledge.

Weight balance, +70lbs to the front of the car. roughly 35lbs per the drivers and passenger side of the vehicle. You can notice it a bit, but not much with the correct suspension setup.

and blue, what are you running for proper suspension other than the addition of M3 lcabs? Im soon going to be ready to officially get my hands dirty on this 2.8, i want to be sure im not going to end up in the ditch my first time around a twisty. Jims manual listed it pretty good, but i can't see myself spending that kind of money to go total M3 up front... since i have $500++ worth of all new suspension parts up front.

[Bluebimma]

I have m3 H&R race springs, 328 intrax rear springs, and will be buying some 328 sport struts and Mroadster shocks.

[thesk8nmidget]

what the the 328 rear springs made for?(e36?)
i thought our rear springs were ti/z3 specific?

[naustin]

Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget

what the the 328 rear springs made for?(e36?)
i thought our rear springs were ti/z3 specific?

+1 curious?

[Mallard]

Z3 springs mabey?

[clex2]

My 330 ti has a full professional documented appraisal of it's value, with a copy given to my insurance company. I still pay insurance on a "318ti" on a limited use basis which makes it even cheaper. I basically drive an M3 on an econobox insurance premium. My car is valued at $20K and that if anything happens, State Farm will take care of it. We are not talking about a $100K or more car. In reality, $20K is chump change for the insurance company. Many new cars are worth much more than that and if you think about it, the cost of medical expenses for you or others will far outweigh the cost of replacing the car. Medical costs can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As long as you have documentation and/or receipts for the work, any reputable insurance company shouldn't give you hassles. I have been with State Farm for 20 years with multiple cars, house, umbrella, personal items insurance policies. I've given them more than their fair share of premiums.

As far as taking it to the dealer, if it's a factory installation, they should have no problem. If it's a hack job with loose wiring all of the place, I would not expect a dealership to want to deal with it. Heck, even an independent shop might not touch the car if the coversion is poor.

[Phamster]

Originally Posted by thesk8nmidget

what the the 328 rear springs made for?(e36?)
i thought our rear springs were ti/z3 specific?

Yeap they fit. I have a set of intrax springs for a e36 and I sold him the rears. I still have the fronts if someone wants them. The fronts will only fit the later e36 cars or as long you have a smaller diameter strut.

[1996 328ti]

I would read your insurance policy. Some policies say you must report performance enhancing mods. Mine does not and is listed as a 318ti.

Some shops and dealers don't like working on modded cars.
I used to bring my to to the dealer all the time.
You need to work closely with techs explaining what was done.

[96cali]

As far as insuring for the full value, I think most will let you put a rider on the policy for a certain amount.