Factory Replacement Engine?

Scott Wilson

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I finally scrubbed my engine VIN pad enough to see it reads "X X". So i understand that indicates the engine is a "factory replacememt". So what was a factory replacement (short block or long block?) and why did the folks restoring this car in the late '90s choose to get a "factory replacement" instead of simply rebuilding the one they had?

I know in the 356 Porsche world that if you have a KD marked engine that means that a previous owner had sent the old engine back to the factory where it was rebuilt then stamped with the addition of the KD mark. Did BMW not offer rebuilds but just replacememts?

Thanks
 
Your engine may have been replaced earlier after overheating which was common. My block said 530 with a few other marks. A dealer could have chosen to rebuild it or order the new short or long block I assume.
 
I have a factory replacement short block installed in the 90s and grateful for it. I have the PO receipt for that work and it wasn't that expensive.
 
In the case of my 2002tii, at the time the factory long block was the less expensive, more reliable way to proceed, and it carried a warranty which a local rebuild may not have.
 
Thanks for the comments.

I guess i didnt realize BMW offered full replacement engines at a reasonable price, compared to having it rebuilt elswhere. That would explain why it's not so uncommom.

Thanks for the insight.
 
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