2001 325i bad motor....updated 1-26-13

The BMW addiction has hit me. I currently own 3 and bought my daughter a 2001 325i that had ran hot. When I pulled the head off found the #4 piston is burnt and cylinder wall is scored. I am looking at pulling this motor and replacing it. I have been told that a 01 or 02 2.5 motor is plug and play assembly and that a 03-06 I would have to change some items. I could not find an interchange list online and was wondering what year besides the 01 would be an option. Thanks in advance and look forward to learning a lot from this site.

You can start by reading this thread (below on this page):

325i engine with 330i engine?

I have read that thread and from what I understand the 2.5 for 2001 and up is pretty much plug and play and the 3.0 will need re-flashing.

2001+ 325/330 M54 line of engines (some M56)

I have been doing some searching on the forum now and hope I don't have to many "newbie" questions. So please don't flame me too bad!

My plan right now is buying a wrecked 2001+ 325/330 and just trying to have a good plan in place.

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

I have read that thread and from what I understand the 2.5 for 2001 and up is pretty much plug and play and the 3.0 will need re-flashing.

2001+ 325/330 M54 line of engines (some M56)

I have been doing some searching on the forum now and hope I don't have to many "newbie" questions. So please don't flame me too bad!

Nobody here flames guys with legitimate questions that need help. I honestly suggest sticking with the 325 motor if it's for your daughter, and it's an easier and less expensive install to boot. BTW, welcome to the fest! and let us know how the swap goes. Also, stay away from the M56 engine!!

Originally Posted by SJBimmer

Nobody here flames guys with legitimate questions that need help. I honestly suggest sticking with the 325 motor if it's for your daughter, and it's an easier and less expensive install to boot. BTW, welcome to the fest! and let us know how the swap goes. Also, stay away from the M56 engine!!

Thanks for the reply. Just wanting to make sure that any 01-06 325i 2.5 motor will work. Planning on buying a wrecked one next week to use for the swap.

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

Thanks for the reply. Just wanting to make sure that any 01-06 325i 2.5 motor will work. Planning on buying a wrecked one next week to use for the swap.

Ummm no. The 2006 325i sedans (E90) used the N52 engine, which is completely different from your M54 engine.

Get a 2.5 liter engine (M54 B25) from one of the following:
2001 to 2005 325i sedan (E46)
2001 to 2006 325i coupé (E46)
2001 to 2003 525i sedan (E39)

That is what I needed to know. Thanks for the reply and I will be posting photos later.

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

That is what I needed to know. Thanks for the reply and I will be posting photos later.

Awesome. I will be looking forward to your swap photos.

Ok here is pictures of the 01 that I am replacing the motor in.

And here are some pictures of the parts car I bought. It's an 02 325i with a little over 120,000 miles. I picked it up today and started it up and ran it through the gears. Everything works on the parts car so I'll have several things I can use. I will be using the parts car interior. Let the fun begin! Also I had already pulled the headlights out of the 01 and polished them out.

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

Ok here is pictures of the 01 that I am replacing the motor in.

Is that hood in the service position? Should open higher.

Did you buy that car on Copart? I think I may have been bidding against you.

Originally Posted by Jimmys 530i

Did you buy that car on Copart? I think I may have been bidding against you.

That would be it. I hate bidding against a fellow member. I did pay a lil more then I wanted because I needed the interior too. I have less then 1/2 in the 01 of what your bid was last week. I drove up there and picked it up today.

Hey Tin...if your '02 325i parts car had a working CD stereo with the AUX mode, would you consider selliing it?

Nice find on the donor car, by the way. Looks like a lot of good interior items on that car.

Originally Posted by vandyboy

Hey Tin...if your '02 325i parts car had a working CD stereo with the AUX mode, would you consider selliing it?

I will check on that tomorrow and let you know.

Originally Posted by vandyboy

Hey Tin...if your '02 325i parts car had a working CD stereo with the AUX mode, would you consider selliing it?

It does not have the AUX mode.

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

It does not have the AUX mode.

Thanks for checking. Good luck with the project.

From what I see the parts car has heated seats! If the 01 doesn't have those then that's a definite swap if easy enough! Very nice parts car! Out of curiosity how much should you expect to pay for a similar parts car? If you aren't going to use the plastic shields along the bottom front end of the parts car I'd be interested!

Originally Posted by 3seriesbmw

From what I see the parts car has heated seats! If the 01 doesn't have those then that's a definite swap if easy enough! Very nice parts car! Out of curiosity how much should you expect to pay for a similar parts car? If you aren't going to use the plastic shields along the bottom front end of the parts car I'd be interested!

Yeah the 01 does not have heated seats and I plan on using the heated ones from the 02. I have tried a search on the install and can't find one. I will see how in-depth it will be first.


You can expect a parts car like that between the $1,000 to $2,000 range usually.


Let me make sure I won't need the shields and I'll let you know on them.

May I ask why that Black bimmer became a parts car? It has a good interior, working engine(since you will be using it), I don't see any body damage other than missing bumper, fender etc. So what was wrong with it? I am confused.

Originally Posted by iskoos

May I ask why that Black bimmer became a parts car? It has a good interior, working engine(since you will be using it), I don't see any body damage other than missing bumper, fender etc. So what was wrong with it? I am confused.

The insurance estimate on that car was $5,787. You start adding up body parts, a/c condenser, radiator, tires etc. the insurance company will total the car depending on the year and mileage. The passenger door needed replacing and it had damage on the rear door and quarter panel. I'll agree with it being an easy fix but if you ever start looking at salvage auctions you'll be surprised at how little damage some salvage title cars have. Also you will be amazed how little damage a Florida car will have and be a certificate of destruction only instead of a salvage car.

The black car has a salvage title.

Yeah but "why" is what I am asking...

Originally Posted by Tin Alley

Yeah the 01 does not have heated seats and I plan on using the heated ones from the 02. I have tried a search on the install and can't find one. I will see how in-depth it will be first.


You can expect a parts car like that between the $1,000 to $2,000 range usually.


Let me make sure I won't need the shields and I'll let you know on them.

It might just be plug and play! The black bar that the heated seat switches sit in should transfer over and I would think the connectors would be there if the 01 has electric seats! I would think all you would have to do is run the wires and swap the seats and probably a fuse!