E28 M5 - S38 Motor Parts - Rebuild

[Vin]

I've got an E28 M5 and what started as a blown head gasket is looking like a full rebuild.  My mechanic is finding it difficult to source parts.  Any recommendations for engine parts, and or someone to build the motor?  

All the best,
Vin

[slownrusty]

I assume this is for a S38?

Can you provide a list of the engine parts that have been difficult to source?

Unfortunately you have to be extremely resourceful, spending a considerable amount of time calling around and piecing together parts for any M88 or S38 powered cars.

[milarsky]

One large order from Schiedmann and mine was rebuilt. Quite easy. Stay away from part suppliers here in the US. Just my opinion.

best,

jeff

[Vin]

Yes, this is for a S38. I'll have to check with my mechanic and see what he's having a hard time getting. I know they had a hard time finding pistons, the only place they found would custom make them, and would take months.

Jeff, is this the Schmiedmann (https://www.schmiedmann.com/) you ordered from, the one in Denmark?

[milarsky]

Yes, that is in Denmark.

[Vin]

I'm going back and forth if I want to go all out on a full rebuild and modifications. Any recommendations, and or warnings on the engine builders out there? Below are the groups I found online, seems like there's pros and cons with everyone.
As much as I love more power, main goals are a reliable daily driver, and a few track days here and there.

Engine Builders:
- Metric Mechanic
- Korman
- VAC

All the best,
Vin

[Mario L.]

On the West Coast: Marc Norris Bavarian Workshop in LA

[milarsky]

I am not sure if Mark Hutto is taking new clients, but I would contact him on Broomfield CO. One of the best engine builders in the Southwest for sure. My s38 engine is an incredible beast after being through his shop.

[wilbryant540]

Hello do you have the name of Marks shop?

[Etip]

I would put Patrick at Midnight Motorsports in Seattle on the list of people I would completely trust to build an S38 motor.

[honorforte]

Any estimates of M5 motor rebuild cost? It’s probably in the future for me and my 230,000 mile North American M5.

[Randomg]

Not including labor for disassembly, I spent around $8k in 2012. You could probably skip some of those parts like the expensive cam sprockets and if you've kept up on oil changes can reuse the cams. A bunch of these parts are now NLA, so you might have to wait around or figure something out for the oil pump and vibration damper for example. If you've got cracks in the head which are pretty common, factor in an additional $1-$4k depending on if it's repairable or not, if you've got a block with cracked head bolt holes, factor in $1k+ for a used block. When I priced the assembly/disassembly labor at VAC at that time, it was $5k. If you account for inflation and potentially these new tariffs, it might give you a decent ballpark.

[austin8753]

Any estimates of M5 motor rebuild cost? It’s probably in the future for me and my 230,000 mile North American M5.

what makes you feel your engine needs a rebuild?