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Do any HJ members have any experience with Heathrow Engine Centre. They claim to be specialists in exchange/rebuilt BMW engines. Any tips offs good or bad? A replacement engine is required for a 2002-3 BMW 330i.
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Hi qxman! Sorry to hear that things don't look good.
Engine rebuilders vary quite widely in their quality, so tread carefully. Get a written quote on exactly what is replaced with new parts, as opposed to just being 'checked'.
Specifically, HEC has been around a long time - they used to advertise heavily in Exchange & Mart (maybe they still do) since at least the early 80s, so you'd think they can't be all bad.
Does your friend plan to let them do all the work, or just get the engine couriered to a local garage?
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Read this first
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=51565
Back to the drawing board?
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should be able to find a decent 2nd hand engine id have thought
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I have no experience of HEC, but as already said be very very careful. My experience of another exchange/recon engine supplier was very poor. The car had to be sold because it never ran properly again.
It proved a false economy, incredibly inconvenient as the supplier was quite a distance from where i lived (recoveries to and collections from) and I wished I had spent the money getting the original lump repaired properly.
PS It was a Toyota Celica
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You get what you pay for with recons. Best to have your own rebuilt by someone you trust with oem parts. If it's cheap, there's a reason. I've seen 'recon' engines offered at less than the cost of the parts if you did it properly.
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I know it's not the answer to the question, but the alternative would be to put it on Ebay with a sensible reserve. You'll be amazed at the prices fetched. Or look on Ebay for a complete but body-damaged donor vehicle.
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I'm pretty sure these guys have been discussed on th BR before. Do a forum search, read the comments of knowledgable members, then consider carefully before choosing a reconditioner.
As a general question, is it still possible to get "factory exchange" rebuilt engines, transmissions etc that the manufacturer will stand over?
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Yes-certainly with some makes-ask your local dealers' partsman.
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Do a Google search & you'll soon find suppliers of used engines from breakers, offering some HUGE variation in prices. Watch for +VAT & + delivery, only pay by plastic & see what mileage & condition they describe the doner vehicle to be.
Then once you've placed your order, post back on here, so any Broomers who own the same model, or have friends that do, can be advised that it'll be disappearing, around 1am the following morning!
VB
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qxman,
FAB Direct are breaking a few 330is
www.fabdirect.com/
HTH,
Andrew
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I too have heard negative reports about Heathrow Engine Centre and my advice would be to steer well clear of them. On a brighter note though I have just browsed through FAB's website and although I have never heard of them before they come across as very professional on their website.
{Thread now 'read only' - DD}
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