Bmw M21 Td

[dimcon]

Just a feeler, would there be any interest here in a BMW M21 Turbo Diesel for a conversion. I've got an 85 524 td, that I am debating on whether to work on to get road worthy or not.

[bjf]

Conversion to what?

Any pics?

[dimcon]

I've heard that some have used this motor in their rovers. Just curious.

[grnthng]

I don't know man! First thing that comes to mind is the angle those motors are mounted in there cars and that they are long motors.... in-line 6. I dont know about the engine bay room!
Great motor though!

[JimC]

I've never seen an M21 swap, but an M51 seems like a decent bet since it was the diesel engine installed in the p38 and it allegedly shares a bell housing with the M52 petrol 6. Length is not a problem per se, since the M52 was installed in SA spec defenders. Doesn't mean there aren't other issues, but physical size shouldn't be one of them.

If I was staying in the states, I would just buy the 524td off of you. I've been wanting one of those for a long time. Is it a runner? What condition is it in?

[dimcon]

I bought two off a guy, one is in excellent shape other was for parts but is 95% complete. He sold the good one because it didn't run after he changed the timing belt. Came to find out all I did was move the IP one tooth and it fired right up. Took all of an hour and it runs beautifully. Great little cars. If I can get the title for the second car I'm going to sell one and keep one, if not I've always wanted either a Disco 1 or RRC with a diesel. Don't have enough money to finish my Defender and buy a new motor so I figured the BMW motor might work.
I knew one of the BMW motors was in LR just didn't know it was the M51. I had thought about selling it but I'm going to keep it for one or the other.