I can't believe there isn't much insight regarding this on the site.

Has anyone actually done the above?

Perhaps if the engine went it would be better to replace with another 218BHP or possibly a 231BHP and keep the existing autobox as I'm fairly certain the 231BHP engine will mate with the box from a 218BHP car?

EDIT - I just read the gearbox is the same between the Pre LCI and LCI 530D - ZF6HP26

I thought they were different??

Last post here states they are the same except for the electronic gear shift:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=72&t=1110988&mid=0&i=0&nmt=E60%2F6 1+530d+or+535d%3F&mid=0