If it's 1 - 1.5k then I'd say go for it the engine you're looking for is the M54B30 it was fitted to the e46 330i, e39 530i, early e60 530i etc more details here :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54#M54B30
If it's 1 - 1.5k then I'd say go for it the engine you're looking for is the M54B30 it was fitted to the e46 330i, e39 530i, early e60 530i etc more details here :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54#M54B30