Sounds like you've had a similar experience to Dylanf. He bought his 98 RX and shortly after discovered the head gasket was gone. Replaced the heads, and 6 months later he threw a big end bearing.

Not too sure why anyone would say you shouldn't fix a playing up big end bearing... What's the point in owning a boxer if you can't rev the crap out of it :Dntknw:

In terms of options, you should look at doing a B4 conversion on it if you've got the cash, if not then you've still got a few options. If you're mechanically minded you could find a decent condition donor engine and do the swap yourself, saving a few dollars, or you could pay a mechanic to do it for you. Or if you've got more money than sense, you could just have the existing engine reconditioned, which you'd be looking at around $4500-$5000, which is just a bit short of what a conversion would probably cost you anyway...

Hey guys thanks for the feedback.

AFter talking another suby mate he suggested taking my car over to Tony at URD. (just quietly... the blokes a bloody champion!) He quoted me a $3500 for a worst case scenario, (crank shaft bent). After thinking for sooo long that i was up for a $5000+ repair Im pretty keen to go ahead with fixing the original engine.

Ill keep yous updated on what happens

Apart from the lack of gen 2 audm turbos.. that bearing has to be the reason why there's so many conversions! 

Good luck mate..

2k5!?!?!? WHERE? please tell me!
Iv been struggling to find any recos under 5k...did find one for 3k5, but it only had a 3month warranty.
Curse you! i was so decisive on fixing my engine, was about to book it in with tony at URD today...now i want a reco :angry2:  hahah, but seriously, can you please hook me up with a good quality reco

thanks