Is the 320i a good engine for an E30?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
Rob_316i
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:00 pm
Contact:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:54 pm

Hi guys

I used to run around in a '91 316i for work.

I currently have a '95 318iS coupe for work and a '93 MR2 putting out just under 300bhp for a weekend car. I have no intention to sell either of these but fancy making use of the mother-in-laws garage to do an E30 restoration as I loved my old one.

Ideally I would want a 318is E30 but they are pricey and whilst the engine is good I don't think it is amazing, as I currently own the '95 iS with the same engine.

I would like a 6 pot therefore, and would appreciate your opinions on what you think of the 320i in an E30?

Cheers
Last edited by Rob_316i on Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
4 seats is 2 too many.
Image
tez180
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 485
Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: A track near you

Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:58 pm

If you don't think the 318is is ALL that then you will no doubt be dissapointed with the power on a 320.

Can of worms tho.
Cloggy Saint
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 8024
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: zummerzet

Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:00 pm

Not the quickest but silky smooth and reliable.
Image

E30 zone - promoting adult illiteracy since 2004
User avatar
harry_p
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5313
Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: norfolk

Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:02 pm

the 6pot is a nice sounding, creamy smooth engine. just a shame they drink so much for so little performance. the 318 is a little slower, but uses a lot less fuel. the 325 is a fair bit more powerfull yet doesnt drink much more.

on the flip side, most 320s were bought by people not interested in performance, i.e old people, so you tend to find a lot of rot free, low owner, garaged cars tend to be 320s (usually autos too, which cripples performance even more... )
cheers,

harry
VeinAST
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 461
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:13 pm

Coming from my Clio to the BMW the power is certainly down for the size of the engine but it does make a good noise! Needs to be given a good amount of revs to get anywhere fast!
Image
ross_jsy
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 7307
Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Location: Jersey, C.I.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 1:16 pm

as stated a bit of a boat anchor with lack-luster performance.

how ever, if its a good shell, have you considered your other options i.e. m50/52 swap?
User avatar
Rob_316i
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 11:00 pm
Contact:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:45 pm

Thanks guys - sounds exactly the same as the E36 318is Vs 320i! I thought it may be better in a lighter shell.

What I will do in that case is look for a 316i in good condition and a 325 lump to drop in.

I'm being very lazy now - are there any good posts to look at to show how to go about the conversion?

thanks!
4 seats is 2 too many.
Image
Post Reply