E30 Zone

Hey, i have a 318is and looking to drop a faster engine in over the summer, but not sure on the best engine to go for..

what do people think the best engine to go for is?

I dont wanna spend big, so just the most performance for the lowest cost sorta thing??

jonathan

Here we go again.

It's all a matter of opinion I think Jon. There is a history of 4pot vs 6pot debats and there has never been a definitive answer on what is the best engine.

For me though, IMO, it has to be the 325i. The sound of a straight 6 is only comparable to the TVR/Imprezza interms of low budget road cars.

yea i agree, i prefer the straight 6..would a 325 be cheaper than a 328 to but in?

jondrift wrote:would a 325 be cheaper than a 328 to but in?

Yes

Depends on your budget and how handy you are with the spanners!

2.5 swap will probably be the cheapest option for more power.

But if your capable of doing conversions yourself then a M50/52 or M30 would be what i would go for

ImysE30 wrote:2.5 swap will probably be the cheapest option for more power.

But if your capable of doing conversions yourself then a M50/52 or M30 would be what i would go for

M30B35 all the way - you can get 5 and 7 Series breakers for peanuts at the moment

So what do you think it may cost to have an M52 fitted ??

Mart.

martauto wrote:So what do you think it may cost to have an M52 fitted ??

Mart.

Depends on how good your with spanners and welding

ImysE30 wrote:

martauto wrote:So what do you think it may cost to have an M52 fitted ??

Mart.

Depends on how good your with spanners and welding

I used to be good but Im disabled now so I will have to pay for it done and also it must be an auto.

Cheers, Mart.

martauto wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:

martauto wrote:So what do you think it may cost to have an M52 fitted ??

Mart.

Depends on how good your with spanners and welding

I used to be good but Im disabled now so I will have to pay for it done and also it must be an auto.

Cheers, Mart.

Sorry to hear that. Auto M52, don't think i've seen one done. The conversion will cost you about £1500 fitted i reckon. A budget of about 2k will easily get you a good M52

ImysE30 wrote:

martauto wrote:

ImysE30 wrote: Depends on how good your with spanners and welding

I used to be good but Im disabled now so I will have to pay for it done and also it must be an auto.

Cheers, Mart.

Sorry to hear that. Auto M52, don't think i've seen one done. The conversion will cost you about £1500 fitted i reckon. A budget of about 2k will easily get you a good M52

Thanks for that mate, it was just a decent thought maybe for the future or if I get made redundant (dont tell the wife.lol )
I have been "classed" as disabled for a while now but , Im in hospital this week for a bit and should be able to walk again soonish.

But I still love my 316 auto.lol.


Mart.

martauto wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:

martauto wrote: I used to be good but Im disabled now so I will have to pay for it done and also it must be an auto.

Cheers, Mart.

Sorry to hear that. Auto M52, don't think i've seen one done. The conversion will cost you about £1500 fitted i reckon. A budget of about 2k will easily get you a good M52

Thanks for that mate, it was just a decent thought maybe for the future or if I get made redundant (dont tell the wife.lol )
I have been "classed" as disabled for a while now but , Im in hospital this week for a bit and should be able to walk again soonish.

But I still love my 316 auto.lol.


Mart.

Why not go for a M30B35 swap for that ultimate sleeper look

Please forgive my ignorance , but I dont know what you are wow are you talking about the 3.5 ?????

Would this be a more "affordable" alternative??
Pipe dreams at the moment but now that sounds like a "nice" sleeper and also my daily car.

Mart.

It's a 3.5 engine out of a E34 5 series 535. 200bhp +.

It is a simpler swap as you don't need to weld anything and much cheaper as well. Donor car/engine's are cheap, around £200-300.

I will be doing this swap or maybe a M52 on my cabby in the summer