24v conversion or leave it alone...

[James325]

Would it be really wrong to do something as drastic to my 325?

The only reason I ask is my car is an unmolested 50k 2 door 325.
The only things I have done is change the cloth comforts for very nice black sport leathers and fit an Obc. (i still have the standard interior).

And if this does happen could someone give me some idea of the cost? I'd only need the parts cost as I can do the work myself.
Thanks

[E30BeemerLad]

I think it would be wrong to do that to a 50k mile 325i.

Not many around with that mileage now.

Although the 24v swap would be reversible....

[bss325i]

Leave it be.

If you hanker for 24V action buy a clean 2dr 316/318/320.

[E30BeemerLad]

Tis a shame you never got to 24v that red chromie Barry

[pac1982]

Go for it as far as i'm aware a 24v conversion will return more MPG, more power and be more reliable.

Because your car is a low miles example i would hunt long and hard for a really good low miles 24v engine

[E30BeemerLad]

Anyway, let's see some pics of your chariot dude

[James325]

OK, thanks for the replies.
I think I knew that it's probably not a great idea. I just needed to check

So If I bought a suitable common or garden turd donor, how much for the bits? a ballpark figure would be ok. ?

cheers
James

[E30BeemerLad]

Well, when you get a more basic turd, you're going to have more to upgrade aren't you. Plus you'll end up doing a mini resto whilst you're there trust me.

I would allocate £2-3K by the time you've fitted urpated/ lowered suspension & replaced bushes etc, uprated brakes with at least some good dics & pads, done replacement brake pipes etc. LSD ?

I know the above sounds like a lot, but you'll get there over time. It all adds up.

To just do the swap right but basic, I'd say £1k in bits.

[James325]

I don't have any nice shiny outdoor pics. But here she is just about to have a little work on the usual floorpan issue!
I've largely rebuilt the cars suspension with all new bmw parts and it's not even been lowered!!






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[Dezzy]

If it's solid just use that shell. You can always put the 12v back in. Put an M52 in properly and it will increase the value IMO.

[James325]

And it was the M52 I was thinking of..

[bss325i]

A clean, unmolested 2dr 325i SE in a desirable colour like dolphin grey is a rare thing now, even more so with very low mileage and has a value.

Save the conversions for the poverty spec models.

[whipsey]

And it was the M52 I was thinking of..

ahem ive got one in the for sale section thats done 78000

[James325]

A clean, unmolested 2dr 325i SE in a desirable colour like dolphin grey is a rare thing now, even more so with very low mileage and has a value.

Save the conversions for the poverty spec models.

Yes. your probably right. I'll leave her alone. And look for another car.
I did pick up a 318 but it was too far gone, but it did have a ropey looking M42 in it. That should be worth something.
pic of the 318 after I'd found all the rot..

[daimlerman]

My donor E34 cost me £350,I sold on a few bits so that reduced the cost a little.

Gearbox(Getrang 240)cost me £20,if you can make up your own exhaust manifold/downpipe you can save a big chunk there.

Beemerlad is about on the money for my total spend,though,once you get stuck in there's lot's of 'Whilst I'm here with the thing in bits' things to do!

[Andyboy]

That looks like a great way to increase the performance of a 318iS - strip it and stick a bit of Thwaites diesel power up it. Certainly light over the front end.

The M50 conversion is a waste of time imo. It's a big heavy lump and it's not an easy swap. Yes, you're going from 171 bhp to 192 but a good remap is going to get you close to 180 bhp and you didn't buy a 325i for economy. I've yet to drive an M50 2.5 E30 that I thought was remarkable. I've never driven one that I thought was leagues better than a really good Tech 1 Sport.

24v is only worth the bother if you do it as a 2.8 or 3.0.

[Dezzy]

^^^ agree 100%

3.2 ain't bad either.

[James325]

The M50 conversion is a waste of time imo. It's a big heavy lump and it's not an easy swap. Yes, you're going from 171 bhp to 192 but a good remap is going to get you close to 180 bhp and you didn't buy a 325i for economy. I've yet to drive an M50 2.5 E30 that I thought was remarkable. I've never driven one that I thought was leagues better than a really good Tech 1 Sport.

24v is only worth the bother if you do it as a 2.8 or 3.0.

Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to know!
I'll leave the m20 alone!.

James

[pnd]

get some good suspension on it a strut brace and a chip off ant and if you can afford it a btb 6 branch these will sharpen it up considerably and improve the fun factor.

[Andyboy]

Or just leave it well alone. Stuff like this needs to be preserved now, and it looks like it's in good hands.