318is advice

[timp7748]

Hi,

Recently bought a 318is. Bit of a high miler with 225k on the clock but its generally very tidy.

I've decided I want to make it a bit more special; something that looks unique and carries something a bit crazy under the bonnet.

I have been looking at a M30 from a 735i we are breaking at work that I can get for cheap, but also the M20 or M52. What engine conversion do you guys recommend? This is the first time I am going to undertake such a project so I am a complete newbie to this (although I have some talented boys here at work who could give me a hand!)

Cosmetically I will eventually be getting a full respray. The car is brilliant red and it does look half decent for it's age. However a few rust spots and a general tidy up is needed. I have been toying with the idea of a rep M3 bodykit ever since seeing the real deal. I know metal panels are bloody rare so I have been looking at the fibreglass kits. We also have a fibreglass unit next door to my work place so as long as the kit is semi decent I should be able to get it to fit straight.

Any advice or related experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys / ladies

[HairyScreech]

Any conversion but the M30.

Seriously the M52 is the best bet.

Fibreglass kits just got a lot better thanks to a zoner offering the c-pillar in glass fibre that actually replicates the M3 pillar properly.

However as a first timer I would advise against it for 2 reasons 1: technical difficulty and 2:You will end up with a glassed up, molested 318is that is neither unique or desirable.

[timp7748]

Thanks for your input bud. Any specific reason I should be avoiding the M30?

[HairyScreech]

Just a really outdated engine now.
Think an M20 but heavier and thirstier.

An M52B28 in stock form is as fast or faster in an e30 than the M30B35.

That and most M30s are now junk, they are either big money or massive mileage neglected scrap.

[timp7748]

I see. Ok, thanks for that. I might pester my boss and see if I can have one of his 2.8s.

[Grrrmachine]

Almost everything you want to know about engine swaps is here:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... gine_Swaps

[timp7748]

Thanks mate. I have read through a fair bit of that. Was just trying to gather some experiences others may have.