E30 Zone

Just wondering about the pros and cons of both engines and which people generally think is the better engine!

Ive owned a couple of E34's and E36's with the M50 engine. I love the low down bassy grunt of the M50.....but once you get above 4000rpm the grunt is replaced with a raspy soundtrack.....which disappoints.

The m20 on the otherhand howls above 4000rpm......it generally sounds best after this.

In terms of torque.....I dont believe there is a great deal of difference between the E30 325i and the E36 325i having ownded both cars. Both cars appear to accelerate at the same rate.....one thing that is evident from my perspective is that the M50 pulls harder at higher speeds.

For example...my E30 325i Sport at 90mph in 5th gear would not pull as quickly as my old E36 325i....guess this is due to the E36 having more torque.

In terms of reliability I think both engines are excellent!!

Hope this isnt long winded......just wondered what your thoughts were?

Stu

M50 Everytime

M50 is a far superior engine. Doesn't feel that much different in an e36, due to the extra weight it's lugging around, but put one in an e30 & there's no contest.

RSTurbo50 wrote:For example...my E30 325i Sport at 90mph in 5th gear would not pull as quickly as my old E36 325i....guess this is due to the E36 having more torque.

That's also to do with the aerodynamics of the car. The E30's like a brick.

M20s have more torque low down from the ones id driven! But M50s (non Vanos) need to be revved a little to get "really" going but pretty sure it has a nicer top end as it would with multivalves. Its a hard comparison cause when both are in an E30 one is quite a bit faster!

I always thought the bassy soundtrack into the hi rev rasp was good!

The M50 has a few advantages in terms of maintenance - forgive me if you already know this - but there is no timing belt to replace/snap on the M50 but instead a reliable chain. The tappets are also hydraulic so no adjustments required. Both of these mean cheaper/easier servicing.

M50 2.8 engine also more fuel economical than the 2.5 (due to technical advancements...some...where...dunno how it's done but...)

The M50 - came into production around 1989 - is so much newer than the M20 which was around even before the E30 from around 1977 (older than some E30zoners I'd reckon - nothing wrong with that either - big up the youf)

Seriously though it is interesting that younger guys/girls are interested in this car. I took a girl out a few years ago - she must have been around 21 about 3 years ago and she thought my car was "a bit of a dad's car". Needless to say she didn't manage to get another ride...

E30 and the M50 is the perfect combinationԚ…


http://media.putfile.com/E30-M50-V-911-Turbo

the m20 is good for what it was at the time, but with the M50 you got 24 valves and yeah stick one of those in an E30 and you'll be laughing!

toby wrote:The M50 has a few advantages in terms of maintenance - forgive me if you already know this - but there is no timing belt to replace/snap on the M50 but instead a reliable chain. The tappets are also hydraulic so no adjustments required. Both of these mean cheaper/easier servicing.

M50 2.8 engine also more fuel economical than the 2.5 (due to technical advancements...some...where...dunno how it's done but...)

The M50 - came into production around 1989 - is so much newer than the M20 which was around even before the E30 from around 1977 (older than some E30zoners I'd reckon - nothing wrong with that either - big up the youf)

Seriously though it is interesting that younger guys/girls are interested in this car. I took a girl out a few years ago - she must have been around 21 about 3 years ago and she thought my car was "a bit of a dad's car". Needless to say she didn't manage to get another ride...

so the m50 is the e36 325i correct?

i think the reason they may be more economical is because
the 325 has a bigger throttle body than the 328. would that be anything
to do with it? thats the only reason i can think of

I'd say m20 anytime

I like oldskool technology

the m50 is a great engine, and well suited to its e34 and e36 homes. I have a lot of time for the e36 328i-good, fast economical and capable car.

however, I've always been a fan of 2v per cyl engines (m20 12v and VW 1.8 8v) as I find they have more low down grunt, and are more tractable in town/stop start driving situations.

just out of interet chaps...... which is quicker a standard 325is e30 with an m20 or a standard 325i e36 packing an m50....

sideways_kyeway wrote:just out of interet chaps...... which is quicker a standard 325is e30 with an m20 or a standard 325i e36 packing an m50....

theres nothing in it really, e36 328 will waste u though!

Having owned an E36 325i Vanos model and 2 E30 325i Sports......theres no difference up to about 60-70ish.......but after that the e36 pulls away slowly ive found!!!

Stu

Slarty_Bartfast wrote:E30 and the M50 is the perfect combinationԚ…


http://media.putfile.com/E30-M50-V-911-Turbo

That vid did'nt go on for as long as it said geese, is that E30 the one in my sig?
Look's like it's at the same track aswell, Sneteton

Simon13 wrote:

sideways_kyeway wrote:just out of interet chaps...... which is quicker a standard 325is e30 with an m20 or a standard 325i e36 packing an m50....

theres nothing in it really, e36 328 will waste u though!

yeah my mate has a derestricted 328i and he eats me up.

eun wrote: yeah my mate has a derestricted 328i and he eats me up.

derestricted ?

Yes thats me at Snetterton, I will upload the Video again....

jonbuoy wrote:

Slarty_Bartfast wrote:E30 and the M50 is the perfect combinationԚ…


http://media.putfile.com/E30-M50-V-911-Turbo

That vid did'nt go on for as long as it said geese, is that E30 the one in my sig?
Look's like it's at the same track aswell, Sneteton

hoshy wrote:

eun wrote: yeah my mate has a derestricted 328i and he eats me up.

derestricted ?

Probably got the 2.5 bits on it to make more power.