E30 Engine swap newbie

[Bodwan]

Hello,

Let me start off by saying I don't own an E30 yet! I am planning on buying a 318i i've found, because the 325i and the 318is are extremely expensive ( I have a budget of about £4000). It seems to be in good nick etc but it's done 160k.

I would like to do an engine swap for a newer, better engine. I've read online that the M42 engine swap is the easiest but I can't find an engine for sale. I've found an M44 and an M52 for sale for not much money.

I have pretty basic experience, limited to keeping a couple of old VW's on the road when i was younger. But i'd love to do an engine re-build before everything becomes battery powered.

I don't want a track car, I want a fun, economical, reliable daily driver.

SO my questions to the E30 zones are -

1. is this a good idea?
2. is it easy enough?
3. is it going to be extremely expensive?

Thank you in advance,

Tim

[arrisbmw]

my opinion is , why not rebuild the m40 1.8 engine. in tip top condition, fully serviced and all sensors and engine management working correctly , should be fine as a daily driver . you are looking at top speed of 117 mph. 0-60 in 10.8 sec manual and about 30 mpg with 115 bhp at 5500 rpm. plenty of fun

don,t know what a m42 1.8 twin cam would make, propably about 130-135 bhp.
and don,t forget it,s not just the engine your need to updt brakes and suspension are different on the 318is.
to handle the extra power.
insurance could be an issue with a modified car, I don,t know the procedure , does it have to be officially inspected ?

[aimlessrock]

E30's can be a daily, but they are not the economical.

If you are doing an engine upgrade you will also need to think about the brakes, suspension,m steeing etc.

All modifications will have to be declared to your insurer as well - i don't have any experience with this but suspect it will only increase your premiums.

In my view you would likely be better going for a modern daily and having an E30 as a second car, original unmolested E30's are more desirable for resale.

[martauto]

The M42 is an amazing engine giving true reliability and 140 bhp and 140t as well. It will rev it`s torrs off all day long and if you are able to resit driving it like it wants you to, then its pretty good on the gas certainly on a run.
The brakes and suspension will need to be done but it`s not a massive job and I think it will be worth it, especially for such a light car.

Mart.

[Bodwan]

Thanks a lot for getting back to me. So really it's buy the 318 but leave it as is (with an overhall) or wait for an M42 to pop up?

E30's can be a daily, but they are not the economical.

Perhaps daily was the wrong term, I don't drive anywhere daily as I work from home, and use public transport where possible. Not least for the polar bears. But it would need to be the primary car, I don't have the space for 2 and honestly I barely need one car, I just want one .

As far as the breaks and suspension are concerned I'd probably end up upgrading them even on the stock car. I'd like to give myself the best chance of avoiding an accident as possible.

[martauto]

Where do you live ??
Polar bears ??

Mart.

[Topblag]

If you have Polar bears, get a 325ix. Great in the snow.

[Bodwan]

Haha, i live in Brighton. There's currently no polar bears although it feels cold enough. I mean for the global warming, melting icecaps situation. And would love an 325ix snow or no but the budget doesn't allow.