Back in a E30

[F17RAK]

Back in an e30, its like wearing an old coat, all e30's seem to smell the same.

Its only a 316, but a nice looked after engine with decent poke Its got a couple of faults, knocking noise from front passenger, central locking dont work, also possibly the power steering reservoir bottle leaking from the pipes. Few spots of rust, but overall very clean with a clean uncracked dash & underpanel under the steering very good nick.

Future plans,

clean the rust
slightly lower, not dragging its ass
possibly new wheels
dye the carpets all black
new front lip
try to custom make a rear spoiler
M42 conversion (not to distant future)

[Pud237]

Looks clean! Reminds me of my old tourer, which had been M42'd.

[F17RAK]

Would you recommend m42 conversion for the touring? Power, performance, economy etc

[G-Bear]

Nice.

A few on hear have had M42'd Touring's and enjoyed the combo. I think TPS still has one..

[Sanchez]

Its got a couple of faults, knocking noise from front passenger,

Dont let them in the car then.

[Pud237]

Would you recommend m42 conversion for the touring? Power, performance, economy etc

My M42 engine had done about 230k by the time I sold the car, including many laps of the Ring! None by me unfortunately, but the previous owner used to go regularly over the 6 years he owned it. I don't think the engine had caused any trouble at all in its whole life, I had loads of history for the car but besides from service & a coil pack it hadn't needed anything, not even a head gasket.

It was nippy, good fun to blast down a country lane. Its not blow-your-socks-off performance but it was a characterful and revvy engine which I like. Sounded great too for a 4 pot. Was decent on fuel - about 30mpg doing a lot of local journeys. I definitely prefer the M42 to any of the 8v engines. If you specifically don't want a 6 cylinder then its what I'd go for.

[ImysE30]

Looks a nice clean base car to start with Get some more pics up.

[F17RAK]

iv seen cars lowered 40mm & sometimes look standard. Will 60mm be a pain with speed bumps etc??

[magpie]

yes- 60mm is sump damagingly low ,if you can get some just put 318is front springs on...

///M-Tech innit

[F17RAK]

Just an update, this is how my car is looking at the moment, should be getting some jom coilovers soon.

[jimbom30cab]

wow, what a change, nice work

Twin exhaust.... did you change the M40?

[F17RAK]

no mate, just some custom made exhaust tips

Im still wanting to do an engine swap because i cant drive a 1.6 for too long , but thinking shall i go the whole hog & get a M50.

[G-Bear]

I like a touring with a tech 2 kit. Looking good. I hate to sound like a chav but it would look with a little bit of a drop.. Not huge mind in my opinion.

If you're getting the hog out, wouldn't M52 be more desirable?

[Duke137]

JOM coilovers

[tonybtonyb]

Looking fab so far fella

[pac1982]

looks great, what product do you plan on using to dye the carpets black as I fancy doing this on my touring

[F17RAK]

I like a touring with a tech 2 kit. Looking good. I hate to sound like a chav but it would look with a little bit of a drop.. Not huge mind in my opinion.

If you're getting the hog out, wouldn't M52 be more desirable?

That's what I meant, m52. The drop is the next mod, then nothing for a long time.

[F17RAK]

looks great, what product do you plan on using to dye the carpets black as I fancy doing this on my touring

Don't know yet, just seen something on ebay.

[F17RAK]

Been slow progress, but lowered it. Front springs 40mm, rear probably 60mm, got them free.
I keep saying im not going to lower my cars anymore, but i cant help myself.

[Blitz]

That dont look right. Looks like rear end has collapsed.

[F17RAK]

like i said the rears are probably 60mm

[ImysE30]

I'd go 60 front and 40 rear or 40 all round

You've got reverse rake going on

[polsta]

Would you recommend m42 conversion for the touring? Power, performance, economy etc

My M42 engine had done about 230k by the time I sold the car, including many laps of the Ring! None by me unfortunately, but the previous owner used to go regularly over the 6 years he owned it. I don't think the engine had caused any trouble at all in its whole life, I had loads of history for the car but besides from service & a coil pack it hadn't needed anything, not even a head gasket.

It was nippy, good fun to blast down a country lane. Its not blow-your-socks-off performance but it was a characterful and revvy engine which I like. Sounded great too for a 4 pot. Was decent on fuel - about 30mpg doing a lot of local journeys. I definitely prefer the M42 to any of the 8v engines. If you specifically don't want a 6 cylinder then its what I'd go for.

m42 is a great livley nippy little engine, but in a touring ? depends what you want it for- in the IS although great with 1 person with you or on your own it was great, but put anpother 2 in the back and it struggled, if your wanting to use a touring for carrying passengers and loading up the boot with gear, the m42 would not be great

[hongkongfuey]

m42 on m40 diff you will have no problems. can tune them a bit phill (tps) has one