E30 Zone

Hi,

My 1993 E30 318i touring is in the bodyshop being brought back to her former glory. The news from the panel beater is positive. There's very little rust apart from the bits that were readily visible so I have a very good shell on my hands.

While she's been in there I've been offered, and have bought the engine and gearbox from a 1990 325i sport which has covered approx 110k miles.

My question is what is involved in taking out the old engine and box and replacing them with the new parts? In layman's terms, is this a difficult job or is it plug and play?

I had intended doing the interior first, but when this came along I couldn't resist.

Your advices would be most gratefully received.

Hi there, should be quite straight forward, its just a case of realising how much is different between the models barring the engine and gbox. Things like;

the radiator
prop shaft and diff?
Plug at the back of the dials(so the rev counter reads right)
ecu
front springs + shocks

And no doubt more, the good thing is its a touring so it will have all the beefed up roll bars and discs all round

As its your "project ride" I think it would be rude not to You know you want too

cheers maggs

Hey Maggs,

You speak the truth my friend. It is a project ride, I got the car for nothing and I think all in I will have a gleaming 325i touring for about €2000 (£1750) when I'm done. That will include the respray, the engine conversion and getting the interior up to scratch. You'd probably buy a 325i touring complete for that money, but I wouldn't have the emotional investment of bringing it back from the jaws of the crusher.

What do you drive?

Ian

Erm lets see now.....................

A 325i touring, but I'm not biased or anything

There's plenty of info on the site already about this engine swap. Check this link in the engine swap section
'Wiring warning for anyone swapping E30 engines!'. Since the car is a touring I think suspension struts and brakes will be universally suitable. Springs are different.

You will need a new diff of a suitable ratio and propshaft I believe (as the gearbox from the 318i M40 is shorter) plus exhaust, ECU etc.

This is not something I have done myself so I am just offering a few ideas. Have a search and print some photos from threads for reference and whoever takes on the job will be fine!

I have a 325i touring too but I'd like to put an M52B28 (2.8 litre 24 valve) engine in when the existing engine wears out.

You will need 6 pot type front springs,whilst the strut is apart it is a good idea to replace the insert as well.Prop shaft will be OK,just requires shortening a little,slack off the collar nut at the centre bearing and ajust with a birmingham spanner.Diff ratio will be a bit 'short',look out for a medium case 3.64 or 3.73 or even a 3.91. Engine bay will be short of a few brackets,things like header tank and DME/fuel pump relay spring to mind.If the donor 325 is available to you,hang on to it 'till the swap is complete in case you forget to grab a bit you need.

Thanks for all this info! I'd never have found it out in a million years on my own. I'm going to compile it all, print it out and discuss with my mechanic.

Any chance you'd direct me to a few pics of your tourings? I'm dying to have a look at what mine will look like when I'm done.

Also any descriptions of what the 325i touring is like to drive would be most welcome too. I've never had the pleasure...

Not quite what you wanted work in progress,this will replace the white 316i touring in my avtar... one day!!

Mmmm..not quite the reassurance I was looking for there Mr Daimler.

I see zat is a left hooker you have zere. What are the procedures like to import to the UK from abroad?

In Ireland we get ridden backwards when we import. Anything over 1.9litres and you are paying 32% of the open market value. On top of that they assess E30s as being worth between €2,500 and €5,000.

I just did a quick assessment on the Irish Revenue's site of the tax on importing a 1990 325i touring with 120,000 on the clock and they were looking for €926 (£800) just for the pleasure of driving it on Irish plates. If you leave it on non Irish plates, they'll impound it!

Take a look yourself.

https://www.ros.ie/VRTEnquiryServlet/showCarCalculator

Ian

Fortunatley our DVLA is a little more sympathetic. All(!!) I require to regester the car is a couple of forms completed,one refers to VaT and is aimed at traders,a valid UK Mot showing the current regestration mark and an insurance certificate also showing the current mark.Oh,and a small pile of £20 notes---cannot remember just how much off the top of my head.project now is mostly RHD,my wife would not tolerate a LHD car!! More photos and information in the photo gallery,look for 'Daimlerman's folly'!!

bailephib wrote:they assess E30s as being worth between €2,500 and €5,000.

You wouldn't like to send a few of 'them' over here to work as UK insurance assessors, would you? Ours tend to leave a '0' off that!!