E30 Zone

Was planning on sticking an M52b28 with a few mods into the Touring but I'm getting very questionable thoughts now about sticking in a diesel from a 525tds after looking into them a little.


M52b28 (which I already have) would be going in with a E36 or e46 M3 six speed box with more than likely a 3.38 diff for a nice mix of silly performance but refininent when in 6th.

Also in the mix would be M50 inlet, S52 cams, BBTB, S50 injectors, maybe S50 exhaust manifolds and a re-map so should be quite lively.


On the other hand I can use a 525tds engine with the M3 gearbox or 320d box once I check which tilt the M51 is for the bellhousing. Probably use a 2.65 or 2.93 diff.
Chip then should bring it upto around 170-180bhp and 350Nm of torque.
Apparently an E30 with a M51 can get 36mpg even driven hard and lots of short trips which would also be with a 5 speed and 2.65 so 40-50 should easily be doable.


Touring will be used everyday and with one or two other E30s, it's not exactly like I'd need to make the Touring a monster and plenty of torque would be useful for towing the trackcar


Only thing is a rattling tractor engine in a nice tec 2 touring with BBS splits might look a little gay


Ideally. I'd like to use an M47 it M57 but they are still a little expensive for a good engine and bits needed.


Before anybody mentions it, LPG is pretty much non existent over here at the pumps so not a viable option on something like a nice big M30 or V8

Yeah... thats what I'm thinking
Would towing an S54 powered track car make up for it though, I wonder

Only joking, a diesel touring would make a good daily/second car.

S50 manifolds are a waste on a non M engine... Imo of course..

I think those diesel mpg figures are quite optimistic from what I have heard.. They are fragile also, or the pumps at least are.

Would stick with the M52 goodness.

+Yeah, I know the manifolds won't really make any huge gains but as I have a set of spare cracked manifolds that are no real use to anything that I might as well stick on.
Might sound nice anyway at least even if they give no real gains


Heard the M51s can give abit of trouble alright with pumps and cracking heads and considering I wouldn't be happy with a diesel unless its around 170-200bhp and is a miser on fuel.


A good M52 coupled with a 6 speed box and nice gearing would probably be just as good as any diesel too really for fuel iand I have the option of having much more fun too as well as a lovely sound.

Best off sticking with an engine that I know until I find a good M57 to stick in maybe