E30 Zone

hi guys. new to this brand from having a mk4 golf so be gentle . ha . anyways got a e36 1.8 se 1997 . lovely body but power aint what i thought it would be. what should i be looking for apart from the obvious like spark plugs and the like

Mark D chip (easiest)... do a CAT delete (don't get caught), cold air intake, get a better coil, 8mm wires, use copper plugs anything els is overrated unless your burning hot enough for say a platinum plug to work its magic. If you want serious power... the m40/ 42 has forged internals it can take quite a pounding, if ya have the cash to spend, get shrik cams with ITB's, and a port and polish ( thats serious money and hardly worth it) but if you are stuck on getting serious power from the m42... Thats how to start. Easy things are the ones i previously listed. Have fun!

The engine may just need a good thorough service. Oil, oil filter, fuel filter, spark plugs (don't go wasting money on these special metal wizz bang things standard ones will do). Regarding the airfilter if you must get an aftermarket unit use a replacement panel filter in the standard airbox; the M42/M44's suffer from loss of torque and power with open cones (as many engines do when they suck in the hot engine bay air!).

Are cams really worth it in the M42's?

Seeing as they're a nice revvy cammy engine, yes

plus vernier pulleys as standard in the m42