320is - please tell me about it.

[tlee]

I've only recently learned of the existence of this model. The ads refer to it as the Italian M3. However, is it just an E30 with a 2 litre M Power engine or is there more underneath the skin? Also, what is the power of the car? Thanks.

[Alex]

mtech suspension, 2.0 s14 engine, and thats about it as far as i know

they were for italian and portugese markets to avoid high tax bands

[Alex]

oh and iirc there around 190 bhp

[tlee]

Thanks Alex. Apart from the engine, there's nothing special then.

[Alex]

no nothing special apart from engine, some look like poverty spec four doors

[bmwsport]

Another thing special these is the lack of rust they tend to have due to them being imported from nicer climates where they don't use salt on the roads either. From personal experience the only e30's i would buy these days are the imports as all the uk cars will have rust on them somewhere or other no matter how 'mint' they are supposed to be

Oh and they are a cool car as they are rather rare too

[tlee]

I've asked about the 320is because I'm after a new road car (see my wanted thread). There are two up for sale at the moment that are both in the £6K area. I don't care for the 'classic rarity' aspect of the car. I'm after something that's clean and solid; usable on my very short commute and wicked on track. I'm thinking of buying something like Nick Stoner's 320 (clean and solid) and having an engine built for it. It would come in cheaper than the 320is and, hopefully, faster! Well, that's my thoughts but I'm open to suggestion.

[Alex]

a 320i will be no where near as fast as a 320is, a 320i is only as fast as a 318i and there not very fast, get a 318is have enough poke and are good fun on a track or get a 325i

[tlee]

It wouldn't stay as a 320 - read my post ;)

[GrindCulture]

So you were planning on buying a 320iS and swapping bits about? Seems like a grose waste of time and money to be honest.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

320is would fit your bill in standard guise.

[Alex]

ah rite i get it now

[robbo86]

I would love one, or a 18is but a 320is would be even more sweet for relative rarity value

[tlee]

Grind - no I was thinking of buying a 320is and leaving as is. Or buying a cheap 320 and having an engine built for it.

[GrindCulture]

Ah right, me misreading stuff again

[Alex]

GrindCulture - you are as bad as me

[GrindCulture]

Yup!

I want an s14 in my touring

[Alex]

i want one in my IS

[fingerman]

I've only recently learned of the existence of this model. The ads refer to it as the Italian M3. However, is it just an E30 with a 2 litre M Power engine or is there more underneath the skin? Also, what is the power of the car? Thanks.

Hhhmm - it's not the dodgy ad that was discussed about a few weeks ago was it - don't buy it !

[tlee]

there's these two 320is's
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C65261
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C61980

But this looks interesting too especially since it's had a rebuild - c2 2.7
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C59473

[Alex]

just wondering, how would you insure a 320is over here, do you need specialist insurance companys

[fingerman]

there's these two 320is's
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C65261
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C61980

But this looks interesting too especially since it's had a rebuild - c2 2.7
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C59473

Nice looking cars

[GrindCulture]

E30 325 this condition will fetch 10,000 pounds.

Eh?


These are such sleepers, the 4 door ones more so. Really do like them a lot.

[Felix79]

is putting a S14 or S50 any harder than any other conversion?

[GrindCulture]

Not sure if they're harder as such, just bloody expensive.

[Felix79]

saying that my Alpina on paper seems to be more than a match for a early m3/320is

[Alex]

is putting a S14 or S50 any harder than any other conversion?

s14 into a m10 engined car will be pretty much drop straight in, since its basically a 16v 2.3 m10

[bss325i]

is putting a S14 or S50 any harder than any other conversion?

S14 is pretty much a bolt in job with only the exhaust manifold a problem on RHD cars.

S50 on the other hand is a lot more work to fit in an E30 engine bay!

Its worth it though.

[Alex]

S14 is pretty much a bolt in job with only the exhaust manifold a problem on RHD cars.

never thought about that

[Alex]

i wonder if you can buy new s14's from bmw

even if there 2k IMO they would be worth it

[tlee]

I assume the 320is has an LSD?

[GrindCulture]

I think you can, but brand new ones would be a hell of a lot more than £2k, seeing as that seems to be the price of 2nd hand S14s.

[bss325i]

Andrew (Demlotcrew) has an S14 in his 318iS using a Hartge modified exhaust manifold, the one used in their RHD conversions of the E30 M3.

[bss325i]

I assume the 320is has an LSD?

Yes.

[GrindCulture]

I assume the 320is has an LSD?

I'd imagine so, I think their spec is very similar to 325i Sports over here.