Is it worth sticking an M50/M52/S50 into an E36 Compact?

Post Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:41 pm

As the title says guys, is it worth it?

Will an S50'd compact really be much quicker etc than an E36 M3?

Post Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:45 pm

Built not bought rules say: Yes

Rear end grip won't be up to E36 levels but E30 owners are used to this so, meh

I can see a M52 finding it's way into my girlies compact one day

Post Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:53 pm

Yes worth it imo..

Post Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:58 pm

Ive been in an S50'd compact (3.2) and yes it was proper rapid and not a lot could catch it

Compacts only weigh around 1200kg, mine weighed 1240kg which is a fully loaded sport, i can imagine the pov spec models are close to 1100kg.

Kos has stripped his out and im sure its been weighed but cant remember how much

Answer to your question is yes, they are proper wolf's in sheeps clothing

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:03 am

P.S - I've got a Compact for sale.. Ti so rear discs

Sleeper spec FTW

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:14 am

leeparkes wrote:Ive been in an S50'd compact (3.2) and yes it was proper rapid and not a lot could catch it

Compacts only weigh around 1200kg, mine weighed 1240kg which is a fully loaded sport, i can imagine the pov spec models are close to 1100kg.

Kos has stripped his out and im sure its been weighed but cant remember how much

Answer to your question is yes, they are proper wolf's in sheeps clothing

mine with the M52 in and full trim was 1240.

is the swop worth it, yes and yes and yes again !

mine with its 2.8 has a slightly shorter diff, a 3.25 and is on par with an e36 M3.

i'm considering putting an s50 into mine

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:16 am

Kos wrote:i'm considering putting an s50 into mine

How about finishing your M3...?

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:18 am

Jhonno wrote:
Kos wrote:i'm considering putting an s50 into mine
How about finishing your M3...?

engine is in apparently

i'm gona finish the e24 off first, then compact then the m3

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:19 am

Jhonno wrote:
Kos wrote:i'm considering putting an s50 into mine
How about finishing your M3...?

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:20 am

S50'd pact ?
hell yeah that would be good fun

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:21 am

Rav335uk wrote:
Jhonno wrote:
Kos wrote:i'm considering putting an s50 into mine
How about finishing your M3...?

the dinosaur m30 fan laughing ......... give over rav and get with the 24v program

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:21 am

e30topless wrote:S50'd pact ?
hell yeah that would be good fun

a 2.8 is fun as it is

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:30 am

Kos wrote:
Rav335uk wrote:
Jhonno wrote: How about finishing your M3...?

the dinosaur m30 fan laughing ......... give over rav and get with the 24v program

Never Kos, 12 valves for me mate

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:38 am

in denial

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:24 am

an e36 m3 weighs around 1500kg, if you can get an s50'd compact at around 1250kg you've already got a nice chunky power to weight ratio advantage. use a lower ratio diff, and stick a llightened flywheel on while you're at it and you'd end up with a right little monster

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:30 pm

Dan320is wrote: Will an S50'd compact really be much quicker etc than an E36 M3?

I would think so, It would be similar in weight to mine and my b30 has shown up a few e46 m3's

It is a fairly straight forward swap too

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:47 pm

penton08 wrote:
Dan320is wrote: Will an S50'd compact really be much quicker etc than an E36 M3?
I would think so, It would be similar in weight to mine and my b30 has shown up a few e46 m3's It is a fairly straight forward swap too

If i remember the bigest pita is relocating the battery somewhere, i think the expansion tank too?
After that its pretty much easy stuff.

Post Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:57 pm

surely the expansion tank just needs a bracket sticking on. start with a complete m3 and you'll have everything you need, then flog off the bits you don't need and the engine could almost pay for itself, you also get to use the front bumper, skirts, wheels, front suspension, front brakes etc too.

if you're swapping the guts of an m3 into a compact shifting the battery to the boot will be like childs play

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:31 pm

Its 'where' in the boot thats the issue.
iirc the lad i know cut a recess in the one corner of the boot floor then tacked the original compact battery tray in. just didnt look right though, stuck out like a sore thumb.

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:43 pm

What about an m50'd compact???

Wouldn't be worth it would it? Someone I know is in the middle of it and after storing his nail in my garage and using me to get the bits he moved it the other day and hasn't spoken since!! I hope its a wet nail

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:36 pm

e30-dk wrote:What about an m50'd compact???

Wouldn't be worth it would it? Someone I know is in the middle of it and after storing his nail in my garage and using me to get the bits he moved it the other day and hasn't spoken since!! I hope its a wet nail

I would not bother tbh, The m52 is plentyful and the same amount of work

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 9:39 pm

I'm serioiusly tempted to do this conversion.

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:18 pm

fucking do it dan !

if mines back on the road and you're at a meet/show i'm at you're more than welcome to take it for a spin

Post Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:28 pm

Kos wrote:******* do it dan !

if mines back on the road and you're at a meet/show i'm at you're more than welcome to take it for a spin

Cheers mate

DC11?

Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 12:57 pm

s50 in a compact = a complete animal!!

a friend has one its a bit taty and to to my taste, but f**k me does it go.
it was a 318ti originaly and still has the standard diff in it.
its broken a few driveshalfs as he decided to have the diff welded.
But other than that is been all gd

well worth it in my eyes

Post Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:55 pm

Dan320is wrote:
Kos wrote:******* do it dan !

if mines back on the road and you're at a meet/show i'm at you're more than welcome to take it for a spin
Cheers mate

DC11?

no, the e24's not even going to make it.

santapod maybe ....

Post Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:02 pm

There's an S50d 'pact on Gumtree Glasgow at the moment. £2295 or something. Worth a look maybe?

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 12:04 am

cecotto479 wrote:There's an S50d 'pact on Gumtree Glasgow at the moment. £2295 or something. Worth a look maybe?

This one?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-m3-compact-co ... 415a71be5a

I'd take a punt on that if I could move my E21 on, it's a bit far away though.

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:57 am

Looks like the one. Sorry, I remembered the price wrongly.

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:30 pm

Are you building a race car/track car? If not id say just stick with the M52, cheaper and much more useable on the road

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:00 pm

M52 is no more useable on the road than an S50.. A little more frugal but that is about it imo..

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:35 pm

if you don't want the extra performance of the S, just don't press your foot down quite as hard. at least it's got the go there if you do need it

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:47 pm

That looks good for the cash. If it wasnt so far away, I would be flogging my m50 touring.

Post Mon Jun 13, 2011 6:49 pm

has a 318 standard dif

eek! I'm fairly sure i would have put a medium case slipper in there!