320 or 325 for project?

[EOS]

Hi guys im looking to buy a E30 soon as a bit of a project car.
What im planning on doing is putting a S50 E36 M3 lump in it, clean it up and have a nice motor for the weekend

For the base of the project im looking into getting either a 320 or 325, but don't know that much about E30's yet so wondering if you guys could help me decide which model is most sutible to the project and what the main difference's are between them?

Do they have different suspension and brake set ups etc... things like that.

Also i read somewhere that the E30 box will mate to the E36 engine, is this true or will i have to use the E36 box?

Looked through your forum and has been very helpful reading what you other guys have done engine conversion wise, and what engine mounts and sumps etc... to use.

Cheers for any help.

[Quaser]

Im sure that all 325i's come with rear disc brakes, and the battery at the back - 320's have rear drums with the battery at the front.

I think the suspension is better too. (51mm struts as opposed to 45mm)

Q

[Simon]

Hi mate

If your considering an S50 swop then it doesn't matter which car you pick, as all the parts that make a difference will get removed anyway.
The only thing I could think of is the rear brakes, some 320i's have drums on the rear rather than discs.
Personally I think you'd stand a better chance of finding a rot free 320i than a rot free 325i, they tend to have been looked after better!

[Andy_magic]

2 of my 320i's had disk rear ends and one had drums, they were all F plate cars too. The ones with drums was the later model of the 3.

Strange

[kam-325i]

2 of my 320i's had disk rear ends and one had drums, they were all F plate cars too. The ones with drums was the later model of the 3.

Strange

My E reg 320i was drum brakes on the rear (pre face lift).

[glenn]

i agree with simon.
you'd be better off finding a good shell/body first, regardless of which engine it comes with.
mine was a 320 auto.

[EOS]

Thanks for the advise guys i was swinging with the idea of getting a 320 before i post, now its made my mind up, just got to look for one with a half decent shell.