1992 E30 convertible.

[Llewekab]

Hey,

I've recently bought a 92 convertible. It's as standard as you can get with only 49000 on the clock.

Has anyone got any ideas what I can do to it to improve performance without ruining the standard look, feel etc.

Cheers

Rob.

[Chris_B86]

Which engine is it?

[Llewekab]

It's a 318i. Drives really smooth but could do with a bit more pull.

[Rich320I]

what you need to do there is put a 325 engine in

tuning the 318i lump is pointless IMO, you could get a 318is engine though which would liven it up aswell.

[Llewekab]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'll stay with the 1.8. Putting a new engine in seems a bit excessive and want to keep the car stock. Will prob just change the air filter and exhaust and see what happens. Thanks again.

[Rich320I]

not a great deal, you may even lose/worsen airflow if fitting a cone filter and badly made exhaust such as powerflow.

unfortunately the 318 isnt really designed for intergalactic travel, youd probably see better throttle response and a few extra horses from a really good service.

any pictures of the car sounds very nice

[B7]

TBh, if you wanted some go and originality, you've bought the wrong car.

However, finding a 325i with sub 50k and thats not been messed with, is an issue in it's own right!

If originality is your main want then putting up with the 1.8 is not that much of a chore.

[andyp]

not going to make a lot of difference to a 318 price wise by fitting a 325 [maybe inprove it] , will still look the same but with double the power and sound a lot better

[Gouki]

with that low mileage I would keep the original engine in. If you want more power sell up and buy a 325.

[Llewekab]

Thanks for all The replys. I think I'll just sit back, cruise and watch the world go by. It's nice and smooth to drive and good on fuel so will definitely be keeping it. Thanks again. Will upload some photos shortly.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

All cabby's IIRC that late are 318s, branded as lasers? I'm sure they were the last run.

Get a resistor and a couple magnets to go with the K&N cone rubbish....

[Brianmoooore]

The best thing you can do with any E30 is getting it running as it was when it left the factory, which, assuming it's not been done recently, will mean in your case, checking anything and everything made of rubber and perhaps investing £30 to recondition the injectors.
Don't see where on the thread is says you are going to put a cone filter on it, but if you are, then DON'T. Just change the element in the one you have for new OEM one. Same goes for the exhaust, if it needs changing.
When was the build date of the car, and does it have a cat? There are real fuel savings to be made if you lose it, if you have one.

[Gortour]

How late can you lose the cat nowadays Brian?
Does it still pass the MOT?
(mine's Oct 93, first registered Jan 94)

[pony]

with that low mileage I would keep the original engine in. If you want more power sell up and buy a 325.

Plus one

And besides 1992 is a very late E30

[Brianmoooore]

How late can you lose the cat nowadays Brian?
Does it still pass the MOT?
(mine's Oct 93, first registered Jan 94)

August '92 is the date, but you can still lose the cat. if the car has an engine that isn't standard to the model, such as a M5x, an M30, or one from another manufacturer (even if the engine is post August '92), it has an E30 engine from a pre August '92 car, it is fitted with an LPG system, or it has an engine on which the engine number can't be read, such as if it had accidentally had an encounter with an angle grinder, so the age can't be determined.

[Gortour]

with that low mileage I would keep the original engine in. If you want more power sell up and buy a 325.

Plus one

And besides 1992 is a very late E30

Plus another one, and thanks Brian.