325i - 318is conversion

[spark-plug]

Hi all been offerd a 325i touring as a donar car for my 318is (headgasget gone). Is this a good donar as in will the prop ect just swap into the 318is ?.Also even If the box feals good would it be a good idea to split the box and get it check out along with the diff as its over 20 years old? before i do the conversion? any help would be great

[jmc330i]

You want to fit a 325i engine to your 318iS?

If so, yes everything will swap over. You will be missing a bracket or two in the engine bay for things like the water header tank, so you can either cut the brackets from your donor and weld them into the iS shell, or be creative with zip ties and bits of Meccano!
Being a 318iS, it should have the larger 51mm front struts as the 325i has, but you will need to change front springs for the 6 cyl items.

Can't say I'd bother pulling a gearbox apart, especially if it seems ok. I'd just change the oil for some fresh stuff and carry on. If it does break, I still wouldn't bother pulling it apart, just look out for a known good secondhand box, fit and forget.

[Speedtouch]

How many miles has the 318is done? Being a relatively rare model, it may well be worthwhile changing the gasket - certainly alot less hassle than swapping the engine, box, prop, etc, etc...

[spark-plug]

Thank u for all the info its done 200k and 10k has been very harsh auto solo and a few sprints lol. it needs 2 new sills and a rear arch really and she was starting to smoke blue too. BUT she has all new polly bushes the rear beam has been refurbed it has new ebc discs and pads new avo adjustable shocks and braded lines. SO.. ive been offerd a 325i touring with fritz mani, enlarged throtle body ,chiped, lsd and the good gear box good runner 180k for £500 and i thorght she might be worth saving