Pre-facelift 318i

[skezy]

So I've found a pre-facelift 318i and i'm wondering what I can and can't do with the car as i've heard pre-facelift have limitations (may be wrong) the year is 1986

Cheers guys!

[Speedtouch]

It will probably have the M10 engine with K-Jetronic analogue injection - facelift ones had the M40 engine and digital Motronic (chippable).

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/318i

[skezy]

Would an engine swap with a 318is or 325i engine be possible at all? Thinking about it for later years. Sorry, this is all very new to me.

[skezy]

Never mind dug around a bit and found it's a lot of work. Hmm. Will tech 1 bumpers fit on easily?

[Grrrmachine]

Depends what "limitations" you're talking about. If you want to tune the car then yes, you're very limited. If you want to swap in better beefier bits from better BMWs, then it's a piece of cake - these cars are practically Lego in terms of working on them.

If you just want a motor you can tart up and put body kits on, buy a Golf. If you want to actually drive the thing, get any E30 you can find, as long as it's not rusty.

It all seems daunting at first, but engine swaps on these cars are possibly as easy as engine swaps get in the motoring world.

[pacerpete]

The pre facelift E30 M10 318i has L Jet fuel injection. It is / was a good little engine but tuning potential is limited unless you want to spend LOTS of money.

[skezy]

Swapping the m10 to the m40/m42 sounds like a good swap to me but I could just get a later 318i. Seems the swap from m10 to m40 can be pretty daunting. Cheers for the response guys. Could I easily chuck on a nicer beefier exhaust with no complications?

[Brianmoooore]

Seems the swap from m10 to m40 can be pretty daunting.

In what ways? Just unbolt the old and bolt in the new.

[skezy]

Well the cost, need to change the whole set up of the engine don't you?

excuse me if im making myself sound like an idiot haha

[Andyboy]

Swapping from M10 to M40 would just be pointless. The M40 is a better engine (power and economy) but not enough of a step up top justify the aggro and expense. Most are shagged out with noisy cams anyway.

[Grrrmachine]

Swapping the m10 to the m40/m42 sounds like a good swap to me but I could just get a later 318i. Seems the swap from m10 to m40 can be pretty daunting.

As others have said, you unbolt the engine and electrics, pull it out, then drop in the new engine and plug it in. Whether the new engine is an M40, M42 or M20 there's really no real difference in terms of complexity.

Cheers for the response guys. Could I easily chuck on a nicer beefier exhaust with no complications?

You could, but you might as well fart down the intake for all the power benefits it'll give you.

Make yourself comfy and read through this. Click the "swap me" links for more info:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... gine_Swaps

[Brianmoooore]

need to change the whole set up of the engine don't you?

??? Well, yes. That's how you define an engine change isn't it?
There are other issues to consider when proposing to upgrade the engine in any E30 saloon, other than the 325i, since these models, both two door and four door, had inferior brakes and suspension to the whole of the touring and rag top range, but this isn't anything to do with the engine swap per se.

[skezy]

Let me explain my situation a little more, I'm a new driver and this will be my first car. I've managed to get some quotes on a 318i that aren't through the roof due to a multicar policy. I'm looking at the moment and struggling to find much at all within my price range (up to around £1500) however I did find a 1986 318i for a fair price, knowing that i'll be swapping the engine for a bit more power after the first year or two would it be worth me getting the car or waiting till a later model came about. Sorry if i've been unclear.

[Speedtouch]

The main thing to worry about with any E30 is the overall condition of the bodywork - mechanical stuff is relatively easy to put right.

[Jim320i]

You could always drrive a car before worrying about the power The M10 will pull along nicely. No need to stick anything else in there if its your first motor. Plus modifying it with a new engine will be pricey on the insurance

[Grrrmachine]

If it's your first car, and engine you can get will be more than enough. Forget what your mates say about a bajillion bhp with a blower strapped on the side; 110hp in a RWD car with skinny tyres will be more than you can handle for your first year's driving. As Speedtouch says, buy on the condition of the shell, not the mechanicals, since rust is a lot harder to fix than engine-based stuff.

Welcome to the E30 world