What Is Wrong With The E30 320i Engine?

[The_Duke]

...hmmm...

[steveoz32]

TBH = To be honest ;)

[gcorky]

Your missing the point on the 318 Vs 320 arguement, it's the 318 is they are reffering to which is the double overhead cam 140bhp 1.8, so similar power but 1.8 economy and a lighter front end so nippy and M3 style handling.

The 318IS has the engine that was designed for the new E36 and actually came in in 1991 on the new shape E36 at the time. I fail to see how that can be compared to an engine that was made a decade earlier? I've never even seen an E30 that came this lump from the factory?

so was the m40 designed for e36,,,,hmn think not m42 and 40 were issued in e30 and 36 bodys?????????

the m42 was destined for the 1.8 e30 to compete with 1.8 golfs gti cav sri astra gte etc of the same era.there was a runout into the 36 range then engine model changed to 1.9.

steve youve never seen an e30 with the m42 engine factory......says it all really.

nothing wrong with the m20 2 litre exept today in its heavy body with rwd is somewhat under powered and uneconomical.if these issues dont bother you everone is happy.bmw did prove this point themselves in 1990 with YES the smaller lighter 1.8 m42. 318is.

another good thing about the 2 litre is its so understressed and overengineered that with good maintenance it will clock up galactic miles without major work.it was a well refined unspirited smooth 6 as was meant

just my opinion

[steveoz32]

steve youve never seen an e30 with the m42 engine factory......says it all really.

OK furry muff, everywhere I looked says that it was manufactured in 1991 but that it WAS in use in the E36 from 1991-1996. So I guess it must have been in late E30's?

And no, never seen one, I wasn't saying it didn't exist? I've never seen a real C1 Alpina either, does that also 'say it all'?

And my point still stands, the 320 and relative 318 of the same 'era' are a decade older in design.

Anyway, back to the post.

Get a 325 lump cheap and chearful.[/quote]

[320Touring]

lets keep it on topic gents, or it may be time

remember this is about the m20b20 engine, and not the m42 1.6 4cyl 16v as first fitted to the 318is e30

[The_Duke]

It certainly seems to have generated a varying amount of comments on it both sides...

It seems to me that it really comes down to unique individual taste. Most of what I have read is very subjective, rather than objective, with verifiable references. It would really be good if some of the comments could be more objective with facts to back what you say...or am I now asking too much?

[320Touring]

It certainly seems to have generated a varying amount of comments on it both sides...

It seems to me that it really comes down to unique individual taste. Most of what I have read is very subjective, rather than objective, with verifiable references. It would really be good if some of the comments could be more objective with facts to back what you say...or am I now asking too much?

ok you asked for it

I have owned a 320i touring for the last year and a bit.

here's how I find it.

Driven hard, the m20b20 engine revs well and pulls decently. It certainly feels the 40 hp down on the 2.5, but is still reasonably rapid.

It gives me 22mpg when i'm driving it hard in town, about 25 driving hard on B roads.

If I'm going any distance, then motorway travel at between 60 and 70mph is the best-gives me between 34 and 38 depending on how hard I drive.

I find that the 2.0 lump delivers more low down torque than the 2.5 (possibly due to its "flathead" combustion chamber).

I've bought or looked at buying a fair few e30's over the last 18 months, and generally the 320i's that I look at tend to be better cared for (sub Ԛ£1000) the 325i's tend to attract a harder driver or one who doesnt mentain them properly (unless its a zoners car )

If you're talking about doing an engine transplant, then i's include 318 and 316i's in your search as they can often be cheaper, but still bodily good

[The_Duke]

I am thinking of an enigine tansplant to 3.5 not down...want bigger

[320Touring]

I am thinking of an enigine tansplant to 3.5 not down...want bigger

i know that why i'm saying consider the 316 and 318 cos its all the same shell, just a bit more loom work to fit in a 3.5!

[The_Duke]

I have a 320 with no rust that I can see... so would like to use this one to do the conversion...however, I have also thought of obtaining a 325i Motorsport and doing the same conversion...

[Chaos]

theres nothing wrong with a 2.0 M20.
its quite possibly the smoothest production engine of all time.
doesnt make bad power - 129bhp in a 2v per cylinder 2.0 is perfectly acceptable.
its tuneable - zone chip and 2.5 throttle body and boot make a noticeable difference
id also suggest fitting a 3.91 diff - this doesnt really blunt the performance and the gains on consumption are very good.

[The_Duke]

...after some thought I think I shall, upon my return from the Ukraine, purchase a 325, and do the conversion on that and put my 320 into classic status, keeping her as standard as possible, and as clean an unrusted as possible. This gives me the best of both worlds...as I am sure that the 320i will become sought after, as there are so many 325's.

[Chaos]

This gives me the best of both worlds...as I am sure that the 320i will become sought after, as there are so many 325's.

the 320i was the best seller in the range iirc.

[julianm40]

Ive just bought a 320i and its great! Makes a beutiful sound. All it asks is that you keep you foot pressed a little harder for a little longer, whats wrong with that?

[fatjapp]

What I could never understand with the 320 vs 325 argument is there is little power difference between the two engines considering different displacements.

1991cc M20
124.7 PS (123.0 bhp) (91.7 kW) @5800 rpm
170.0 Nm (125 lbft) (17.3 kgm) @4000 rpm

2494cc M20
173.4 PS (171.0 bhp) (127.5 kW) @5800 rpm
222.0 Nm (164 lbft) (22.6 kgm) @4000 rpm

Bit of maths

123/1991 = 64 bhp per litre (85.38 Nm/litre)
171/2494 = 68 bhp per litre (89.01 Nm/litre)

I think the weights are about the same (correct me if I'm wrong)
It gets a bit confusing with the different differential ratios ….

I have driven quite a few E30's now and by far my personal favourite is the 325 se (didn't like the sport as the LSD won't let me get the back end out far enough, and there to expensive) The 320 did feel very underpowered, and was somewhat slower off the mark. If you like the 320 then stick with that, you can always shove a bigger engine in it.

[Jhonno]

130bhp is the same as the Astra GTE 8V had.. but you need alot more power in an e30 to keep up with the fwd guys once rolling

[m-dtech]

perhaps going the turbo route on the m20 2.0 would be a better option. flat pistons

[e30bmlover]

ah here we go, im glad i found this thread!!! stick with the 320 mate, dont listen to all this crap about how rubbish they are. iv got a 320(soon to be 327i) and there is nothing wrong with them, service them on time, oil change every 6,000 miles, they will keep going and going. at the end of the day they are a 6 cylinder and sound a hell of a lot better than a 318is. and if u are worried about the power comapred to the i.s just chip it and get a decent exhaust. i would have a real go, but the last time i done that the thread got locked.

[Dr Firefly]

If you're on a student budget I'd say go with the 320 - lower insurance, more reliable (from everything I've read), and I think the fuel consumption is better. Bit of a boring post, but the 320 makes more financial sense, at least until you're earning

Ian

[Jhonno]

insurance difference is insignificant in my experience

325i uses less fuel in day to day driving as dont need to drive it as hard

320i does tend to avoid the head issues the 325i seems to suffer tho

[Simon13]

all this bollocks about 2.5 heads cracking! i've had 3 now all fine.

My old sport i did 40,000 miles in it fine! and driven hard.

I bought a car for spares 325i auto for 300 and have now ended up MOTing it and using it as my daily driver. It's a sweet engine of which i have no clue on history for it or it's milege!

Yes there is nothing wrong with a 320i there just isn't alot of point to them now all E30's are old and sell for the same money! not alot. insurance why people rant about it when there are folks on here who have had 325's at 18,19,20,21 no prob!

i just don't see alot of sense i buying one now

[JOSEMI]

There is nothing WRONG with the M20B20 but it was designed with different pistons and head to do a different job to the 2.5. The reason people go on about MPG's is that you'd expect it to be better than the 2.5 where as it's worse, but this is for a reason. The 2.0 has oodles of torque, it was designed to be the lazy effortless drive, whereas the 2.5 was the yuppies high horsepower racer saloon. The thing is 15 years on , and I think I talk for everyone on this forum, we all want power now! So the original gap the 2.0 was designed for has kindda dissappeared.

But now thw 2.0 has a new calling, 2.7 donor, so it's not all bad.


You do get those horrid rear drums though.

If I was to chose an opinion, I would stick to Widge's. It explains all about the 320 reason of being in a couple of lines. 320's are fantastic to drive.

Jose

[Brianmoooore]

but this is for a reason. The 2.0 has oodles of torque, it was designed to be the lazy effortless drive,


You do get those horrid rear drums though.

With that diff ratio??

You get discs if you buy a touring or one with ABS.

[stevetigger]

didn't like the sport as the LSD won't let me get the back end out far enough

Ive found over my 8 years of E30 ownership that........... With LSD you can get the rear out easier and further. NON LSD E30's stay in a straight line! You turn corner and the inside wheel spins No arse end out there!


Is this the fact or am I talking bollox?

[Globulator]

Is this the fact or am I talking bollox?

I've got an LSD and boy can the back end swing round on that! All you need is a greasy wet road, 1st gear and a T junction to get out of in a hurry ;)

My theory is that with both wheels spinning there is nothing to hold the back straight, so it swings out. You get better grip in snow n stuff tho., and also on regular roads if you are feeling a bit like pressing on...

[Morat]

You certainly can get the back out on a non-LSD car, and you can get it back again - but you'll get better drive from an LSD. Once a wheel is spinning on the open diff you've lost traction. If you want to drift round a whole roundabout you'll need some traction or you'll just slide to a halt!

Thats my take, anyway
Morat

[Widge]

but this is for a reason. The 2.0 has oodles of torque, it was designed to be the lazy effortless drive,


You do get those horrid rear drums though.

With that diff ratio??

You get discs if you buy a touring or one with ABS.

I know Brian, I thought they all had drums, but I discovered discs on my 320 touring donor, so I don't know now. I would rather have discs though.
And the reason I mentioned it is if you're going to put a 3.5 in it it could probably do with the discs.