320i to M3 spec - is it possible?

Tue May 02, 2006 9:01 pm

Hey guys,
Assuming that money will be no object in a couple of years (Sep 2008 to be exact, when I qualify as a doctor), how much work would it be to convert a tatty 1988 320i that I love to full M3 spec? What's actually different? Is the basic chassis even the same?

Different suspension
Different shocks
Different engine
Different drive train
Different gearbox

What I'd like is to not alter the outside looks at all, and just zoom off at the traffic lights leaving all the chavved up hatchbacks choking on my dust.

What else would need changing? And how difficult would it actually be? I might retrofit air conditioning and cruise control aswell, if that's practical to do?

Just getting ideas at the mo, but definitely going to do something drastic.

Cheers, Ian

Tue May 02, 2006 9:19 pm

You'd be cheaper and it'd be less hassle just buying an M3. You'd need to change absolutely everything including roof and rear arches, front wings, bootlid, rear panel....................the list goes on and on.

Taylor.

Tue May 02, 2006 9:21 pm

Chassis are totally different mate, youve got no chance.
sorry.

Converting the engine/trans and suspension is a good mod though

Tue May 02, 2006 9:22 pm

Theres not point in doin that tbh unless you prefer the look of an E30 than an M3

Tue May 02, 2006 9:23 pm

better to just buy the m3 imo...

Tue May 02, 2006 9:25 pm

Just noticed that you don't wanna change the exterior.

Yeah - will be possible. You'll probably spend most of the time sourcing the parts though. How much work it is depends on your abilities (or your abilities to pay somebody to do the work).

Good luck with it when the time comes for your project.

Taylor.

Tue May 02, 2006 9:34 pm

You'd be better off fitting a more modern S5xx engine rather than the S14 from the E30 M3. Engine design has moved on.

Tue May 02, 2006 9:38 pm

I know it's stupid, but then E30zone is hardly based on common sense! I know that if I want an M3 I should just buy one, and to be honest there should be a time where I can fairly easily afford an old M3. But I'd just like the challenge of converting this car into something unusual. I'd love a car that drove like an M3 but just looked like your standard 18 year old rustbucket (I could even paint on fake patches of rust, but that might be going too far!). It's my first car and it would have been on the scrapheap by now if I hadn't found it and given it some TLC. Just want to see how far I can take her.

Dan, you said the chassis was different? How different? If I change the engine, trans, suspension etc will it be beginning to feel anything like?

Cheers, Ian

Tue May 02, 2006 9:40 pm

Thanks Brian, I was going to ask about engines - I'd imagine M3 engines are getting a bit old and hard to come by in decent nick. Will look up the S5xx - never heard of it before.

Tue May 02, 2006 9:40 pm

I dont really see the point, surely it would be better to go s50/52 (or just buy a better car)

Tue May 02, 2006 9:41 pm

The chassis are exactly the same its just roof angle and a few other bits are different

Tue May 02, 2006 9:51 pm

maxfield wrote:The chassis are exactly the same its just roof angle and a few other bits are different

Monocoque

Tue May 02, 2006 9:58 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:You'd be better off fitting a more modern S5xx engine rather than the S14 from the E30 M3. Engine design has moved on.

Spot on

Andy

Tue May 02, 2006 10:04 pm

DanThe wrote:
maxfield wrote:The chassis are exactly the same its just roof angle and a few other bits are different
Monocoque

Whats the difference compared to a normal E30 chassis?

Wed May 03, 2006 12:12 am

in a word.... or 2 words.... dont bother, as mentioned above u will need to do nearly everything to convert the 320 to m3 spec, dont waste your time! just go and buy one.

Wed May 03, 2006 8:01 am

I wasn't asking for opinions on practicality, as explained a couple of times. The title of this thread isn't "E30 to M3 spec - is it sensible and financially prudent" - I already know that it's a crazy idea. But there's lots of crazy ideas on this site that have worked pretty well. I just want to know how possible it is to do, and how much needs to be changed mechanically, as I don't want to change the exterior much. So I'll start a list, and anyone who knows of more parts that are different between the E30 320i and the M3, I'd appreciate if you added to it:

Engine
gearbox
rear diff
suspension
shocks
brakes

exhaust?
clutch?
fusebox?
OBC etc?
is the steering set up different?

Thanks a lot everyone, Ian

Wed May 03, 2006 8:19 am

isnt the steering left hand drive on a M3?????

Wed May 03, 2006 8:19 am

Firefly2005 wrote:
is the steering set up different?

yep, they are LHD! with less lock to lock turns.

The RHD racks are different.

Exhaust is unique to M3, as are loads of parts.

Concentrate on putting people back together, and buy a M3

Wed May 03, 2006 9:24 am

In all reality, the E30 and E30 M3 share very few parts, lights, front grill, side glass, and some interior components are shared, and basically that is all.

You will have to get a manifold custom made unless you are very lucky to find one of the rare RHD M3's breaking.

There was a touring in Total BMW a few years back with the S14 fitted, but it was a LHD touring.

Wed May 03, 2006 9:32 am

Whoa everyone, slow down!

The best idea, if you want a normal looking E30, but want the M3's running gear, is to buy a 320iS!

It's an ordinary looking E30 with the M3 engine, box and diff already mounted. Okay, so it's only the 2 litre version, but it still has over 190bhp and flies!

Problem solved.

Wed May 03, 2006 9:55 am

Geeman wrote:Whoa everyone, slow down!

The best idea, if you want a normal looking E30, but want the M3's running gear, is to buy a 320iS!

It's an ordinary looking E30 with the M3 engine, box and diff already mounted. Okay, so it's only the 2 litre version, but it still has over 190bhp and flies!

Problem solved.

my next purchace

Wed May 03, 2006 10:00 am

You won't regret it. Fantastic machines!

Wed May 03, 2006 12:21 pm

I think everyone is missing the point here...as great and wonderful as the E30 M3 is, its no Traffic Light GP winner! Kids in Civic Type'R's and the like will not be blown away so easily at the lights (Although things will change when road gets bendy

)

Better with an S50 conversion

or do an Ant and go the turbo route.

Wed May 03, 2006 12:24 pm

Motorhole wrote:I think everyone is missing the point here...as great and wonderful as the E30 M3 is, its no Traffic Light GP winner! Kids in Civic Type'R's and the like will not be blown away so easily at the lights (Although things will change when road gets bendy )

Better with an S50 conversion or do an Ant and go the turbo route.

Very well said. anyone with visions of owning all at the lights will be sadly disapointed

Wed May 03, 2006 3:11 pm

Firefly2005 wrote:I wasn't asking for opinions on practicality, as explained a couple of times. The title of this thread isn't "E30 to M3 spec - is it sensible and financially prudent" - I already know that it's a crazy idea. But there's lots of crazy ideas on this site that have worked pretty well. I just want to know how possible it is to do, and how much needs to be changed mechanically, as I don't want to change the exterior much. So I'll start a list, and anyone who knows of more parts that are different between the E30 320i and the M3, I'd appreciate if you added to it:

Engine
gearbox
rear diff
suspension
shocks
brakes

exhaust?
clutch?
fusebox?
OBC etc?
is the steering set up different?

Thanks a lot everyone, Ian

add to the above
prop
rhd custom manifold
ecu
loom
clutch
exhaust
electric fan
rhd rack

best to get a seriously crshed m3 and just transplant everything over. the only thing you wont have which you will have to get made up will be the manifold.