E30 320i 4 Door 1990 questions

[E30_320i]

hi ppl

this is my first post

just wanted to ask some questions about car mentioned in the title.

are there any big disadvantages i.e increased weight, with it being 4 door instead of 2 door?

i know that the E30 320i pumps out at 129bhp, but after driving a 1.2 8v mk2 clio which is approx 55-60bhp, what sort of power increase am i expecting to feel in camparison to the clio??

and what is the torque like in these? i mean is it a "push you back in the seat" experience? (again remember that ive been used to driving a 1.2 clio lol)

thanks alot.

Lee

[billgatese30]

welcome mate. firstly the wieght difference is negligeble between 2 and 4 door and only really noticable if your really keen and can pick up on little details.

if the clio is like this one then yeah, big difference.

[E30_320i]

hi bill

thats good to hear then, wasnt too sure about the weight difference as alot of people on here seem to have opted for the 2 door version.

is that just because they look better do you think? i mean i personally dont think the 4 doors look bad.

no matey its the older model, so im guessing its even more of a difference?

i honestly cant wait i absolutly love these cars BIG TIME!!

[billgatese30]

probably is going to be even more difference then. most people opt for the two door as it looks better and also the 318is and 325i sport only come in two door, however alot of people on here like the 4dr. i quite like them in the right colour etc. i only went for the 2dr as i bought the 325 sport and didn't have a choice. the biggest weight differences are found between saloons, tourings (estate), convertibles. also the engine, (4 cylinder & 6 cylinder) porbably make the biggest difference in handleing/grip and out and out accleeration.

never been in a 320 so i don't know how much the tourque will push you back in the seat but i know that the 171BHP 325 does when you're not used to it. either way it will be a HUGE improvement over the clio for sure.

[E30_320i]

cheers bill (or do you want me to call you chris?)

i cant really complain because my grandad is giving me the car for free, its the burgundy coloured e30. its done 74k and he hasnt had 1 single problem with it in the 15 years of ownership! it is an absolute gem! and is immaculate inside and out.

ive got a bit of money to throw at it aswell, so im toying with the idea of fitting a viper pipercross filter (or is this a waste of Ԛ£250??)

installing a ECU chip, with a twin pipe backbox (have you or anyone got a good link for a place where i can buy this from??)

and then possibly some leather seats, as im not too kean on the original grey cloth.

Lee

[Jhonno]

you wanna be droppin the suspension 1st and making sure its got some at least some 14" bottletops on there 1st before worrying about the engine

the filter is a waste of 250 tbh on the 320.. better off keeping standard filter and changing it often. BBTB and chip will work wonders on the 2.0 lump tho. The 2.0 is regarded by many as soundin the best out of the 2.5 and 2.0 albeit 40bhp down on power lol

a nice stainless exhaust should improve the sound further also!

Leather can come at anytime (altho it is expensive!!) and it is cold in the winter and sweaty in the summer

[billgatese30]

is the air filter you are on about is a cone type filter? then i would say that it is a waste of time as they only end up sucking in warm air from the engine bay which reduces the potency of the burn within the cylinder, hence giving you less power. for a better more powerful burn you are better getting cold air in, the colder the better. the standard airbox has a cold air feed on it from the front of the car, which means that 98% of the time it is better to use this. the other option you have is to manufacture a heatshield to seperate the cone filter from the rest of the engine bay and deliver cold air to it via a pipe from the front of the car. so simply, it is probably not worth it.

ant is a moderator on this forum and can supply suitable ecu chips nad has done loads for people on here and has never had anything but good reports so you should speak to him about it. send any chip enquiries to

chips@e30zone.co.uk

someone else will have to help you with the exhaust but looking on here in the parts for sale section is a good bet, as is sticking up a wanted ad in the correct section.

leather seats...you could either get your cloth ones re-trimmed (costyl but you'll have brand new leather seats that will be gourgeous). or you could look on here and also look on places like ebay.co.uk

and you can call me either bill, billgates or chris...i'm not really bothered

[E30_320i]

what are 14" bottletops jhonno? (i bet i sound a right numpty)

how much work would be needed to fit a big bore throttle body?, yeah alot of people have said that a 320i with a SS zorst will sound just as beefy as the 325i

its the enclosed filter bill, like a long pipe with the filter enclosed in a box with another pipe comming out the other end. i wasnt going to bother with the cone filter bcuz as you say it sucks in hot air (i had the same problem with the K&N filter on my clio as the TB sits right on top of the engine)

ill have a look in the for sale section then, see if i can pick up any bargains

ive looked on the superchips site and it gives an increase of 10bhp but costs Ԛ£299. but a guaranteed 10bhp would be a great and is a step closer to the 325i's 171bhp.

might just leave the leather for now then, as they grey cloth is still better than the uncomfortable clio seats.

Lee

[Jhonno]

Superchips = shit

Get one from the Zone.. BBTB isnt alot of effort to fit

Dont bother with a cone or spending Ԛ£250 on the Viper - waste of money imo - paper filter flows the same and filters much better, just have to replace it but then thats only a couple of quid from a motorfactors

Basically make sure its got some alloys on not steelies and at least m-tech suspension before worryin bout the engine..

Should always sort the chassis before worryin bout the engine! One of the 1st rules of modding

[billgatese30]

ants chips are an awful lot less than Ԛ£299 mate....and he could probably sort it so that you'll allways be satisfied. plus it has more chance of selling second hand (if you change your mind) on here if it is one of ants rather than a superchips one.

keep your eyes open and you'll find a bargain eventually.

14" bottle tops are the original standard alloy wheel that was supplied new. i'll try and find a pic for you.

[billgatese30]

here are the 14" bottletop alloys

[E30_320i]

cheers lads

just seen a viper kit in the sale section for Ԛ£88 inc. P&P so thought id take a chance, at least im not losing Ԛ£250 if they are crap.

yeah its got the 14" bottletops, those are the alloys in your sig arnt they bill??

ill get in touch with ant then about the chip in a few weeks when i get some more bunsen burner in the bank

do the 320i's come with m-tech suspension as standard?? bcuz i think someone said they come with it standard on some 318's?

Lee

EDIT* no it hasnt got the bottle top alloys, its got the same ones as on your car bill, the multispoke hexagon shaped cap

[billgatese30]

nope, mine are the 15" BBS cross spokes on my car...here's a bigger pic, (hte one that the sig pic is taken from)

[Jhonno]

the 318iS had m-tech sus the 320i didnt.. its only bout Ԛ£50 from someone on here.. but makes a big difference!!

[E30_320i]

yep they are the ones bill! i think they look really smart. i was tempted on splashing out on the Alpina reps, but looking at them on your car i wont bother now

oww rite jhonno, well ill have a scout around then if they are only 50 notes!

Lee

[Jhonno]

them BBS' are 15" - your lookin at about Ԛ£200 for a 1/2 decent set with tyres

Another big improvement in handling!!

[E30_320i]

jhonno they already come with the car, and my grandads just put some new tyres on them so handling should be good then?

you see i havent got the car yet its in my grandads garage, but when i move in a couple of months ill be insured and driving it

btw jhonno i just added you to msn hope you dont mind im "stone_island_1986@hotmail.com"

are those BBS replica's?? bcuz BBS make alpina and M3 relpicas. its just the set on my grandads e30 came with the car.

Lee

[Jhonno]

*signs in*

[Jhonno]

also you sure they are 15's on your grandads car as they did them in 14" as well