Why does everyone seem to think 320i's a rubbish

[StuBeeDoo]

I don't see a chip and a throttle body change lifting the 320 engine up to 150BHP though. That and a tidy exhaust system might change the character of the 320 though, to an engine that's more satisfying.

Hartge's "H3" conversion on a 320i was quoted as 160bhp. Don't know what the spec was though. It definately involved head work.

[AndersLS]

In the words of Tim "the toolman" Taylor......"needs more power vuf vuf"
(my 320i has 788hp/1200nm) and a washer/drier.
Seriously...I admit it...I am weak...I would really like a 2.5 lump!

[StuBeeDoo]

I think the 320i/731 'head Massive should all join in a
I'm actually glad I couldn't find a 325i Touring when I wanted one. I hadn't found the E30Zone then and I didn't know about the '25's cylinder head issues.
OK, so I'd like a bit more power and torque, but my top priority is reliability. In my position, I can't have my car off the road for more than a day at a time (and then I need to know in advance when it's going to be). Although I suppose if I had a '25 I could get a spare head ready, I'd still have to wait until my local garage could fit it in, when the car inevitably started steaming.
......... And as I've mentioned in other threads, I'm toying with the idea of building a Motronic '23 - just to be a bit different.

[dazleeds]

quote essbee

And as I've mentioned in other threads, I'm toying with the idea of building a Motronic '23 - just to be a bit different



i have that exact plan in mind and both the cars sat here waiting to do great minds think alike mate

[StuBeeDoo]

Daz.... Go for it matey. If I get 'round to it, it won't be for ages yet (lack of time - could do with 30hrs in a day & 8 days in a week!).
I'd be really interested to know how it works out. I have a theory that with the right spec, it wouldn't be very far off '25 power. ......And most of the power mods needed wouldn't be too expensive.
If the motor's well built, it ought to make 155bhp without mods. '25 throttle body and a chip should have it over 160. Then all you'd need would be a cam and a decent exhaust, but that's where it would start getting pricey - and by the time you've gone that far, if you're not bothered about the 'head issues, you might as well do like Simon13 says and put a '25 lump in.

[dazleeds]

well like you i wanna be that wee bit different plus im skint lol
but i have an exact copy of my car in sig but its a 316 and i have a 323i thats a shed so im mot,ing 316 asap then wanna swap engines etc
was gonna keep it jtronic and just do full swap over but heard somewhere here that motronic is possible and would run better??

just seems a logical move for me plus it gives me something interesting to drive then i can take my 320i off the road and go 2.7 poss 3.0/3.5??

[Speedtouch]

Andyboy1 wrote: "The 320i head won't need much - if anything - in the way of gasflowing. part of the rerason the 320i and 323i were so gutless at low RPM is that the ports were really a bit too big. For example, Ford tuners found out years ago that fitting a 1600 Pinto cylinder herad to a 2 litre gave marginally more power and a lot more low down torque. In much the same vein, an E21 323i with the 200 head with the 'crap' small ports was a lot more lively than the E30 version. Leave your head well alone!
With the standard 4.1 diff she'll be an animal!!"

Has anyone tried fitting the 200 head onto an otherwise standard 320i engine? Sounds like it could solve the low torque issue...

[Simon13]

200 heads crack for fun.................more so than 885's

[Speedtouch]

How about building up the 320i's ports with JB Weld/Chemical Metal then?

[Simon13]

just a thought purely from a common sense point of view, why is there 6 pages on tuning 2.3's and 2.0's when the 2.5 engine is vastly better than both and the 2.7 conversion with 2.5 parts yeilds the best results every time! ho hum!

[Speedtouch]

It's the masochistic tendency to make life hard for oneself by attempting to tune the underdog (320i) engine to get close(r) to the obviously vastly superior 325i mill.

[StuBeeDoo]

just a thought purely from a common sense point of view, why is there 6 pages on tuning 2.3's and 2.0's when the 2.5 engine is vastly better than both and the 2.7 conversion with 2.5 parts yeilds the best results every time! ho hum!

Maybe because the 2.5 and 2.7 have been done to death!
Some people like to be different and not follow everyone else like sheep. That's probably why more people are now turning to the 24v engines, and a few are thinking seriously about 2.8 M20's.
The fact that this thread has grown so long must prove that there are plenty of people here who do want to be different Simon!

[pacerpete]

320s are pointless boat anchors, i know i own one but help is at hand in the shape of a late 2.7 eta bottom end bought for £40 . £150 of bits and a couple of days swearing will hopefully make my £200 roadblock into a torquemeister that will nearly be the match of the legendary 318iS !

[StuBeeDoo]

just a thought purely from a common sense point of view, why is there 6 pages on tuning 2.3's and 2.0's when the 2.5 engine is vastly better than both and the 2.7 conversion with 2.5 parts yeilds the best results every time! ho hum!

Maybe because the 2.5 and 2.7 have been done to death!
Some people like to be different and not follow everyone else like sheep. That's probably why more people are now turning to the 24v engines, and a few are thinking seriously about 2.8 M20's.
The fact that this thread has grown so long must prove that there are plenty of people here who do want to be different Simon!

Oh yeah..... C2 2.5 - the 2.3/eta hybrid. Nowt wrong with that one, is there Simon? And it didn't start life as a M20B25, did it?

[pacerpete]

Sorry lads , listen to your sister size matters !. If you are happy with 129 lame shetlands great , i am happy for you.
But if you want more power there is only one cost effective solution , a BIGGER engine. 325 engines are now peanuts, why p1ss about with throttle bodies and chips to gain 3 bhp at the spare wheel when you can gain 40bhp for roughly £300 and a weekends swearing ?.
Oh and as for the 323 option, i don't think so, firstly you'll need to go down to the science museum to find one and secondly why waste so much effort for maybe 15 bhp ?.
Incidentally doing something pointless and sad is not 'different' ,it's stupid !

[Andy335Touring]

Pete, keep them coming

[Gouki]

have to agree with Pete on this one, waste of money trying to tune the nuts out of a 320i just to get minimal gains!

[jcjdavis1]

Hi I sometime wonder what I am doing.I run a M40 316i which gets slated constantly so I have bought a 320i Touring to try out the 6 pot which all say is the way to go. Now I am wondering if I should have bothered with the write up the 320i is getting.Not everyone is into upping power levels and the like or can afford it,they just want a nice motor to drive about in and keep it as original as possible.Rant over

[Speedtouch]

They are pretty acceptable - good easy-going, smooth as silk cruising cars. I've owned two, both being the 125bhp L-Jetronic earlier type. No major problems with either despite 100+K miles on each. Wouldn't mind trying a 129bhp Motronic one to be honest...

[StuBeeDoo]

Hi I sometime wonder what I am doing.I run a M40 316i which gets slated constantly so I have bought a 320i Touring to try out the 6 pot which all say is the way to go. Now I am wondering if I should have bothered with the write up the 320i is getting.Not everyone is into upping power levels and the like or can afford it,they just want a nice motor to drive about in and keep it as original as possible.Rant over

The only people who slate them are the power and speed freaks.
It's all relative. Remember that when E30 first hit the road, the 320i was the most powerful production 2.0 litre around. Unfortunately the car was something like 25% heavier than most other cars of similar size. It's going to make it seem sluggish, isn't it?
Providing you accept them for what they are, there's nothing wrong with any E30. It's your E30, make like BK and have it your way. If you're happy with it as it is, bollocks to everyone else!

[Simon13]

if u can run a 320 u can definately run a 325i. Smooth so is a 2.5 JCdavis running and keeping a 325i going in nice condition, nothing wrong with it, and at least someone might thank u for it in years to come.

Inspite of your pleas to be different by bother! let common sense prevail! I wanted a 2.7 so bought an Alpina easy really u want it u pay for it. If u can't afford it u save for it.

I'm no power freak and i know for a fact a running 325i in the long run will be cheaper than flogging the arse out of a 320 all the time trying to get it to move.

2.7's have been done to death because they work and are an effective performance upgrade if going the 325i route ala hartge/alpina.

The reason 24v conversions are getting "popular" is because the donar cars can be bought for peanuts now

The old saying again! 320i=325i running costs with 318i performance! seriously whats the f**king point? Why doesn no one listen? i suppose thats what makes the world go round and makes us all different. I just can't see the point in them 320's are a pointless motor as is a 323i.

i love all 320 owners this is my favourite argument is dissing 320's! and 318iS' too, and 318/6's!

[e30bmlover]

before you all start(im a bit late) the 320i is a good reliable 6 cylinder car! i wont hear another bad word said against them! i get 270 miles to a tank(if not more)(my m20b20 has done 108,000) iv had my 320 for a year and a half and shes wanted nothing!!!!! iv had allot of piss TONIGHT(VODKA'S AND RED BULL)i will get someone to fit the m20b25 but im out of my depth. im a printer for @ucks sake! i will be running it on 320 running gear, she should beat a standard 325i!!!! im sick of people on here slagging off the 320! all people do on here is slag off the 320 and big up the 318i.s or the over priced 325i sport(lets not forget about the legendary 320i.s you can get for the same money, if not less) it will hammer the @uck out of a sport! everyone just get yourself a clean 320 and drop a 325i lump in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my 2p.

[e30bmlover]

320's are pants unless dave is driving it!

I RESENT THAT!

[e30bmlover]

e30 320(clean shell) with a pre facelift m20b25 in it..........sweet! might even have a e36 evo m3 havent decided yet!!!! but im a e30 man at heart!

[maxfield]

320's are pants unless dave is driving it!

I RESENT THAT!

I think he's got a very valid point!

Only 320 worth having is 320is

[m-dtech]

lol, nothing wrong with a 320i, its perfect for slotting in an m50 with an m40 gearbox lol

[johnl320]

Just change the name to 325zone and have done with it. If you've got a 316/318, a prefacelift, a baur, a 320/323, you're not worthy on here. E30 zone,My arse

john

[StuBeeDoo]

Just change the name to 325zone and have done with it. If you've got a 316/318, a prefacelift, a baur, a 320/323, you're not worthy on here. E30 zone,My arse

You're not wrong John! :notworthy:

[d6dph]

Just change the name to 325zone and have done with it. If you've got a 316/318, a prefacelift, a baur, a 320/323, you're not worthy on here. E30 zone,My arse

You're not wrong John! :notworthy:

I disagree, I personally like all E30's reguardles of engine. If the car is done to a good standard who cares what lump it has.

[e30bmlover]

im a mug, got a banging hangover. feel right smart i tell ya! as mentioned above just change the name to 325izone and you will all be well away!!! simon13!!!! its your opinion, at the end of the day they are all e30's.

[Simon13]

u lot need to get a grip, get some humour and lighten up

[e30bmlover]

sorry, but i fail to see any humour in someone takeing the piss out of ya motor! some people need to stop being so arrogant.

[Cloggy Saint]

I'm guessing that the majority of people banging on about how the 2.5 is vastly superior to the 2.0 are aged 30 and under. Speed is something you grow out of, trust me

[Simon13]

arrogant is a strong word and u have never met me, as have not u.

the fact your fitting a 2.5 says it all really!

U can only offer to help!

[marty1979]

Most of the 325's I've seen out and about have been full right up with dodgy looking ruff types. Hmmmm, so that's why they need the extra power, got it now