E30 325i Sport Mtech1 VS Mtech2!

[driftmaster]

Just wanted to ask all you E30 GURU'S about everyones views on Mtech 1 and 2 cars with the various combinations of diff/gearbox. I've driven a few of these properly, pre-facelift and post, and have found that personally, the Mtech 1 cars seem to pull significantly harder. I am not sure as to the technical difference between the early and later cars but have heard that the valves in the head of the early cars were slightly different in size but am not sure of this.

I appreciate that a few may say that it depends on condition of car as well as the gearbox/diff ratio but the cars that I have driven are bog standard 325's that have been kept in fine tune with regards to engine. I have also experimented with box/diff combinations and found that for my current car, a black Mtech 1 325i Sport on a D-plate, the standard box, despite the TOO TALL 5th gear, suits the cars engine characteristics perfectly. My car is bog standard, doesnt suffer from any low rev lazyness or flat spots (unlike most standard Mtech 2 cars that I have driven with the same box/diff combo), and therefor makes an ideal combination with the regular box, the torque comes in nice and early and keeps pulling consistently. The effect of using the short ratio box and/or larger diff is that the car may feel more excited and urgent but in reality, is not making as 'rapid' progress as the other combo of box/diff. I have actually tried this with two cars, both of which were mine and both of which I fealt were running well with regards to engine. The only draw back of this combo is that topspeed is only 143mph by the speedo. If I remember correctly, the rev needle was sitting next to the 5500rpm mark.

I am hoping that my next four mods up hopefully this month, lower suspension by 40mm (lower ride height/waaaay less air resistance), Full Scorpion Le Mans exhaust and carbon air intake (done properly with engine bay heat shielding might), six branch and ecu remap will help top speed a fair bit, which I see as the only disadvantage for a standard car with this setup.

To end this looooooooong essay, I reckon that an M tech 1 Sport with the stated box/diff is the best combo in terms of straight line speed for a 325i Sport. What do you guys reckon?

[billgatese30]

tech 1 for deff

i wasnted one so bad but i couldn't find a good one anywhere, so i setteled for this tech 2 and i still love it.

[Simon13]

Both are great IMO in different ways

[e30_Turbo]

I thought the early M20's had a higher compression hence a little better performance, but not much.

This has to be settled tho, will see if we can have a sprint at the pod between two std sports, would be an interesting race.

Not sure which I'd back tho

[Zayyan]

Of a Tec I and Tec II with similar mileage and having been serviced properly, all my money would be on the Tech I

I haven't seen any perform in the flesh but from what I've gathered they're quicker than the later cars (and not, as somebody's bound to say, because there's more rust! )....

[Splondike]

They seem to have the same power output so I cannot explain why the higher compression makes the early cars faster ?

However the early cars consistently batter the late cars at dyno shootouts...

Anyway I don't care as Red cars are faster and they didn't to an mtech1 in red

Could not choose between the two to be honest....

[frosted]

grin,

well id be happy with either!

[BMK]

M Tech 1 for me....I think I just preffer the looks......

Havent owned either so performance etc.....means nothing to me!

[Simon13]

i tell u one thing the m-tech 1 is far better at than a later sport is rusting away. They both rust but tech 1 is the king E30 ruster!

If everyone likes them so much why are there only 4 left and everyone wants a late sport?

[nav786]

i prefer the look of a tech 2, but the tech 1's are rarer.

[Zayyan]

If everyone likes them so much why are there only 4 left and everyone wants a late sport?

I guess people prefer the look of the later ones as they look more modern when compared to today's cars.

Although if you look at it with an "old skool" point of view, the pre-facelifts win hands down

[driftmaster]

Don't forget the M3 rear clusters as well..... I'd be up for a little run with mine at the pod with a standard Mtech 2....

[M5pilot]

I saw a MINT MTec1 yesterday in diamond black. Then I saw an Mtec 2 drive past.

From the back they look so so different.

The Mtec1 has its own charm, it looks alot sleeker and lower.

If I come accross one I would not hesitate in buying one. It is beginning to look a bit special now.

Infact, I prefer it.

[Jesus325iTouring]

Anyway I don't care as Red cars are faster

And,stastics say red cars are the most commonly vandalised cars too

[zaust]

tech 1 all the way....

[Kam320i_cab]

Mtec2 anytime

[Splondike]

Anyway I don't care as Red cars are faster

And,stastics say red cars are the most commonly vandalised cars too

Cheers Rog

[Daryll]

Tech 2 for me but then again I'm biased....they are both great looking cars, and one day I will own both, along with an M3 and a cab all sat in my quad garage attached to my large house accomodating my busty size 8 supermodel looking intelligent naturist wife!

God I gotta stop these day dreams at work.....kleenex please!

[Nelly]

LOL Daryll, wicked reply there mate - you must of been in "Footballers Wifes Mode" when you typed that, whens the summer BBQS coming up???

O yer, Tec 2 for me btw.

[RSTurbo50]

No comparison at all.....M Tech 2 is by FAR the better looking of the 2 cars!!!!

Stu

[Dominitry]

Nah tech 1, not many about too, at tauntun sunday there was quite a few tech 2 sports, not a single tech 1 though which was a shame....gotta love those skirts!

[gorgeee]

m tech 1 much much faster no girly power steering or abs (though my new sport has it)
if i could get a m-tech 1 now in mint condition for a good price i would over my h reg anyday
they're just tooooo good and i feel look more agresive

[Zayyan]

Anyway I don't care as Red cars are faster

And,stastics say red cars are the most commonly vandalised cars too

Aren't they meant to be the most likely colour to be involved in an accident as well, and white the least?

I'm sure I heard this somewhere

[steerfromtherear]

I had a lovely mtech 1 which went like a mother. Wrote it off in three hours of buying it. I didn't realise that so many people prefered the early one. I was going to put all the later kit on mine (if it had survived the drive home).
I prefer the look of the tech 2 but the early one is wicked to drive.

[ScottMc]

mtech 1 all the way!!!! i really miss mine now! sadly like most of them the rust was terminal. oh and i'm sure i read somewhere that when Autocar tested the cars the 'tec1 was the faster of the two to 60 but slightly slower at the top end.

[Martin325iSport]

My '87 Mtech 1 is now for sale. See the post in Cars for Sale section......

[Wilson325i]

i was realy waiting for a tec 2 in red but this came up, because of all the

good things i have herd about them i bought it

i managed to pick my tec 1 up last friday, havent been driven in a while

so shes in the garage being looked after, i hope to have her back soon

she's geting everything imaginable done to her

i have like 1/2 pics which are not good but when i get time i will

put them up

i have big plans for her

i just cant wait to drive her, and get out of this company van

p.s any good ideas of wht i should do to make her sweet please let me know.

[zaust]

Will my rebuild be considered a real m-tech 1, bear in mind it,s having a total rebuild,, only part that wont be orig sport will be the shell..???????

[Wilson325i]

oh men i dont know,

i think sal (M5pilot) had same issue with his C2 2.7 alpina.

when he reshelled it, whether it was still original or not.

[M5pilot]

Yeah because the actual metal on the car had some original Alpina magic in it and it contributed to the power. When I reshelled it the Hocus Pokus went away and it was no longer origional.

It was just a bunch of anal tarts who debating such a trivial thing.

[Ant]

Nice retort Sal

As for the poll, TECH 1 BABY YEAH !

[320Touring]

voted MtechII purely on looks

however tbh,

[controversial mode] i dont think either of the sports are really worth the large premiums over a standard 325i.

Personally, I'd rather get a nice SE for 1/2 the money then spend the rest getting it up to my personal spec.Yes I realise that the Sport had the close ratio box, so it doesnt drop out the power band....but i'm sure a zone chip with a higher rev limit could reduce this problem on a standard box.

the LSD can easily be fitted to most e30's if you get the right ratio-so thats say Ԛ£310 for a zone chip and a LSD. Say spend another Ԛ£500 on an H&R cup kit, then you'll have a motor that is just about as good for a lot less. IMO the interior is purely a matter of personal taste (so spend whatever you need to make it acceptable to yourself...)

BTW-this is just personal opinion, and is in no way a jibe at the owners of both Mtech1 and Mtech11 sport owners on here.

Your cars are lovely, and I would be proud to own any one of them

no offence meant

however, the cost differential will stop this for the forseeable future.[/controversial]

Neil

320Touring

[Zayyan]

Maybe the options should be:

1) M-Tech I
2) M-Tech II
3) Forget Sports, Buy an SE! (just for Neil)

[Ant]

Agree 100% with the SE with LSD sentiment, and thats exactly what I've done, I'm a black rooflining and tech 2 kit short of a sport....... I dont think they'd cost me Ԛ£2K to retrofit though

as for Zausts reshell, you go for it mate, fcuk the anoracks !!

[320Touring]

Agree 100% with the SE with LSD sentiment, and thats exactly what I've done, I'm a black rooflining and tech 2 kit short of a sport....... I dont think they'd cost me Ԛ£2K to retrofit though

as for Zausts reshell, you go for it mate, fcuk the anoracks !!

thanks ant!:D p.s can a zone chip almost eliminate the 'drop' between 2nd and 3rd?! was thinking that a higher limit would let it fall into the power zone when shifting into third...

and ditto on zorst's reshell-any shell that keeps it on the road is fine by me