Whats with the IS and sport?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:48 pm

S42, hardly tuned from stock is it?
Image
Image
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
Chris-W
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 7219
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Cheshire
Contact:

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:50 pm

bss325i wrote:S42, hardly tuned from stock is it?
Image
Image
Christ, it's like they didn't even try. Slackers.
Image
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:53 pm

With an M20 there is 15+ bhp to be gained from this alone.

So really your implying that the M42 has far better designed parts out of the box than an M20 :D
I'm sure the M42 would get 90bhp increases too if it had more old fashioned parts on it from the factory

A turbo'd M42 is capable of 500bhp even on a stock crank and pistons afaik

Alot more than 300bhp can be got out of an S42 too, but they have more in common with an S50 than an M42 so thats a different argument for another day :wink:
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:55 pm

Dave_M3 wrote:A turbo'd M42 is capable of 500bhp even on a stock crank and pistons afaik
As i have said we are talking N/A here.
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:55 pm

bss325i wrote:
S42, hardly tuned from stock is it?
Still an M42 at heart though.:roll: You were talking about tuning.....well thats tuning.


M20 is a bit of an old anchor though. For the size the m42 is the better engine.....
Image
24v tech2
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:58 pm

Dave_M3 wrote:So really your implying that the M42 has far better designed parts out of the box than an M20 :D
Yes thats undeniable! The M42 is a better designed engine. I just said an STOCK M20 is more tunable than a STOCK M42.
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:59 pm

hammoj28 wrote:bss325i wrote:
S42, hardly tuned from stock is it?
Still an M42 at heart though.:roll: You were talking about tuning.....well thats tuning.
Its not tuned from stock, its built from scratch.
bodger
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2098
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: cheshire

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:01 pm

if the 4 pots are better why did bmw use a 6 pot in e36 m3s
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:02 pm

hammoj28 wrote:bss325i wrote:
S42, hardly tuned from stock is it?
Still an M42 at heart though.:roll: You were talking about tuning.....well thats tuning.


M20 is a bit of an old anchor though. For the size the m42 is the better engine.....

Ahh, but the only thing thats kinda similar is the exterior of the block and head. We'll let them have this one.

But in saying that though....
I've never heard of an S20 :poke:
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:03 pm

No, but i was talking about tuning way before you stuck in the "stock" bit. Its an M42 block therefore its an m42 at heart. Tuning is tuning if you ask me and thats a highly tuned m42 in my eyes.
Image
24v tech2
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:04 pm

I personaly think the is engine is great. Im just stating the facts.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:05 pm

bodger wrote:
if the 4 pots are better why did bmw use a 6 pot in e36 m3s
Wouldn't be financially viable for them to produce a 4 pot with that power for the road i expect. Was probably much easier to use the 3.2, but the 3.2 is much more advanced than the old m20. It has the right number of cams for a start. Much better design.
Image
24v tech2
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:08 pm

if the 4 pots are better why did bmw use a 6 pot in e36 m3s
The E36 M3s actually have proper 6 pots though that give out decent power for the engine size
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:09 pm

Exactly. Completely different kettle of fish.

bss325i wrote:
I personaly think the is engine is great. Im just stating the facts.
Dont you mean "greater"...cough. lol. winkeye
Image
24v tech2
rebelcruiser
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 715
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Ely cambs

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:11 pm

a 6 pot is much cheaper to tune up. :wink:
bodger
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2098
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: cheshire

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:13 pm

Dave_M3 wrote:
if the 4 pots are better why did bmw use a 6 pot in e36 m3s
The E36 M3s actually have proper 6 pots though that give out decent power for the engine size
not much difference between e30 325 and e36 325 in power :P
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:13 pm

rebelcruiser wrote:
a 6 pot is much cheaper to tune up. Wink
Im sure it is but im talking about tuning potential. :wink:
Image
24v tech2
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:15 pm

At the end of the day it all depends on what you want from an E30. People like different things, thats only naturall. Prime example is what i posted about five pages back about my mate buying a 320is and now thinks he should have bought a 325i sport as its more suitable for his needs. Blood great car though!
Last edited by bss325i on Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
bodger
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2098
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: cheshire

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:16 pm

hammoj28 wrote:bodger wrote:
if the 4 pots are better why did bmw use a 6 pot in e36 m3s
Wouldn't be financially viable for them to produce a 4 pot with that power for the road i expect. Was probably much easier to use the 3.2, but the 3.2 is much more advanced than the old m20. It has the right number of cams for a start. Much better design.
therefore 6 pot is better :teehee:
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:17 pm

rebelcruiser wrote:a 6 pot is much cheaper to tune up. :wink:
Thats debatable.
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:19 pm

Not for a proper job, ask Oakey, oguz etc how much they've spent...
Image
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:21 pm

not much difference between e30 325 and e36 325 in power

20bhp...
190bhp seems to be a great achievement in tuning the M20 abit.

But anyway, it's torque ye like in the 6pots
A late M50 b25 engine with the vanos has alot more everyday power than an M20 in that respect I reckon
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:21 pm

maxfield wrote:Makes it a much better engine than a M20...

Also with it weighing less, it makes the car handle better.
ah the junior demlot appears.....

4 valves doesn't mean it's better. Everyone thinks it is but when you look alot closer to the subject it's swings and roundabouts.

M20 was designed in the early 70's and a good one is a very tough engine. It's old and thats all thats wrong with it. Very good for what it is and the 2.7 makes a lovely engine. Nice simple engine too, try timing an M42 up properly it's so easy to f**k it up.

M42? again good one is ok and they have very good low mid torque for the capacity due to the inlet design, but they won't put up with the simple brutal abuse an M20 will. They are expensive to fix also. If you want 16v 4 pot an S14 is the only way to go imo. S14 us probably the toughest bmw engine made so far they are animals and it takes alot of misabuse to wear/kill one! I know M42's made good race engines after the S14 but they cost alot more to tune as parts and knowledge are scarce. M20 is the most tuned bmw engine ever really
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:25 pm

Simon13 wrote:
maxfield wrote:Makes it a much better engine than a M20...

Also with it weighing less, it makes the car handle better.
ah the junior demlot appears.....

4 valves doesn't mean it's better. Everyone thinks it is but when you look alot closer to the subject it's swings and roundabouts.

M20 was designed in the early 70's and a good one is a very tough engine. It's old and thats all thats wrong with it. Very good for what it is and the 2.7 makes a lovely engine. Nice simple engine too, try timing an M42 up properly it's so easy to f**k it up.

M42? again good one is ok and they have very good low mid torque for the capacity due to the inlet design, but they won't put up with the simple brutal abuse an M20 will. They are expensive to fix also. If you want 16v 4 pot an S14 is the only way to go imo. S14 us probably the toughest bmw engine made so far they are animals and it takes alot of misabuse to wear/kill one! I know M42's made good race engines after the S14 but they cost alot more to tune as parts and knowledge are scarce. M20 is the most tuned bmw engine ever really
That pretty much sums it up...

Apart from the Demlot comment :eek:

Why is 4 valves not better though?
Image
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:26 pm

Simon13 wrote:ah the junior demlot appears.....
:rofl:
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:28 pm

You tell me! i know what i know.........
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm

Lol, Simon you had to bring the s14 in didn't you. Yeh, it is a bloody amazing engine, and they sound brilliant too. I cannot wait to have one in my life and i think about it every day!lol

This arguments for the m42 and the m20. Technology wise and power per litre then the M42 is the better engine but its going to be, its a much better design and twin cam 16v 4 pot is a great idea. .....s14.lol

But, when you say the m42 is weak? Im sure iv heard more stories about cracked heads and gaskets on b25's than i have about m42's.

I shouldn't really say that, will prob go out tommorro and my m42 will be buggered.lol. Karma eh. :wink:
Last edited by hammoj28 on Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
24v tech2
e30bmlover
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Posts: 5352
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Playing on the ring road!!!

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:31 pm

what a day... my arched nemesis sticking up for the m20's! whatever next?
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:33 pm

Why is 4 valves not better though?
Single cam engines can be more torquey in cases, but obviously they really loose out in top end.
Wouldn't be financially viable for them to produce a 4 pot with that power for the road i expect. Was probably much easier to use the 3.2,[/color] but the 3.2 is much more advanced than the old m20. It has the right number of cams for a start. Much better design.
therefore 6 pot is better


Ya, 6 pots are better for heavy E36s were the engine sits way further back behind the front axle like where a 4 pot sits in an E30.

I think Simon13 has sumed it up well too.
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
maxfield
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 15186
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mansfield

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:39 pm

I would of thought you could get more petrol/air in and gases out with 4 valves...

Which surely is what is best for the engine?
Image
bodger
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2098
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: cheshire

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:43 pm

i think this subject has been done to death :mad:
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:47 pm

Cmon, surely we can get 11 pages. Right! 320's......lol
Image
24v tech2
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:48 pm

bodger wrote:i think this subject has been done to death :mad:
Me to :sucks: :sleep:
e30bmlover
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Posts: 5352
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Playing on the ring road!!!

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:51 pm

hammoj28 wrote:Cmon, surely we can get 11 pages. Right! 320's......lol
smooth, juicy boat anchors..... but they still have a place in my heart, after all my motor is a 320!
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:56 pm

What has Dannyboy started :roll:

But to sum it all up...

The S14 is King amoung the E30 engines for it's engineering

The M42 isn't too far behind and is a very good engine for its size

The M20 is just a boat anchor that is as old as the fields but is handy when you want abit of torque to just potter up and down motorways winkeye

The 325i-sport comands a premium because it's hard to find a good one these days that hasn't rust etc and has all the nice bits that you could want in an E30.

The 320iS is the wolf in sheeps clothing that would probably be the pick of the bunch if it was RHD.

and the 318iS is the best all rounder winkeye
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
Locked