Messages

1

General Topics / Is this a good deal?

« on: February 28, 2013, 09:18:52 PM »

91' e30 315iS with 152k miles...exterior is excellent, inside leather is cracked, BBS wheels, lowered with eibach springs.  he wants 4k

2

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Someone talk me into m42!

« on: February 18, 2013, 05:01:26 PM »

As far as performance goes, what can be done? I think FI on it's high compression would be too much trouble.  So n/a: cams, chip? What else is there available?

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Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Someone talk me into m42!

« on: February 17, 2013, 07:16:01 PM »

1. It's more like ~40 in the front (two extra cylinders), 20 in the middle (transmission, extra interior options), and maybe 10 in the rear (medium case diff). It does not really impact the performance, especially since there is ~30 extra HP on tap. But it really drives differently due to the differences in power band/torque and the way it revs.

2. Replacement parts are just as readily available as for any E30, at least online. I wouldn't trust (or pay more) for in stock auto store parts. As far as engine performance (especially internals) there is less to be had vs. the M20, but there is more than enough to choose from.

3. Much more reliable, maybe not on the street as there are so many variables, but certainly on the track. Our Chump Car has maybe 70 hours track time on a non rebuilt 100k+ mile engine and has not failed. I cannot say the same for the M20 cars which are forever breaking rocker arms and having distributor issues.

In summary, buy the M42 if you like the concept of a peppy, spirited and split personality (in a good way) (in the way it can poke around town or fly to redline) car, or buy the M20 if you want to be like everyone else and kneel down at the altar of power. Whatever you do, don't buy an M42 and M50 swap it, know in advance if you can live with 136 stock (~155-60 with basic mods) HP.

The reasonable fuel mileage does not hurt either.

Are the rocker arms and distributor as bad as forums make it seem?  I take care of my cars, and are these things still present then? Or do they just happen to those who neglect their cars for hundreds and thousands of miles?  And if needed, do you have an estimate of how long it is until the rocker arms and distributor go bad?

4

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Someone talk me into m42!

« on: February 16, 2013, 12:44:04 AM »

Thanks for the replies! Speaking of the rarity of m42's I just did a quick craigslist search and found 3 of them, pictures look good and all.  Is this just in southern california? Or are they pretty much gone everywhere?

5

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Someone talk me into m42!

« on: February 15, 2013, 08:28:12 PM »

M42 is great but little performance parts available. Great balance. Not a huge difference as I currently own both. 318is's are harder to find. M20's require more maintenance.... valve adjustments and timing belts. Both rev. IMO 318's are usually taken care of better (different type of owner). My advice, find a nice e30 with good service history and buy it regardless of engine. Harder to find one that hasn't been destroyed than one with the engine you want.

You make a good point of buying a good e30 without regard to engine. Thanks!

6

Swaps, Turbos, Buildups / Someone talk me into m42!

« on: February 15, 2013, 07:23:51 PM »

My heart wants a e30 318i...but my wallet and brain tell me to get the 325i.  Here is my rational:

M20 may be heavier...but I can set up suspension to counteract the slightly heavier front.

there are more parts available, and cheaper too!

makes more power, and all the benefits of bigger displacement.

But, from all the reading i've done the general idea is to get the m42 since it's rev happy, turns in nicely, and geared lower will be just as torquey as the m20, but i'm very discouraged by the limited parts, and the expensive price of them.  I want this to be a nice, fun car that I can take to meets and track/auto-x and I do have a reliable DD.

How I like to drive:

I'm not into straight line speed or what not, I like to rev high and turn fast.

---------

I'm know this topic of m20 vs m42 has been beat to death on almost every forum, but i'm having a real hard time deciding.

also some other questions:

1. For those who have driven both, are the extra 200 lbs in the front really that noticeable, and does it effect any of it's other characteristics?

2. Are replacement parts to be had? If so where? I can't seem to find them either...

3. I keep hearing the m42 is more reliable than the m20 can someone explain to me what's more reliable about it? (I do know about the valves ticking on the m20)

7

General Topics / Replacement/Performance Parts For m42?

« on: February 14, 2013, 06:53:34 PM »

Truth be told, the main difference between the M20 and M42 is the way they rev. Of course the M20 saddles you with a bit more weight, but also give a bit more power. Frankly, the M42 is just as competitive (and more reliable/efficient) as and M20 car, as our Chump Car has proven.

As for performance engine mods, outside of building the engine you can get a chip, a and some cams/matched injectors. Beyond that an exhaust is more for noise, as is an altered intake and a lighter flywheel really just changes the character of the engine more than giving it more power. My advice is to invest in some good suspension, good pads and more importantly some nice tires. Anything beyond that really takes money and much more importantly driver skill to add appreciable gains.

Oh okay, thanks for the help.  I've so conflicted that I think I will just see what fate gives me, and search until I find any clean e30 with a good price and buy it whether it's the m42 or m20.

also do you know if the extra 200 lbs in the front really change the characteristics of the car that badly?

8

General Topics / Replacement/Performance Parts For m42?

« on: February 13, 2013, 11:06:58 PM »

Hey guys, new here and have been entertaining the idea of an e30 for some track days and auto-x and what not.  I have been doing some research and seems like the general thought is to get the 318iS because it's lighter and turns in better.  So in my search for one I also began looking at replacement parts and performance parts for the m42 engine, but can't seem to find much at all, but there are tons of m20 parts to be had everywhere.  I know the m20 is a much more common engine but m42 stuff seems to be nonexistent! Could someone guide me in the right direction for m42 stuff?  I really want to have parts easily accessible and if m42 things aren't i'll bite the bullet and go with a heavier m20 and set up suspension accordingly.

Thanks for the help!

Steven