Author Topic: UK m42 e30 touring and LSD. Track and Daily driver - Nurburgring addict! (Read 7972 times)

Alburglar · « **on:** September 11, 2010, 01:27:48 PM »

Hello everyone,
I've been watching threads on this site for ages now, since I was deciding what engine I should put in my Granny spec 318i touring....and I thought it was about time I posted up. It is my daily driver and retains a full interior, albeit with a bucket recliner and harness', but I've been slowly developing it as a multiple use track car for trips to the Nurburgring. I started with an engine swap to a low mileage m42 and a new clutch. Nice 15inch mims 1900 wheels. E36 steering rack (its quicker). Then a bored out throttle body, stainless exhaust and a chip. Then a 4.27 LSD also from a e30 318is with solid alloy mount. Then I polybushed everything including m3 eccentric suspension bushes where possible. It's lowered on proper Eibachs 30/40. Strut brace at front and tower brace at rear. Then I had to cut a load of rust out of her and body is now good as new. New diff oil and new gearbox oil.
I love her!

4
...has strut brace now.

Alburglar · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2010, 01:31:52 PM »

next job's will be making a fibreglass bootlid, bonnet (to use standard fittings, hinges etc) and wings.
And longer term goal is a 1.9 crank or longer stroke, but quite happy with her for the time being.

e30itis · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2010, 10:17:58 PM »

niiice

longtallsally · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2010, 03:09:07 AM »

Um, more pics, please.

That thing sounds COOOL!!!!!!!!! I have to admit, though, that I would have thought the touring a touch on the heavy side for an M42 for track work (although all the ones I see in a local yard are M40 motors).

How do you like the Mims for the track? I just got a set and thought them rather heavy compared to the basketweaves, but think they are some of the best looking wheels on these cars.

Hopefully I can get some brakes on mine shortly and make it to the 'Ring before winter sets in.

Alburglar · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2010, 05:25:33 AM »

The tourings aren't galvenised, I don't think, but I can;t find a listed kerb weight for an m40 touring. Plus you can loose loads more with a fibreglass tailgate and plastic window, than you would putting a fibreglass boot lid and plastic window on an IS. So it's possible it will end up even lighter than you could go with an IS.
I'll get it on the scales at some point.

according to CARFOILIO:
320i touring Kerb weight 1230 kg 2712 lb -5door
318IS Kerb weight 1200 kg 2646 lb
which surprised me, seeing as the touring is a 5 door and a 6pot, so an m42 5door touring must be somewhere between the two.

Alburglar · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2010, 05:38:45 AM »

Mims are definately not the lightest, but I like them. Basicly, I see them as cheap deeper dish hartge replicas. - can't go wrong

Alburglar · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2010, 06:10:34 AM »

ooh plus the m40 touring has as near as dammit 50/50 weight distribution too. Shouldn't think that alters to much putting an m42 in

longtallsally · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2010, 06:55:09 AM »

Quote from: Alburglar;96448

The tourings aren't galvenised, I don't think, but I can;t find a listed kerb weight for an m40 touring. Plus you can loose loads more with a fibreglass tailgate and plastic window, than you would putting a fibreglass boot lid and plastic window on an IS. So it's possible it will end up even lighter than you could go with an IS.
I'll get it on the scales at some point.

according to CARFOILIO:
320i touring Kerb weight 1230 kg 2712 lb -5door
318IS Kerb weight 1200 kg 2646 lb
which surprised me, seeing as the touring is a 5 door and a 6pot, so an m42 5door touring must be somewhere between the two.

Um, I think your number on the 318is is a touch high according to this: http://www.new-car-model.com/bmw/3_series/bmw_3_series_e30318_is(1332)/

It puts the 318is at 1125 kg or 2480 lbs. or almost 200 different from what you mentioned. However, it shows the 318i touring at 1180 kg or 2601 lbs which ain't too bad. http://www.new-car-model.com/bmw/3_series/bmw_3_series_touring_e30318_i(1384)/

There are discussions here about how much the 318is weighs as well.

Regardless, you still have an ultra cool car. I wish they were a bit older and I'd try to find one to take home to the States when we go back. Most of the E30s I see around Germany now are beaters which is really a shame.

Rain_E30 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2010, 10:43:52 AM »

Great.
The engine could need some cleaning though!

Alburglar · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2010, 06:06:04 AM »

it has had a good clean now lol.

I am gonna weigh my car today hopefully too.

Alburglar · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2010, 10:32:25 AM »

Weighed it today. m42 engined touring, 5 door, full interior, 1/4 tank of fuel and me in it (72 kilos): 1280kgs split 630 front 650 rear.
so it looks like they weigh about 1200kg

Alburglar · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2010, 12:35:29 PM »

Apparently BMW quoted weights are with a full tank of fuel, so that would push it up a bit.

YetiX · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2010, 03:56:13 PM »

Very cool! Tourings are next to impossible to get here in the US but they're really cool.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2010, 01:21:59 PM »

Quote from: longtallsally;96451

Regardless, you still have an ultra cool car. I wish they were a bit older and I'd try to find one to take home to the States when we go back. Most of the E30s I see around Germany now are beaters which is really a shame.

I'll second that. I'd love to have a federalized Touring. It's not that much more better than a sedan, and it does have the slight weight penalty, but they're versatile...and the OEM trailer mount is actually useful.

How many e30s would you say are still left beating around there? I see a day coming up soon that any good e30 iS will be worth more than a decent '02. Good 318iS are already heading up in value.

longtallsally · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2010, 02:41:23 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;96516

I'll second that. I'd love to have a federalized Touring. It's not that much more better than a sedan, and it does have the slight weight penalty, but they're versatile...and the OEM trailer mount is actually useful.

How many e30s would you say are still left beating around there? I see a day coming up soon that any good e30 iS will be worth more than a decent '02. Good 318iS are already heading up in value.

Not many. The only truly quality examples are convertibles. I was just commenting this morning to my wife on a poor old E30 touring that is just being beaten to death and then will be discarded when something catastrophic breaks.

Bottom line, I've seen more nice E30s in the States than here. I see more unique ones here, but none have any options that we are used to in the States like AC and power anything. Most are pretty bare bones.

Now keep in mind, I'm in Stuttgart, which is the home of Porsche and Mercedes (my wife's office is literally right next door to the MB world HQ) so I don't expect to see many.

No one should get all riled up and think a journey to Germany is a pilgrimage. It's not near as cool as everyone thinks. Frankly, it's kinda boring and it's built up to be much better than it is.