Gooch

[DesktopDave]

Looks good to me, feel free to post any BMW car porn here!

How's the weight with the bigger engine?  Noticeable or not so much?  I was considering the 5-lug swap myself.  I'll have to check your thread out on r3v.

[longtallsally]

And once again, sorry I haven't been on here in quite some time, but I'm sorry to post this here...many of you are not going to be happy...

You are a tool.  Why do people ruin such nice cars?  Why not put a motor like that in one that is not so rare or already sorted?  Sorry to jump on you, but I am sick and tired of cars getting swapped like this.  And based on what I've seen, you know what you're doing, so it is extra frustrating.

Why not get another shell that doesn't matter and do it to that one?  You will ruin the wonderful handling and balance and get utter crap fuel mileage comparatively.

I do have a productive question, though;  did you actually wire up the check panel or is it for looks?

[Gooch]

Looks good to me, feel free to post any BMW car porn here!

How's the weight with the bigger engine?  Noticeable or not so much?  I was considering the 5-lug swap myself.  I'll have to check your thread out on r3v.

The s52 it will go in the car over summer, I'll report back then.

You are a tool.  Why do people ruin such nice cars?  Why not put a motor like that in one that is not so rare or already sorted?  Sorry to jump on you, but I am sick and tired of cars getting swapped like this.  And based on what I've seen, you know what you're doing, so it is extra frustrating.

Why not get another shell that doesn't matter and do it to that one?  You will ruin the wonderful handling and balance and get utter crap fuel mileage comparatively.

I do have a productive question, though;  did you actually wire up the check panel or is it for looks?

You'd fit right in with the E30 M3 purists...god forbid anyone takes an s14 out of an M3.

The check panel is not wired in, it came free with my headlights, grilles, and plate filler and I was sick of seeing the SRS light flash because of my Mtech 2 wheel.

[Ryann]

So for reference, mind telling us what you bought it for?

[longtallsally]

You'd fit right in with the E30 M3 purists...god forbid anyone takes an s14 out of an M3.

I think you missed my point.  I'm absolutely all for reincarnating a wrecked car's motor into another machine, but the 318is is so very rare these days- especially ones in the condition you have brought yours to.

I know it's a slippery slope what with the 5 lug conversion and the like and just how "correct" one should keep a car.  I also know based on what I've seen, you are a good wrench and do great work.  But, it is a little different when you do a heart transplant and completely change the characteristics of a car (I'm speaking primarily chassis).  Also, the M42 is becoming a pretty rare motor these days, so I guess my point is why not do it to a 325i instead?  The 318is was only offered 1 year in the states and the M20 powered cars for about a millennium, and the chassis wouldn't be that different with a monster motor like that in a 325i.  Just my $.02.  I'm sure it will turn out great, but I'm just a little sad to see yet another M42 tossed aside.  (And to be selfish, if I was still in the states as I'd probably look to buy yours )

In terms of the M3, well I have to say I really don't have an opinion.  I know I'll be thought of as crazy, but the E30 M3 does not appeal to me.  I've driven them in anger and they were no quicker (stock) than one of my 325is'.  The reasons I got into E30s are that they are dirt cheap, economical, reliable, cool, and had a lot of toys OEM and aftermarket.  The E30 M3 fills none of these except aftermarket.  $20k into a car just for a high strung and (relatively) unreliable motor and a body kit doesn't really fit that need.  I'll spend a few grand more and get an E46 or a few grand less and get a legitimately nice car in an E34 M5.

The check panel is not wired in, it came free with my headlights, grilles, and plate filler and I was sick of seeing the SRS light flash because of my Mtech 2 wheel.

OK, thanks for the info as I know wiring one in would be a bear.  I think I'm actually going to mount a GPS up there in mine...

[YetiX]

LTS, making friends everywhere!  (Fwiw, I do agree that it's a bummer you're swapping out the M42.  If the engine was shot like JackBenny's was . . .)


Gooch, that is a CLEAN car and looks beautiful.  I'm not sure I've seen many other e30's that are that clean.  Mine's getting there.


When you do the swap, do me a favor and send your M42 my way.  If it's as clean as the rest of the car it'll be in great condition and I can swap it into my car while I rebuild mine!

[Gooch]

So for reference, mind telling us what you bought it for?

Shoot me a PM if you'd like.

I think you missed my point.  I'm absolutely all for reincarnating a wrecked car's motor into another machine, but the 318is is so very rare these days- especially ones in the condition you have brought yours to.

I know it's a slippery slope what with the 5 lug conversion and the like and just how "correct" one should keep a car.  I also know based on what I've seen, you are a good wrench and do great work.  But, it is a little different when you do a heart transplant and completely change the characteristics of a car (I'm speaking primarily chassis).  Also, the M42 is becoming a pretty rare motor these days, so I guess my point is why not do it to a 325i instead?  The 318is was only offered 1 year in the states and the M20 powered cars for about a millennium, and the chassis wouldn't be that different with a monster motor like that in a 325i.  Just my $.02.  I'm sure it will turn out great, but I'm just a little sad to see yet another M42 tossed aside.  (And to be selfish, if I was still in the states as I'd probably look to buy yours )

In terms of the M3, well I have to say I really don't have an opinion.  I know I'll be thought of as crazy, but the E30 M3 does not appeal to me.  I've driven them in anger and they were no quicker (stock) than one of my 325is'.  The reasons I got into E30s are that they are dirt cheap, economical, reliable, cool, and had a lot of toys OEM and aftermarket.  The E30 M3 fills none of these except aftermarket.  $20k into a car just for a high strung and (relatively) unreliable motor and a body kit doesn't really fit that need.  I'll spend a few grand more and get an E46 or a few grand less and get a legitimately nice car in an E34 M5.



OK, thanks for the info as I know wiring one in would be a bear.  I think I'm actually going to mount a GPS up there in mine...

When I set out to buy the car all I was looking for was a clean car that was free of rust.  After months and months of searching, this car fit the bill perfectly. I don't think that the 318is is rare car, but finding a nice example is extremely hard.

The M42 is a great engine, I love the car and the whole feel of the light four cylinder and it's rev happy nature, but flat out it is just not powerful enough.  I can't stand the car not having any torque and having to rev the shit out of it to get it up to speed.  The car is my DD and I will gladly sacrifice a little more weight in the front for the extra HP/TQ that it desperately needs.

I'm interested to see how the GPS install works out.

LTS, making friends everywhere!  (Fwiw, I do agree that it's a bummer you're swapping out the M42.  If the engine was shot like JackBenny's was . . .)


Gooch, that is a CLEAN car and looks beautiful.  I'm not sure I've seen many other e30's that are that clean.  Mine's getting there.


When you do the swap, do me a favor and send your M42 my way.  If it's as clean as the rest of the car it'll be in great condition and I can swap it into my car while I rebuild mine!

I'll keep you in mind, M42club and NJ BMW CCA will be the first two places I post up the drivetrain when the time comes.


Thanks for the compliments, guys.