Beater - advice needed

[PurpleBeastRacing]

Hey guys,

I'm looking into purchasing/building myself a daily driver/beater. I need something that will avg. 30+ mpg in mixed driving and is rwd. Budget is $1500-$3000, but a lot closer to $1500 (I figure I'd blow through $1500 worth of parts right away).

Ideally, I'd love to find a '91 318is, but these things are getting harder and harder to find.

Also thought about picking up a 1970's 2002 and swapping in an M42, but that's a much bigger project than I want to take on right now.

Soooo... question is... since the e30 platform was sold in the states from about '84 to '91, how interchangeable are the various engines that came in these things?

What parts are involved with swapping out an M20 and installing an M42 (aside from the motor)?

I was thinking about just picking up the first e30 I came across (well, acceptable one anyway), and driving it while I sourced/rebuilt an M42.

I know 30 mpg might be a stretch, but this thing's going to be a daily beater/track rat~ so I'd probably be gutting it except for two front seats and a few interior pieces.

[Cobra Jet]

Hit up multiple BMW forums or craigslist.... there's always 318's for sale and for good asking prices as well...  if you don't search, you won't find what you are seeking.

I woudl rather spend $3k on a decent 318 that is mechanically sound, rather than $1500 knowing full well you may have to dump $1k or MORE into it to keep it on the road.  Sure, you can find killer deals, but that's if you are one of the lucky ones.    eBay has 318's every now and then, but you're going to pay inflated prices for one on eBay, just because it's on eBay...

go on craigslist and search your home state (or nearby states) and I'm sure you'll get a few 318 hits back.

[PurpleBeastRacing]

Thx. I've been scouring all the forums and C-list as far as NC. Lots of 318i's not so many 318is'...

[EN318isPDX]

318i is fine as long as its an 90-91 and not a 84-85.

90-91 318i = 4 door M42, 318is  = 2 door M42
84-85 318i = 2 door M10

Reason these car are so hard to come by is because there was a limited amount produced compared to the M10 and M20 which stretch over the entire 84-92

I wouldnt recommend swapping an M42 into a 84 or any 325i.. If you are gonna do that much work you may as well stay with a inline 6 and do an M50 swap but thats not good on gas

[John W]

Hey guys,

I'm looking into purchasing/building myself a daily driver/beater. I need something that will avg. 30+ mpg in mixed driving and is rwd. Budget is $1500-$3000, but a lot closer to $1500 (I figure I'd blow through $1500 worth of parts right away).

If these are your only requirements, don't rule out an early Miata. A lot easier to find than an m42 powered e30, damn near indestructible and when equipped with konis and sticky tires more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Of course the e30 is great and should be findable in your price range. You may just have to look a while for a decent example.

[PurpleBeastRacing]

318i is fine as long as its an 90-91 and not a 84-85.

90-91 318i = 4 door M42, 318is  = 2 door M42
84-85 318i = 2 door M10

I was under the impression the M42 only came in the '91 model year. Were mid-year + later '90 318's equipped w/the m42 as well?

If these are your only requirements, don't rule out an early Miata. A lot easier to find than an m42 powered e30, damn near indestructible and when equipped with konis and sticky tires more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Of course the e30 is great and should be findable in your price range. You may just have to look a while for a decent example.

I've thought about Miatas for a long time - miata.net is my "home" forum despite not having one. However, since the gearing for the car is so short, I've seldom heard of anyone averaging 30 mpg or better... even in a NA.

[Cobra Jet]

funny you guys should mention a Miata - I too was looking at Miatas for the longest time before acquiring my 318ic.  

The thing that turned me off about the Miatas was that they have a rubber timing belt and if I remember correctly, they only have a 12 gallon gas tank...  I've seen some folks claim 30-32mpg highway in a Miata, but with that very small gas tank, might as well just get an E30 or E36 (which is a larger vehicle) and get the same mileage out of it, ya know?  I also heard that the earlier production Miatas had problems w/ the crank snout breaking or shearing off, which was another area to be concerned with - so then I had started to look at the later produced Miatas, but even w/ the later production Miatas, still rubber timing belt, tiny gas tank and tiny car.  The Miata I favored the most was the burgundy Anniversary Edition, but most I had come across in my region were beat to death and the owner's had a high asking price for a vehicle that would need paint work, interior work and mechanical work.

[John W]

I was under the impression the M42 only came in the '91 model year. Were mid-year + later '90 318's equipped w/the m42 as well?



I've thought about Miatas for a long time - miata.net is my "home" forum despite not having one. However, since the gearing for the car is so short, I've seldom heard of anyone averaging 30 mpg or better... even in a NA.

My best mileage is 34.5 mpg (mostly interstate, ~70mph) and worst is 26 mpg. (I check every tank.) Usually I do around town driving only (our traffic is relatively light) and get 28-29 mpg. I also have a Jackson racing CAI, headers and exhaust, all of which have been reported to increase gas mileage.

A lot of people on miata.net are way too OCD. That forum scares me, although their archives are a great resource. Check out grmotorsports.com. Their forum usually has lots of e30 and Miata topics.

[John W]

funny you guys should mention a Miata - I too was looking at Miatas for the longest time before acquiring my 318ic.  

The thing that turned me off about the Miatas was that they have a rubber timing belt and if I remember correctly, they only have a 12 gallon gas tank...  I've seen some folks claim 30-32mpg highway in a Miata, but with that very small gas tank, might as well just get an E30 or E36 (which is a larger vehicle) and get the same mileage out of it, ya know?  I also heard that the earlier production Miatas had problems w/ the crank snout breaking or shearing off, which was another area to be concerned with - so then I had started to look at the later produced Miatas, but even w/ the later production Miatas, still rubber timing belt, tiny gas tank and tiny car.  The Miata I favored the most was the burgundy Anniversary Edition, but most I had come across in my region were beat to death and the owner's had a high asking price for a vehicle that would need paint work, interior work and mechanical work.

Yeah, I hate timing belts too. But I also don't like the high mileage problems that the m42's timing chain/gear have. Plus, the Miata engine is not an interference motor, so no bent valves if the belt breaks.

Before I come off as all pro-Miata, I will say that I actually prefer my e30, at least as a daily driver. It's a lot more practical/comfortable.

[PurpleBeastRacing]

hehe, thx John. The Miata.net crowd is very specific - a little too much so - but therein lies the fun of ridiculing their misconceived notions. It's an older more mature crowd though w/decently heavy traffic. Taking a look at a 318is tonight. Price is a bit high for me, but supposed to have a good amount of parts replaced. I'll update you guys as things develop.