Which E30's come with M42?

[PumpItUp]

I know I'm pissing people off by asking this question... but... well actually hold on a minute let me appologize right now.

I'm sorry. Sorry. Very sorry. Still mad? Look here, just watch this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=10MOOTUBDSg), I don't know how anyone can still be in a bad mood after that. :o

Okay now, like I said I am very sorry to be an annoyance but I am fed up with getting mis-information all over the internet. Yes I searched for a topic already on this subject but it got me no where, perhaps I just don't know how to search the correct way.

Anyways I'd very much appreciate a correct (as in you know for sure, not just you heard from some guy that....) answer on which e30's came with m42 engines >> in North America. << Well actually the US to be more specific since even Canada is sometimes different. If you want to give me your opinion on which version I should be looking for that would be great too! :)

I have wanted one of these cars for a while. So far I have had an old Bmw 2002 tii and a 318ti but I think we all know the e30 m42 is the perfect compromise between the two. I hope to finally get around to getting one before the end of this year and then plan to be a regular member of this awesome forum, assuming I don't get banned for this first.

[G-Man]

The M42 came in the US market in the 91 model year (last year of E30 except for E30 conv). The M42 came in three versions but all E30 only came with a 5 speed manual gearbox.
-sedan
-coupe
-conv

The desirable model is the coupe with Recarro seats, OBC, limited slip, spoilers, basketweave alloys,etc.. Prices are rising on this car because it is considered an enthusiasts car (poor man's E30 M3).

The sedan has the same mechanicals (but I doubt many came with a limited slip) and a cheaper price. The sedan came without the OBC and check panel near the rear view mirror. It also came without the sport seats, spoilers, etc.. Steel wheels with hubcaps were standard on the 91 E30 318i sedan instead of alloy wheels. Their are some great bargains out there on 318i sedan's. I know, I bought one for $1.2K in Aug 06, one owner with only 118K on car. Car had issues and they spent a fortune trying to figure it out so they gave up on the car. Turned out to be a bad ECU. I had to buy a 91 318i sedan parts car (hit hard on pax side) for $450 to start swapping parts and figure out what was wrong. It was my gain because I now have a lot of parts. I do like the 4 door model better than the two door. Some E30 bottlecap alloys really dressed up the car, it looks so much better without the steel wheels and hubcaps.

-The E30 M42 conv ran for two years, 91 & 92 since the E36 conv wasn't ready so the factory sold the E30 conv, E36 coupe and sedan side by side. Conv tops can be expensive.

You'll find lots of 318i's FS on Craigslist, hope this helps.
If you live in the SF Bay area, also check out www.baye30.net a great resouce for No Cal E30 owners.

G-Man

[strad]

agree with above on 4-door. I already own an E30 M20b25 cabrio and will own an E36 M52b28 coupe next month, so I don't need a 2-door M42. It's a great little car -- mine has almost 200k on it and runs just fine. I'm replacing the cooling system next week -- the M42 does not tolerate overheats at all (you'll probably crack the head the first time you overheat it), so I'm making sure that doesn't happen to mine!

[mrferg]

Well the 318i I found and bought on Craigslist had an LSD, so they do at least exist.:)

[kramerica5000]

I know I'm pissing people off by asking this question... but... well actually hold on a minute let me appologize right now.

I'm sorry. Sorry. Very sorry. Still mad? Look here, just watch this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=10MOOTUBDSg), I don't know how anyone can still be in a bad mood after that. :o



You don't have to apologize. We're not douches here like on some other forums :p. I've never seen anyone get flamed here for asking a question.

[sheepdog]

You don't have to apologize. We're not douches here like on some other forums :p. I've never seen anyone get flamed here for asking a question.

And we intend to keep it that way.

[sheepdog]

In the U.S. any 318 (e30 or e36) between 1989 and 1995 used an M42.

Though technically they did not import them into the U.S. until 1991 according to the government, some may have slipped in as gray market.

Just look for a 1991, it will have what you want.

[Oversteer]

Here in Europe, only the 2 door came with the M42.


Off-topic: In Portugal and Italy, there was the indeed "poor-man M3", called 320is, which is basically a 318is setup with a 2 liter S14 engine producing 192hp, with M3 gearbox and shorted (3,45) diff!

[tjts1]

Well the 318i I found and bought on Craigslist had an LSD, so they do at least exist.:)
+1
Hubcaps and LSD makes for a strange combination. But I prefer the open diff with a good set of tires.

[DaveM-sport]

Off-topic: In Portugal and Italy, there was the indeed "poor-man M3", called 320is, which is basically a 318is setup with a 2 liter S14 engine producing 192hp, with M3 gearbox and shorted (3,45) diff!


Indeed. Anything over 2L was crippled with tax.

All they needed to do was just get a set of rods, crank and ECU from an M3 though and they were good to go:D
These things are making around 10000euro theses days so not that a poor mans M3 anymore.

But back on topic...kinda.

I have never once seen an iS with an LSD from the factory in Ireland or England at least, Only ever ones that had it put in in over the years.

Iv'e seen a few M42 tourings too:D but they have had the engine put into them after they left the factory

[SamuthNBS]

Sorry to post in such an old topic but my 318iS (in england) came with an LSD and it's still there. Not really working anymore (due to previous owners not looking after the car :( ) but it is there!

[Asserti]

you could order an lsd as an option when you bought the car. Not very common though :(

[bmw327]

Late to the party...

My 318i had steelies with a ltd slip and fogs as the only options according to the window sticker which is in my possession. Now running Ronal LS / Yokos with steelies long gone. I'd rather have them for snows, tho'.

CJ

[RouteZeroDesign]

This isnt Bimmerforums....no need for a flame proof suit on here :)

Just to contribute something to the thread.
My E36 318is came with 15" bmw knuckle wheels, cloth interior, no m-tech bodykit, electric mirrors (the square ones :( ), and with a standard diff.....seems like the previous owner was going for the minimum spec possible :(
Oh well, at least i know the car wasnt abused.

Pumpitup, if you can find an m42 then buy it regardless of spec (check for rust and crash damage of course), but my point is, dont be put off by undesirable features...they can always be changed :)

[ose30]

I drove 318IS first time in autum 1989. Most models imported to my home country had a lot of equimpment (read none) because of the Finnish car taxation. So no AC, no power windows, no central locking,steel wheels and no sunroof. Most of them did not have even sport seats or LSD. Nowaday this looks quite attractive, because less equipment means faster car. Here in Europe only 2dr's were available with M42 engine between 1989-1991. All other four cylinders had either 1,6L or 1,8L 8V M40 engines.

[dublinboy]

just to add another late one here.....

here in ireland, THE M42 wer available from 1989. just like my 318is which is now off the road due to a cracked cylinder head :(

[949Racing]

In the U.S. any 318 (e30 or e36) between 1989 and 1995 used an M42.

Though technically they did not import them into the U.S. until 1991 according to the government, some may have slipped in as gray market.

Just look for a 1991, it will have what you want.
Still confused. 89-90's came with both the M40 and M42? I'm shopping for one and would like to know a quick way to identify the M42's without the owner needing to be an expert.

[wanganstyle]

hmm, so my 91 with LSD is a good find? a quick left turn + graby clutch let me burnout mid turn nicely and make funny little tires squeal for a while :P

[1991318is]

Still confused. 89-90's came with both the M40 and M42? I'm shopping for one and would like to know a quick way to identify the M42's without the owner needing to be an expert.
I'd say look for the coil on plug setup sitting on the passenger side fender. Also the valve cover has a center black section in the middle of it that's plastic and covers the spark plugs.

[BMWManiac]

Can I retrofit the check panel behind the rear view mirror? Mine has some panel that just blinks SRS! I bought a check panel off ebay and will see if it fits, if not, I'll just sell it to someone else.