May be buying an M5o swapped 318is, what to look for?

[Nick_S]

Basically guy sees me out one day in my car. Starts asking about my car etc etc. Then mentions he has one hes trying to get rid of if I'm interested. I started asking about it. It's a 91 318is with an M50. I still haven't seen the car or talked price but if it's in good shape and he's not asking an arm and a leg I'd like to pick it up. My questions since I'm an extreme noob when it comes to these swapped cars.

-what should I look for on these motors that would indicate condition? Common places to leak oil etc.
-Anything to look for that would be a giveaway of a bad swap?
-how much should I be looking to spend? Again, I haven't seen the car so I'm not sure of it's physical condition.

Thanks
Nick

[mother_russia]

Look around the forum and around craigslist. A good price varies from many things.
A cheap e30 with an m50 swap would probably be around $3000-$5000, depending on the condition and mileage of the motor, and the condition of the car itself.

Found this guy, about 12 hours away from you. Really good deal.
Check it out.

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/2961798076.html

If you're up for it, you can swap the m50 into it VERY easily. The harness is already done, so all you gotta do is just swap it in.
Sell the m20 when it's out of the car, and voilà, the car cost you under 2k.

[Nick_S]

Depending on the condition of the car, I've had a few thoughts. If it's beat and I get it cheap, I'll just drive the piss out of it. Or, if the body is in bad shape. I could swap all the goodies into my current car as it has basically no rust and is in good shape. If the body is clean and the swap is clean...swap some of my good parts over to the new car, sell my current car and maybe have $1k in a swapped car. I need to see if first and see what he wants before I get any wild ideas. I was mainly looking for issues to look for as I'm unfamiliar with these engines.

[evandael]

check thermostat and water pump (later metal impeller one is much better), make sure the wiring was done right, check radiator fan/brake booster/exhaust manifold clearance on the subframe, and lastly, take it for a drive.

good luck, it could be a great deal

[Mako18]

When I look at a car the very first thing I do is check fluid levels, air filter and intake track that will tell you how the owner cares for his machine even if he beats the holy shit out of it. On a swapped car I would look for any obvious leaks but some problem areas that come to mind.

1. where the spider hose enters the block just below the oil filter housing they like to leak.

2. look under the exhaust manifolds if the head gasket blows/leaks or valve cover leaks most of the time its on the exhaust side and it will leak. When most people pre-clean before a sale they tend to miss this area.

3. thermostat neck if plastic...crack all the time.

4. Vanos rattle..if this applies.

5. Wiring particularly around the c101.

6. fuse panel for any jumpers or weird shit

Any leak down or compression numbers are a excellent way of telling if the motor is healthy. I would recommend you or a mechanic perform this procedure...don't take someone's word because they seem like a cool guy..

I also look at brake pads and rotors, fuel lines, coolant res, exhaust, chasis, under carpet in trunk and passenger compartment....

[Nick_S]

Great response, that's the sort of answer I was looking for! If my initial inspection of the car is good and the price is fair I'm going to have a PPI done. There's a reputable BMW specific shop 1/4 mile from my house. The guy seems honest and straight forward. Already said it could use a few things. I know it's got Z4 linkage and shifter, poly mounts all around, SS brake lines, Bilsteins and Eibach springs and a newer performance clutch. The PO did the swap and build but he seems knowledgeable about it. Meeting up mid day on Sunday to check it out.

[Nick_S]

Went and looked at the car today. Had been recently rear ended. Rear was all sorts of fucked and had been hit previously too. Quarter panel and trunk floor were creased. Had some rust here and there. Interior was not real good. Engine ran strong but you couldn't give it much gas in 1st or 2nd because the guibo was so bad it was rattle around and vibrate like mad. Slave cylinder was going out on the clutch. Swap itself looked decent, wiring wasn't super clean but wasn't a mess. He still wanted $6k for it but said because of the damage he would do $5k......sorry but for that I would expect at the least a straight body free of any potential serious damage. He was a super nice guy but just a bit off on price. Kinda bummed but oh well.

[LivingLegend06]

lol, that sounds like a $1500 car.

[Wishno87]

lol, that sounds like a $1500 car.

+1 you should be able to buy a really nicely put together M50 car for 6k.

[Jand3rson]

I would have run screaming like my hair was on fire from that car.

[e30austin]

You couldn't give me that thing.

[Nick_S]

Yea it might have been nice to know that it had recently been rear ended, I wouldn't have even gone to look at it.

lol, that sounds like a $1500 car.

After I saw the damage that's what I was expecting to hear in which case I may have bought it for all the good parts on it and to use the swap in my car. Sucks though, it was a slick top with cloth sport interior. Was pretty beat but the rears and door panels were in great shape.

[Nick_S]

I would have run screaming like my hair was on fire from that car.

Had no intentions of buying it as soon as I saw the rear. Still was fun to feel what a swapped E30 would feel like. I need more power, ha.