Is M50 BMW 318is worth more than M42 318is?

[josephb983]

Does the M50 upgrade raise or lower $ value of the car for resale? Compared with an M42 stock 1991 318is? Would it reduce the base of customers interested, perhaps?

[turboeta]

For an enthusiast it will raise the price if the swap was done correctly.

[nando]

I don't think it would have much effect either way with the general market.

[BDSax]

depends on the buyers point of view

[FredK]

If the 318is has a boatload of miles on the M42, yes. If not, it might nominally increase the value of the car, but you wouldn't get your money back.

[josephb983]

So putting an M42 engine with 110k +/- miles would improve the value about the same as a similar M50, if the car originally had 200k miles?

[Turf1600]

So putting an M42 engine with 110k +/- miles would improve the value about the same as a similar M50, if the car originally had 200k miles?

I don't think so. If you have to swap in a motor put in the best available.

[etxxz]

it will raise the value. doubt there's an enthusiast out there that would rather have that weak ass 4 banger (hehe relax eh). if your plan is to swap and sell then you have to consider what the swap will cost becuase you might be better off with the m42. gotta maximize. i recommend that you enjoy the swap'd car

[1990m3]

my 318is has an s50, I hope it's worth more than when it had the m42. But I drive it, don't care much about selling or resale. But I would say it's worth around $10k for a quick sale

[nando]

with an S50 - sure, it'll increase it quite a bit. but your average M50 swap isn't all that exciting.

and being a 318is - there are some luddites out there who'd prefer the 4 banger. :p

[Jordan325iC]

People value the m50 swaps quite highly. It's a common, reasonable, reliable swap that really can't do anything but increase the value. More powerful, good gas mileage, many advantages over the old 6 cylinders, and much more of a "cool" factor. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've never seen an m50 swap car go for less than $4k.

You're not likely to get all of the money you invest in the swap back out of it, but you will increase the value.

[josephb983]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've never seen an m50 swap car go for less than $4k.

You're not likely to get all of the money you invest in the swap back out of it, but you will increase the value.

$4k? But was the rest of the car mint too?

What would an M42 car go for, if in similar condition?

[josephb983]

[...] and being a 318is - there are some luddites out there who'd prefer the 4 banger. :p

Maybe the M42's would have wider general market appeal due to the fuel consumption. I don't know.

[FredK]

Usually swap cars are cars that are already in good cosmetic shape, with at the very least a refreshed suspension. That's why they are worth around $4K. If you take a $1500 318is and drop an M50 in it, it's not worth $4K off the bat unless you find an uneducated buyer, or the 318is was already in great shape except for a blown engine or something.

[BeirBrennerE30]

imho its probably worth more if you find the right buyer. However you are probably the decreasing the market you are selling the car to.

With an engine swap you are basically selling the car to someone that wants an almost completed project car and will probably pay extra for "mods". The casual buyer who doeant work on their own car wont want it cuz no garage will probably touch it. Also there is a probably a large groupe of people who do do their own work who either a.) wants to do it themselves as a project or b.)not wanting to deal with not knowing exactily what was done(good or bad)