318 vs 325 for an s50 swap

[raoke]

hey guys, im wondering if theres any physical differences that would differ me from choosing one over the other.

right now im looking at a 91 318i 4door for 1700.. going to try and get it for 1300/1400 or less depending on the physical inspection...

thanks!

[FredK]

Nothing really big, if you're talking the late model 318i/is. If you get a 325, you can save a little bit of money by not having to swap out the differential and driveshaft.

Both cars have the same front and rear brakes, axle shafts, suspension parts, subframes, etc. as long as you're looking at the late model cars. The early 318i (84-85) is a fair bit different underneath.

[jakeb]

late 318 has less sound deading tar, none in the trunk. So it is a little lighter. Also no power sunroof, lighter. No check panel lights to look at after the swap.

Also no Cruise...but it is easy to add. Less of a OBC (easy to add, if you care about it)

The wiring is a little different for the 318. not a big deal tho. You can also use the 318 rad with the m50 for a cleaner engine bay.

I have a m50 swapped 318iS and am very happy with it.

[loonibab325i]

Werd, i have a 91 318is, no sunroof or sound deadning in trunk/less in the car, makes a great car to swap in. Plus if u get the 4dr 318 that might mean cheaper insurance?

-Abe.

[318isbmw]

late 318 has less sound deading tar, none in the trunk. So it is a little lighter. Also no power sunroof, lighter. No check panel lights to look at after the swap.

Also no Cruise...but it is easy to add. Less of a OBC (easy to add, if you care about it)

The wiring is a little different for the 318. not a big deal tho. You can also use the 318 rad with the m50 for a cleaner engine bay.

I have a m50 swapped 318iS and am very happy with it.

+1. For time being, I'm still runin 318is tranny and diff, and I've been freaking hard on the car and the diff or tranny hasn't given up yet.

[jakeb]

oh yeah forgot about that... You can run the 240 trans and use the stock trans mount. I had to shorten my shift carrier and linkage, nbd though.

I swapped to a 3.73 LSD as I thought the 4.10 would be a bit much.

[raoke]

I have the stock 3.15 in my M3 which is the motor thats going into the E30 and that's fine for a heavy E36 let alone an E30. However I may go to the 3.25 or taller.

Right now I'm looking at a 4 door 318i 1991. The guy is asking 1200. The car is overheating. In the next couple weeks I'll see if I can either get this guy to go under a grand or look for some 325's for around the same price to save some cash on the diff.

[318isbmw]

oh yeah forgot about that... You can run the 240 trans and use the stock trans mount. I had to shorten my shift carrier and linkage, nbd though.

I swapped to a 3.73 LSD as I thought the 4.10 would be a bit much.

Yeah, some people are able to get the shift linkage to work using m20, but I'm using it now, and its super notchy and hard to get into gear cuz its too short, but it worked for some people.

The 4.10 is rediculous, but in town driving is a ton of fun, and I still get 27 or so mpg on highway if I take it easy and just cruise at 72 or so.

[1991 e30 bmw 318is]

i have a 91 318is. i just stripped a 1990 325is for the trans clutch flywheel, drive shaft, lsd and stuff for the 318is just need my m50 now

[raoke]

27mpg ... thats redick... what motor?

[SpecM]

27mpg ... thats redick... what motor?

lightly modded 24v e30s get high 20's mpg.

StuMc's 3.0 '91 318is (not so lighly modded) gets 28 mpg iirc

[318isbmw]

lightly modded 24v e30s get high 20's mpg.

StuMc's 3.0 '91 318is (not so lighly modded) gets 28 mpg iirc

Yep, mine's a bone stock m50, and that was measured through how many miles I drove and how much I put back in the tank, not by the computer, which reads wrong after the swap.
Stu's is a 3 liter m50.

[raoke]

That's awesome! What do you get in the city?

[raoke]

Sorry for the double threads I thought a mod would see it by now.

Anyway, I know for sure the car needs to have plastic bumpers and 3 row lights. White on black is preferred. I am looking at a 91 318i white/cloth for 1200. I will see how much towing is since the car is overheating. I also found a 3.25 diff for 150$.

Is the diff worth it? I was also told I can find axles for 85/ea.
Everything else is coming out of my e36 m3- working dd car. I have something else planned for that so everything is available.

If I can get the car for about a grand I think it might be worth it even with the tow.
However I have a month to do look for car as the shop doesnt have space atm.

Not sure if I should jump on this or wait for maybe a car with a blown motor.

[raoke]

Only the is models have LSD right? Not the i models or the es?