M30 or M50 ?

[White Nightmare]

Hey guys, First off I am sorry if this has been discussed before. I looked and didn't find anything hence this post. I also didn't know what forum to throw it in either so I just threw it in here. Any who, Im just curious to see how people feel about these two engines. Both can be had for pretty cheap and seem to put out similar power numbers. Is there any reasons some people may like one over the other. Also, in the end what do you guys think is a better motor ? Thanks in advance guys.

-Chris

[Erick]

M30 makes more torque, and has more potential when being boosted. M50 has more bolt ons potential, is more reliable and provides much better gas mileage.

And from what I gather, dropping an M50 is far easier than properly dropping an M30 in a position that will not completely throw off the weight distribution.

[joshh]

From what I hear the M30 is quite a bit heavier though.

[euroshark]

The M30 is 55lbs heavier than the M20 according to many sources, and only 16lbs heavier than an M50..... 315lbs vs 299lbs.

If you remove the AC system, you will end up lighter in the front end!

The M50 is more reliable than the M30? Not likely. The M30 is bulletproof, and I mean bulletproof. Some of the electronics are old now and might be problematic, but that goes for any motor. At the core, the M30 is rock solid. My abused 191,000 mile M30 euro block had the original cross hatch marks in the cylinders, and nothing was damaged even though the PO over revved the shit out of, creating gashes in the pistons! Not even a bent valve... Leakdown, perfect. Compression, perfect and consistant. If you want load of torque, bolt on 300whp+ turbo possibilities (at relatively conservative boost, 10 to 12psi) and super reliable every day performance, not to mention delicious driveability, go M30.

The Alpina B6 3.5 used US E30 M3 springs (because of the AC system, the springs were stiffer to accomidate the extra ~55lbs), and all the road tests I have read said it handled just like a standard E30 M3, with a fraction more understeer at the limit. Sounds pretty damn good to me!

PS - the wiring on the M30 swap is a breeze. Mine required SIX wires to be connected and soldered to fire up and run, not including the battery lead.

[joshh]

Ah, well 55 pounds isn't worth woring about all that much....thanks for the info.