pros and cons of using a 318is as a swap platform?

[euroshark]

Early body FTW

[trent]

I am pretty sure the 91 318is is the lightest factory e30 made.

Wrong. Bone stock early cars were right around 2400 (mine was 2380 as stated)

I should know, I have weighed a few of them, including my own directly after purchase..

Think about it, they have tiny engines, tiny trans, small driveshafts, small diff, no soundproofing in trunk, and anybody who has actually comparied plastic bumpers to the early metal bumpers are in for a surprize, the early bumper are really not heavier. The late model core supports are HEAVY.

I have not yet weight my car with the big case diff, but after the swap I did and I remember it being roughly 2500ish.

[Mot]

my 84 318i with euro bumpers and a m52/e36ZF/bigcase diff and TSW rims was 2420lbs with a full tank of gas.

[Mike@PureMS]

Our Project E30 was a great platform to start with. It had no sunroof, no soundproofing in the trunk, and came with the shadowline setup which looks great.

We were able to swap to manual crank windows very easily and eliminate tons of wiring in the process. Maybe it isn't the lightest, but the conversion worked out great for us. If you find one that fits the bill I wouldn't hesitate taking it!

[amdspitfire]

wow, don't got a minute to hesitate even. Lost a beautiful 1991 318is with mint condition interior for $500. Engine only toast with bad HG. :(

[Funkmasta]

wow, don't got a minute to hesitate even. Lost a beautiful 1991 318is with mint condition interior for $500. Engine only toast with bad HG. :(

Why did you waste time Posting on R3V? You should have been on your way ASAP!

Really, any late model E30 is a great platform to start with, though most of the appeal is purely aesthetic.

I really REALLY like the 318is, because of the factory shadowline (the only model besides the M3 to have shadowline), sport interior, and plastic bumpers. But also, bodywork is not my forte', so I would just as soon purchase the car looking how I want it to look.

You WILL need to upgrade the diff and axles. Who cares about the driveshaft trans or motor? They all get swapped anyway in a motor swap.
With the suspension difference, who cares? I assume you're not going to be running stock suspension anyway, so when you buy suspension, buy for a 6 cyl.

If mechanical work is not your thing and you either A: dislike it, or B: have to pay someone to do it, start off with a 325i or is. An "is" is best because it already has sport seats and a limited slip diff... saves you money in the end.

All in all, buy a car as close to what you want as possible.

I am looking for a 318is to put an S52 into, so if you feel like letting the next one slide like you did this one, let me know ASAP.