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

[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.

[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. :(

[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!

[Mot]

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

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.

[euroshark]

Early body FTW

[backtrail69]

My 87 325e sans trunk tar and w/ euro bumpers is 2680....and my 325is with a plastic bumper swap, leather, turbo, IC and trunk tar is only 2760...

[euroshark]

Werd, 318i or the first couple years of 325e are the lightest E30s you can get I believe, with the 318i coming in under 2400lbs and the 325e right around 2650lbs or so.

[Mike325]

Wrong. Trent weighed his early body 318i stock and it was at 2370 lbs. Please show me a stock 318is that is at less than that.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/breakdown.htm

Shadowline was not a standard item on any car except the 318is.

LOL;)

[amdspitfire]

You better go get the car soon or it will be mine ;)

back off my car! You already have an e30!

[Erick]

Holy f*cking misinformation thread.

that would probably be one of the best platforms to start with.

And the reason being..............(awaits for someone to yell "m42")

and since it is a 318is it has an LSD, unless one of the PO's swapped it out. just looked for a stamped "S" on the back of your diff.

Try again. It was a factory optional on 318iS (although a common one). But Unlike its 6 cylinder sport models, it carried a small case lsd, which could not hold any more power than it's stock motor. If you ever swapped something, that diff would have to go.

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

Going on a limb here, but the lightest was a crank window, (maybe non-PS), non-sunroof 2dr 5spd '84-85 318i. Don't quote me 100% on that but I am fairly sure the later models outweigh the earlier ones.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

Wrong again. The later model 6 cylinders had partial shadowlining. Most people usually refer to the shadowlining as the window trim. That trim, only the 318iS had with no chrome. The 325i/S did however come with door trims that showed no chrome after either 87-88. There might have been some other light shadowlining but I cannot completely recall at this point.

FredK is the most knowledgeable person in this thread so far. Listen to him and call it a thread.

[Jean]

swap will be a s50/52 :D or m52 :( so I will need to pick up the diff and drive shaft from an e30 325? Will be using the e36 tranny.

You better go get the car soon or it will be mine ;)

[amdspitfire]

No, the late model was lighter.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

and amdspitfire, if you are going to swap it out, get the whole drivetrain. makes it much easier.

swap will be a s50/52 :D or m52 :( so I will need to pick up the diff and drive shaft from an e30 325? Will be using the e36 tranny.

[FredK]

No, the late model was lighter.

Wrong. Trent weighed his early body 318i stock and it was at 2370 lbs. Please show me a stock 318is that is at less than that.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/Tech/breakdown.htm

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

Shadowline was not a standard item on any car except the 318is.

[MikeE30325i]

No, the late model was lighter.

and the 325i and 325is also came with factory shadowlining.

and amdspitfire, if you are going to swap it out, get the whole drivetrain. makes it much easier.