pros and cons to the E30 310iS M42

[Bimmer_man]

i've done everything i've advised here and then some. :)

i want to keep the AC for now but what have you experienced from ditching the PS?

[kwill22]

where would you recommend i get the LSD or transplant it from? Iv herd of some who took the diff from the Z3M.

Depends. I think the easiest to find will be on some 325i's. if you watch the classifieds I'd say they pop up pretty often. As far as case size ect. I'm sure others know and can explain it better than I can. Just google it with e30 and LSD as key words

[Bimmer_man]

from what I reading i can pull the 4.10 LSD out of a 325i Auto and throw it in the 318iS. correct me if im wrong.

[lolcantturn]

i love my 318is to death. i never realized how quick it is with the 4.10 lsd. it has lots of regular maintance, a straight pipe(which i hate, preivious owner installed) and a chip. i have beat 2nd get turbo rx-7 and pretty much any b-swap civic. so its plenty fun. the chip does alot for you. allows you to shift at 7 so your right back in the powerband.

Bullshit. The M42 is slow as hell, my dad's automatic 2010 Sentra beats it anyday of the week. Also got beaten by a Toyota Sienna V6.
You're describing the wrong kind of "quick." the M42 is peppy and rev happy so it gives a good motoring experience, it is NOT QUICK at all.

[lolcantturn]

My 318is Slicktop is my favorite E30 i've ever owned as well. I've owned about 8 of them, i've 24V swapped some, and nothing compares to the rev happy, close-motor-to-the-firewall, ease of use, virtually maintenance free operation of the 318is. Slicktop is a plus, you can really feel the difference in the center of gravity.
Things to look for:
Pull the valve cover and check if the cam teeth are sharp. If they are, stay away, you're going to have to redo the entire timing chain operation anyday.
Regular fucking oil changes.
Do not start the car with the clutch in. You will ruin the thrust bearing, especially if you do it in the cold.

[jntar]

I have much more fun driving my e30 through the mountains than my e90. The e90 is MUCH faster too in every way, but something about keeping momentum and flying into a curve is exciting.

As stated earlier, keep up with the maintenance and you'll be good. I've got 207k on the clock and still runs great.

[Dj Buttchug]

don't get me started..

lol. this

[Simon S]

i'm wanting to know what people have to say about there personal experience with them. What you suggest I do to make it better. What are common issues.

start here

[kwill22]

Bullshit. The M42 is slow as hell, my dad's automatic 2010 Sentra beats it anyday of the week. Also got beaten by a Toyota Sienna V6.
You're describing the wrong kind of "quick." the M42 is peppy and rev happy so it gives a good motoring experience, it is NOT QUICK at all.

Lmbo. I have to question that.. beating a boosted rx7 in a chipped M42? I dont know about that. But I will say its plenty fun in corners and I have spanked a couple sentra's that for some reason stalk me while I'm driving itching for a race. I cruise everywhere I go. Unless I'm in the twisties. Gas mileage and high revs with a 4:10 rear sucks balls on the highway. And personally I hate that my exhaust sounds so loud around 3-4k. But it tones down when you floor it. And my car is stock

I have left plenty of modern cars in the dust through winding roads though. That ca be attributed to the suspension but also people not knowing how to handle their car so it can go either way.

P.S. high r3vs are wonderful through curves in this car

[AustinK425]

from what I reading i can pull the 4.10 LSD out of a 325i Auto and throw it in the 318iS. correct me if im wrong.

Go find out.

[Bimmer_man]

Go find out.

im not spending money on something like that to ''go find out " .

[Boltspeedman]

i've done everything i've advised here and then some. :)

Haha so it does make a difference.

[bmwm42]

I run a 3.73 medium case lsd on mine

[Bimmer_man]

I run a 3.73 medium case lsd on mine

cool is it after market or off another BMW?

what LSD would you people recommend for the following:

Street/spirited driving

Track

High Revving

Boost

I ask because I know ill be doing one of those not sure yet but its in the workings and id like to hear recommendations.

[bmwm42]

cool is it after market or off another BMW?

what LSD would you people recommend for the following:

Street/spirited driving

Track

High Revving

Boost

I ask because I know ill be doing one of those not sure yet but its in the workings and id like to hear recommendations.

I think it's the perfect ratio for the m42 great for mpgs yet still good for spirited driving. Would be great for turbo dd keeps the rpms down on hwy driving. Got mine of a 88 325 auto. No need i mean absolutely no fucking need for an aftermarket diff on a stock m42