318is questions

[e30 gangsta]

1. Do they have the same brake setup as a 325i? Like same calipers etc etc.

2. If i was to do a m20 swap all i would need is the wire harness, ecu and motor correct?

3. How bulletproof are m42's? Because this one has fairly high mileage and i wouldn't want to get into a ticking time bomb.

4. Besides the motor what are the differences in-between the 325 and the 318?
All i can think of is sway sizes and brakes. If there is anything else please let me know.

Thanks for your help guys.

[AdamF 88iS]

1. Do they have the same brake setup as a 325i? Like same calipers etc etc.

2. If i was to do a m20 swap all i would need is the wire harness, ecu and motor correct?

3. How bulletproof are m42's? Because this one has fairly high mileage and i wouldn't want to get into a ticking time bomb.

4. Besides the motor what are the differences in-between the 325 and the 318?
All i can think of is sway sizes and brakes. If there is anything else please let me know.

Thanks for your help guys.

1. Same.

2. Few other odds n ends: air box, coil, oil cooler stuff, radiator, etc...

3. Very bullet proof. Maybe not quite as much as the M20 in the long run, but unless it's been abused I'd hardly call them time bombs.

4. 318s have small case diff, no tar mat in the trunk, no check control, shitty carpet, shadowline, different springs/shocks/bars. Few have real leather, fog lights, power sunroof, cruise control, etc.

[doucy2]

m42 is a great engine and will start up every day. i would reccomend a total rebuild in higher milage m42's (160k +) as for common issuse, vaccum leaks, and the timing chain and tensioner. If the m42 is well maintained it is the idea reliable engine for the e30.

hope i made some sense of that.

[e30 gangsta]

1. Same.

2. Few other odds n ends: air box, coil, oil cooler stuff, radiator, etc...

3. Very bullet proof. Maybe not quite as much as the M20 in the long run, but unless it's been abused I'd hardly call them time bombs.

4. 318s have small case diff, no tar mat in the trunk, no check control, shitty carpet, shadowline, different springs/shocks/bars. Few have real leather, fog lights, power sunroof, cruise control, etc.

I should of been clearer. I understand all the odds and ends. of the m20. Thank you for your input.

Awesome dont care about cruise control, sunroof, or fogs! This is perfect.

As far as the diff. Does a 325is 3.73 bolt in with the halfshafts? Also is the 318is prewire for the check panel or do you have to run all the wiring yourself?

[AdamF 88iS]

I should of been clearer. I understand all the odds and ends. of the m20. Thank you for your input.

Awesome dont care about cruise control, sunroof, or fogs! This is perfect.

As far as the diff. Does a 325is 3.73 bolt in with the halfshafts? Also is the 318is prewire for the check panel or do you have to run all the wiring yourself?

The diffs are all plug and play. Shouldn't have to change axles, just the output flanges, and even that's a maybe. I'm pretty certain none of the check control wiring is there.

[88e30is]

Checked my 318is and no wiring for check pannel.

[e30 gangsta]

Awesome well thanks guys. I guess ill start looking for a 318is.

[AdironRider]

Do it. Since all your questions have been answered Ill just say I love mine, and Ive owned everything but an m3.

[88e30is]

I have a 325i and a 318is right now. The 318 is a rally car only and its so much fun. Even when I had it for the street before I got my 325i it was a blast to drive. Also very easy to work on.

[M42Technik]

Read up:

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/

I know I spam the shit out of this site, but it is the best site dedicated to the 318iS. Maintenance, common faults, repairs, FAQ, DIY stuff...

I've had to replace a few things, my trans went out, but its never very costly either. These are very fun cars. Oh and a majority of them had sunroofs, non-sunroof ones are much rarer than ones with them.

Shitty carpet Adam? Hardly, I prefer mine over early model carpets now (have an early model carpet, its nice but doesn't fit right at all).

[AdamF 88iS]

Read up:

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/

I know I spam the shit out of this site, but it is the best site dedicated to the 318iS. Maintenance, common faults, repairs, FAQ, DIY stuff...

I've had to replace a few things, my trans went out, but its never very costly either. These are very fun cars. Oh and a majority of them had sunroofs, non-sunroof ones are much rarer than ones with them.

Shitty carpet Adam? Hardly, I prefer mine over early model carpets now (have an early model carpet, its nice but doesn't fit right at all).

It's a lot thinner than 325 carpet of the same year. Probably lighter, but not nearly as plush.

[M42Technik]

It's a lot thinner than 325 carpet of the same year. Probably lighter, but not nearly as plush.

You should see the early models, mine is from an '84 318i. NO padding whatsoever underneath. Its about a quarter inch of fabric, thats it. When I removed the sound deadening and with that carpet I can hear water crashing against the inner fender. So much so it makes me jump sometimes.

[88e30is]

I have no more carpet in mine...just sprayed some of that ryno line on my floor for some grip.

[AdamF 88iS]

You should see the early models, mine is from an '84 318i. NO padding whatsoever underneath. Its about a quarter inch of fabric, thats it. When I removed the sound deadening and with that carpet I can hear water crashing against the inner fender. So much so it makes me jump sometimes.

It's probably the same thickness, but the density of the weave is a lot more on the 325 carpets.

[88e30is]

Yeah the 325 was so much thicker and stiffer then the 318.