M10 owners!

[Ryan Stewart]

Is there anything quirky about the M10 setup that I should know about? Like the stairstep acceleration oon a stock Eta?

I will be test driving a 318i with a rebuilt engine as a daily while the Eta is in the shop and have never driven an M10 before. I dont want anything that might be in nature for the M10 to scare me off.

TIA

[rwh11385]

What about a M42 daily driver? :P

[Mitch318i]

no torque,
you'll need to rev the engine past your stock eta redline to get any reasonable power, and theres not much of it...
other than that, its a great engine, watch out for understeer, no weight in front.

Great engine for the 02, but not for the e30...
...Mitch

[rs4pro3]

only problem with my m10 is a high idle they never seem to want to idle right at 750 rpm's.
Oh and rev them to death, the only way my 318i is drivable is thanks to the 3.91 lsd rear end.

[KenC]

I second the notion about the idle. I have mine dialed in at about 950-1000 and it seems to idle pretty damn smooth now (750... forget about it).
I also believe that the valve 'ticking' is a bit less on the M10.
It's no race car, but it'll be great for a DD, especially with gas prices today (I've never averaged less than 30mpg on one tank).
Let us know how the test-drive goes!

[Mitch318i]

do you guys have trouble getting your valves adjusted, and to stay adjusted?
(this could be on topic)

I 2nd the motion to rev the shit out of this motor, it can handle it, even for prolonged periods,
6000 rpm for ~10 mins = great...
not to mention red hot exhaust manifold :P
...Mitch

[KenC]

6000 rpm for ~10 mins = great

WTF are you smoking?

[Mitch318i]

lol....
yes,
195km/h with wind behind my back,
and it was 10 mins, or roughly that, a 5 min cd track, followed by a 3 min, then a 1 min intersession
...Mitch
Edit: I do have double valve springs, and a 304 cam... if you wanna get technical. :P

[Ryan Stewart]

Cool thanks. I expected to have to rev it for power. At least now I know about the idle.

Soryr Rob no M42, I am trying to get the cheapest most economical car possible. If i get it I would be spending no more than 1500.

[bimmerlover]

I'll just jump in and agree with everyone here..
Keep the RPMs high! It's the only way to drive an M10.
You'll find, you either have to floor-it at the bottom of hills (the lazy way) or downshift.

It can make a very nice, comfortable, inexpensive daily driver.

Have fun!

[rwh11385]

Soryr Rob no M42, I am trying to get the cheapest most economical car possible. If i get it I would be spending no more than 1500.

Too bad. I thought this DD would probably be sought after for pennies, but I know an M42 was one of the things knocking around in your family's head. Could always see if Dad wanted to go in for it and share it for DE's. ? :twisted:

Maybe show him Mario's video to help persuade. 8)

If not, definately roll the M10 while work is being done to the "plow". Best to stick to what you know, and the gas mileage would definately be a bonus. (Screw 19mpg mixed......)

[bmwannabe]

not to jack your post, but has anyone on here really tried the limits of this motor? its always M20's or M42's, but has anyone taken on the task of trying to make some real power out of one of these things? Is there a possiblilty of making a stroked M10, or even boring it out and putting larger pistons in? Ive been thinking economy lately, and i was wondering about an earlier 318i as a DD to college.

[Bill 84 318i]

Yeah, everybody covered it. Idle wavers a fair amount, but meh. Now that I have the transmission to do it with, I usually keep mine at least above 3k even when just cruising. Revving to 4-5k to keep up with traffic is normal.

wannabe, you'll find that very few people build up m10's in e30's. It's not really worth it that much (though I may try it in the next year or so). It's the 2002 guys that go balls out on these things.

[BavarianBimmer]

6000 rpm for ~10 mins = great

WTF are you smoking?

but an M10 can handle 7k easily
believe me , not for long periodsd

[christophbmw]

not to jack your post, but has anyone on here really tried the limits of this motor? its always M20's or M42's, but has anyone taken on the task of trying to make some real power out of one of these things? Is there a possiblilty of making a stroked M10, or even boring it out and putting larger pistons in? Ive been thinking economy lately, and i was wondering about an earlier 318i as a DD to college.

ive been thinking about it and doing some reasearch but then i relized it would be alot cheaper just to buy a 325is.

i would have to say it is a excellent daily driver, (if you like cruising) it has no power and yes you have to keep the rpm's high. just to warn you: youll have to downshift on every hill you climb. its not a 325! it will lose all power and once the rpm's are to low your screwed! great gas milage though, thats probabally the only reason why i havent sold it yet and gotten a 325. oh....and get comfortable seats beacause it will take you longer to get to whever your going.

and one last thing that noone has mentioned yet: the airconditioning takes away all your power. if you like to use your A/C alot than i dont recomend this car! it will not go up hills with A/C on! (it will just not at the speed your used to). just my