what do u think?

[Fidhle007]

I've experienced it quite a lot. I just don't get why you'd want the front weight penalty when, if you're diligent with your search you can build an M50 with just as much power that weighs drastically less and has better ignition and management.

[BillBrasky]

Here's my opinion as an owner of all 4 engines mentioned, m20, m30, m50, s50. My family has two 5 speed 535i w/m30b35's. In the m30/m50 argument it is a matter of personal coice. I've never driven an e30 with an m50, but my '93 325is has one and I prefer it greatly over the m30's. I'm just a guy that prefers quick revving, higher RPM torque bands. The low end torque of the m30 is nice and pulls much harder on the bottom end, but it seems a bit boring to me at times to rev it out because it doesn't sprint to the redline like an m50 does. The big advantage that nobody else has mentioned here is throttle response and the ability to modify/tune later down the road. The COI on the M50 shats on the distributor setup on an M30. If it was up to me, I'd just wait and keep saving money for an S52, then as you save more money, convert it to OBD1, throw in some hotter cams and you'll destroy an e30 with an m30.


EDIT: Fidhle007 already mentioned the better ignition.

[speedhop]

Here's my opinion as an owner of all 4 engines mentioned, m20, m30, m50, s50. My family has two 5 speed 535i w/m30b35's. In the m30/m50 argument it is a matter of personal coice. I've never driven an e30 with an m50, but my '93 325is has one and I prefer it greatly over the m30's. I'm just a guy that prefers quick revving, higher RPM torque bands. The low end torque of the m30 is nice and pulls much harder on the bottom end, but it seems a bit boring to me at times to rev it out because it doesn't sprint to the redline like an m50 does. The big advantage that nobody else has mentioned here is throttle response and the ability to modify/tune later down the road. The COI on the M50 shats on the distributor setup on an M30. If it was up to me, I'd just wait and keep saving money for an S52, then as you save more money, convert it to OBD1, throw in some hotter cams and you'll destroy an e30 with an m30.


EDIT: Fidhle007 already mentioned the better ignition.

If he waited for an s50/2 then he might as well just throw in the m30, prep it for turbo and then drop in a snail...still coming out half as cheap as an s52 with a "hot cam" and making twice the power.

I think it's amazing that it has somehow become second nature to choose an m50 over an m30! The m30 is the single most reliable engine I think bmw has ever made...arguably more bullet proof than the m20.

The m30 and m50 have their trade offs but to me the m30 wins hands down with reliability, potential power, and price. The m50 is simply an updated m20 with very little gain in power. If that's what you are looking for, go ahead. If you are looking for a bullet proof engine that's cheap to maintain and has loads of potential...I'd choose the m30.

Edit: BTW the "weight" argument is bull shit. The e30 maintains a 51/49 ratio with no a/c or trunk lining. How do I know that? Because it's been tested and weighed.

[Wh33lhop]

51/50? :?

[416stroker]

Wow I wasn't serious just beeing a smart ass.... I just think people that make retared comment like wh33lhop did are fucking dumb

[Jean]

IMHO for $350 with what that guy is listing done to the engine you'd be stupid to pass on it. I wouldn't count swaps that consist of a junk yard engine dropped in w/o even changing gaskets and seals to be worth even mentioning, why even bother comparing them?

M30 swap isn't the easiest due to the engine mounts etc, but to me it looks more of a "correct" swap, plus as many have said these are fricking beasts that are built like tanks. The late model b35s + chip = pretty nice gains as well. M50+ are physically easier to swap but you have more electronics to deal with, and the brake booster BS as well. So it's a trade off...

[Fidhle007]

IX booster. Done.

[speedhop]

51/50? :?

Let's argue over semantics.....jackass.

[StereoInstaller1]

I think the whole debate over M50 vs M30 is pretty simple:

If you like to run your motor at high RPMs, go 24V.

If you like the low end grunt driving style, go M30.

If better mileage is your goal, go M50.

If "period correct" is your goal, go M30.

Either way, it is both sides of the same coin. If you want better performance, either swap or boost.

Having heard a built M60, that is the best sounding BMW engine IMO.