Why Do People hate the 318 so much?

[Miasma]

I like my M20 over my brothers M42 car. Sounds better(to me) and has more power. And the timing belt isn't that big of an issue to me as it can be done in a day for very cheap. I don't hate them though. lol

FANBOIZ

[nando]

actually I said I do like the car. Just that the E30 M42 isn't the pinnicle of engineering that people make it out to be. It's a decent design with some serious flaws that BMW worked out in later versions of the motor.

[TooTall90]

nando, an equal opportunity offender lol. so im guessing you are not fond of the M42?

i have to agree with what they were saying above, you do not hear about a whole lot of grenading M42 stories, not even on M42club where everyone has an M42. which is the opposite when talking about m20's.

and of course it could be only the "n00bz" that would let this happen, but i think its safe to say if those "n00bz" had an M42 they would still be on the road driving an e30.

so i think it comes down to this, the m20 is hands down the more "powerful" engine but there is no arguing that the m42 requires less maintenance to maintain on the road. the snakepit under the intake does not damage the car, the loose bolts in the oil pan are a quick and free fix assuming you have the tools. and the big one, the timing chain i guess its like you said nando either replace em or swap. i'm doing the latter when my 318 reaches that point. ;)

[pbr87]

crap, i didn't mean to create an m42 vs. M20 discussion.
Back on topic... Kinda. M42's ftw :p

turbo?

win!

[z31maniac]

so, 95% of the M50 swaps on this forum? ;)

Touché salesman.

[nando]

A half-assed M50 swap.

so, 95% of the M50 swaps on this forum? ;)

[z31maniac]

Oh wait that's the cost of an M50 swap.

A half-assed M50 swap.

[nando]

every day, man ;)

[FredK]

Attention: nando is crabby today.

[nando]

There's how you get your 180hp. :p And am I missing something or are all of those setups still running a dizzy?

M42s are sequential injection/ignition, there is no dizzy. ;)

[nando]

hmm... i haven't had any of those issues.

Ask yourself these two questions:
How often do you hear of a bad timing system ruining a m42 motor?
How often do you hear of a timing belt breaking on a m20 motor?

I don't know, I'd never let my car get to the point where the cost of a $30 timing belt kit was going to grenade my motor. have fun spending $800 on chains, guides and rails at 200,000 miles, plus labor and downtime. Oh wait that's the cost of an M50 swap... and why I ended up not buying my friends 318is (the car was worth far less than that).

my engine is non-interference anyway, so I could care less if the belt went out.

that's a really sweet looking turbo setup btw, PPF makes nice stuff.

[Wh33lhop]

Step III : Upgrade to 132kW / 180HP
includes:
• A throttle body injector system 1453,--
• A set of sport camshafts 587,--
• Cylinderhead and Valve modification 845,--
• Complete software update 355,--

• Fitting of the throttle body injector system 261,--
• Fitting of the cylinderhead 717,--
and the sport camshafts
at dbilas dynamic

Completeprice including fitting at dbilas dynamic 4090,--
You save 128,--

There's how you get your 180hp. :p And am I missing something or are all of those setups still running a dizzy?

[herbivor]

Step IV : Upgrade to 140kW / 190HP
includes:
• A throttle body injector system 1453,--
• A set of sport camshafts 587,--
• Cylinderhead and Valve modification 845,--
• Complete software update 355,--
• a/N 2000 control unit to replace the 889,--
air flow meter

• Fitting of the throttle body injector system 261,--
• Fitting of the cylinderhead 717,--
and the sport camshafts
at dbilas dynamic

I'll take one. Where do I send the check? Seriously

[fiftytakedowns]

that dbilas stuff looks awesom

[tehwickerman]

m42 with lighter flywheel>m20 cars all day. I've owned both, haven't drivin an m20 with upgrades except for a 4.10 and I'll definitely say my m42 feels quicker with the lightened flywheel and is much more fun to drive. For those saying the m42 is a shitty designed engine i definitely beg to differ. Its a very tough and robust engine and i prefer chains over belts. plus with all that extra room in the engine bay they're easier to work on :D