318is advice

[b3albakii]

I found a 318is motor with transmition for 350$
should i buy it and swap it , i have allready an M20b27 but this motor is making me crazy , soo any advices plz

[KenC]

Depends on the condition of the m42. You'll need the harness, and will have to fab up something to hold the coils or go COP. It's not as direct of a swap as you would think.

$350 is super cheap and makes me weary.

[b3albakii]

Depends on the condition of the m42. You'll need the harness, and will have to fab up something to hold the coils or go COP. It's not as direct of a swap as you would think.

$350 is super cheap and makes me weary.

harness and everything still connected to the motor ...
so it is hard to swap ? harder thank swaping M50 ?

[KenC]

Easier than an m50.

Get the radiator, and all the coolant hoses too.

What's the history of the motor?

[b3albakii]

mmm , actually this man bring cars from germany and part it here and start to sell the part .... if u understand what i mean , so no one knows anything about the motor history

[bloodshot-e30]

i sold my M42 for 350 no trans or anything.... but mine had all the timing chain stuff done already

[Eecen]

Be wary of worn timing chain guides.

If you can, drop the lower oil pan and look for plastic/metal.

My old 325e accelerated faster than my current 318i, but the m42 is fun to beat on...just don't expect anything great from it.

[MR 325]

A chipped Eta is better than an M42, seriously. Don't do it.

[LindaWens]

My old 325e accelerated faster than my current 318i, but the m42 is fun to beat on...just don't expect anything great from it.

[ZekeTheSneak]

I went the opposite direction with my motor. I went from an m20 to a m42. I deleted everything: clutch fan, ps, a/c. I then bought all new motor mounts, a/c delete plate, steering guibo, steering rack (m3), gaskets (valve, oil pan, intake, exhaust,). Then I shaved and removed unnesecary shit from my engine bay. Repainted with color match rattle can doesnt look too bad really cleaned it up. Then I bought the m42 wire harness covor and m3 covor. After all this i spent around 1200 bucks for a well running very clean engine swap. Took me 2 weeks using a lift and basically all me doing work. It wasnt very hard you need the throttle cable and the radiator as well. One thing i regret not replacing were the coolant hoses mine now leak from being removed and reinstalled. If you have patience and some basic tools it is'nt very hard. The wiring is plug and play as long as long as its a late model. With all this said i wish i went bigger like a m52 or m50. I was in a tight pinch and the motor was there so i went for it. Any questions feel free to ask.