E30 questions

[Mav1]

Thinking about getting an e30, they seem like neat cars. Im curious what are the most common performance modificationss? Do guys turbo these or just build the motor or what? They come with 4 cyl if im correct??

[evandael]

Well, early 318's come with four cylinder M10's. You could turbo those. The later (1991) 318i's are also four cylinders, the M42, which is also turbo-able but less robust. Most people build inline 6 cars.. either 'budget strokers' with a mix of M20B25 and M20B27 parts, or do swaps with M30B34s, M30B35s, M5x or S5x motors. Any of the above mentioned motors take quite well to boost.


You've got some reading to do if you didn't catch any of that. But yes, they are neat cars and you should get one, and build it right.

[Mav1]

I follow you mostly - Is the 318 just a base model compared to a 325? The m20 and m30 are just other inline 6s? I have experience with turbo cars which why I like turbos. What does a build with good power (300 to wheels???) lets say cost with good handling? Thanks

[Mav1]

Im just looking for a ball park I know that is a tough question...

[Harry's E30]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E30)

[mikeedler]

the 3 is the model of the car, the last 2 numbers are the displacement of the engine in liters.

save yourself the hassle and settle for nothing less than a 325i. The i is very important- it is the higher hp 6 cyl.

[Mav1]

the 3 is the model of the car, the last 2 numbers are the displacement of the engine in liters.

save yourself the hassle and settle for nothing less than a 325i. The i is very important- it is the higher hp 6 cyl.

Ok that makes sense. So only the earlier models came with the 4s? You wouldnt go with a 4...?

[oxymoron]

all 318 models had 4 cyl just not the same exact one. m10 in the early models later the m42

[Mav1]

So is a build under 10k realistic or more like 7?

[devon.818]

under 10k?

if you buy a good car spend about 2500-3k.
1k in maintenance off the bat along with lowering it and some good minor mods and you have a very fun street car.

now motor swap to the e36 motor m50, that costs about 800-1200. or any swap really will put you there(except s5x motors, those are m3 motors, add another grand for cost of motor).

or freshen up your stock motor, spend about 2-3k for a very solid turbo build.
11psi puts you in the 250 range, 14 more like 300+ range. stock internals can handle up to 22psi.

stock HG handles up to 11psi, stock HG and arp studs more like 14-16
and o-ring'd block with ARP's is the 17+ way to go

so yeah for around 6-7 you will be kicking serious ass.

[evandael]

I follow you mostly - Is the 318 just a base model compared to a 325? The m20 and m30 are just other inline 6s? I have experience with turbo cars which why I like turbos. What does a build with good power (300 to wheels???) lets say cost with good handling? Thanks

Well you could probably boost an M20B25 to that level with just headstuds, o-ringed block, new OEM headgasket, injectors, and a DIYAutotune PNP Megasquirt ecu. The build could probably be done for under $3K if you're savvy and you include the costs of a new clutch and pressure plate, guibo, center support bearing (CSB), rebuilt LSD, engine/trans/diff mounts, etc.

The stock brakes with nicer pads are fairly adequate if you pair them with some stickier rubber.

Suspension wise, you could run the gamut from $500 for Bilsteins/H&R's to $2000 for AST coilovers. Any E30 is gonna need a lot of suspension bushings replaced; notably the rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs), subframe bushings, front control arm bushings (CABs), swaybar bushings, all the links, tie rods, and balljoints too.



Check out the technical sections of this site for more in-depth info on all of these areas. I bet you could build a proper running 300whp turbo car for under $8K if you know how to shop right and are good with a wrench.

[Krueger]

Happy Hunting

Thinking about getting an e30, they seem like neat cars. Im curious what are the most common performance modificationss? Do guys turbo these or just build the motor or what? They come with 4 cyl if im correct??

common mods: ecu chips, 5 lug swaps, springs&shocks(of course) limited slip dif's- from other bmws, engine swaps seem to be more common than turbos, the "budget stroker" if you don't want crazy power but a good strong reliable motor that is the way to go-i think at least

just be prepared to spend money, these cars are 25+ years old so even a nice car may need a few things here and there,

also when buying one, especially from a non enthusiast, make sure if they say there has been work done or there are new parts etc. they have reciepts cuz ppl bullsh*t

good luck to you i'm sure you'll grow to love these little boxes on the road we like to throw money in :P

Cheers- Krueger

[JasonC]

Instead of asking us, what is best. Why dont you tell us what you are looking for in these cars, then better info can be said.

[Mav1]

Thanks everyone for the good information, much appreciated.

Instead of asking us, what is best. Why dont you tell us what you are looking for in these cars, then better info can be said.

Ya basically I thought it would be fun to build one that handled well with around 250-300 whp. Handling would have priority over hp though for me. Like the other guy said, it seems like most do the inline 6 swap though I think a turbo car would be alot of fun, maybe unnecessary though, Im not completely sure of the hp/torque you can get from a 6 vs a turboed 4 (best bang for buck). Im assuming that 250-300 whp would be fun being that these weigh in the low 2000 lb range? Again I assume the earlier e30's weigh less - correct me on anything here..

Price wise, it seems like it is realistic to get a clean car for 3-4k from what everyone else is saying?

So thats basically what I'm thinking to answer your question.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

Just get a 325e, slap in the electronics, head, and intake manifold from an i, and get a chip. Maybe injectors and intake. Strip it out. 4.10 rear. Instant racecar.