Family cruising in a cab: 318i or 325i?

[dcdude]

unfortunately, 91 to 93 m20 cars came with a power top. those are maintenance nighmares.

Huge point that I didn't know...thanks! To me, a "better" M20 cab would then be a pre-'91, despite the diving boards. However, manual top conversion is pretty simple, no?

best answer:

Get a good straight example, and 24v swap it. No lack of power, and a better engine to boot. :D

I would buy a swapped engine car, but I wouldn't undertake it my myself with two young "helpers" (3 and 5) underfoot constantly.

I love the m42, but the type of driving you are contemplating will probably not make you a happy person in the m42 cab, ie. extra weight, AC on, shifting at low RPMs, not tossing car around. A 4.45 diff swap might help, unless you plan to do a lot of highway driving.

That's what I was thinking, but I'd stop short of the rear swap.