Early bird gets the worm.

[Holland]

I dunno, it's the road less traveled, that's for sure and for the same price, one could have an S50 swap. However, BMW did put an S14 in the Italian 320iS so it's not unheard of.

I plan on eventually putting an S14 in my 318. Call it what you like but it's the road less travelled and I'm obsessed with the engine.

[CrusherCurtis]

The road less traveled is pointless. Being different is never a good enough reason. Its the same thing as wanting attention. If no one else did swaps and you couldn't say "road less traveled" would you still want one?
I've never even considered doing it, so I'll have to take you word on it costing the same as an s50 swap, but I have hard time believing an s14 swap cost the same as a s50 swap, especially consider guys around here get them for dirt cheap some times. I drove an m3 once, its too peaky imo to in joy on streets. No low end torque which makes street cars fun. I won't even speak on the maintenance . The only upside is "its the road less traveled" which isn't a good enough upside. But to each his own.

Why does no one ever just DASC an m42? Same power more torque and cheaper.

[reelizmpro]

Because that kit was what...$5k + installation? For 210hp if I remember correctly. S14 makes that with a chip.

Regarding the s14 swap. You can get s14 with everything for $3-5k more or less. The s50 with everything is roughly the same perhaps a little less but u also need swap conversion parts to make it work whereas the s14 is right at home. S14 really is the best engine for the e30. Paul Rosch head of bmw motorort proved that. You can't drive it like a 325...its a different beast. Also the s14 Isn't any harder to maintain than the m20, except for needing shims and special tool for valve adjustments. Imo, the engine is pretty stout considering its an old high revving 4 cylinder making more than some 6's.

S50 swap makes sense to most people and some may say its better particularly on the street. It depends on what you prefer, hp/torque on tap or a peaky momentum car that will handle better.