wtf is up with m42swaps?

[e30_3I8I]

I swapped my m10 for an m42, sometimes I wish i put an m30 or something but once I take my 2360 lbs e30 up on a canyon run with the ie3 plus koni and rear strut, I couldn't ask for more.. I stay even with m20 from start to 100+ easy... m20 guys hate m42s staying right next to them=]

[obes]

i love 4 bangers

[LowR3V'in]

The 318is and 325i feel about the same to me.
Both very slow torque-less cars either way.;)

The M10 car though. WHOLE NUTHA LEVEL of slow.
From the bottem of my heart guys that have never driven an m10 car
you have no clue.

90hp in your e30. Just imagine it.

[irish44j]

The 318is and 325i feel about the same to me.
Both very slow torque-less cars either way.;)

The M10 car though. WHOLE NUTHA LEVEL of slow.
From the bottem of my heart guys that have never driven an m10 car
you have no clue.

90hp in your e30. Just imagine it.

M10s feel faster going sideways in the dirt, trust me :)

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[matthugie]

^
Not sure if srs

LOL this is hardly a debate....

And i would venture to say that, there is nothing to debate about.

It all comes down to.....

Preference

and your end goals.

This makes me sad...

[TimbyMaTombo]

Preference

ftfy

Before I bought my 325is, I test drove an automatic 85 318i. It was somewhat embarrassing to drive... It wouldn't do anything until you floored it and then it would randomly downshift and make me think I was going to break it. Then again, just about every piece of rubber needed to be replaced, so that may have added to the breaking feeling....

[e30_3I8I]

HAHAHA yeah I drove with the m10 for about a month before I swapped it. i lost to a 95 corolla and that was really embarrassing

[Tismael711]

I have a 5 speed swapped 88 325i convertible and a 91 318is... and I think it all comes down to preference. There is obviously a noticeable difference in weight when comparing a vert to a 318is, so I really appreciate the lightweight design of the 318is and the peppy, high revving m42 is a lot of fun at high rpms..... BUT there is a certain rawness and feeling that I prefer in the m20.

I would never swap an m20 into my 318is simply because the m42 works well in these lightweight cars. I think an s50 swapped 318is would be more ideal and acceptable if you're going for more power....

[CrusherCurtis]

the e30 platform is a shitty, unsophisticated, seriously out-dated deathtrap.

Can't tell if serious

[Massimo]

Meh my 42 keeps up with e90 325 so its fast enough for me for now. In reality both m20 and m42 are nothing these days. I enjoy a nice handelling car over power, the 318is delivers on that and i am happy

[JinormusJ]

This makes me sad...

You said people have never debated this before...

I'm pretty sure this debate is older than dirt

[obes]

i love v8s

[JinormusJ]

I think an s50 swapped 318is would be more ideal and acceptable if you're going for more power....

318is should never be swapped. If you want to swap an iS chassis, at least swap the 325iS. There is nothing that can't be done weight-wise to the 325iS to make it the same as an 318iS, but the handling characteristics you can never replace and you will destroy them by dropping another huge boat anchor in it. At least 325iS already had less composed handling so dropping a bigger engine in is no big deal, but please: don't molest a 318iS

[matthugie]

You said people have never debated this before...

I'm pretty sure this debate is older than dirt

To my knowledge it hasn't been. In my 9 years here I've never seen a thread like this.

[unevolved]

I looked for a long time for an M42-powered car. I've never owned an E30 before, but I wanted something small/light, RWD, and 4 door. Not many other cars fit that bill. I've heard M42 sedans described as the closest thing to a 4-door Miata, and that's what I'm after. Just a fun, tossable daily.

Not that the M42 is sacred or worth preserving. It's nothing special. Rarity does not necessarily go hand in hand with desirability. Some people want lots of power, some people want lightweight and rev-happy.