wtf is up with m42swaps?

[lolcantturn]

The M42 is the best engine in the E30 standard chassis, and the 318is is one of the best non-M cars BMW ever built.

I cringe when good M42 318is get swapped. Save it for the 4 doors or 325e's

[Dj Buttchug]

i swapped an m20 for an m42. it worked out. I basically created a 318 out of a loaded 325. Got a weight at a certified scale not to long ago and im sittin pretty at 2700 lbs wet.
Thats only 100ish lbs heavier than my factory 318i that came with a crank sunroof, no sound deadening and lighter carpet ect.

I had to do some work to get that light. I removed all the useless heavy things from the 325i chassis except for the heavier carpet and the power sunroof. Im pleased with the outcome. If one wants to create a 318, techincally it can be done and still be a functional daily driver.

[Jean]

because they both suck...nothing to write home about m42 or m20 unless boosted. they are OLD tech engines, they were cool back in the 90s, but now even a basic new crap box has more power and better mpg than m42 or m20.

A newer dohc i6 or better does everything better.....plus these aren't M3 or collector cars anyway, who cares.

[bastianshaw]

they are both good engines, e30s are NOT FAST CARS, if you want a fast car get a vette swap a motor or turbo, then you can do a "remix" of stairway to heaven

[Dj Buttchug]

new shit is not always the better shit...

[Ryann]

You are entitled to being wrong. The m42 is a nice DD engine, but it is not fun at ANY RPM. Sucks at SCCA because it has zero bottom end. Reminds me of a Honda engine. Point A-B engine, now buttchugz m42 turbo would be fun to zip around in! But the m20 with mild boost is even better yet, and a boosted m30 is fucking bonkers with no effort.

My b27i stroker shit all over my brother's m42. He is so thankful we are pulling his 108k m42 in favor of a b27i with a 272 cam.

M42 is better than a M10, only plus I see. Driven them both enough to know they suck. I would rather change a m20 timing belt every 60k instead of being bored in an m42.

Edit: I see you're from NY, my m30 swap will be done soon. I'll take you for a ride in a car that is a blast in the top end. Or you can get a ride in my built b27i 288 cam'd m20 that will show a m42 up from 1-5th gear. Well a stock m20 does that anyways...

How the fuck are you a mod here? Who's dick did you suck? You obviously know nothing about driving an m42 car at speed. I've owned an 02, 2 m42 cars, an m50 car, and had to consantly work on an m20 car. Nothing is more closely coupled with the 2002 experience than a 16v e30. You probably know zero about the 02 experience either. <3

[ButtJuice]

I wish I had an s52 swap.

[F34R]

How the fuck are you a mod here? Who's dick did you suck?

No ones, enjoy your reward.

Back on topic, the m42 is peppy in the top end but only when you compare it to a eta or m10 lol those are so slow. Never had the pleasure of owning a 2002, there it two local but I passed for e24s. I am sure a 2002 with a m42 is amazing. But they are very light and not even the topic here.

I think the s5* base engines are the best hands down. S54 and call it a day, i6 dohc 6spd/

[CrusherCurtis]

Are people actually swapping m20's in m42 cars?

edit: had that backwards

[Mr. Tasty]

No ones, enjoy your reward.

love it hahahaha

[Balleristic31]

A strong m42 car is just as fast as a b25 car in a straight line and will out handle it every time. I love both engines and have owned both. But my preference is toward the m42. Not everyone likes buzzy four cylinders.

[JinormusJ]

A 1989 325is 0-60 is 7.4 seconds
A 1991 318is 01-60 is 10.1 seconds
That a difference of almost 3 whole seconds, and realistically... That's alot

Dont get me wrong, a 318is is fantastic and I would love to own a bone stock one some day as a daily, but I don't understand your "just as fast as an m20" logic. The numbers have spoken and your information is clearly incorrect

[mikeedler]

those that say m42 boring are noobs. try reving them 4-6k=different car. Id rather have m42 than m20 anyday. Whats up with having to swap timing belts every 4yrs or 60k miles=GAY

ohhhh no, not 1 hours worth of maint. every 5 years...........
M42s suk.

boring, and you can rev them as much as you want, there is still only 130hp there.

[Dj Buttchug]

LOL... nice


I think the point the op is trying to make is that the m42 is underestimated ?? I like the m42. I wouldnt trade it for an m5x swap, hell, I swapped it in place of an m20. Maybe Im biased... then again, its all about that feel bro, If you like m20 or m50 or whatever over m42 then cool, swap it out.

[Balleristic31]

A 1989 325is 0-60 is 7.4 seconds
A 1991 318is 01-60 is 10.1 seconds
That a difference of almost 3 whole seconds, and realistically... That's alot

Dont get me wrong, a 318is is fantastic and I would love to own a bone stock one some day as a daily, but I don't understand your "just as fast as an m20" logic. The numbers have spoken and your information is clearly incorrect

I'm speaking mainly from my own personal experience after owning and driving both. I really didn't see much speed differential between the two engines. I know that that means really nothing. But I'm just throwing my experiences out there :p

Edit: I'm also with chugzz on this one. It's all about the feeeeeeel mann.