wtf is up with m42swaps?

[iamsam]

i wonder why no one replied to my post? I see a lot of posts denouncing any sort of "molestation" to a 318is, and I think I may have posted my example of what I think is the most molested 318is I have ever seen, and not a peep from anyone! ;)

Seriously though, why is this thread still alive? We all know the specs up and down for each motor, what is there left to argue about? Whether one motor "sucks"? ha ha you guys...

If you want a 4 cylinder that weighs X lbs and makes 134 hp, get an M42. If you want a straight six that weighs Y lbs and makes 168 hp, get an M20. Problem solved!

[robrez]

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.

Never thought of it like that before, but I must admit, my daily driven sunroof delete, m42, 4-door is a perfect combination of nimble and practical.

[10Toes]

It's no m30

No, it is not.

[dannyyisntt]

I fail to see the problem with S50

It's no m30

[10Toes]

Because an s50/s52 are the holy grail of BMW have fun with your ~240hp motorsport engine.

I fail to see the problem with S50

[dirty30]

I onced swapped an M42 into an 84 325e. True story.

[TheTacoMan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1sSjkY9VR4

I like the noise my m20 makes, they are great engines.

[HarukoE30]

Hills and AC are not the M42's friend.

I don't ever have a problem with hills, and Oregon has plenty.

[chance]

anyone need one of these wonderful little boxes of marbles?

Ive got one in my garage..

[trackjunkie21]

the m42 is buzzy and doesn't feel like a bmw. yes its definitely fun ESPECIALLY above 4k rpm but it feels like a buzzy 4 banger. because it is.
m20 is much smoother and has a better power delivery. it also sounds better and feels classier.
neither is really a "performance" engine. an s50 swapped into an e30 is about as close as you're going to get to a fast performance e30.

Because an s50/s52 are the holy grail of BMW have fun with your ~240hp motorsport engine.

[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.

[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.

[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

[obes]

i love v8s

[JinormusJ]

This makes me sad...

You said people have never debated this before...

I'm pretty sure this debate is older than dirt