Help me find my first e30 (Returning from deployment)

[PRF3CT]

I've been away from home for a little over a year now and I'm finally going to return to Texas. I got a job in San Antonio and I'll be moving there in early august.

I currently own an awesome 2004 M3 and I'm looking to purchase an e30 as a daily driver. I just need some advice on what I should buy though.

So the car I want needs to be a perfect candidate for an S50 swap. If I want to go forced induction is it better to have an M20 or the S50 swap.

What model E30 is best for this? So far I'm thinking a 91 318is slicktop is the best choice, but I can't find one anywhere.

[roguetoaster]

If all you want to do is swap the dang thing just get the least expensive car you can find, perhaps one with serious engine woes.

Please stop the M42 killing for the sake of M5x swaps! An M20 car works just fine, and there are many more of them! Or just get a 318 because you want a 318 and like the engine/chassis dynamic.

[Kevinxkrazy]

dont get a 318 whatever you do. and please learn the car and drive it a while before going crazy with it. treat it like an heirloom.

edit- slicktop 318s are best left to the enthusiasts that want to keep them m42. like roguetoaster said, go m20.

[PRF3CT]

Well, is an M20 a decent reliable engine to have a daily turbo? I've found an Auto 318is slicktop for $1200. It's in really good shape.

[Jean]

Have you done any research ? Who is going to do the swap for you?

325i vs 318i pretty much the same, minus small differences, but all of this have been covered to death many times over. Pick the cleanest chassis/body you can find.... obviously an auto will require more work, so will a 4cyl car vs 6cyl car (diff/exhaust for example).

[brent5631]

Just get the best car you can for the money. Its easier to spend a little more up front then fix bodywork or rust issues later.

[BMWManiac]

I plan to daily drive the hell out of my turbo'd M20 325i

[Farbin Kaiber]

Screw m42's. Bunch of little girls in here acting like a 318iS is akin to an e30 m3 Sport Evolution. I'm sorry, but the 318iS will never be the 69 COPO Camaro.

[PRF3CT]

The swap looks easy and I have over 40 days of leave. I'm going to knock out the swap as soon as I get back with the help of my dad. Trying to find a clean car near Texas seems harder than the swap. My ultimate goal is to have an awesome DD for my new job that I personally built.

If you guys could help me find a good e30 in Texas or close by that needs no body work and is a perfect swap candidate I'll pay a finder’s fee of 25$ on PayPal($50 if it's a slicktop). I prefer an e30 coupe with the facelift (1989-1990 325is, late model 325i coupe, and the 1991 318is). I don't want to spend more than 4k on the car. Now that I've seen very good swap cars go for like 1-2k. I think my budget for the car fits. Now I have a budget of about 10k for the project and an emergency fund for the project of about 5k, but I want to spend most of it on the engine, A/C, Trans, paint, and a few other things.

I can easily buy an S50 and an m3 Trans. Just trying to see what will be the best route. I keep going back and forth between turboing an m20 or just knocking out the s50 swap and building the engine later for future FI opportunities.

Update: What do you guys think about this car

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/3830112411.html

[PRF3CT]

Here is another possible car

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3833302238.html

[Spitfi-r]

Might want to consider buying an already swapped car. It will turn out a lot cheaper and most folks wouldn't waste time/money swapping into a chasis that's in poor condition.
For 10-15k you'd end up with a really nice s50/52 car.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Might want to consider buying an already swapped car. It will turn out a lot cheaper and most folks wouldn't waste time/money swapping into a chasis that's in poor condition.
For 10-15k you'd end up with a really nice s50/52 car.

Thank you for serving and hope you have a safe trip back.

Spitfi-r makes a good point. There is a local customer who has a slick top 24v Supercharged with BBS RS's, he is thinking about selling, email us if you are interested in being put in touch email us.

Thanks
L