Do you regret swapping out your m42?

[Munich Man]

A dodge caravan will stomp an m42 318 in a 0-60, and thats a god damn minivan.


Less fun, absolutely, there is definitely a difference in the past 20 years.

Yep, before my S50 swap, my car lost to a race to a new Dodge Van haha. I had a 2.93, but still.

[butters]

I have done it.

M42 is great. Light and economical. No timing belt. Can't keep up with traffic? I disagree.. I was dead even with my buddy's 2011 Jetta 2.5 5-speed from a highway on-ramp well into law-breaking speed.

Do I regret it? No.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - if I had a 318is I might regret losing originality. But my 318i is a much much better car with an S50 in it. The weight difference is relatively small especially with no a/c. The power gain and smoothness of a proper BMW straight-6 are well worth it. Additionally, in comparable mostly highway driving, I got 28-30mpg with the M42 and I have gotten the same with the S50/ZF/2.93 combo. I would do it again (maybe S54 next time though..).

[Roysneon]

I think the weight difference is vastly overstated most of the time. it's unlikely to match up with most people's driving skills, either.

just have fun with what you have whether it's a swap or not. even 100lbs isn't likely to make the car handle significantly different unless you're superman behind the wheel.

This. I mean, yeah there is a difference but come on, unless you're Paul Di Resta I'm saying it won't affect how you can drive the car.

[nando]

I think the weight difference is vastly overstated most of the time. it's unlikely to match up with most people's driving skills, either.

just have fun with what you have whether it's a swap or not. even 100lbs isn't likely to make the car handle significantly different unless you're superman behind the wheel.

[Cyrix2k]

And good luck finding one. I'm not talking M54 either.

Not hard around here... lots of e39s & e46s in the yards.

[M-technik-3]

No, if you really care about the weight, swap in an aluminum block I6. The swap is worth it for the sound and smooth engine alone...

And good luck finding one. I'm not talking M54 either.

[Cyrix2k]

No, if you really care about the weight, swap in an aluminum block I6. The swap is worth it for the sound and smooth engine alone...

[Stephen]

you guys are crazy for saying that m42's cant keep up with modern traffic. Its not like there is much difference in cars in the past 20 yrs.

Keep the revs above 3 and its fun as hell

A dodge caravan will stomp an m42 318 in a 0-60, and thats a god damn minivan.


Less fun, absolutely, there is definitely a difference in the past 20 years.

[TimKninja]

Really depends, do you want a well handling , cheap to run, reliable slow car.

Or something like an s50 swap, which will consume more gas, more of your money, not handle as well, but will be much faster ?

I miss my 318is. But my S50 swapped car is also a lot of fun. Really depends on what you want . I would gladly buy a 318 again .

[keefy6]

Regret?
-no-

Why?
Obvious. And it's still a 4cyl.

[///M42 sport]

you guys are crazy for saying that m42's cant keep up with modern traffic. Its not like there is much difference in cars in the past 20 yrs.

Keep the revs above 3 and its fun as hell

[eur04lif3]

^ yeah me either. I just meant the weight transfer comparison. Have you looked into a mm engine? More power/same powerplant. Not sure what your budget is for rebuild/swap.

I have looked into MM. I believe bmwman91 did a 2.1 MM motor, but it costs a fortune. You could get nearly twice the amount of power out of a LSX swap for about the same cost of a MM upgrade.

The question is(and that's what i'm trying to find out in this thread) whether anyone regrets doing that.

[F34R]

I drive my Brother's m42 vert from time to time. It is stupid slow and worthless. Stiffer coilovers with an m30 is WORLDS better than an m42.
My brother hates the m42 BTW, maybe it is from his CBR 600RR being stupid fast then jumping into a gutless e30. For highway driving it is not bad till you have to pass someone. It gets good MPG for an old car.

Boosted b28 coming soon :evil:

[golde30]

the nimbleness of the m42 powered 318is is fun for a little while. then the buzzy m42 starts to get old, and then feels underpowered and slow. I never held onto my 318is very long, i have owned 3 over the years. m50/52 is a good cheap upgrade for those cars, and gas mileage is same with more hp/torq.

[naplesE30]

^ yeah me either. I just meant the weight transfer comparison. Have you looked into a mm engine? More power/same powerplant. Not sure what your budget is for rebuild/swap.