Do you regret swapping out your m42?

[eur04lif3]

So i'd like to hear from the guys that have done the swap, and if you regret it or wish you had done it sooner. (please vote)

Note; this is not a thread about how great the m42's are or what a POS they are. They are plenty of threads for that subject.

i have an m3, a 325i, had a 325ic, have a 325e, had a 325es, have driven 318is and 318ic. hands down the m42 is crap. for the lack of power, there is not enough difference in handling.
s52+zf320 and be done with it. throw on a balanced coilover system and you wont have any regrets.

Eric you don't have to go to every thread that mentions the m42 and post the same thing...

Yes, i believe Eric missed the point of the original post. Either way, i appreciate the input..but what i'm really looking for is someone that has swapped their m42 out and whether they regret it or not.

[E30SPDFRK]

Fun in a straight line or even in the curves? Did you do anything else to your suspension at the same time?

Mainly in a straight line. I didn't autocross the car till it had the m60, but in normal driving and back road fun, I never notice the weight difference. I feel like the weight has a placebo effect for most people's driving skills.

I had FK springs with the m42, kept them with the m30, then went to GC coils and kept them when I did the m60 swap. Never changed the setup to go with a swap.

[word is bond]

hands down the m42 is crap... the M42 doesnt have enough power to keep up with modern traffic...

Hahaha - those two quotes made me laugh. Did the M42 steal your girlfriend or something?

[naplesE30]

I have not swapped but owned both m42 and m20 cars both 5spd. I loved the m42 on autocross day. It wasn't fast but it was very rewarding. Just a fun little buzzer of an engine. For DD not the greatest but got fantastic mileage 29mpg like clockwork no matter how I drove it. I wouldn't swap out the m42 if I get another 318is. I would find a m20 car if I were looking to do a swap in the future.

[eur04lif3]

I have not swapped but owned both m42 and m20 cars both 5spd. I loved the m42 on autocross day. It wasn't fast but it was very rewarding. Just a fun little buzzer of an engine. For DD not the greatest but got fantastic mileage 29mpg like clockwork no matter how I drove it. I wouldn't swap out the m42 if I get another 318is. I would find a m20 car if I were looking to do a swap in the future.

Thanks for your input. I have driven an m20 car as well, there is certainly a difference between the two platforms.

Just to clarify, i would never yank an m42 to swap in an m20. That's ridiculous in my opinion and not worth the effort.

[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.

[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.

[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:

[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.

[///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

[keefy6]

Regret?
-no-

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

[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 .

[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.

[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...

[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.