What to do, What to do?

[Brian 89 325i]

Ok since my engine and suspension are old and creaky, its time to redo one or the other.

Option A: Get parts for 5 lug swap, and replace/upgrade all bushings and wear parts.

Option B: Swap in M50 with a few upgrades and all new seals/tune up parts?

Im torn on what to do next. Currently my engine leaks oil in a few places (about 1/3-1/2 quart every change) My bushings are original (AFAIK) and i *think* my front brakes drag a bit. I was leaning more towards the suspension, SO what should i do?

Brian

[LikeCDoos]

I'd say suspension if you feel your engine will hold up til you save up enough for you m50. up to you. good luck.

[M-technik-3]

My .02 here but 5 lug conversion is way overrated. Why you need to buy all new wheels and tires, then worry about selling your existing set up. For what one extra lug bolt, can you tell me when was the last time someone on our board broke a wheel due to sheer TQ through the drivetrain??

Now sheer stupidity well we have seen a few spins with destroyed wheels when curbs and wheels met. Then we have the wheel versus pot hole ventures. Not worth it.

My suggestion save the money for next couple of months then get Bushings and have a account for you engine swap set aside money. Pick a resasonable budget and stick to it. Mine will be to come in under budget at 3k for engine and tranny swap. After I sell off parts that came from my car to offset the inital cost of buying my parts car.

[Brian 89 325i]

Well, the reason for 5 lug, is the small things, like the better front sway bar mount, the two piece strut (M3) you get bigger brakes, larger wheel selection, plus a few other misc things, PLUS for me i only have one car, so redoing ALL of my bushings is seriously going to put a cramp on things, IF i get all the parts for the 5 lug i can rebuild/recondition everything OFF of the car and then throw it on in a weekend. MUCH easier to swap it all at once rather than do one thing at a time. I plan on about 4500 ish for my M50 conversion.

Brian

[rs4pro3]

You can get the better front sway bar mount with out going 5 lug. The brackets are $8 each from ground control. I've got a pair sitting here and some m3 end links waiting to get welded on when ever I can find a shop that will do it or not charge and arm and a leg.

[Brian 89 325i]

yeah i could do that, but what about bigger/better brakes? Also the issue of R&R of all my parts to change things. No one to drive me around, and no other car to use for now.

Brian

[Rob]

5 lug wont save you from having to do the bushings

[e9nine]

Well, the reason for 5 lug, is the small things, like the better front sway bar mount, the two piece strut (M3) you get bigger brakes, larger wheel selection, plus a few other misc things, PLUS for me i only have one car, so redoing ALL of my bushings is seriously going to put a cramp on things

Your car is a daily driver. Bigger brakes are not "needed" on a daily driver. If you want to turn your car into a track rat or auto-x terrorizer, you're modding your car ahead of your skills. You don't have to use every possible reason to justify your 5-lug swap. Don't avoid the reality of the matter. If it's something you want to do because its a wish of yours, our logic will not help you. Its your car and you know what you want to do with it.

IF i get all the parts for the 5 lug i can rebuild/recondition everything OFF of the car and then throw it on in a weekend. MUCH easier to swap it all at once rather than do one thing at a time. I plan on about 4500 ish for my M50 conversion.
Brian

You want to do a motor swap to your ONLY car. You need to expect the worst with doing projects, one modification leads to another one & then another one & then there's a stumbling block her and there. Some have gotten away with swaps amd mods easily and some don't. You might want to consider the availability of a car to borrow if you need to go to work,sch etc. You're about to do some serious mods to the car. Re-assess your priorities based on your own variables, compare to what is said here while piling up your $$ and move on from there...I believe that's the reason you posted here in the first place. If not, may the roundel be with you :D

[Brew]

These are all the reason I need to do a 5-lug swap:



So damn sexy...

[UNHCLL]

Just do one of them already....
For 2 years you've been asking us which one to do.

Do the M50.

[rwh11385]

My bushings are original (AFAIK) and i *think* my front brakes drag a bit. I was leaning more towards the suspension, SO what should i do?

Do the M50. You already have a sport suspension, no reason to swap it. In general, 5 lug is just bling. Obviously Stu is an exception, he can put larger brakes to work!

M50 is so awesome. Makes the E30 a greater platform. 5 lug just gives you another bolt and some different brakes. With the stocker engine, you don't really need more brakes, and even with a mild M50, you can do just fine.

Replace bushings, get E30 m3 if you don't already. If you need to replace brakes, get some good pads and ATE rotors. That would probably be all you need. There's no real need for 5 lug.

Do the M50.

[Charlie]

Be hardcore, do both.

Should I ever feel the inclination to do a 24v swap (not likely), it would have a full M3 conversion.

That being said, e9nine gave you the best advice of all. This is a daily driver, do you really want to be without it for 5 months?

-Charlie

[M3 Ryan]

I bought a second car so I could take my M3 to the next level...
you need 2 cars to complete the jobs you want to complete.
its just that simple... that or get a bus-pass.

[rwh11385]

Hey, i think Lukas is getting rid of his van when his E30 is done. It'd be a good DD.

[Brian 89 325i]

i do need a dd. When my G/F gets her cabrio in a few months ill be able to not worry about having my car down for a week or two. I *think* im just going to go for the 5 lug for now then follow up with the M50. If i do the 5 lug ill get one of the largest maintinence issues taken care of, and i think thats more important to me right now. As for a track monster, it will be, BUT im too parinoid to beat on my M20 JUST IN CASE. Again when my G/F gets her cabrio ill start doing track days, and driving schools.

So now that ive made my decision its time for a parts list.
Aside from the OBVIOUS
New KONI SA's
New wheel bearings
caliper rebuild kits
SS brake hoses(recomdations welcome)
New Brake booster( should i get the 320i booster in prepairation?)
25MM mster cylinder
new pads and rotors
ALL NEW BUSHINGS(EVERYWHERE)
New strut mounts, upgrade to camber plates (recomendations welcome)
New sway bars and links and reinforcements.

Anything else?

Also, anyone know where i can pick up a set of 15" bottlecaps from an E28 for cheap?

Brian