New member - glad to be here and question on E30 318i

[Casey in Atascadero]

First of all.... been browsing for a couple of months now. I leased a 325i back in the day (E46) and loved it. Time, work and kids conspired for more economical options (Toyota) but I've never lost the bug.

This car is for sale in my town and I'm going to take a look. Head gasket is blown in addition to possible other issues and obviously the cosmetics.

All I've learned is from Google so far but a 2.1L rebuild sounds fun and I have a friend with the tools and know-how to do it. 2.0 crank, 1.8 head, 92mm bore etc.

http://www.racetep.com/bmwngin.html#02c

Would appreciate the thoughts of the veterans here. I had never really considered a 318 before as I'd always looked at the 325i but the 4 banger sounds cool.

The car:

http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/5312320773.html

Thanks!
Casey

[2mAn]

Hey Casey, welcome to the addiction.

Im a big fan of the 84/85 318 cars because they are one of the lightest models brought to the US. The one you linked seems right on par with mine being that it has crank windows, so as is its probably under 2400#. Its obvious they have been shopping at autozone and that makes me suspicious of what other "mods" you may find and eventually fix. The fact that you plan on rebuilding is a double edged sword. Do you spend several grand building up a M10 to make what essentially a stock M20 makes? You could also build a M20 and make a significant jump in power (and still be smog compliant), then theres the popular 24v route. The lightweight of the car makes any bump in power amplified.

Tough road ahead, but if you can get the car with receipts for the claimed new parts and can get it under a grand I think you are off to a great start

[mjimport]

Seems like a good shell for a motor overhaul/swap. The paint job would concern me, but other than that it doesn't look chopped up. I'm not that ambitious so for me I would spend another grand and get a good driver quality example, drive it, have fun and fix/learn along the way.

Welcome, and good luck.

[Casey in Atascadero]

Hey Casey, welcome to the addiction.

Im a big fan of the 84/85 318 cars because they are one of the lightest models brought to the US. The one you linked seems right on par with mine being that it has crank windows, so as is its probably under 2400#. Its obvious they have been shopping at autozone and that makes me suspicious of what other "mods" you may find and eventually fix. The fact that you plan on rebuilding is a double edged sword. Do you spend several grand building up a M10 to make what essentially a stock M20 makes? You could also build a M20 and make a significant jump in power (and still be smog compliant), then theres the popular 24v route. The lightweight of the car makes any bump in power amplified.

Tough road ahead, but if you can get the car with receipts for the claimed new parts and can get it under a grand I think you are off to a great start

Thanks for the feedback! Notice you are in CA too and have an M52 in yours. Can you provide the parts info that allowed you pass smog? (assuming you drive yours on the road). Sounds like the E36 motor would be incredible in this car. (edit: looks like that's the engine from a E36 328i ?)

There's actually a local dealer selling an S52 swapped E30. Looks well-done but has roll cage so not sure on the street-legality unless it could be removed.

Also a question, is the M20 the engine in the latest model 318i?

-Casey

[2mAn]

Thanks for the feedback! Notice you are in CA too and have an M52 in yours. Can you provide the parts info that allowed you pass smog? (assuming you drive yours on the road). Sounds like the E36 motor would be incredible in this car. (edit: looks like that's the engine from a E36 328i ?)

There's actually a local dealer selling an S52 swapped E30. Looks well-done but has roll cage so not sure on the street-legality unless it could be removed.

Also a question, is the M20 the engine in the latest model 318i?

-Casey

PM me about the legal stuff that revolves around the smog ;) Mine is a daily driven commuter car hahah, soon to be a smog legal swapped daily driven car.

the M20 motor is the single cam 12v inline 6 found in the 325e/i/is and theres a few variables but essentially thats the 325 motor. the later 318i/is are M42, a 16v DOHC 1.8L 4 cylinder.

The 24v E36 motors are a great combo with the E30s chassis. I suggest test driving the one at the dealership. If you really want a 24v car its much easier to just buy one already done, but buying someone elses swapped car also means taking over someones swapped car and theres a TON of variables. Theres an awesome BAR legal swapped car for sale in SoCal right now, actually I think there is a few and they both seem worth the money.