What makes the E30 318is a fun driving car?

[gwb72tii]

the m42 engine is a blast to rev out, and the car is lighter-weight by a considerable amount from the factory. the longer second gear ratio, combined with the factory LSD short ratio 4.10 really makes the car "quick" and "fun".

The weight distribution is the same as a 6 cylinder e30, but the lighter weight front end is easily noticed, especially with power steering disabled.

The engine uses a progressive type throttle body that allows for great fuel economy while cruising, but still soem oomph when floored. My m42 e30 is lightened up about 200lbs, has a few bolt ons, and is faster than both of my 325is's (both of those are stock).

Everyone is quick to hate on the m42 but it really is the baby m3. The m42 is the most technically advanced engine ever offered from the factory in the e30, even more so than the s14.

with an engine chip and a lightweight flywheel the 318i/318is late model is almost every bit as good as 325i - you just wont have the torque down low. the m42 is also easier to work on than a m20, in my humble opinion... though both are super easy anyways.

get one!

all of this

I've owned both and the 318is is not that much slower than a 325i that it matters. The M42 motor flat out is a much better motor than the 6cyl 325i.

The two cars are different experiences. The 325i is a tank compared to the 318is.

[Bimmerguy91]

Haha, ironic isn't it? An E30/M10 is not a fun car, but a little hotrod M10 in a 2002 is such a fun combo... go figure.

Ha yeah it is. I had an 84 318i with a 5 speed and it was much more bearable. The automatic just sucks out any life the M10 has.

It's also hilarious that a lot of crazy BMW F1 engines were based on the M10 :mrgreen:

[dnguyen1963]

Sadly, one of the first motors I ever rebuilt was a 2.3 Turbo. Though, to be fair, it was in a '79 Mustang. It looked great (still wish I had that car) but it was draw through carb style.. Needless to say, I am not surprised that Ford didn't sell many of the early turbo Fox Body 'stangs before the SVO in '84.


Crap - now I have to look on the interwebs for a '79 Mustang hatch.

Don't know about you guys, but I still love the old Ford 5.0 V8. The sound of a naturally aspirated V8 is just awesome.

[djjerme]

Sadly, both of those are debatable. The smart cookies took the 2.3 Lima turbo instead, which was probably the right choice.

Sadly, one of the first motors I ever rebuilt was a 2.3 Turbo. Though, to be fair, it was in a '79 Mustang. It looked great (still wish I had that car) but it was draw through carb style.. Needless to say, I am not surprised that Ford didn't sell many of the early turbo Fox Body 'stangs before the SVO in '84.


Crap - now I have to look on the interwebs for a '79 Mustang hatch.

[roguetoaster]

Wait what?

I thought this would make the car quicker to respond?

I really like my 4-cylinder and this thread is kinda making me reconsider my M52 swap...

He's trying to say that a turbo kills responsiveness, and while that is true just a little bit with the normal piping required it's also true that a properly sized turbo setup doesn't change it much.

FYI, a light FW is the best fun mod you can do for your M42, not that it really makes the car faster overall.

[agent]

must have had

[carbon966]

Mmm, old time M42 hate, I love it. People have been going soft on my favorite E30 engine of late, and were starting to make me feel way too mainstream.

..lol, you must of had a heavy foot!

over all, love all the answers!

[Metallated]

But then the response of an M42 w/ lightened flywheel - gone.

Wait what?

I thought this would make the car quicker to respond?

I really like my 4-cylinder and this thread is kinda making me reconsider my M52 swap...

[c0rbin9]

But then the response of an M42 w/ lightened flywheel - gone.

[TobyB]

This might make the M42 reasonably modern, in the power department...

t

[roguetoaster]

there is a 250hp+ m42 build on this forum. I too *think* the m42 is easy to get to 200hp. If I write it on a forum surely I know what Im talking about!

the m42 head is rumored to flow better than the s14. with itb kit and camshafts and standalone 200hp m42 is quote on quote easy. $4,000 to get there but who cares this is the internet.

m42 e30 is alot like a miata. 4 cylinder sports cars are the original sports car. Dont hate on the 318is, its a homage to the fun cars of the late 60s and before.

No, 250 is difficult to hit N/A and still have a 1,000 hour engine.

Doubt it, but the valve angles are probably better considering when it was developed versus the S14.

I can see that it might have been a riff off of the frenetic nature of Alfa twin cams.

If anything, it's a homage to emissions requirements and CAFE, but I stand by my original statement that it was probably a twin cam development mule, and a requirement to compete in the marketplace.

[MrBurgundy]

m42 e30 is alot like a miata.

pls ban

[5Toes]

there is a 250hp+ m42 build on this forum. I too *think* the m42 is easy to get to 200hp. If I write it on a forum surely I know what Im talking about!

the m42 head is rumored to flow better than the s14. with itb kit and camshafts and standalone 200hp m42 is quote on quote easy. $4,000 to get there but who cares this is the internet.

m42 e30 is alot like a miata. 4 cylinder sports cars are the original sports car. Dont hate on the 318is, its a homage to the fun cars of the late 60s and before.

[SkiFree]

I refreshed an M10 for a guy with an 84 318i with an automatic. It was literally the slowest most mind numbingly terrible experience of my life. I thought I was going to get killed on the interstate because it would barely go the speed limit lol.

Haha, ironic isn't it? An E30/M10 is not a fun car, but a little hotrod M10 in a 2002 is such a fun combo... go figure.

[mr2peak]

Maybe I'm just bitter about only having 145hp, but it seems like the 4AGE in particular has more potential than the M42.

This guy for example: http://www.billzilla.org/4agmods.htm

...seems to think a 200hp 4AG is relatively easy to build.

I owned an Mr2, a 200hp 4AG is an expensive engine due to all the competition use. Parts cost a lot, and the people who know how to port them charge more than most are willing to pay. A 240hp formula Atlantic engine revs to 11k, and requires block girdles, a reinforced and braced valve cover, and a host of other very very specialized parts to get there. $20k+ easily. I've heard rumors of ~300hp max.

S42 was 308hp, but also a bit later in the tech department. I'd say both are somewhat evenly matched, but then you're still talking 1.6L vs 1.8L..