What makes the E30 318is a fun driving car?

[dnguyen1963]

Damn...you guys must be way too young. Back in the '90s, Ford V8 in the Thunderbird made only 150 hp and it was a fun car to drive.

[ahrensNW]

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.

A 200hp m42 is literally the same to build as a 200hp 4AG.

And they come in much better looking cars.

[roguetoaster]

Damn...you guys must be way too young. Back in the '90s, Ford V8 in the Thunderbird made only 150 hp and it was a fun car to drive.

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

[Hooffenstein HD]

An engine swap.

[Bimmerguy91]

Followed by being rear ended cause its so damn slow haha.

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.

[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..

[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.

[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.

[MrBurgundy]

m42 e30 is alot like a miata.

pls ban

[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.

[TobyB]

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

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[c0rbin9]

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

[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...

[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!

[agent]

must have had