Your thoughts about 1988 325e "super E"

[Greek318is]

Hey guys.

I am looking to buy a 1988 325e "super E" Automatic, with 82k miles. It's Silver Metallic, excellent condition and nothing is wrong with it. The engine is very strong and has a lot of torque...there are no valve taps, and the timing belt was done at 65k.

With that said, A few years back, I owned a 1991 318is and had not a single problem with the car. I wanted to get a 325is this time around but I came across this 325 super E and I really liked it.

I am looking to find AS MUCH information and as I can about the "Super E." Also, I'd like to know how you all like the Super E, or do you think I should wait and buy a 325is?

A quick question about performance...My plans, If I get this car, would be to chip it, thats it. Would it perform as well as a stock 325is or would it out perform it?

Thanks in advance guys.
Peter E.

[Raxe]

I've got an '88 5 spd SETA and an '88 5 spd 325is. I enjoy the seta, suits my normal driving style better than the IS, but I don't dislike the IS either.

[timothy100]

This site has tons of information about the eta cars, and all E30's:

http://www.strictlyeta.net/

I owned a 325e for about 3 years. They make awesome daily drivers. Good gas mileage, lots of torque off the line. Much more drivable in the city than any "i" car. I would stay away from the automatic cars. I bought an automatic and ended up converting it to a 5 speed. It felt like an entirely different car. Hope this helps.

[Greek318is]

how much did it cost and how difficult was it to make it a 5-speed?

[timothy100]

The complete swap kit with everything needed was $600 shipped across the country. I also bought a clutch kit for $130 online. It took about a month to do because it was the first time doing anything major on my car. It was not so much difficult as it was time consuming. Just a lot of work removing everything and putting it back in if you've never done any of that before.

[Digitalwave]

Would it perform as well as a stock 325is or would it out perform it?

Etas are abysmal, especially automatic etas. Forget about this car and wait for a 325i/S manual, you'll be much happier in the long run. And no, a stock super eta will be no where close to as fast as a 325i.

[318isbmw]

Better low end torque than a 325i, but the 325i has a larger powerband and much more fun to drive all around. Whereas the 325e has great torque, but that's all. And the 325i, doesn't have a lack of power down low at all, the eta just has more type of deal.

[Digitalwave]

It barely has more torque, it just feels like a whole lot more because of the severe lack of horsepower.

[Greek318is]

What about if the Super E was chipped? how would it compare to a stock 325is?

[Digitalwave]

I was talking about if it were chipped... it doesn't do as much as the numbers make you think.

[Julien]

if the car is really really mint and the price is right, go for it. First step would be to do a 5 speed swap and then swap over an I head to effectively have a 327i.

Just see what doing it for you in the car and what is not then add it all up.


Julien

[Greek318is]

if the car is really really mint and the price is right, go for it. First step would be to do a 5 speed swap and then swap over an I head to effectively have a 327i.

Just see what doing it for you in the car and what is not then add it all up.


Julien

Its a 1988 325 Super ETA, so it already has an I head...

[TwoJ's]

Its a 1988 325 Super ETA, so it already has an I head...

cam and a couple other things are different. The intake manifold and TB are different as well.

It's an easier process to make the 327i than a normal eta, but in the long run, you will be better off finding a 5speed (if that's what you're looking for). And you'll like the 325i or 325is better.

[Silence*]

It barely has more torque, it just feels like a whole lot more because of the severe lack of horsepower.

Indeed. The lack of any horsepower above 3000rpm is quite sad. I got to drive in my friends iS today, and I much prefered the way it pulled all across the RPM range. Whereas in my ETA (w/ 5speed), I constantly find myself shifting to keep the low RPM's. I'm seriously considering selling my ETA now, so I can upgrade to a i/S.

But in the end, it's not my choice, but your's.

[nando]

AFAIK there is no such thing as a chip for an 88 seta..