318i vs 325i - Questions..

[lespaul]

Don't cane me for not knowing this but I'm freshly new into the older bimmer scene. What is the diff between e30, e36, m40, m42?!

[Ral]

e30

e36

m40 is a type of engine, as is the M42. It's found in the later "318" series, and in early e36's labeled as 318's.

the engine in the 325i is called an M20, and is 6 cylinder and generally a bit less advanced than the m42, but makes more power. It's also heavier, but I doubt you'd notice a huge difference between the two.

[kid325e]

so lemme get this straight. the m42 is a 4.2L 4 banger?

im sorry if this is a stupid question.

[BMWLA]

the M42 is by far more sophisticated and engine and engine management system. they require less maintenance and are more efficient. they are about 25 less horsepower than the baby six but make up for it ballance the M42 is 1.8 liter.

[e30s52]

I dont even have a chip and i use 91 in my m20b25. and if you have a chip it will get you better gas millage anyways.

i dont think it works that way :D

[Ral]

so lemme get this straight. the m42 is a 4.2L 4 banger?

im sorry if this is a stupid question.

the cars are labeled with the engine displacement. a 318i is a 3-series with a 1.8 liter engine, which happens to be called an M42 if it's late enough. a 325i is a 3-series with a 2.5 liter engine which, for the mid-eighties to 1991 (e30), was called the M20.

this might help:

e..... chassis model (e30, 36, etc)
m.... non-Motorsport (///M division) engines
s..... Motorsport car engines (M3, M5, M6 of different generations)

[lespaul]

Here's the 325 that I am thinking about with the broken odometer..






What do you think, I guess all you can see is the body..

[DragonOrta]

That would be a 325e (don't think they had an m20b25 in the DBs). If it comes down to 325e vs. 318i, I would go 318i.

[lespaul]

whats the diff between the e and i? why would you go 318?

[318isbmw]

That would be a 325e (don't think they had an m20b25 in the DBs). If it comes down to 325e vs. 318i, I would go 318i.

Yes they did. 1987 325ic was a divingboarded m20b25 powered car. Also, the motors changed from 325e to 325i in 1987 in US models, although there was the super eta motor, which lived on in the 1988 325. Note that one doesn't have either an i or an e at the end of it.

[lespaul]

Just checked carfax though and it says 325ic.

That would be a 325e (don't think they had an m20b25 in the DBs). If it comes down to 325e vs. 318i, I would go 318i.

[318isbmw]

whats the diff between the e and i? why would you go 318?

The e stands for eta. Basically it was a lower reving economy motor. Was a m20b27 so it had 2.7 liters and had lots of torque, but revved out at 5400 or so rpm's. Great for daily driving with the low end torque and such, but not good for track or anything like that. The 325i was the motor which had more pep, was made more for spirited driving and revs out to 6400rpm's I believe. Also I know with this motor its also great with daily driving duty. Not much different than 325e gas mileage as people have stated earlier in this thread.

[TwoJ's]

Wow, this is exactly how people get mis-informed and then attempt to spread the incorrect info.

I dont even have a chip and i use 91 in my m20b25. and if you have a chip it will get you better gas millage anyways.

What are you talking about? First, there is no reason for you to use 91 in your standard m20. Really. Second, when you have a chip that is tuned for 91 octane, you don't use it to get better mileage, it's so the engine doesn't pre-detaonate. That's just lunacy.

That would be a 325e (don't think they had an m20b25 in the DBs). If it comes down to 325e vs. 318i, I would go 318i.

And this is just as bad. You should stick around here and read some stuff before you start posting things like this.

[erik325i]

M42 seems quite happy running 89.

Just because you use 89 does not mean everyone should. BMW specified 91 for the m42.

Erik

[ColdAccord]

The 325i was the motor which had more pep, was made more for spirited driving and revs out to 6400rpm's I believe. Also I know with this motor its also great with daily driving duty. Not much different than 325e gas mileage as people have stated earlier in this thread.

I got much better mileage in my eta than my m20