87 325is = NO POWER

[Javier h]

Coming from a stock 98 328i. Drove an 87is today. Car is rediciously slow. I guess I can't expect much for a car that 20+ year old but I never thought 20 hp would make a huge difference. Car had a rebuilt engine @ 200k. Are these car really this severely underpowered? I can see why the swaps are popular.

[Wishno87]

There must be something wrong with the car. I drive an 87 325i vert and my friend who has a 328is let me drive his car and it was a noticeable difference but nothing as radical as your talking about.

[mattdk318i]

Step 1: Remove M20
Step 2: Install S52 or DOHC variant
Step 3: Enjoy

[Wishno87]

Lol that works too ^

[T Verdier]

Yo dawg I heard you like e36s so we put an s5x in your e30 so you can have fun while you drive

[Emre]

Coming from a stock 98 328i. Drove an 87is today. Car is rediciously slow. I guess I can't expect much for a car that 20+ year old but I never thought 20 hp would make a huge difference. Car had a rebuilt engine @ 200k. Are these car really this severely underpowered? I can see why the swaps are popular.

Stock for stock, an E30 325is will be slower than an E36 328is, but not by a massive amount (yes, I've owned both). Chances are, the car you drove wasn't in top shape: clogged cats, dirty injectors, fouled plugs, and neglected valve-timing adjustments are some of the common reasons many E30's are down on power. Not to mention normal wear-and-tear on a 200K mile car.

Tune up the engine, throw on a 4.10:1 LSD rear end, and see what you think.

I have no trouble keeping up with M50-powered E30's in the instructor rungroups at BMW CCA events with my stock M20B25 with 155K miles on the clock.

[Eurospec]

Are you refering to the schwarze that was posted on craigs a few days ago in the downtown area? Did you pick it up? Seemed pretty nice from the ad.

[namsayin]

24v FTW

[Javier h]

I'll try again guys. Previously, I drove an 87e and that really felt turtle like but i was not expecting much. I suppose with these cars you really have to rev them to make power. The guy only had the car for a few months and while original, you kinda wonder about the engine.

eurospec, the schwarze is the next drive.

wishno87, i have to agree. one last drive with an e30 gem is in order. it's great to hear from someone who has driven both.

thx

[nando]

unless you have receipts as proof, don't believe anyone that says they put a "rebuilt" motor in an old car. that could mean anything from a meticulous balance and blueprint to putting in new seals and gaskets and calling it a day. plus half the sensors and electrical bits probably have 200k on them and are worn out.

[einstein57]

What part of CA are you from. I'm sure there is a local who can show you what an M20 should do.

[Javier h]

I hear you and agree. The owner re-did the head. He got the car with a blown headgasket. He tuned it up a bit but honestly who knows. I'll give it one more shot and if not I'll be searching for a swapped car. These cars are getting rare and coveted.

[Wh33lhop]

I can give you a ride in a shitbox with a blown head gasket that still impresses me.

It's by no means fast, but then again, neither is a 328i.

[91eson318is]

Yo dawg I heard you like e36s so we put an s5x in your e30 so you can have fun while you drive

Good old Pimp My Ride days