newbie 3 series question - BMW Forum

giordano · 10-19-2003, 12:21 AM

I'm interested in buying a '84+ 3 series. I really don't know the difference between the 318s, 320s, etc. Any information would be great. I want to build an auto x/ daily driver so any advice is great. Thanks.

Richard

daniel318is · 10-19-2003, 03:36 AM

welcom richard,

the model your are thinking of getting is an E30, the different numbers eg, 318i, 329i etc is refering to the engine size. like the 318i has a 1.8L and the 325i is a 3.5L.

the 316, 316i, 318i are all i4 (four cylender Engines) all the M40
the 318is also is a i4 with M42
the 320i, 323i, 325i and 325iX are i6 (6 cylender) M20

hope that helps u out a bit

daniel

daniel318is · 10-19-2003, 03:41 AM

my apologies on the last post, where it says the 325i has a 3.5 L its meant to say 2.5L sorry about that

MrM3 · 10-19-2003, 12:01 PM

Welcome!

the E30 generation in the US saw 2 totally different 318's, from 84-85 it was the M10 1.8L with alluminum bumpers, 3speed auto or 5speed manual. then it came back in 91 with a M42 (europe got M40's before 91) the M42 318 coupes and sedans were all 91 models but production started mid-1990. the cabrios went on for a 92 model.

the 325/325e (2.7L) or ETA started in 84 and ended in 88, the last model in 88 was called the superETA, but still not totally different from the previous eta's. 86-87 saw 325es' which was a sporty eta with a large front airdam and rear spoiler.

1987 was the first year for the 325is/325i/325iC with the 2.5L M20. the 87 325is was loaded and everything was included from the factory, its also the lightest 325is of the e30 generation. the 88's looked a little different with a new front valance, lower cut rear fender arches, new (bigger) tail lights, and euro ellipsoid headlights. 1989 saw a much different e30 look with new plastic bumpers (nice and short compared to the Al bumpers), and a sporty lip on iS models. 1990 was practically the same as 89, except for the deletion of pop-out rear windows, and the addition of a front airbag. 1991 (or maybe it was 1990) was the year the cabrios finally changed to plastic bumpers, and the 325is was discontinued.

after 88 the 325is still required a sport package to get the basketweave wheels, lip, and sport seats. and in 1990 a non-sport 2door was just called a 325i.

giordano · 10-19-2003, 01:14 PM

Many thanks! I'm starting my hunt as we speak. Definitely looking for a 6 cylinder. I've got another question.... How hard is it to, or how much does it cost to rebuild one of inline 6's. I've been itching to do a turbo swap onto something, and this could be it. I just don't know if i should be throwing too much boost at something with 250k on it. Thanks again,

Richard

MrM3 · 10-19-2003, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by giordano@Oct 19 2003, 01:54 PM
Many thanks! I'm starting my hunt as we speak. Definitely looking for a 6 cylinder. I've got another question.... How hard is it to, or how much does it cost to rebuild one of inline 6's. I've been itching to do a turbo swap onto something, and this could be it. I just don't know if i should be throwing too much boost at something with 250k on it. Thanks again,

Richard

that all depends on much of the labor you can do yourself. a very worthwhile thing to do if you go the turbo route is to rebuild your M20 to 2.8L's in order to get more torque and hp while keeping a decent compression ratio for the turbo application. a stroker kit to go 2.8L's would probably be around $2000-2500, i'm just guessing but the whole thing could come out to around $6k depending on labor. see if you can find a bmw specialist in your area to get a good estimate

giordano · 10-19-2003, 03:50 PM

What's the biggest stock engine that's an easy swap? A stroker kit is definitely not in the budget. I'd be able to assemble the engine myself so the only costs would be machine work (those two words sound expensive....) and a rebuild kit.

m42technic · 10-19-2003, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by giordano@Oct 19 2003, 02:30 PM
What's the biggest stock engine that's an easy swap? A stroker kit is definitely not in the budget. I'd be able to assemble the engine myself so the only costs would be machine work (those two words sound expensive....) and a rebuild kit.

A lot of people throw in M50's...

It all depends on what your budget is. You could probably build a reletivly cheap M20 stroker, but then again I know someone whos got $6k in a 3.0L M20 stroker.