Picked up an E30

While on our Smoky Mountain Tour this week, I found a 1991 318is at a towing yard in Highlands, NC. As the body looked really good with no rust and original paint, I paid the guy $450 for it, rented a trailer and dragged it home. It has engine issues due to a timing belt breaking. The spare, tools, radiator, shroud and power steering pump are missing. It is a slick top with no sunroof. So what should we do with it? I was thinking either restore it to stock, as the they are getting rare and valuable, modify it mildly, or put the new 2.0 liter 240 hp BMW four cylinder engine in it. Heck, at the price I bought it for, it is Lemons or $20XX Challenge eligible too. Hate to tear up this now rarre car with original paint and body panels.

Ahhh, nice score. Some e30 goodness.

Stock could bring bucks.
LS swap could bring track days!

If you're gonna do it, go big

Engine swap, street mod build? I know LS is the "easy button" these days, but I'd love to see it keep something from the BMW line.

Restore it to stock.

240 horse 4 banger is my vote!

Tim,

I would start with finding a 318ti for the 5 lug suspension upgrade. That and all the parts you are missing would be under the hood of your parts car.

David

A few thoughts,

1. What's actually wrong with the engine? BMW sold zero four cylinder cars in North America with timing belts so it's not a failed belt.
2. What does the complete 2.0 turbo from a modern BMW weigh versus one of the later aluminum block N/A 6 cylinders? The turbo + intercooler + assorted plumbing adds a surprising amount of weight.
3. Air flow and cooling in the engine bay? All older BMWs are tight in the engine bay and I've heard of many issues with the newer turbo cars running on track running hot in a few laps. Does the E30 have room to get good cooling for a turbo engine?

Tim,

I think that it's a ruined car. You should cut your loses. I'll take it off your hand and dispose of it!

Seriously though, keep it bmw, possibly the modern turbo 4, or IF needed, rebuild the original motor into a high-revving funster!

Rust free, original paint, slicktop? Even with the engine issues $450 was a 'you suck' price.

I'd tend to leave it original, or mostly so (there are plenty of bolt on updates for e30s that could be easily undone later on if desired) I think the value of a good 318is in original condition is only going to go up.

If it's a keeper, restore it. If it's not, either a restomod with a 2.0 turbo - OR! - build a high-revving aluminum 4.8 LS and have some 348is badges made.

S54, ZF 5 speed with lightweight flywheel, entire rear from an M coupe modded to accept real coil overs and adjustable camber/toe. 3.64 LSD. Great dampers and sways. M3 OR Z3 rack.

It makes a very fast, great sounding, great looking car.

Tire will be an issue if you aren't keen on making some more room for them.

One of the limiting factors is going to be the tires, there is only so much room under the stock fenders. If the existing sheet metal is that clean you have a choice.

Hartage did make a 4x100, 16x7.5 with the correct offset. They are heavy, but they do look period correct.

Tim Suddard wrote: ...put the new 2.0 liter 240 hp BMW four cylinder engine in it...

Are you referring to the contemporary B48? Do you know something I don't, or are you just ready to tackle a modern Valvetronic/DI engine either by standalone or hacking the stock ECU to free it from its home? Or N20?

Either way, I'd love to see you guys do this, even if it means everyone finds it less exciting when I get to it

Of course, the things other folks are saying make sense. I really miss my M52B28-swapped E30. Huckleberry's recipe sounds awesome. Don't forget the Z3 steering rack, whatever you do.

N20 swap is my vote, because I really want to read about that, so I can do it myself one day.

I vote prep it for rallyx duties and come join us for the ECNC. You've got 3 weeks, that's enough right?

ECNC GRM thread

I do think a rally prepped E30 with that new four cylinder would be cool. Might settle the 4 vs 6 cylinder Rallyx E30 argument that irish44j and I have been having for years.

I would like to see an ecoboost with a six speed. But I am usually a bit outside the norm.

Stop rally/rallycrossing that wrong-wheel drive thing, and come do it right...the fun way.

I picked up an E30 once. I didn't lift with my knees. Two surgeries later....

Open up the wallet for an M52 swap?

LSx/T56 (fast, but chevy)

Oooh... OM603? That would keep it german.

Rotary? Can haz brap?

You don't need need to open your wallet for an m52 swap. My m52b28 rallyx prepped e30 could easily be replicatd for Challenge $$.

curtis73 wrote: Rotary?

small children may be reading this forum. Please stop it with the profanity...

but seriously, IDK why you guys are all up on the high-power swaps. The M42 is a great engine (with forged internals from the factory), and the 318is has excellent balance. I've had many opportunities to swap something bigger into mine, but every time I think about it, I realize that losing the great balance wouldn't be worth the extra power...

Tim Suddard wrote: While on our Smoky Mountain Tour this week, I found a 1991 318is at a towing yard in Highlands, NC. As the body looked really good with no rust and original paint, I paid the guy $450 for it, rented a trailer and dragged it home.

I love the phrasing. There was no choice involved, only duty

curtis73 wrote: Rotary? Can haz brap?

Only if you cut out the abonination of a rear suspension and install an Escort 4-linked solid axle like God and Boreham intended.

But this is better done to some worthless 325e and not a unicorn 318is.

Another vote for stock and let someone else enjoy a near-legend.

(Along with that vote comes a sarcastic eye-roll at all these car show personalities that claim to love "pissing off Mopar/BMW/Ford/GM guys" by modifying a factory original car. I couldn't care less if you put an LS in a '65 Mustang but don't be a d-bag and claim to love pissing people off that feel differently than you do about a car. Do your swap and STFU)

/rant

PS, it's 6:15 on a Fathers Day Sunday morning and I'm at work

These are one of those cars that have a bit of magic about them. I've never owned one. Never even really driven one more than a little bit. I think it would take living with one for a bit to understand what it is. Kind of like meeting a woman that you know is special, but you also know you can't know what exactly it is until you spend time together.
So what is it that's special, and how do you reveal and show that to us?