rodit
Posted a lot
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Nov 21, 2009 18:42:11 GMT
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Ok guy's i am asking a lot here but can the RR pool of knowledge and images on BMW E30 please be released onto here.
Info on best engine to go for spec what they are like to drive economy the lot.
I know i am asking a lot but where else can i ask?
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Nov 21, 2009 19:05:56 GMT
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On the E30 forum?  |
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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Nov 21, 2009 19:11:37 GMT
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Tried that but you have to register plus find you get a broader un-biased opinion on a non affiliated site.  |
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Nov 21, 2009 20:01:25 GMT
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Nov 21, 2009 21:14:13 GMT
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318is all the way.....
1.8 16v engine, light chassis, economy, cheapish, about 150hp I think, gotta be worth a thought.
avoid 320i as its as thirsty as 325 but quite slow.
316i 318i M40 engine cars can be fun but are slow - I had an orange one
sorry no pics though as trouble enough typing thi.
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Nov 21, 2009 21:35:08 GMT
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realistically you have three choices, a 318is, a 235i or any of the others with some modification.
and you can get 30mpg+ out of the six pot engines (320/325/327/328) i normally get a combined sfrom swansea to mid wiltshire of 33 to 36mpg and 30mpg to exeter and back towing a 2 axle trailer.
i would sugest trying the E30Zone.net though, most of the people with e30s past or present are on there anyway.
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Nov 21, 2009 21:57:37 GMT
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Yea, I had a 325i - was a real nice piece of machinery and clocked up many thousands of miles without issues. They have cambelts and tensioners that need doing every 3 years/30,000 miles so worth bearing in mind. Just dig real hard and look about for rust, and the condition of the suspension & bushes, as you can rack up some bills that way. I really loved it though, and it was a great car to drive. I'd go for a 318iS (twin cam 4 pot, 16 valve, with a timing chain) and about 140BHP, or a 325i with around 170BHP. Go for one with a highest spec as possible!        I averaged about 28 to the gallon - but could eek out more if desired. I once got 39.8 on a 200 mile trip - had to do it at 60mph dead due to slower cars in the convoy  Stick an 'EcoTorq' chip (30 quid) in it, decent exhaust and an ITG panel filter and you'll free up some extra miles to the gallon (a little lowering won't hurt either) - plus make it even more lively.  |
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Last Edit: Nov 21, 2009 22:01:37 GMT by Lewis
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Nov 21, 2009 22:47:28 GMT
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filters on them do seem to make a huge difference, i guess there only as big as they need to be, so if its a cheep one or clogged up a little (like after 3k) then the mpg drops and it becomes cheeper in the long run to change them.
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Nov 21, 2009 23:28:32 GMT
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I had a 325is for a year or two. Absolutley loved that car. The M20 motors sound wonderful. Great handling cars and the "is" spec cars came with limited slip diffs, sport seats and some other niceties. It even managed to look good despite the US park bench bumpers  After I sold it I test drove a 318is as a possible replacement and was totally underwhelmed. After the 6cyl I just couldnt reccomend the 4....not without some kind of forced induction at least. These are not lightweight cars and they need all the torque they can get. |
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there light compared to a new one. 1490kg, thats an e34 5 series weight!
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I think most E34 5 series are more like 1600-1750kg. Big beasties! A 325i (E30) clocks in at about 1290kg, if it's a four door. A two-door 4 pot tends to clock the scales at about 1080kg |
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my touring weighs in at 1250kg, (6 pot, no leather, no abs, no air con) so a fully loaded 6 pot touring is 1290kg.
most of the saloons come in between 1100 and 1200.
all versions can be taken down to 1ton with conventional weight saving work,
extreme work can see a touring down to 950kg and a saloon down to 800kg! both were practically a shell with an engine though.
edit - boggo spec e 34 saloon 4 pot is a little over 1500kg, obviously rising from there. so a top spec e90 is not far behind on either size or weight.
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Last Edit: Nov 22, 2009 0:35:50 GMT by screech
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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Nov 22, 2009 20:39:09 GMT
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Guy's you are legends.
This is great info and just what i needed to know.
Had heard rumours about the 318 is. Are all 318 beemers 16v?
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Nov 22, 2009 20:43:12 GMT
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Guy's you are legends. This is great info and just what I needed to know. Had heard rumours about the 318 is. Are all 318 beemers 16v? Nah, not even in e46 form. I think the 8v makes about 110bhp. I've got a compact with the 16v 1.9 M44 engine, it is leisurely! |
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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Nov 22, 2009 20:58:18 GMT
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What you doing in somethin that swarv?
Seriously guy's all the info is greatly appreciated. ;D
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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beejay
Part of things
Posts: 202
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Nov 23, 2009 20:43:13 GMT
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The M40 318 is ok if you're after economy over power. I get about 30-35mpg when I've bothered to work it out. Plus spare engines are plentiful as a lot seem to get removed to make way for a 6 pot I only use mine as a daily/tat hauler so don't mind making slow progress; I have other cars to go fast in. I bought a cheap one and ended up fixing all the usual problem areas. Off the top of my head; rear suspension bushes, front control arms, fuel tank, central locking (still broken!), headlight adjusters, rear brake lines and rust in various areas. The M40 has hydraulic tappets which get very noisy after a while too but you can't adjust them, so I'm looking at a top end rebuild soon. |
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Nov 23, 2009 21:10:21 GMT
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M40 318i is a good enough motor with more torque than the M20B20 6 pot, just. They can be rattly on the top end, but if well amintained are a good enough and fairly nippy motor. 325i is nice but can be thirsty. Both are belt driven and the only belt driven BMW motors (anything M40 or M20) for good reason. Heads, cooling systems, exhaust manifold studs all need to be checked before buying. Intermittant lifter noise on M40 usually means it can still be rectified, permanent noise usually means a fair bit of work needed. 4 Doors not too popular, go for 2 door or touring. Central locking hardly ever works, light washers are ornamental. As said, rear bushes, front lower control arms, worn steering UJ's, leaky racks and the usual rust (though E30 rust is rarely an MOT fail) are what you need to watch out for.
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Anything with wheels.
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