Newfound beema love

A

absent

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#1
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Newcastle. Australia
#1
Hey peoples.

I have been reading posts in this forum for a few weeks now. It all started after seeing a couple of e30's around town, and thinking how cool they look, and then thinking how much i'd like to get rid of my stinking lazy diesel Cressida and get one.

So i have been doing some research, especially on the 3 series, and have been on the look out for one. I'm pretty sure i don't want a 318, too small an engine.
From what i've read on here the M30 engines sound pretty damn sweet. Am i correct in thinking that it is only the 333i e30 that has this, the other 6's are m20's (or something else, like just a 4cyl.)

I have recently come across an 84 528i, which until now i had not even thought about the older 5 series as i didn't really like the look of them, however this one looks pretty good. I believe it is an e28.. with the m30.
I know there is a 5 series forum on this site, and have looked on there but there is a sever shortage of information, especially compared to this forum.
I was wondering if you guys have any thoughtrs and suggestions for someone new to beemas. Especially seeing that i am a student, thus not having a great deal of money.
I don't know if you guys have had much to do with the 5 series or not, either way, it'd be great to hear what you think.
I'm pretty keen on the 3's, however by the sounds of things an m30 would be great, which is why this 528i really caught my eye.
Any nasty things i need to look out for. I've read that the tail shaft uni-joints (or somethings similar) tend to pack it in after some miles, and a few of them tend to give some idling troubles, but other than that......?????

Ok
Thanks heaps.
 
N

nadroj

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#2
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Dallas
#2
accually the 1990-91 318is are pretty damn sweet, my friend has a 325is and i have a 318is (both e30;s of corse) my 318is just had a chip and would jump ahead of him if we raced to 60 and mine would win to 60mph after that he slowly caught up. also my 318is was better balanced and handled a little better, we both autox and he never came within 1 second of my times in my 318is, still the m20 is a bullet proof engine. The m42 (which is in the 1991 318iS) is a way more advanced motor (and a very good one if you ask me)
 
L

ldzpstnr

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#5
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#5
The older 318i's 1984-85 had the M10 four cylinder engine. 8 valves, single over cam with 105 horsepower and 99 ft lbs of torque I think. You can modify that engine too if you want, but its an old design from the 60's. They probably weigh the same as the newer 318is with the m42. I have owned two of the older 318i's and had good luck with both of them. Gets only slightly better mileage then the 1984-88 325 ETA 2.7 engine, without all the nice torque. But the M10 does rev well... it likes to be reved up.
 
L

ldzpstnr

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#9
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#9
No doubt EPJ3. A turbo M10 is a great motor. The M10 engine is a great motor, just an old design. I think it was first made in like 1962. I have a 2.0 M10 out of a '78 320i that I want to put into some old school convertable someday... like maybe an MGB or Triumph. Through a turbo on it and that little car would be great in the summer time. I actually have a couple M10 blocks and heads sitting around.


I like the light weight of the 4 cylinder cars too. You can feel a difference. I want a 318is someday. Later
 
Chesty Bonds

Chesty Bonds

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#10
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#10
absent said:
Hey peoples.

I have been reading posts in this forum for a few weeks now. It all started after seeing a couple of e30's around town, and thinking how cool they look, and then thinking how much i'd like to get rid of my stinking lazy diesel Cressida and get one.

So i have been doing some research, especially on the 3 series, and have been on the look out for one. I'm pretty sure i don't want a 318, too small an engine.
From what i've read on here the M30 engines sound pretty damn sweet. Am i correct in thinking that it is only the 333i e30 that has this, the other 6's are m20's (or something else, like just a 4cyl.)

I have recently come across an 84 528i, which until now i had not even thought about the older 5 series as i didn't really like the look of them, however this one looks pretty good. I believe it is an e28.. with the m30.
I know there is a 5 series forum on this site, and have looked on there but there is a sever shortage of information, especially compared to this forum.
I was wondering if you guys have any thoughtrs and suggestions for someone new to beemas. Especially seeing that i am a student, thus not having a great deal of money.
I don't know if you guys have had much to do with the 5 series or not, either way, it'd be great to hear what you think.
I'm pretty keen on the 3's, however by the sounds of things an m30 would be great, which is why this 528i really caught my eye.
Any nasty things i need to look out for. I've read that the tail shaft uni-joints (or somethings similar) tend to pack it in after some miles, and a few of them tend to give some idling troubles, but other than that......?????

Ok
Thanks heaps.
Click to expand...
Hey. I have to agree with what the guys have said here regarding the 318is. I have one and I can tell you that the M42 4-banger is a truly superb engine. It's pretty advanced so it needs regular servicing by a proper BMW mechanic. Having said that, my engine has been great. It's smooth as silk, makes a great noise for a 4-pot, and revs it's head off and asks for seconds. Great fun.

There is no doubt that a 325is is a great car though. It's true that the M20's ("little six") extra weight means it'll handle a lot less sweetly than a 318is, but it's a great engine with loads more midrange twist. The noise it makes is beautiful too. Either way, you'd be getting yourself a great car.

The E28's I know a lot less about. What has been indicated to me is that they can have a lot of engine management issues due to the fact that they were one of the first BMWs to switch to full electronic engine management. They're also getting pretty long in the tooth... BUT, our family did have an E23 735i which had the 3.5L M30 "big six" and that was just an absolute gem of an engine, and you'll find this in an E28 535i if you can locate one. It's pretty rare that you see an E28 535i in OZ, much less one that's in good nick and manual. By all means, if you want an E28 I'm sure it could be a good experience, but an E30 will handle much better and will cost you less in parts and servicing, as well as being lighter on the fuel.

Hope this helps a bit.
 
Last edited:
A

absent

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#11
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Newcastle. Australia
#11
Ok. Thanks for all that info.
Don't think i'll worry about an e28, stick to the e30's.
You've got me considering 318's now.
Although i do like the sound of the extra performance of the m42, i don't much like the idea of having to get it serviced be a bmw mehcanic.
The main thing i'm after is a good reliable engine, and one that goes alright as well is even better, and of course handling is pretty high on the priority list, but hey, that's a large reason why i started looking towards bmw's. Having said that, i'm currently driving a diesel cressida so anything's gonna seem like a rocket. Although she does handle very well with the custom king springs and bilstiens. (why you ask did i put such expensive suspension in a diesel. to cut a long story short. It's an import, and very rare in oz, and the old springs and shocks were dead... so i really didn't have a choice, couldn't get anything else for it)

Would the extra handling of just a 318i (non-'s'), justify it's lack of power versus say a 323i or 320i??
 
E

epj3

Senior Member
#12
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#12
ldzpstnr said:
No doubt EPJ3. A turbo M10 is a great motor. The M10 engine is a great motor, just an old design. I think it was first made in like 1962. I have a 2.0 M10 out of a '78 320i that I want to put into some old school convertable someday... like maybe an MGB or Triumph. Through a turbo on it and that little car would be great in the summer time. I actually have a couple M10 blocks and heads sitting around.


I like the light weight of the 4 cylinder cars too. You can feel a difference. I want a 318is someday. Later
Click to expand...
What about turbo m10 in a 2002?? Probably almost as light as the MGB and definitely more balanced.

Though neither is a bad idea [:D]
 
Chesty Bonds

Chesty Bonds

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#13
absent said:
Although i do like the sound of the extra performance of the m42, i don't much like the idea of having to get it serviced be a bmw mehcanic.
Click to expand...
Hey I think you misunderstood that a bit. You definitely don't need to have the M42 serviced by a BMW dealership if that's what you're worried about. I have mine serviced by an independent mechanic who specialises in BMWs, especially E30s. In fact, in most cases, the servicing carried out by independent mechanics is better than if a dealership is doing it because the independent mechanic wants/needs you to come back.

My mechanic will always look for the best financial option too which is good. So although I'm using genuine BMW parts he can locate reco'd bits that work just as well and cost half the price. So don't worry about getting an M42; they're as tough as guts!
 
A

absent

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#16
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#16
yeah ok. sounds good.

I'll keep looking. But from what i've seen, 318is's don't seem very common in Australia.

I'm actually going to check out a 320i tonight. 88. manual. 185,000kms, new water pump and timing belt recently. $5500. i think he's askin a bit much, i'm keen to have a look.
 
A

absent

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#17
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#17
well, checked her out. Very very tidy. I was actually surprised at just how good of condition it's in. It was also my first drive of a BMW.. and tell ya what.. i know why you guys love them. It was sensational. It just feels so tight and precise. Even though the shift linkages were all sloppy like i've heard they are notorious for, each gear was still exactly where it should be and the actually gear box felt smooth as, despite the poor communication between the shifter knob and the box.

Big thumbs up from me :)
 
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