Leaderboard

K swap!

I'm a big fan of the M20's character / sound (I'm assuming B20 vs B25 isn't too different - I may be off the mark there). M42 / M44 however will be a little quicker than a 320i and should also feel lighter / pointier up front and more eager to rev - I suspect it would a better contrast to your beast. While the weight balance of a 325i / 318is may not look much different on paper, I was genuinely surprised how much less 'push' there was driving an M42 swapped car vs mine back to back - mine felt clumsier once you started to push on a bit.

Tried the Turtle Wax headlight kit on the original headlight that was not replaced by insurance. The kit includes a heavy duty polishing compound for lighter UV damaged headlights in addition to the wet sanding kit, being conservative I just went with the polishing compound option with the sealant and I'm very happy with the result. It's not perfect but for the level of effort vs result I'm more than happy to recommend the product, from memory it was one of the cheaper restoration kits.

@turboray82 Shouldn’t be 40k for the swap! I’ve just realised the rear seats from the green sedan won’t work in a touring though so would have to budget for reupholstering the minging red / black ones. if I win powerball I’ll do it…feels inappropriate parting out a proper m5 for the engine but as this one is already a mongrel so to speak I reckon it would be ok. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1972550 here’s the protocol to follow

You're better of going with a 316/318i and m54 swapping it. The price on m20b25s these days is ridiculous. You can pick up an m54 half the price and have a more modern engine with a better power band that is more than enough for an e30.

Some of you anoraks may find this interesting- an old thread on the M5 board that showcases a Brit’s experience doing the Nowack thing with his e39 20 odd years ago… https://www.m5board.com/threads/nowack-tuning-report-the-truth-long-version.13288/

asking to be put back to original spec and cut out the spare wheel well. colour combo is lovely, would be so nice with OEM wheels probably not worthwhile from a financial standpoint currently. this would be a fantastic receptacle for the running gear and interior if someone was to part out (even better if resprayed to Oxford Green!)

Hello, im looking to buy an e30 in the very near future, and have come across a couple different options. I’m not looking to spend a massive amount of cash as the 135i clubsport car eats all my money, so a manual 325i is out the question. that being said so far options are (all manual or will be swapped to be manual), m20b20 or a m44 swapped one. Anyone have much experience with these engines? What suits the car better. I don’t need fast (the 135i is plenty fast for when I want that) but I want fun and rewarding to drive, something that you can wring the power out of. Open to modifying the engine too cams etc but no forced Induction, want to keep the N/A revving character. if I went m20b20, b25 swap is something I’d consider doing. but yeah looking for recommendations, experiences etc with m20s, m44s, or even other budget friendly options in an e30 specifically. cheers!

M44 imo. Can't wait to finish building mine for my E36.

As is id take the M44 over the B20 for sure. Id rather do a M50\M52 conversion on a M20B20, i love the B25 but engine prices seem ridiculous to me for what you are getting. M44 vs M20B25 is a hard choice for me because they got their both strong points. M44 is probably the cheaper option with less maintenance. IMO they are more fun to wind out (in stock'ish form at least) with a light weight flywheel, more modern EFI, DOHC and decent factory headers. Modding support for M20 is greater but both can be made into N\A screamers if you want to dump money into them. Drive a few different ones and im sure you will a better idea though.

If you can find/sort a manual M44, that would be a lot of fun.

Exactly. The cost to drop into another chassis wouldn't be very economical. Just should of used an msport car.

@modz I have posted on BMW New Zealand || Discussions/Classifieds/Parts on F.B if you haven't seen already a complete S85 and s65 manual conversion im looking at selling if your keen? Flick me a txt on 0276968560 if your interested. Thanks Richard

I think it makes sense. e39 body is great. I imagine the owner wasn't looking for a major project - just had to replace the shell due to failed wof or something. Interior looks beautiful also.

I feel like this running gear should have been dropped into something cool when the M5 shell was deemed a loss. Like what Ray has done in the past with the E46 or E87's. The 530 body is just not attractive. Especially at that price.

Both the origional M5 and the donor came to us for the conversion. The Trade Me discription is accurate. Well priced.

NC500 is a fast road around the north of scotland. Well publicised in various magazines, Evo Octane and suchlike. Much loved by various owners clubs too, I'd suggest the seller is suggesting some link to the area, given the McAlpine heritage. What happened to the original shell, hmm no guessing here two choices here, rusted out beyond repair or simply fell to bits 😀 Update: I'm wrong above, Oliver Nowack is a German M5 specialist tuner see link below, ref the Nowack N500 (503bhp) https://www.m5board.com/threads/nowack-tuning-report-the-truth-long-version.13288/

2.5k upwards.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/130i/listing/5169713908.... yikes.