cyberwired

sh*t ok I see what your saying, I wasn't sure how different they would be and I've not had that much experience in what needs to be changed. Here I was hoping to get a 318i, buy a 2.3L engine off trade me, sell the 1.8L engine on trademe for a few hundred less than the 2.3 and pay a little to get them swapped around (or figure out how myself)! I'm not after turbo or an E30, I'd like whatever is after E36 (E42 is it?) but can't afford that so want to look at 36 I've had my fun in my 1.8 turbo GSR, now I'm wanting something a little calmer that doesn't drink gas so heavily which can still fit 4 people in easily (my girlfriend has a 5yr old daughter who still needs carseat etc) Reason I've not wanted 1.8L is I've been told they are really gutless, I've not actually driven one but is this the case? My 1.8L Pulsar isn't fast but it doesn't feel gutless so I'm not sure that BMW being heavier might be an issue?

Hopefully theres a few people here who can give me advise on this I've always been a fan of BMW's, Dad owns a 745iM (the old 87 model of which only 270 odd were made and has a 3.5L and sounds gorgeous with 165kw at the wheels ) I'm looking at getting rid of the GSR and finally getting into a BMW, I'm quite picky in what I want and I see a lot of cars that look good but they are all 1.8L So what I'm thinking is I find a nice looking 318i and swap the engine to say a 2.3L or 2.8L. My question really is this, will a 2.0L/2.3L/2.8L from an E36 drop straight in to replace the 1.8L and attach straight onto the gearbox (probably auto as it will be used for work in traffic) Would I need to get the ECU for the larger engine? Are there any changes such as suspension, braking etc when you go from a 318 to a 320/323/328? Cheers everyone, the help is much appreciated!