Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: Typical 1985 318i Engine?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Eugene, OR
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1998 740i

    Typical 1985 318i Engine?

    I was looking at a 318i on Craigslist with 160k for a project and being unfamiliar with the car, I figured it hard to believe this is what the engine is supposed to look like in this car. Can someone please tell me? And do you all think it is worth $1200?




    Thank you!
    -Jacob

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bavaria
    Posts
    1,528
    My Cars
    Mostly tourings.
    Apart from the air filter, that is a BMW M10 4-cylinder engine, so that's correct. I wouldn't pay 1.2k for that car, but I know that E30 prices have really gone up stateside...
    Quote Originally Posted by IWannaBMW View Post
    me and her, a saddle, some motor oil and some jumper cables, it would be a hell of a weekend my friends


  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Eugene, OR
    Posts
    2
    My Cars
    1998 740i
    Thanks for the reply.(: I think I might do it. I haven't seen any for this kind of price here.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    6,481
    My Cars
    E30 E36 E46 E90
    Just remember that the M10 is a huge turd unless you are planning on tossing it, or doing a turbo. In addition, that car will have small front strut housings, no ABS, and IIRC, rear drums.
    2011 M3 Sedan
    2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD LBZ
    1999 323i GTS2
    1995 M3 - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
    1990 325is
    1989 M3 - S54B32/GS6-37BZ

    Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo
    Hers: 1989 325iX


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Reno, NV
    Posts
    890
    My Cars
    90 E30 325i
    That's an M10 normally found in the E21's. It isn't known for being a powerhouse but its really good on gas since its a 4 cylinder.
    IT'S A BMW E30: The best and last 3 Series ever made. '90 325i | M20B25, 168 hp, 0-60: 7.2, 15.4@93mph, Top Speed: 138 mph | My E30 Videos

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Washington, DC
    Posts
    6,481
    My Cars
    E30 E36 E46 E90
    Quote Originally Posted by mountainman141 View Post
    That's an M10 normally found in the E21's. It isn't known for being a powerhouse but its really good on gas since its a 4 cylinder.
    In an E30, the M10's fuel economy is pretty mediocre. Ancient design and engine management hurt it a lot.
    2011 M3 Sedan
    2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD LBZ
    1999 323i GTS2
    1995 M3 - S50B32/S6S420G/3.91
    1990 325is
    1989 M3 - S54B32/GS6-37BZ

    Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo
    Hers: 1989 325iX


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    usa
    Posts
    364
    My Cars
    92 318ic 90 325ic
    I would not think you could find any value or enjoyment in that motor. My bro had an 84 318i and it was nothing to speak about. $1200 is NOT worth it at all. I would be in the $400-$600 dollar range as, well that car looks awful. In all honesty, the junk yard that I pick has better examples than that. K&N air filter????

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Baltimore, Md.
    Posts
    174
    My Cars
    87 325ic
    Quote Originally Posted by ricky914 View Post
    I would not think you could find any value or enjoyment in that motor. My bro had an 84 318i and it was nothing to speak about. $1200 is NOT worth it at all. I would be in the $400-$600 dollar range as, well that car looks awful. In all honesty, the junk yard that I pick has better examples than that. K&N air filter????
    Looks like a ricer :'-(

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Franklin, NC
    Posts
    6,157
    My Cars
    Spec E30, 91 318i
    Quote Originally Posted by ricky914 View Post
    I would not think you could find any value or enjoyment in that motor. My bro had an 84 318i and it was nothing to speak about. $1200 is NOT worth it at all. I would be in the $400-$600 dollar range as, well that car looks awful. In all honesty, the junk yard that I pick has better examples than that. K&N air filter????
    I have to agree, I would run not walk away from that car.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    bham al
    Posts
    137
    My Cars
    95 tour 5sp, 85 635 5sp
    Everyone on this thread is so blinded by m10 hatred that they did not notice that this car has a 5 lug conversion installed. This could easily be worth 500-1000 dollars all by itself as a valuable option. If it is not rusty and runs smoothly, you can easily replace the cone filter with a stock piece and put some factory e34 16" bbs wheels on it. The 318i is the lightest e30 ever produced and has incredible balance that it owes to it's father the 2002. I have owned both (318i and 325is) and I will tell you that if you are not going to transplant an M50 there is not a whole lot of difference. But what do I know, if it doesnt have an equally ancient rubber band m20 it has to be a dog turd right? SHEESH sometimes haters gotta hate.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Mount Juliet, Tennessee
    Posts
    769
    My Cars
    1985 BMW 318i
    While I agree with everyone else that you shouldn't buy that car, I disagree with the anti-M10 comments. As the owner of a M10 car, I don't see a problem with it. I get around 30mpg combined and have plenty of power to use it as my daily. If you want a speed machine it isn't it, but it excels handling-wise. A M20 car weighs around 2800 pounds, while my M10 car weighs around 2350. I personally like having less weight in the front.

    To answer the original questions:

    That engine bay looks correct, with the exception of the cone filter. It needs to go. In my mind, that's a $4-500 car, not $1200.

    Also, motorjunkie's above shot of that e21 is NICE, thank you for pointing out everything that is forgotton about the M10, such as the M12 F1 motor.
    Last edited by KI4UJO; 05-07-2013 at 10:56 PM.
    If I can restore this piece of junk, anything is possible. My progress thread : http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1607757
    The 318i Thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1602418

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Franklin, NC
    Posts
    6,157
    My Cars
    Spec E30, 91 318i
    Quote Originally Posted by motorjunkie View Post
    Everyone on this thread is so blinded by m10 hatred that they did not notice that this car has a 5 lug conversion installed. This could easily be worth 500-1000 dollars all by itself as a valuable option. If it is not rusty and runs smoothly, you can easily replace the cone filter with a stock piece and put some factory e34 16" bbs wheels on it. The 318i is the lightest e30 ever produced and has incredible balance that it owes to it's father the 2002. I have owned both (318i and 325is) and I will tell you that if you are not going to transplant an M50 there is not a whole lot of difference. But what do I know, if it doesnt have an equally ancient rubber band m20 it has to be a dog turd right? SHEESH sometimes haters gotta hate.
    Most likely cheap adapters.

  13. #13
    uberpanzer's Avatar
    uberpanzer is offline 4 banger's RULE!!! BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    8,076
    My Cars
    3cars-36v. Math FTW!
    Yup, those are NOT looking like 5x120 wheels and seem to be pretty far outboard, so I would say adapters. This car looks like it has lived a pretty hard life, but I've seen M20 powered cars on here in worse shape listed for higher prices (that they never should have fetched).

    Does this thing have the torque to be a 'mad drift car'? No.
    Will it be a blast in the corners with the engine screaming? You damn right!

    And that is an e30 M10 BTW. I see L-jet AFM and a fuel rail. E21 had no fuel rail and balance-style K-jet AFM. Still just as happy to take +12psi of boost on stock internals though.
    Metal Bumpers Are For BEEETCHES!!!!! "King of Lean" - Retired

    "If that bikini isn't made of Micro-Fiber and has Quick Detailer on it then GTFO!" -BabyM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •