E36 M3 Swap: 1989 BMW 325i E30
If you are confused when BMdubheads get into their nomenclature, you are not alone. And you don’t need to know the difference between an E36 and an E37 to understand the appeal of a rear-drive manual-transmission sport sedan from Germany. Find this 1989 BMW 325i E30 offered for $12,500 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.
The E30 was introduced in 1982, but this one comes from the post ’87 facelift, and has smaller integrated bumpers, removed chrome trim around window, and re-designed rear lights (among other things). It is a good looking example with good stance and good looking wheels.
Under the hood is a 3.2 liter S52 inline-6 that came from a 1996-1999 BMW M3, but it is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox from an E46 M3. Power in the S52 was 240 horsepower from the factory, but more is available with a few modifications, such as the S50 intake manifold and OBD1 cpu used by the seller.
Inside you will find a 6-speed manual gearbox shifter and a very nicely recently reupholstered black interior. It looks nice.
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The car does look quite nice. I've always been annoyed by people who use the internal designation for BMWs. I don't know any of them, and don't want to learn them. Yet there are people who use them always. Also annoying are people who use the term Fox body for mid-eighties Fords, and people who use the B5 etc. codes for VWs.
Every bad habit has it's jargon…
The six speed is a nice touch, almost all these swaps are the 5-speed that came in the E36 (or late 90's if you prefer) M3.
Also a nice upgrade is the 5 lug conversion, bigger wheels and brakes. I'm not sure if I could daily drive with a 4.10 reared.
This car is "better" than a e30 m3