BMW E30 Estate

[gearhead]

Am not too familiar with BMWs and would like to know if you have seen a 1990 BMW E30 station wagon. What is the going rate of one of these in the Philippines if in really good condition?

They weren't released in the U.S. I was told. Eurospec daw.

What is a 1.8 litre euro spec M42 engine? How is it aspirated? Are there things to look out for with one of these?

Any comments from the BMW fans about this type of car?

[empy]

you're right, the e30 wagon was not released in the US. but the e30's are bulletproof cars, and there are plenty of coupe and sedan versions tooling around the highways here, including the original e30 m3.

i am not sure if the euro spec is much different from a US spec, but the US spec M42 is a nicely balanced four banger that loves to rev (as you might expect from a bimmer). my godfather's son still has his 318is with the 1.8 M42, and it's still a blast to drive.

the only irritants are that the bmw leather does not age or wear very well, and he had some problems with the head gaskets. otherwise, the car has run well for 180,000 miles...

edit - the m42 is naturally aspirated...

[gearhead]

ah naturally aspirated could present less problems.

by the way, how was the automatic on these cars?

is there any intrinsic value to a version that is a station wagon? and how would one normally keep its engine running like a tank?

[StraightSix]

Does it have the original engine? All E30 318 Tourings produced were equipped with the M40 ... only the convertible and saloon got the M42 (for E30 318's). Anyway, the M40 is also a tough 4-pot. It uses a timing belt so it's good to check when was the last time it's been replaced.

M40 B18
Number of Cylinders - 4
Effective Displacement - 1796 cc
Power - 115 BHP (112 BHP with cat) * 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque - 165 Nm (162 Nm with cat) * 4250 rpm

M42 B18
Number of Cylinders - 4
Effective Displacement - 1796 cc
Power - 135 BHP * 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque - 172 Nm * 4600 rpm

For common problems:
http://www.e30info.com/pages/maintainence.htm

[empy]

the E30 touring didn't use the M42? :shocked2: you learn something new everyday. i wonder why they made that decision.

anyway, bmw automatic trannies aren't an issue afaik

[gearhead]

Does it have the original engine? All E30 318 Tourings produced were equipped with the M40 ... only the convertible and saloon got the M42 (for E30 318's). Anyway, the M40 is also a tough 4-pot. It uses a timing belt so it's good to check when was the last time it's been replaced.

M40 B18
Number of Cylinders - 4
Effective Displacement - 1796 cc
Power - 115 BHP (112 BHP with cat) * 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque - 165 Nm (162 Nm with cat) * 4250 rpm

M42 B18
Number of Cylinders - 4
Effective Displacement - 1796 cc
Power - 135 BHP * 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque - 172 Nm * 4600 rpm

For common problems:
http://www.e30info.com/pages/maintainence.htm

Hey thanks for the tip on the M40 vs M42 possible swap. What do I check to see if there had been a swap? What are the visible differences between the two? This would change the value of said vehicle right?

Because when I asked the guy he said it was an M42 type. As I am unfamiliar with either I wasn't sure.

[StraightSix]

Hey thanks for the tip on the M40 vs M42 possible swap. What do I check to see if there had been a swap? What are the visible differences between the two? This would change the value of said vehicle right?

Here's the 1.8li SOHC M40:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...27&hg=11&fg=05

And the 1.8li DOHC M42:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...29&hg=11&fg=05

I don't know much about the local market ... but at that age and being a touring, a swap probably won't affect the value at all.

the E30 touring didn't use the M42? :shocked2: you learn something new everyday. i wonder why they made that decision.

So do I ...

Afterall, the saloon - which was the first to come out and started with the M10 - was upgraded to the M40 and then the M42 eventually. Convertibles, which came out last, had the M40 first and then the M42.

[6shooter]

mga bosing. kung DOHC yung isa at SOHC ang isa di makikita niya po pag tininingnan ang taas ng makina.

yung SOHC kasing reliable po ng DOHC na tukoy ni sir M54?

[albert101]

Depending on its condition, but you should be able to get one thats between 200 to 500k.