E30 90' 318is

DrPierceMD

DrPierceMD

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Well I am new to this forum and I think it is excellent. A lot of great information here.
I have a 1990 318is and a 2004 325ci. I am trying to find out what kind of perfomance parts people have used for there 90 318is'.
Big Daddy I noticed that you have one also. Have you add any mods or just leave it stock.
Right now I have added a free-flow air filter, new OEM clutch, 60/40 lowering springs, power disc rotors up front and OEM rotors in back, new brake pads, and some interior mods.
If anyone has any other mod ideas please let me know.
 
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Big Daddy

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Welcome, mine is a 91 and it has had the following modifications:

Conforti Chip
Dinan Stage II Suspension
Racing Dynamics front & rear strut braces
Dinan Cold Air Intake
Zender Aerodynamics
Borbet 15 inch wheels
ATE Power Disc Rotors
Stainless Steel Brake lines
Performance Exhaust
Full Instrumentation (Diff Temp, Oil Temp, Oil Pressure)
Tinted Windows
UUC Short Shifter
Redline fluids (Diff/Brake Fluid/Transmission)
Mobil One
Alpine AM/FM/CD Player

Most of the "aftermarket" things were done by my brother before I purchased it from him. My daughter is currently using it as her college car.
 
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Ben

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Big Daddy- quick question. where can i get those sensors (diff temp, oil temp, oil pressure, etc...) and how easy are they to install? i guess i might not need them but they cant hurt.
 
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bmd2ba

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What does a new chip do for you if you're not trying to break speed records or demoralize Honda owners? Is it all-around worthwhile for anybody? Is it a welcome improvement for everyday drivers, and for cars that could use some smoothing out of the under-the-hood workings? I guess what I'm trying to ask is "What's it for?"

Steve
 
brahtw8

brahtw8

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Make sure you guys are talking about the same car. The E30 318is was sold in the US in 1991 only, and has the 16v M42 engine. In Europe, I believe they sold the 8 valve 318i for several years longer than in the US (1984-85 only), so you may be comparing cars with different engines.
 
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Big Daddy

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bmd2ba said:
What does a new chip do for you if you're not trying to break speed records or demoralize Honda owners? Is it all-around worthwhile for anybody? Is it a welcome improvement for everyday drivers, and for cars that could use some smoothing out of the under-the-hood workings? I guess what I'm trying to ask is "What's it for?"

Steve
Click to expand...
The Conforti chip raised the redline and removed the top speed limiter. For everyday use it does not change much, except that when you find yourself in a jam, needing that extra umph, it is great. It really makes the M42 motor a better all around performer.
 
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Big Daddy

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brahtw8 said:
Make sure you guys are talking about the same car. The E30 318is was sold in the US in 1991 only, and has the 16v M42 engine. In Europe, I believe they sold the 8 valve 318i for several years longer than in the US (1984-85 only), so you may be comparing cars with different engines.
Click to expand...
Your half right, The e30 318is was sold in the US prior to 1991, however the 1991 is the only e30 to have the M42 motor. Which is the reason I said, "Mine is a 91".
 
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rjp325i

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The M40/42 16v 318i was available as both a 1990 and 1991. The BMW parts manual for US cars lists both years. The Roundel did a road test on the model in early 1990 and appeared in the July issue. The old E30 318i was available only as a 1984 and 1985 model in the US. The M40 1990 produced 134 hp and the M42 1991 produced 138 hp.

The Conforti chip in addition to what big Daddy said results in a smoother running engine as well as yielding a slight increase in gas mileage. However driving style can affect this dramatically. The performance difference is similar to the performance difference when driving with the A/C on versus off. That is a very simplified description of the performance change.
 
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brahtw8

brahtw8

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Big Daddy said:
Your half right, The e30 318is was sold in the US prior to 1991, however the 1991 is the only e30 to have the M42 motor. Which is the reason I said, "Mine is a 91".
Click to expand...
ICBW, but I am fairly confident that the 318is was 1991 only in the US. I can't find any examples of a 1990 model year 318is for sale or any reference to such a car.

rjp325i-I believe you when you say it is listed in the parts catalog, but I still don't think we got any 1990s in the US. BMW made such a big deal when the 318i came "back with a vengeance" (to quote their original ad copy from 1990) as a 1991, and if Roundel was testing it in early 1990, that seems to suggest it was a 1991 model year car.

The original US 318i was badged 318i in 2 and 4 door form, but only as a 1984 and 1985. We must always be careful to distinguish between model year and calendar year.

In any event, it appears you are talking about cars with two different engines. I don't think Conforti makes a chip for a 1990 Euro-spec 318is.
 
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rjp325i

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Try looking up publication PN 89 09 1 000 314 September 1992. It was published by BMW of North America, Aftersales Development. The BMW Quick Reference Parts Guide is provided by BMW dealers to assist in obtaining Original BMW replacement parts. It is useful in that it is not only for the 3 series. Some of the part numbers have been superceded but it makes it easier to get the right part from a dealer if that is the only source for certain parts. The M40 and M42 are almost identical engines. A little tweaking gave the M42 a few hp more than the M40. My old 1985 318i had the earlier M10 engine. Both engines lacked bottom end power but the 16v engine is a very nice high rev engine.
 
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