I love a good engine swap, the more creative the better. But it’s also great to merge two classics together, like peanut butter and jelly.
This is an E30 318i, and at a glance, it’s just a 318i, and a particularly clean one at that. It has BBS wheels and some aftermarket lights, but other than that it looks like any other E30 you’d see on the road. But look a little closer and you’ll notice an aftermarket exhaust. Then look a little closer at those wheels; there are five lugnuts, not the traditional four. That gives a few hints, but popping the hood reveals all. It is not a 318i, not even close. This has the 3.2-liter S54 straight-six and a six-speed from an E46 M3.
via Bring a Trailer
That means the 318i, which came stock with about 100 hp, has more than triple that now. The S54 in this 318i was also rebuilt with new rod bearings, and Beisan VANOS components. There’s also a CSL-style airbox, a tune, and a Supersprint exhaust. The five-lug hubs are from an E36, as are the brakes. The suspension has Eibach springs, adjustable camber plates, and upgraded sway bars.
via Bring a Trailer
The paint was stripped and a new coat of factory black was put on in 2021. The interior looks lovely, with a ZHP shift knob and a Momo wheel. There’s a lot to love here.
This car is for sale now on Bring-a-Trailer, and with a week left bidding is already at for $41,000. We’ll update when the auction closes, and if you by it, give us a call.
