Well guys, yesterday I officially went over to the dark side and left the AMG club. Picked up a beautiful e30 M3 w/ s52 swap out in OH. Currently en route driving it back to socal, spending the night in Kansas City this evening. Very different animal than the C43 I must say. It's loud, scary fast (dynoed at 238 rwhp and 230 rwtq), feels about a ton lighter, and looks the part. That all being said, I will miss the w202 AMG, and I'm sure my previous car won't be the last one that I own. There is an understated refinement about those cars that is hard to find in most other German performance cars. Anyway, even if I don't own one anymore, I don't plan on making myself a stranger here! Pics to follow once I get home safely

 

I was afraid that is what this thread was going to be about.... Did you sell the C43 or trade it in?? You have about the same RWHP as our C43's see if you can hit a weigh station up I am interested in how much it weighs. I am pretty sure a stock E30 M3 weighed about 2,900 lbs so if you are anywhere near close to that with the 238 RWHP then you are SMOKING' FAST. What other mods does it have beside the swap? I know the S52 is essentially a large displacement M52 with minor upgrades to increase performance. It uses a regular M52 head with the same stepped VANOS system (on the intake cam only) but uses more aggressive cams. The intake manifold and throttle body is from the M52B28. The exhaust manifolds are the same between M52 and S52 but the S52 uses special muffler designed by Boyesen that is less restrictive which I'm sure is part of the reason it is LOUD I'm sure. Even the connecting rods are exactly the same 135 mm units used in the M52B28. The lubrication system on the S52 is optimized for greater flow. Engine management is handled by the same Siemens system as the M52 but is tuned to the larger displacement and slightly more performance biased. Physically, there are very few external characteristics that distinguish the S52 from its M52 brother. The "M-Power" valve cover is the easiest to spot although it must be noted that S52 and M52 valve covers are easily interchangeable. A more subtle difference is the oil filter housing. While the M52 uses a threaded black plastic cover on its filter, the S52 uses an aluminum cover held in place by a bolt. This is the same housing as was used on the 1991-1995 M50 series engines. As such, the S52 uses M50-style filter cartridges instead of the M52 style. Power from the S52B32US is officially quoted at 240 HP but many feel that this figure is understated (as usual). I can't hate I will admit that I love the M series cars, even the older E30's. I was looking at E36 M3's before I bought my C43 but I was turned off by the interior, cheap IMO. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your purchase (even though it is made by the enemy) and also let you know that you are still welcome here. Please post pics ASAP, I would love to get a look at the car as well as the engine Sucks to have to go so far to buy a car but at the same time it is fun to get to DRIVE it back and see what shes made of . I wish you the best of luck with your new baby.

 

well good luck with the purchase!
i was actually looking for older M3s before i stumbled upon a c43 and then google that and learned about the history of C36 and C43 and i was hooked! i still respect the M3s and i might own one someday but i cant ever see it coming before an amg.

i picked my C36 in San Jose/Bay Area and i live in San Diego, it was the greatest drive down the famous highway 1. simply amazing

anyway, stop my rambling, good luck!!

 

Haha well said. In terms of mods, the motor was recently rebuilt, has (not sure about manufacturer, but I *think*) a DINAN chip, AA exhaust, no cat, OBDI conversion (earlier and better intake manifold), CAI and then a bunch of suspension mods and whatnot. Judging by the dyno sheet the seller gave me, I'd put it in the 270-280 HP range...at least that's my guess. Definitely a powerful motor, and I think the weight is probably in the 2800-2900 # range like you said. I nearly swapped ends today from a 2nd gear start just trying to make a quick right turn.....gotta watch the right foot. Anyway, thanks for the nice words and I will post pics as soon as I have some!

@ Jassc, I live pretty close to you. We should meet up sometime and go for a drive. Not too many C36's around these days!

 

sounds good to me! id like to see the new car

 

It's nice to know that there are peeps out there that will contiue to take care of these beautiful 90's cars...I will jump on a M3 or C43/C36 in good condition anytime!

Subscribing for pictures =)

 

Good choice! It's also why I won't give up my M3 for anything. Love the fun factor and there r tons of mods available. The E30 M3 is a real classic and looks mean with the right rims and wide low profile tires.

The 5.5L motor in my C43 makes for a different kind of fun I also need to say. A tru sleeper factor when running against an SRT8 ,RS4 ,M3 or an M5.

 

Yeah, I'd love to have both, but the w201 V8 project still needs to get finished so I guess another w202 AMG will have to wait. Should be pretty cool garagemattes once all is said and done though!

 

the e30 is an amazing car. hope you got one in decent shape (it'll be worth more in 10 years). Ive been helping a buddy find a perfect one, but they kept value very well. So he got a perfect e36 4 door to match his e93 m3 4 door.

 

E30 M3 = awesome. E30 M3 with swap = awesomer.

 

Yeah its pretty nice. Not *perfect*, but damn good for a 20 yr old car with original paint. That and the interior is a thing of beauty. Loving it so far, I'll have some pics to share soon when I get home!

 

I agree I'm certainly no purist, and while the e30 M3 is one of my all time favorite cars from an aesthetic standpoint, I had no desire to have an s14. Have had enough underpowered, rev happy engines in my time, and coming from the C43, I knew I needed something with some torque. I've really been babying it on this trip (no desire to break it 1000+ miles from home), but absolute brutality is just a jab of the throttle away, and I can't wait to really have some fun with it once it's safe back in socal.....well that, and once I have the cooling system fully sorted. Previous owner used it for trackdays, and never had to deal with socal interstate traffic at rush hour, so I think I will be upgrading the cooling fans so that I don't have to run it too hot around town. That being said, as it sits now, the second I get moving, the temps go down to a very cool and stable range.

 

Congrats on the purchase; you picked up a great car.

Plus, I bet you'll be back in an AMG at some point in the future

 

Is this gregslow318i car? Saw this on R3V and it is not an m3, just a 325i with a s50 swap.

 

Nope, but that is a nice car. It's a DS M3, though the seller is an inactive member on BFC and r3v. She previously owned a really nice looking M Coupe/shoe as well.

 

I see, now were are the pics?! The e30 m3 is probably one of the only cars I would sell my c36 for... well maybe an '88 930 in red of course. Hope you have a great time with it, but be careful!

 

Yes I am awaiting the pics of the GEM you purchased...... I can only imagine how nice it must be for you to drop the A and the G and just stick with the M

 

HAHAHA.

 

That is a sweet car- I am stoked for you.
BMW and M were very serious when they built that car, lots of racecar heritage went into the design of the chassis and motor and the E30 M3s were very successfull. The motor was designed by Paul Rosche who was responsible for the 1500+hp BMW F1 1.5liter turbo motor (based on the old 2002 block) from the early 80s. The chassis/suspension/brakes are very different and upgraded from a standard E30. One of the best handling, well sorted out cars ever and a real find for you to get one in good condition.

We need photos!

 

You know you have found a GEM when a bunch of AMG owners are BEGGING to see pics of an M3, I am one of them........

 

count me in on the wanting to see pictures!
tell me when you come back and we'll go drive

 

I think FLYNAVY has abandoned us--maybe he took his avatar for a trip in his new M3...

 

He's probably out having too much fun in his E30 to waste time posting pics for us AMG owners

 

pic of the new car or i call it bluff !!! enjoy your new car !

 

I've seen those pics of that E55 in your sig... LOOKS GREAT

P.S. Looks like they were taken in the back of a COSTCO