$240 worf of puddin

well I've been wanting to buy a 318ti and stuff a M3 inside for some time now and I've found a good doner car. I thought to myself it might be cheaper to do something like Lucas being that I don't even own a 318ti yet. what would you guys go with and list some pros and cons

DustysA4

If my mental pic of the 318 is correct then it is the BMW that is kinda a hatch? If so, then I really do not like the look of that car. I like the A4 better, just my opinion. If it is a regualar coupe or sedan, then I like the look.

I think it would be pretty cool to do both. Both would haul ace. I like the A4 because it is already turboed and chances are you already have a list of vendors that could help you out in your favorites. Another thing I like about the A4 is the Quattro. You could do some pretty cool things with Quattro if you had enough power=) I don't know, these are just my opinions because it seems like there is already a lot of BMW's on the road, but I guess you'd have to admit that there is not a lot of 318's with an M3 motor, so you be the judge.

Warren Wang

a 318ti with an M3 engine in it is a killer track car. Also less bits and pieces to worry about.

Warren

Shoe

I read about some guy who did the 318ti M motor transplant. It's quite an endevor. He spent about $12000 for the motor and another $8000 more for the turbo. Include the instal, clutch and other misc stuff needed it can get pretty pricey. He does pull 12's but considering that he spent over $20000 on it I think he did it more for the novelty then speed.
I don't think you will gaining that much from doing it from a power standpoint. Say a 318ti is 2700lbs. Add another 200lbs for the motor, and other mods(brakes, etc) You will be at around 2900lbs which is only about 150lbs lighter than a M roadster. You will be in the 13's probably.
The stage 3 can pull 13's. A few have pulled it already and more will be posting soon(Dingster probably by tonite) The kit is $4000 if you catch it during a sale(rare) and it hauls ***. It's also a much easier instal and doing a whole motor. Also the interior of the 318ti is not that nice IMO compared to the A4.
I guess the bottom line is if you want a unique showcar then go for the 318ti but for everyday purposes save yourself the trouble and get the stage 3.

Bollinger

It's lighter and more powerful. You can skip the turbo then. I don't know that the engine takes well to drag racing though. On a track its fantastic.

The 318ti is so ghetto though, as Shoe mentioned, a M roadster (or coupe) would be better and more reliable.

Runner

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/616/318ti.t.jpg"></center><p>Here's a Pic of mine. You can buy ti's for 10 to 13k used. I've seen good M3 engines for sale in the 4 to 5k range. The e36 M3 engine is normally aspirated with around 240hp. If you're bored with it and you get another 5k. A Tuner Motor Sport supercharger will get you in the 350+hp range.

James R.

The 318ti has a really ghetto rear suspension though...that's what stopped me from getting one.

Runner

Don't tell the e30 M3 club racers. They have the same setup. ;-)

DustysA4

correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Audi clean house on speedvision all the time. I think with the right setup you can rule the track with an Audi. Just lots of people use them as daily drivers and leave full interior in, etc. Quattro can be a huge advantage if your thinking of tracking it, if your looking for a show winner, then I think the motor swap would make it more of a looker. However I do agree that turbochargers make a lot of things for you to worry about.

DustysA4

I guess that car can look good, but I'm personally not in to the looks too much. I can't deny that it would be more appealing to me if it had 350hp=) My favorite kind of BMW is an a 3 series with 4-doors. I really like the way the doors look on BMW's. It just looks "right" to me. If I could choose any car, it'd be a 911 Turbo, if it had to be reasonable, it'd be a 4-door M3=)