After getting rid of the Volvo I've been looking for a new motor, I was looking at old school stuff but as much as I tried i couldn't get the drift bug out my head.

I decided I needed something I could leave the rear seats in (for the kids) but rwd for me to have my play time in, so started looking for e30 325's but since the drift craze has kicked off and e30's Being the car of choice prices have soared.

In steps a mate of mine whose took this in part exchange,

BMW 323i 2 door coupe 2.5 version.

Completely standard bar a cheapo cone filter (yep it's crap and will be getting changed but sounds ace) and a Sony cd head unit and 10 disc changer.

Full BMW service history with no expense spared.

Edited 29 November, 201213 yr by SNH

Plans are:

Welded diff

New ind kit

S/s exhaust inc manifolds and de-cat

Drift steering wheel

Reclining bucket seats + 4 point harnesses

Coilovers

Paint the chrome kidney grills black

18/19" road wheels

Hydraulic handbrake

Remap

Future plans if all goes to plan will be to turbo it.

Si

Why not pick up a m3 diff? Rather than trying to drive with a welded diff daily?

Why not pick up a m3 diff? Rather than trying to drive with a welded diff daily?

Welded diff's aren't bad daily, only a pain at slow manoeuvres. Plus a mate of mine drifts/breaks bm's so has plenty of spares for free

A welded diff on the road? really??

I can see the point in a drift (only) car car but not on the road, you will eat tyres like they are going out of fashion, a LSD would IMO be much better also.

Don't forget these are hopeless in the snow - so much so you would even struggle to get off your drive.

(I have owned about 8 BM's including an E36 323i coupé, E30 M3, E30 325i Touring etc) the 2.5 engine is a peach, but better as an 12v (E30) IMO.

Yep welded as a daily, was fine in the Volvo so can't see it being any different in the BM. This engine gives better power than the 8v hence why most people drop them into e30's.

E30 was top of the list but since drifting kicked off the prices on them have soared.

I do agree about them being rubbish at getting off the drive in the snow

Had 2-3" yesterday. Was fun once off tho

Surely a remap will only gain single figures?

Surely a remap will only gain single figures?

Your probably right tbh but I'm I'm hoping for better throttle response if anything. It'll be last on the list of things to do.

Your probably right tbh but I'm I'm hoping for better throttle response if anything. It'll be last on the list of things to do.

Thought that, a guy in work always says he's gonna get his 325 mapped to a 330 lol I'm just like aye whatever lol

Thought that, a guy in work always says he's gonna get his 325 mapped to a 330 lol I'm just like aye whatever lol

Lol.

Never expected big figures and you'd never get em on a non turbo engine, was always about throttle response. I think I'd be looking at turbo'ing it before that anyway

The reason they went to 24 valve from 12v was for fuel economy, you main gain some top end BHP but unfortunately the torque is also moved up the rpm as well meaning a less drivable (at low revs) engine.

The 2.5 12v would go around a tight painted roundabout it 4th gear - and still pull away from it effortlessly the 24 valve engines are not as versatile to do this (as smoothly) but as said you get better MPG.

After owning both engines I always preferred the older 12v engine for normal drive-ability.

with the correct chip you mite b suprised on power gains

The reason they went to 24 valve from 12v was for fuel economy, you main gain some top end BHP but unfortunately the torque is also moved up the rpm as well meaning a less drivable (at low revs) engine.

The 2.5 12v would go around a tight painted roundabout it 4th gear - and still pull away from it effortlessly the 24 valve engines are not as versatile to do this (as smoothly) but as said you get better MPG.

After owning both engines I always preferred the older 12v engine for normal drive-ability.

Interesting. Although I doubt mpg is a factor when drifting

Chuck Norris lost all credibility when he endorsed World of Warcraft!!

On topic, nice car mate!

Like all of us, Chuck Norris likes massive piles of cash!

reminds me my toy:

which is used as a low-miles dialy runner as well. most of the people on here would be suprised by how usable welded diff is yes, it eats through the tires a lot faster, but if driven gently and at higher speeds - no issues at all....

....till you enter a supermarket car park. parking/reversing is painful

having a dump valve is attracting less attention than trying to park a car with welded diff

reminds me my toy:

which is used as a low-miles dialy runner as well. most of the people on here would be suprised by how usable welded diff is yes, it eats through the tires a lot faster, but if driven gently and at higher speeds - no issues at all....

....till you enter a supermarket car park. parking/reversing is painful

having a dump valve is attracting less attention than trying to park a car with welded diff

Ford Sierra sapphire?

More pics

Track toy/drifter?

I agree abouth the diff, never had any bother on a normal drive....until you floored it and it snaked all over

As u say only low speed manoeuvres are interesting

don't want to hijack the thread, so will keep it short lol

it's a cheap and cheerful drift toy for holidays (since it is abroad at the mo).

basically it's a sapphire (2.0i) with the following mods:

1x bucket seat and harness, rest of interior was stripped

welded diff

lowered

modified dampers (oil was replaced with different viscosity oil to make them stiffer)

rear dampers/suspension attached to the shell (acts as ARB but more importantly - it lifts the wheel when you are jacking the car, so put the jack under the car and 4 turns later wheel is in the air, ready to be changed)

RS front bumper

modified exhaust

at the moment undergoing cosmetic repairs (sills and boot), then 2.0 NA will be swapped with BOA and off we go again!

if UK insurance companies carry on their dirty business - might even bring this toy to UK (already drove LHD escort for 7 months).

most of the pics were lost with my old laptop, have only few made with my cell phone :(

driveway after parking sierra for few days:

16" diamond cuts:

speedbumps-friendly ride height:

more powaaahhhh! (read in jeremy clarkson's voice)

few days of driving in a not-so-straight line and all this pile is gone:

Getting more popular the sierra and with the 2.9 24v it'll be a hoot

Mines had to take a back seat for the minute while I get a few things in order. But hopefully in the next few weeks it'll be all go

cheers mate

there are quite a few BOA'd sierras in my home country and pretty much all of them can be seen on the drift track. no turbo lag is what it's all about (y)

btw, what's the UK law on such conversions? seen many capris in here, who have either 2.9 24v or 2.0 16vT under the bonnet.

If its a track toy only then it doesn't really matter. If it was to go on the road it'll need a vic (vosa engineer inspection) check to make sure it's all done correct then you'll have to inform dvla of the engine swap with engine numbers etc so they can put it on the log book.

...and then insurance company will rip you off :(

...and then insurance company will rip you off :(

:yes:

Well......

Things have been a bit slow of late with the BM due to me and the wife seperating, me moving into a mates and sorting moneys out etc.

BUT.......

Now things are getting back on track, managed to swap my diff for a welded one which will be swapped over at the weekend

Also found a split in my throttle body to maf pipe (thought my days of split hoses were gone when I sold the vrs haha) just trying to track one down but seems as soon as an m50 lump comes available the e30 boys are snapping them up :(

Still trying to source a decent bucket seat (drivers side only) but with a hol booked to newquay I think I might wait till I come back (don't fancy the 5-6 hour drive in one lol).