Morning all,

I'm hoping to start on my own build in the next few months and wanted some advice on wether an E plate BMW 318i could possibly be used as a donor car as I just happen to have one sitting around spare, only problem with it is a siezed brake caliper and poor body work.

I appreciate that plans/chassis may need to be modified to accommodate things, but being an absolute novice I don't know where to start. Obviously my driving factor is cost so please bear that in mind whilst replying.

Thanks for any responses in advance.

Regards,

Neil

well, if youve got the beemer already i cant see why not. ive just started my build and ive got a sierra just lyin about so im gonna use that and alter the chassis or buy one to suit

I believe that 3 series BMW has IRS that could be used, subject to your being able to carry out the necessary mechanical and engineering work, main problem being the fabrication of suitable uprights for the hubs, and designing/making suitable diff carrier and wishbones. Engine/gearbox should be ok. Front suspension bit tricky due to the need to modify the strut mounted hubs to work with twin wishbones (read all about balljoint problems elsewhere on the site).
All in all, you would probably be better off swapping your bmw for a sierra, then buying the suspension components (if not the whole chassis) from MK. The costs involved will be quite small in relation to the cost of the overall project

John

Technically you can use any donor pretty much- it just depends how much extra work you want to put in. The more different from the book it is the less other people will have encountered similar problems and be able to help you.

Depending on how much of a quote "complete novice" you are needs to be considered. I'm also what I'd consider a complete novice and I somewhat regret going away from the
standard as it's causing me loads of grief.

It's also worth considering power:weight ratios of your donor and also the cost of tuning parts which I'd would imagine are expensive for a BMW.
If you're not interested in tuning then fine but I wasn't either until I got a ride in the IsonBlade at Donnington and The Hicost yesterday!

You need to put a value on youre time in this project- the more you vary from standard the longer it'll take to finish and often the more it'll cost.

MKII Escorts are harder to get now and probably more expensive than they used to be but they are around still. If you're only planning to start in a few months then by the time you've finished your chassis you'll have found a MKII!

Hope that helps,

from a fellow 'complete novice'

James

id say go for it mate

and if you do experience problems as such that you would rather use ford parts for the rear end and what not
then just go down the scrappy and get the bits you need

simple in theory

if older 318 bemmers are like my W reg one in engine layout, they look pretty wide at the bottom of the engine due to its mounting angle and all the alternator and other crap down there. If you can get it to fit it would be a nice but not specially powerful engine.

my 1.9 L only makes 118 hp.


the rear end of an 80s beemer is similar to a sierra. I know this cos i looked at using one too. what put me off was not knowing how far the engine leaned over and may have fouled the side rails.


atb

steve

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Originally posted by interestedparty
I believe that 3 series BMW has IRS that could be used, subject to your being able to carry out the necessary mechanical and engineering work, main problem being the fabrication of suitable uprights for the hubs, and designing/making suitable diff carrier and wishbones.

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quote:

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All in all, you would probably be better off swapping your bmw for a sierra, then buying the suspension components (if not the whole chassis) from MK.

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