There's really not much to figure out here. If you get a '95 318ti, go with an M50 or S50 since they're OBDI. If you get a '96 or newer 318ti, go with an M52 or S52 since they're OBDII. Also, don't worry about the model or year of the ti, just find one that has been well maintained and go from there. If you're dead set on a particular year, model and color, you're gonna spend the rest of your life searching. These things have been out of production for 12 years, they weren't very popular in the US to begin with and many of them have been molested or junked. The only thing to consider is how well it was taken care of and if it has a manual or automatic transmission, but if you're doing an engine swap anyway, it's only a little more work to swap the tranny as long as you buy a complete donor car vs. buying the swap parts individually. Also FWIW, don't expect the right one to pop up in your own backyard, nice 318ti's are hard to come by and you'll have more luck if you're willing to travel. Best wishes and welcome to the forum. |