M42 and M44 crossover?

[FunElan]

So my car was manufactured in Sept of 95 and it has an M42. Every time I put my VIN on realoem (AM53631 btw), it comes up with the typical M42 engine. However, today while taking apart the intake, I noticed the traditional M44 vacuum tree, which realoem doesn't show. I also noticed that I have an M44 style oil filter housing.

Was there some crossover between the two engines before the switched to the M44? It sucked today when I was at the BMW dealer and I had to convince him, that my motor needed specific parts that didn't come up on his computer!

[pdxmotorhead]

Yes,, 95's built after like Aug 94 have some crossover.. I find you have to double check everything before you buy.. We dont have the Air pump thank goodness..

[FunElan]

Nor do we have the plastic y coolant pipe right?

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

1995 was the cross year. The timing chain cover should have the CPS mounted on the left side and read the 60/2 timing count off the crank balancer that the belt pulley attaches too. Fight with the dealer if needed or take the part to them so they can understand what you need and that they are not gods that know it all...

[hodge]

Yeah, 95 was the crossover year as others said.

My 4/95 318i (with M42) still has the metal thermostat housing and oil filter housing. My wife's 4/96 318ti (with M44) has the typical M44 items(except for the SAP).

I dont think any M42 had the Y pipe at the back of the head. Though if yours does for some reason, don't fear, it isn't a hard item to replace if you have the intake off. It was way easier than I had anticipated. Just have the intake off, the battery out, and remove the microfilter cover and there is plenty of room to work with with some 10mm wrenches. I have fairly large hands and while tight, it is doable. Just don't break the neck taking the old one off! Much like the cooling system DIY on here, my Y pipe was super strong and I slammed it on the concrete multiple times. It was the block connector that broke when I took it off.

It appears that the M42 and M44 alternator brackets are also different. When I went to install the idler pulley bracket(for DASC) from my 95 to her 96 it didn't fit. The alternators are identical but the bracket isn't.