Swap help for the unexperienced

[BFti]

Hi i am now an owner of my first 318Ti its a 95 alpine white and (i believe) sport, 5 speed 204k on the odo though it honestly feels like 100k less it just doesnt have the punch my A3 has or even my old 325is.

doesnt need to be insanely fast just quick(er) yet still practical.will be upgrading the suspension springs shocks etc prior to swap

Anyway i dont have the know-how nor space to try the swap or plug away at it myself so i will be paying a local eurocar shop to do the work

what is the simplest most cost effective swap ie: LS1, m50, s50?
i have pretty close to 0 mechanical experience so be nice please

Thanks

[teetime4one]

Welcome to the Org.
I would go with the s50 swap if I were you. Sh!t, I'd kill for a low mile s50 right about now.
Good luck with your project.
Sean

[Romak]

S50 from an m3 or m50 from a 325, either way you'll notice a power gain. If you're looking for the lowest cost, the labor to install will be about the same but the m50 will be more common and cheaper to get. If you can find a cheap s50 in good shape, low miles, good compression, etc. go for it. Otherwise go for an m50 it'll be cheaper and get you the power you were looking for. Good luck to you and keep us updated on how it goes.

[BFti]

Thanks for the input i will now go on the hunt though unfortunately i just missed a moderately low mileage s50 on craigslist

im going to take my time but i think i will go with the vastly more common m50 as i can nab a whole parts car for pretty cheap