318 typical upgrades?

[318isE36]

Hey guys, I am new here without much knowledge on on 318's/m42/44's.
I know a little about the e36 in general, but mostly 6 cylinder versions, but am looking to expand into the 4 cyl realm of the e36.

I know on the 6 cyl e36's that have an infamous problem with their mechanical cooling fan, plastic water pump impellar and plastic thermostat housings etc. Do the m42/44 318's have these same problems? Are there any other huge maintenance items that are notorious for failure like the ones above?


Also, I was wondering if an air intake and heat shield from a 325/328 e36 would fit/work with a 318 e36 (like the afe intake for the e36 328 http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...1-pro5r.aspx)? Also, do any companies make underdrive pullies for the m44? What about a shark injector or other tune? All I can find is stuff for the m50/52 6 cyl models.

And lastly, where is a good website with 318/m42/m44 upgrades (like tms etc)? All I can find is stuff for the 6 cyl and no love for the 4 anywhere.

[318isE36]

Anyone? These 318 m44's have the same cooling system "problems" as the 6ers?
Will an intake/heatshield, like afe, for an e36 6 cyl fit a 4 cyl e36?
Anyone make underdrive pullies for the m44? Who makes obd2 software for the m44 318?

[Jcityracer]

I know I cant be as much help to alot of your questions because I'm fairly new to my m44 but I had an e39 before this. Yes, at least my m44 is giving me cooling issues. But there is a thread on here that gives in full detail, and pictues of how to rebuild your cooling system. As far as performance goes, I've seen a few turboed M42's but Downing used to make a supercharger for our motors. But from looking they no longer make them. And a used one will cost you around 2500

[bmwconnect]

Originally Posted by 318isE36

Hey guys, I am new here without much knowledge on on 318's/m42/44's.
I know a little about the e36 in general, but mostly 6 cylinder versions, but am looking to expand into the 4 cyl realm of the e36.

I know on the 6 cyl e36's that have an infamous problem with their mechanical cooling fan, plastic water pump impellar and plastic thermostat housings etc. Do the m42/44 318's have these same problems? Are there any other huge maintenance items that are notorious for failure like the ones above?


Also, I was wondering if an air intake and heat shield from a 325/328 e36 would fit/work with a 318 e36 (like the afe intake for the e36 328 http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-13...1-pro5r.aspx)? Also, do any companies make underdrive pullies for the m44? What about a shark injector or other tune? All I can find is stuff for the m50/52 6 cyl models.

And lastly, where is a good website with 318/m42/m44 upgrades (like tms etc)? All I can find is stuff for the 6 cyl and no love for the 4 anywhere.

I have one of the best tuning solutions for the M44. midnight-tuning@rogers.com

[jca]

Like most BMW's the whole cooling sytem of the 318's is weak. Wise owners replace cooling system parts preventively to avoid sudden coolant loss and the resultant overheating which usually leads to head gasket replacement at the very least. Be sure to replace two plastic coolant pipes, one under the intake manifold and the other at the back of the block next to the firewall. These are prone to failure at 100k and above. Keep the coolant system in good shape and these guys run forever. Good luck. John

[teen ti]

Originally Posted by jca

Like most BMW's the whole cooling sytem of the 318's is weak. Wise owners replace cooling system parts preventively to avoid sudden coolant loss and the resultant overheating which usually leads to head gasket replacement at the very least. Be sure to replace two plastic coolant pipes, one under the intake manifold and the other at the back of the block next to the firewall. These are prone to failure at 100k and above. Keep the coolant system in good shape and these guys run forever. Good luck. John

+1000000

[zoner]

Originally Posted by bmwconnect

I have one of the best tuning solutions for the M44. midnight-tuning@rogers.com

I think I need to find a spare DME so that I may take advantage of this... If I had an identical DME for my year/model car and had you do an M44 tune on it with EWS delete, I should be able to swap between the stock DME and modified DME with no issues, correct?

[slade13]

I thought about having two different tuned dme's too.

[Jcityracer]

What would be the upside of two different tunes on two dme's? Or is it just nice to have?

[BlackBMWs]

I'll do a deeper dive, but does anyone happen to know if the DME for the 318i M44 Coupe/Sedan use the same DME? If so, I suspect I can pick up a spare to send out.

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Update: Looking at RealOEM, there are a few listed DME part # s between 1/96-2/97, all V5.2 for ti's. After 2/97 the M44s show the same DMEs in M44 Compacts, Coupes and Z3 roadsters. PN# 12141430106.

The search is on...

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Further update: Just learned from Barrie M that due to EWS compatability, I have to send in my original DME. Good to know. I have had spares for my non EWS cars so, I hadn't realized this detail. Pulling mine this morning for a 91 octane flash.

[318isE36]

Thanks on the advice guys, but am not looking to boost anytime soon.
Not that I do not trust midnight tuning, but are there other tuning options for these?
Also would the typical intake/heatshield from a same year 6 cyl like a 328 fit the 318?
Any "underdrive pullies" or are they only made for the 6 cyl's ?

[bmwconnect]

Originally Posted by 318isE36

Thanks on the advice guys, but am not looking to boost anytime soon.
Not that I do not trust midnight tuning, but are there other tuning options for these?
Also would the typical intake/heatshield from a same year 6 cyl like a 328 fit the 318?
Any "underdrive pullies" or are they only made for the 6 cyl's ?

What do you mean by other tuning options? I offer a hole slew of options for different motors and what not

[mreroc]

Dinan does a tune, which I have. That being said, I didn't know about Midnight Tuning when I got it. After talking to some guys on here and some exchanges with Barrie, his tune is the favored one. It's still on my list to wipe out the Dinan and get his tune. Had hockey not striked and made me cancel my Canada run, might have been the year for my DME to travel with me. Search around the site and you'll see favorable reviews for him. I never noticed much of a difference from the Dinan tune on this engine anyway.

I don't know anything about the pullies and not sure if the intake from the 328 would be a straight fit, might need some tinkering.

[bmwconnect]

Originally Posted by mreroc

Dinan does a tune, which I have. That being said, I didn't know about Midnight Tuning when I got it. After talking to some guys on here and some exchanges with Barrie, his tune is the favored one. It's still on my list to wipe out the Dinan and get his tune. Had hockey not striked and made me cancel my Canada run, might have been the year for my DME to travel with me. Search around the site and you'll see favorable reviews for him. I never noticed much of a difference from the Dinan tune on this engine anyway.

I don't know anything about the pullies and not sure if the intake from the 328 would be a straight fit, might need some tinkering.

Thanks for the kind words Mreroc

[318isE36]

Does seem Midnight Tuning is the way to go. Was just curious if there was a Conforti Shark or Dinan etc.

Anyone know about the intake question? I cant seem to find a decent intake for the 318 e36's that has a heatshield, while I can find tons of good intakes with heatshields for the 6 cyl e36's. Would like the afe intake/heatshield for a 325/328 fit the 318? Mainly the heatshield bolting in, Im sure I can make any intake pipe/filter work, just want a good heatshield for the filter. Also, are there any underdrive pullies, or any other N/A mods for the m44 318?