Your thoughts about 1988 325e "super E"

[Greek318is]

Hey guys.

I am looking to buy a 1988 325e "super E" Automatic, with 82k miles. It's Silver Metallic, excellent condition and nothing is wrong with it. The engine is very strong and has a lot of torque...there are no valve taps, and the timing belt was done at 65k.

With that said, A few years back, I owned a 1991 318is and had not a single problem with the car. I wanted to get a 325is this time around but I came across this 325 super E and I really liked it.

I am looking to find AS MUCH information and as I can about the "Super E." Also, I'd like to know how you all like the Super E, or do you think I should wait and buy a 325is?

A quick question about performance...My plans, If I get this car, would be to chip it, thats it. Would it perform as well as a stock 325is or would it out perform it?

Thanks in advance guys.
Peter E.

[ANDRÜ]

Well, the E takes alot to match a 325i performance wise. Etas are much slower, and rev much less. I too have an eta, and if I had the chance, I would have bought a 325i instead. They really are dogs in comparison. It is possible though to get them performing, I recently finished my turbo instal on my eta, and its amazing. turbo + 325i though would be even better. I say go for i, inthe end you will be happier with its performance.

[Tag]

Not meaning to dissagree with Andru bit the Super "E" can give you a lot of performance with a lot of reliability, specially in stroker form with a simple "I" head swap, being that the Super ETA already has the right pistons for that "i" head. I've had several "E" as well as "IS" E30's and have loved each of them, one I put over 200k miles on without any more than scheduled maintenance, currently I'm building a Super ETA with an "I" head and may tubo it by this fall, but over all the "E" is a great buy, for one, chip it, that gives you 22+ HP and then change the intake to the "I" intake, they are cheap on ebay and only a couple gaskets and parts will gain you another 20+ hp, with that 30-40 hp gain, your Automatic should give any regular "I" a good even run for the money. Most of all enjoy the car and if you decide to get it, do not regret the might have beens,
Cheers, Tag

[LeDevil]

Don't mean to high jack you post but what's the difference between the "i" "e" "ES" and etc.

[Tag]

Well here are the full specs for all of them, sorry it's a long post but I think it useful, enjoy

Tag


ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M10 1766cc SOHC chain-driven inline 4, 2 valves/cylinder, cast crankshaft
101 hp @ 5800 RPM
103 lb-ft torque @ 4500 RPM
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Bore/stroke: 89x70 mm
Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 240 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.72 / 2.02 / 1.32 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.45
3-speed ZF (automatic)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/R): 2.73 / 1.56 / 1.00 / 2.09
Final drive: 3.64:1 >11/83, 3.91:1 <11/83

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm discs
Rear brakes: 230mm twin-shoe drums (self-adjusting)

14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/60HR14 tires

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons
Curb weight: 2460 lbs (1984, manual)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2480 lbs (1984, automatic)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2395 lbs (1985, 2 door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2450 lbs (1985, 4-door)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 11.4 seconds (manual)
1/4 mile: 17.3 seconds
Top speed: 106 mph
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.74
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 27/38 (manual), 27/34 (auto)

Performance figures from 7/83 Car and Driver

--------------------------------------------------

325e (1984-1987)

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M20 2693cc SOHC belt-driven inline 6, 2 valves/cylinder, cast crankshaft
121 hp @ 4250 RPM
170 lb-ft torque @ 3250 RPM
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Bore/stroke: 84x81 mm
Bosch Motronic 1.0 fuel injection w/ DME
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.83 / 2.20 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.71
4-speed ZF 4 HP 22 (automatic)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/R): 2.48 / 1.48 / 1.00 / 0.73 / 2.09
Final drive: 2.79:1 >9/85, 2.93:1 <9/85

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 260mm discs
ABS standard in model year 1986

14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/60HR14 tires

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons
Curb weight: 2654 lbs (1984, manual)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2698 lbs (1984, automatic)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2710 lbs (1985, 2 door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2765 lbs (1985, 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2723 lbs (1986-1987 325 2-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2767 lbs (1986-1987 325 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2778 lbs (1986-1987 325es)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2789 lbs (1986-1987 325e)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 8.4 seconds (325e manual)
1/4 mile: 16.3 seconds
Top speed: 116 mph
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.79
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 21/28 (manual), 20/27 (auto)

Performance figures from 6/84 Car and Driver

----------------------------------------------------------

325 (1988 "Super Eta")

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M20 2693cc SOHC belt-driven inline 6, 2 valves/cylinder, cast crankshaft
128 hp @ 4800 RPM
170 lb-ft torque @ 3200 RPM
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Bore/stroke: 84x81 mm
Bosch Motronic 1.1 fuel injection w/ DME
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.83 / 2.20 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.71
4-speed ZF 4 HP 22 (automatic)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/R): 2.48 / 1.48 / 1.00 / 0.73 / 2.09
Final drive: 2.93:1

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 260mm discs
ABS standard

14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/60HR14 tires

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 16.4 gallons
Curb weight: 2765 lbs (2-door)
* * * * * * * * * * *2209 lbs (4-door)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 8.8 seconds (manual)
Top speed: 122 mph
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.79
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 21/28 (manual), 20/27 (auto)

-------------------------------------------------------------

325i/325iC/325iX (1987-1991)

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M20 2494cc SOHC belt-driven inline 6, 2 valves/cylinder, cast crankshaft
168 hp @ 5800 RPM
164 lb-ft torque @ 4300 RPM
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
Bore/stroke: 84x75 mm
Bosch Motronic 1.3 fuel injection w/ DME
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.83 / 2.20 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.71
4-speed ZF 4 HP 22 (automatic)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/R): 2.48 / 1.48 / 1.00 / 0.73 / 2.09
Final drive: 3.73:1
* * * * * * * * * *4.10:1 (325iX) also has center differential w/viscous coupling,
* * * * * * * * * *27%/63% f/r torque split

CHASSISM
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 260mm discs
ABS standard

14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/60HR14 tires
14x6.5 alloy wheels on 195/65VR14 tires (325is)
15x7.0 alloy wheels on 205/55VR15 tires (325iX)

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons (1987, 1989-1990)
* * * * * * * * * * * *16.4 gallons (1988)
Curb weight: 2811 lbs (325i 2-door, all years)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2850 lbs (1987 325i 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2813 lbs (1987 325is)
* * * * * * * * * * * 3015 lbs (1987 325iC)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2895 lbs (1988 325i 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2865 lbs (1988 325is)
* * * * * * * * * * * 3055 lbs (1988-1990 325iC)
* * * * * * * * * * * 3010 lbs (1988-1990 325iX, 2-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2844 lbs (1989-1991 325i 4-door, 1989-1990 325is)
* * * * * * * * * * * 3054 lbs (1989 325iX 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 3050 lbs (1990 325iX 4-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2988 lbs (1991-1993 325iC)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2955 lbs (1991 325iX 2-door)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2999 lbs (1991 325iX 4-door)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds (325i manual)
* * * *7.9 seconds (325iX manual)
1/4 mile: 15.9 seconds (325iX manual)
Top speed: 136 mph (325i)
* * * * * * * * * *127 mph (325iX manual)
* * * * * * * * * *130 mph (325iC)
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.77 (325iX manual)
Slalom: 63.7 mph (325iX manual)
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 18/23

325ix performance figures from 4/88 Road & Track

--------------------------------------------------------------

M3 (1988-1991)

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
S14 2305cc DOHC double chain-driven inline 4, 4 valves/cylinder
192 hp @ 6750 RPM
170 lb-ft torque @ 4750 RPM
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Bore/stroke: 93.4x84.0 mm
Bosch Motronic fuel injection w/ DME ML-3, four individual throttle plates
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.83 / 2.20 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.71
Final drive: 4.10:1

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 19.6:1

Front brakes: 280mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 282mm discs
ABS standard

15x7.0 alloy wheels on 205/55VR15 tires

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 100.9 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons
Curb weight: 2865 lbs

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 6.9 seconds
1/4 mile: 15.4 seconds
Top speed: 143 mph
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.82
Slalom, 64.7 mph
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 17/29

Performance figures from 2/88 Road & Track

-------------------------------------------------------------

318i, 318is (1991), 318iC (1991-1992)

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M42 1796cc DOHC double chain-driven inline 4, 4 valves/cylinder
134 hp @ 6000 RPM
127 lb-ft torque @ 4600 RPM
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Bore/stroke: 84x81 mm
Bosch Motronic 1.7 fuel injection w/ DME,
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260/5 (manual)
* * * Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.72 / 2.02 / 1.32 / 1.00 / 0.80 / 3.71
Final drive: 4.10:1

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 262mm discs
ABS standard

14x6.0 steel wheels on 195/65R14 tires (318i)
14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/65R14 tires (318iC)
14x6.5 alloy wheels on 195/65R14 tires (318is)

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 54%/46%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons
Curb weight: 2657 lbs (318i)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2602 lbs (318is)
* * * * * * * * * * * 2867 (318iC)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 9.8 seconds
1/4 mile: 17.3 seconds
Top speed: 122 mph (electronically limited)
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.83
Slalom: 64.0 mph
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 21/27

[LeDevil]

Just curious but how do you tell what you have, all I can find is 325 and nothing else? It's a 87' 2 door ,2.7 liter, 5 speed?

[325i Phoenix]

I think only the 87 325i comes in 168 horses; the 88 and up 325i's pull out 172hp

[Tag]

one way is to tell by the vin number, there has to be a vin number decoder, I know I had a link but give that a try, if not through bmw parts, if you need to get anything or as a courtesy they will ablidge. Another is by looking at the engine, there is a block number look up I just did a search and that site came up, also the "E" engines had the smaller, thinner intake tuber to fit the round hole for the 200 casting heads, the later, 87 and up "i" heads were cast 288, those were wider and bigger with almost no space between them, say about 1/4 inch? title would have it on it etc.

oh and yeah I have an 87 "is" it's on the manual as 168hp

[kenika65]

Originally Posted by LeDevil

Just curious but how do you tell what you have, all I can find is 325 and nothing else? It's a 87' 2 door ,2.7 liter, 5 speed?

A 2.5 would be an i motor and a 2.7 is the e "eta" motor your motor is not the super eta because they didn't come out untill 1988

[StarkeyT22489]

when u guys talk about swaping out the intake manafold how hard is it to do and what do i need. because i used to be a chevy guy and that was easy but i dont know how much would it cost on my 88e

[kenika65]

It is a piece of cake to swap intakes. And it is probably about time to replace your intake gasket anyway, so be sure to get all new gaskets and o-rings when your in there and be sure to put the 173ecu in to get your revlimit to 6800