M Coupe Chassis Closeness?
 

I'm looking for a car to pull swap parts off of and have been thinking about the S52 from and M Coupe/Roadster. How close are the chassis between them and the 318ti? I know they have the same rear E30 suspension and so forth, but the actual chassis is what I'm curious about. For instance are you S50/52 swapped guys able to run M exhaust systems, when ordering full suspension after rear subframe swap- do you just go with full M Coupe suspension? Just a few newb chassis questions before attacking a swap. Thanks!

You can swap the rear suspension, engine and tranny. Probably need the driveshaft too.

I don't know about the exhaust though.

Search the forum. l I know this has been discussed numerous times.

The coupe`/roadster drive shaft and parking brake cables will be too short. Everthing else bolts right in.

Even if you use the Coupe's tranny?

I can't speak for MCoupe/Roaster's exhaust but 1.9l cat-back bolts straight up (same hangers, same bends). The only catch is that an extension pipe needs to be welded in (about 10").

SL

Is this from experience? Which cables and driveshaft did you use then? Stock or m3?

And yes I have searched but can't find this specific info with what I've typed in- damn searches and words being too short.

And as to the last post, at which point did the extension pipe need to be welded in?

Right between the resonator and the "2 bolt flange" - about 10 inches. Also depending on the kind of the cat-back (ex. Remus ) you might have to modify (read cut out) some of the rear bumper to enlarge the opening for the tip.

SL

I think so, since the wheelbase is shorter on the roadster and coupe.

Doesn't the Mcoupe/Roadster have dual exhaust? Check out the image on the homepage here:

http://www.z3roadster.com/

I used the stock ti parking brake cables, and modified the retainers on the trailing arms. I orginally installed it with the Roadster cables, and they were about 8 inches too short. The wheelbase is shorter on the coupe and roadster, so the brake handle is closer to the rear.

Awesome, thanks J!m and Kirasir. Definitely helps out with what i was looking for!

you can also put in the LSD differential if I'm right

Yeah, I know whole rear subframe, LSD, brakes and parts swap over and that will be coming soon enough- anyone know a good price for a whole rear swap from an M coupe/roadster?
I'm just trying to figure out closeness of parts to connect drivetrain and exhaust.

Read my post above. I was referring to the 1.9L Z3.

SL

Yeah, but illphil was talking Mcoupe/Mroadster. Just saying the ti's rear valence and spare tire location makes this difficult.