It's definitely an M44 in my car although it may have some of these things you mention. It's actually at the garage getting the suspension bushings and a couple of bits in the steering fixed, I will try my hardest to remember to ask Mark, my mechanic - who is a BMW guru - when I pick her up tomorrow.
AFAIK though the only engine to be shared with the e46 was the 6-pot in the continental Europe-only 323ti - that was found in the e46 323 which was dropped early on in favour of the 320i (same HP, more VANOS). There was a very limited run of South African built 318is-badged e36 Sedans in the last production year but they got M44s as well.
Actually my loaner from the garage at the moment is an e36 323i Touring that has the same engine as the 323ti; and obviously the wheels, shocks and gearing are all different, but despite the fact that it is a full-on wagon, it comports itself through the bends very well indeed. It's a real shame there aren't more 323tis around.
Last edited by vsonix; 10-26-2010 at 01:48 AM. |