» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM 05-02-2024 08:18 PM 6 Replies, 330,664 Views | | | | | | 08-14-2012, 02:36 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: navarre, fl Posts: 1 | looking at a swapped 318ti. well as the title suggests I'm looking at buying a 1996 318ti with a motor swap from a 1993 325is. I have very little knowledge about the e36 cars, I checked out the car today and the body is in excellent shape aside from the original color being green and the entire thing being stripped and repainted. The car would not start, it WOULD turn over but no start, there we're minor things such as window regulators etc... my only concern is the motor swap is there anything I should look for? or so I just run away now and steer clear? heres a link to the guys craigslist ad. http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/cto/3183838170.html | | | 08-17-2012, 02:24 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 | the post was flagged, but an OBDI swap into an OBDII chassis is illegal. you should be able to get away with it since you live in a state that doesn't do inspections but if you ever move or try to sell the car later on it might be a problem | | | 08-17-2012, 02:47 AM | #3 | NOBODY F's with the Jesus Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ventura California Posts: 7,824 | I would steer way clear. Too many red flags. First and most obvious it has an illegal swap, so that right there tells you that the owner is shady. It doesn't run, that's a no brainer. Who knows what corners were cut during the build. It's never a good idea to buy someone else's basket case. | | | 08-17-2012, 05:17 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 483 | I agree with Jess, many swaps come on here and on craigs all with crazy hidden problems. This is where everyone thinks that a swap is so cheap and super easy to accomplish. Yes, I am sure anyone can twist a wrench but nevertheless you can get into a money pit if you don't know what you're doing. Personally I had mine done professionally and paid the premium but I can sit here today worry free. If you want a swap so bad then save more money and get one that is done right from trustworthy sources. __________________ | | | 08-17-2012, 01:41 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Broomfield,Colorado Posts: 664 | Who did your swap for you. What's the cost for something like that | | | 08-17-2012, 01:47 PM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: new york Posts: 511 | Swap's are not as easy as they seem i ran into a few snags, mostly from people who sold me broken parts... | | | 09-25-2012, 01:52 AM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Delaware, OH Posts: 1 | What are things to look for before purchasing an existing swapped car? Thanks, Jeremy | | | 09-25-2012, 07:51 AM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fl Posts: 1,353 | Quote: Originally Posted by jlucas What are things to look for before purchasing an existing swapped car? Thanks, Jeremy | Details... Pictures, parts used, run the VIN on the engine (back of the head)... To do a swap properly the suspension, drive line, and brakes must all be upgraded. If the seller cannot tell you or show you exactly what he is selling you will not know exactly what you are buying. I have bought 2 swapped ti's and they both were a disappointment. I will probably never buy another but when the time comes for me to sell my cars I will have a stack of documentation for the potential buyer to review so they can be confident with their purchase. If you have to pay a premium for a well documented car it will be worth it in the long run. __________________ SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! www.BimmerBum.com ALL NEW! 318ti Specific Parts For Sale www.facebook.com/BimmerBum BMWCCA #132203 95 318ti Club Sport 98 318ti Active S50 Swap | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |