As the decent E30s still out there reach for ever higher miles or higher prices, engine swaps make even more sense. No longer just a tuner’s choice, this can be a great way to keep a high-mileage car on the road while simultaneously boosting performance. This clean 325i received the M-built S52 from a Z3M a few years back and was given a new lease on life. With 240hp on tap out of the same silky inline-6 that many fell in love with in the E36 M3, this car should haul some serious butt while looking fairly subdued other than the lightweight but pleasantly right-sized wheels. The interior is in nice shape given the age and mileage with a few cracks but impressively tear-free bolsters. The seller sounds knowledgeable and thorough despite the brief description, the real question is if a 230k mile E30 chassis can command $11k.
Click for details: 1990 BMW 325i S52 on eBay
Year: 1990
Model: 325i
Engine: S52 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 232,938 mi on chassis, engine unknown
Price: $11,000 OBO
I purchased this lovely e30 in 2009. It was a rust free well cared for western car with 212,000 miles. I had the car restored and the engine replaced with a low mileage S52 from a 1998 Z3. All work was done by the leading local BMW expert.All documentation and receipts come with the car. The car is fast, reliable and fun to drive.
The description may be sparse, but the seller quickly and thoroughly responded to a well-informed inquiry by a potential buyer, so reach out if there’s anything else you want to know! If it all checks out as well as it appears, I don’t see any problem with paying $10-11k for this fanboy favorite. There will be work in the future, but probably of the fun project, change-a-part variety as opposed to the oh-god-I-need-a-new-engine kind.
-NR
