For Sale: M50 VANOS Swapped E30 318i

The E30 is one of the most beloved chassis by BMW enthusiasts the world over. Thanks to its history in touring cars and its legendary battles in the DTM against Mercedes-Benz, you can’t help but love it. Of course, there was the one thing that standard E30s lacked: power. Well, at least in modern terms. However, imaginative and ingenious builders have solved that, and here is a great example which is currently for sale on Craigslist.

This is a 1985 BMW 318i sedan, so it started off with a really lackluster four-cylinder, and nothing was really lost in its removal. Installed is a “M50TU,” but the ad doesn’t mention if it came from a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter M50. Either way you get the VANOS version with an AC-Schnitzer chip. It also gets an E36 radiator with electric fan to make sure it stays cool, as well as a set of Schmeidmenn Type II Headers for extra “umph” out of the exhaust.

However, there are no images of the engine as installed. As if that wasn’t enough, the ad also states that the car has a welded differential. Finally, the swap does not have the A/C installed, nor does it have any heat because the heater core isn’t there, or it’s been damaged.

The seller is asking for $6,000, but we’re not sure it’s worth it when you consider what hasn’t been done, what has been done, and that you don’t know how well the swap went. Would you buy it?

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Via [Craigslist]