sup everyone. new to the site, but not to the car. i've been driving her since i was 16 and now i'm 22. this car is, no offense, my beater. i want to fix her up. it has a stock motor, don't even kno which one yet and i'd juss like to do my research for now... i don't really kno where to start. so any suggestions would help. thanks in advance.

First off, you have a 320i, not a 318i. Technically if you were to follow BMWs usual naming scheme to the letter, it would be a 318i, not a 320i, but still. As for performance:

Your engine is an m10. It's a 1.8 (some were 2.0, the older ones) liter inline 4, with a single over head cam. For performance, you can deck it out N/A for a few thousand and end up with somewhere between 150 or 200 base horse power depending on just how much money you spend. Or you can go nutty and throw a turbo on it, in which case you can end up with more than 900whp if done right. Of course, nothing is exactly cheap for performance. There is no best bang for your buck mod, they all end up nearly equaling out in the long run.

New suspension is always a good thing too. Some Bilstein Sports and H&R springs is what I intend to switch to.

what robbie said :)

after everything (suspension bushings, motor stuff....just basic maintence) is in good working condition...
1st mod: suspension...at least lowering springs, stiffer shocks (and a rear sway bar if you don't have the sport model)
2nd mod: replace the stock radiator fan w/ an electric one (the 14" Hayden/Imperial 3690 fan works great)
3rd mod: to make the little m10 sound meaner, get at least a K&N panel filter (or get a custom cone filter to replace the airbox) and a louder muffler (no cherry bombs please :D )

but if your looking to go a little more extreme w/ the car, then just go straight to LEDA coilovers, urethane or solid bushings & mounts all around, and do a performance rebuild on the m10 and maybe turbo it or do a complete motor swap.

Welcome. You can do alot with the E21 but it all comes donw to how much $$$ u r willing to send and how much u have. I have a turbocharged M10 and love it. Blitzed310 have a full build M10, if you want to go all motor talk to him, if you want turbo I can help as well. There are alot of people on here that know alot and that can help you out in all areas. Good luck :buttrock

BTW, r u registered for Bimmerfest?

welcome!

if it's your beater, i would make it as mechanically sound as possible for reilability and gas mileage. New control arms, tie rod ends, upper strutt mounts, some springs and new shocks, and urethane those rear subframe bushings.

As for engine, replace as needed, and keep it running smooth. Spark Plugs, wires, check the fuel injectors. make sure the tranny isn't leaking and if yours runs hot i would reco the hayden fan install. Jbob and i have them and love them.

Good luck and pot up some pics of her!

-- M