Please help! E90 316i internal M3 conversion

[Shezy]

Hi,

I have a 6 speed manual 316i E90 it was my first car and I love it to bits. Recently I have started playing around with it now that there are other cars in the house. Its my fun Sunday drive unwind car if you will. Its bone stock its not even an M Sport and I have done some upgrades from the inside. and it looks miles better than where it started.

But I want to go further and actually make it an internally the same as an E90 M3 I know it will be costly but I am adamant to keep this car for life and I honestly don't mind. I know everyone is going to say sell it and get an M3 but that's not the point I have a lot of sentimental value with this car for a lot of reasons and I don't want to sell it ever.

So I was wondering what would be the things that I need? As I have no clue of the differences between an M car and non. I sure there are a bucketful but what do I need to upgrade internally? I want it to be the best possible E90 so along the lines of the CRT. I don't really care about the visuals from the outside yet. I certainly don't want it to look like one. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Just to add everything needs to be OEM so either from BMW or a part/company that BMW uses (I hope that makes sense)

If you have any questions about this crazy dream please ask I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge and keep you guys updated with any and all progress!

Thanks again you guys!

[kb9uwu]

Wut

[rcracin]

buy a complete m3, swap everything over.

[jphughan]

Assuming this isn't a troll, if selling it and getting an M3 isn't an option, how about NOT selling it and getting an M3? It'll cost less (A LOT less), you won't turn your sentimental car into a frankenbuild, and you'll get to experience a proper M3.

If you really do insist on this lunacy, I'd start by perusing the E91 318i M3 conversion thread. Obviously not exactly the same car, but it'll give you some idea of what you'd be in for: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492494

And oh yeah, there's no way this happens with 100% OEM or OE supplier parts. Did you really think BMW parts were interchangeable enough to allow that?

[BimmerRookie]

troll for sure. Either that or delusional. OP, not worth anybody's time.

[Shezy]

Hey,

Again, I really do understand that it makes no sense whatsoever. I also get that it sounds like a troll. But its genuine, unrealistic but genuine. I honestly don't know much about the internals of cars. I did however think that an E90 M3 and standard E90 would be pretty much interchangeable components wise. My course of action was to find a doner car and get started from there. But I was wondering on what other things I might need and if the car really that interchangeable or not. I am sorry if any of you thought its not worth your time. But its something I am serious about. I guess this wasn't the right place. At least not right now. Also as far as getting an M3 goes its just to much of the same for me if I was going to buy an M3 it would be the E46 CSL so its comparatively a different experience altogether rather than 25% or so better. Thanks again.

[BimmerRookie]

To get a better idea of what you're going for, please define "internals". Are you going for full power-train and drive-train or just cosmetic materials on the interior?

[Shezy]

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

To get a better idea of what you're going for, please define "internals". Are you going for full power-train and drive-train or just cosmetic materials on the interior?

Full power train and drive train all the mechanical aspects of the car.

[BimmerRookie]

Originally Posted by Shezy

Full power train and drive train all the mechanical aspects of the car.

Check this out first:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...E91+conversion

[DSilk]

Do you realise that one of the reasons that the M3 shares virtually no body panels with the standard 3 series cars is that the pieces that you want to add (and that includes engine, transmission, suspension, wheels and tires, brakes, etc) simply don't fit in the 318i body shell? This means that you would need to add M3 front wings, bonnet, and bumper, and widen the rear wings to accept the larger and wider wheels and tyres required. You are looking at a tremendous amount of work, as well as an insane expenditure. It might be easier to simply upgrade the engine to the turbo 6 from the 335i and make appropriate upgrades to the springs, dampers, and brakes...

[Shezy]

Originally Posted by DSilk

Do you realise that one of the reasons that the M3 shares virtually no body panels with the standard 3 series cars is that the pieces that you want to add (and that includes engine, transmission, suspension, wheels and tires, brakes, etc) simply don't fit in the 318i body shell? This means that you would need to add M3 front wings, bonnet, and bumper, and widen the rear wings to accept the larger and wider wheels and tyres required. You are looking at a tremendous amount of work, as well as an insane expenditure. It might be easier to simply upgrade the engine to the turbo 6 from the 335i and make appropriate upgrades to the springs, dampers, and brakes...

Yeah, I get that its extremely ambitious much like the E91 M3 although not quite on that level but close enough ludicrousness wise. Like don't get me wrong I don't expect this to be easy or cheap I might be considered crazy here but I am well aware of what I am getting into. I was just hoping you guys to help point me in the right direction to get started that's all. Thanks.

[DSilk]

Can it be done? Yes, with enough money you can pretty much do anything you would like. However, and here's the rub, you say that you want to keep your 316i because it holds sentimental value for you. By the time you make all of the modifications required to turn it into an M3-powered Sunday driver it will bear no resemblance externally to your beloved 316i.

[WingZeroX5]

Just buy some M stickers and plaster it on every internal piece and use your imagination, problem solved

[Shezy]

Originally Posted by DSilk

Can it be done? Yes, with enough money you can pretty much do anything you would like. However, and here's the rub, you say that you want to keep your 316i because it holds sentimental value for you. By the time you make all of the modifications required to turn it into an M3-powered Sunday driver it will bear no resemblance externally to your beloved 316i.

Hey, I agree that point was something I mulled over for a long time. It will practically be a completely different car. Having said that in the end I felt the essence would be there you know? kinda like the E30 is still present in an F30 regardless of how different a car the two are. I hope this translates as well on paper as it does in my head. But yeah excellent point.

[Shezy]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Just buy some M stickers and plaster it on every internal piece and use your imagination, problem solved

I should also tri color paint the internals for extra M goodness! Just so that the car is extra legit an M xD

[BimmerRookie]

I'm not really sure what sort of guidance you're trying to get out of this forum. To be honest with you, I would take this offline and go see a fabrication shop or specialist to help you on this project. Almost everyone who reads this thread is an "experienced" (I'll use that lightly) enthusiast who knows this task is crazy and unreasonable. If you really want to do it, I doubt you're going to hear what you want to hear or get the support you're looking for.

/thread

[SSJTrunks523]

OP. There are some drivetrain parts on this forum that could help. Orrrrr buy a crashed car.

I just kept my '07 E92 328xi. I love it to death, but would never attempt to swap it into an M. You're looking at a nightmare of a conversion. Suspension, drivetrain, body, brakes. I know there is a 1-series guy floating around here that put an S65 in it. IIRC

[M3Bimmer77]

Your going to end up with a ricer!!! I wouldn't waste time and money on a 316. M3 parts are expensive and you won't get anything back!!! If you don't want or have the money for an M3 then get at least a 335 and mod it.

[Amirsm3]

I'm in the same camp of just buying an E90 M3 and keeping the 316 aside for sentiment.

[E46M3forRay]

Learn me what a 316i is? Unheard of until I read this thread.

Post pix of 316i OP ...

[Amirsm3]

Originally Posted by E46M3forRay

Learn me what a 316i is? Unheard of until I read this thread.

Post pix of 316i OP ...

Look at a 328i lol. Same thing.

[E46M3forRay]

what makes it a 16i ? Missing cam lobes ? lol sounds pleb spec