1987 BMW 328is - S38 Swap

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WBAAA130XH2323021    

76,395 miles 

A very unique and special BMW E30 325is with an S38 engine swap from an E34 M5 - a very rare and uncommon swap.

This 325is started out life in Massachusetts and made its way to New Hampshire sometime around 2008 where it got into the hands of Mike Morris, the owner of Schneller BMW and Mini Specialists. Mike had a vision to build a car BMW never did, an E30 with the most powerful engine BMW produced at the time, an S38 out of an E34 M5. Making 360hp and being fitted into a lightweight chassis such as the E30's makes for a great combination. This car very much reminds me of my personal E46 M3 in the way it drives and sounds.

The history of this swap is very well documented in magazines and by Mike in a well organized booklet. The S38 engine was purchased and rebuilt before beginning the swap. The engine mounts, wiring harness, DME were all custom built in the E30 to handle the S38. New clutch, flywheel, slave cylinder and throttle bodies were fitted. 

The manual gearbox from an E30 M3 was used along with driveshaft and flex joint. The final drive is a 4.10 ratio. An M Coupe differential cover was used along with Alpina transmission crossmember and rubber mounts. An aluminum radiator is used for cooling along with a Spal fan. Modified oil cooler lines were made as well.

The suspension was changed using E30 M3 parts along with 5 lug wheel hubs and ABS. Ireland Engineering camber plates are up front along with Koni shocks and struts. Eibach E30 M3 lowering springs were installed with thicker front and rear swaybars. Eibach front and rear tower braces were installed. A power steering rack was used from an E30 M3.

The brakes calipers and master cylinder were changed and used from an E28 535i and E34 M5. E30 M3 rotors, pads and stainless brake lines were fitted. 16” ACT replica throwing star wheels are used along with spare tire.

On the S38, modified E34 M5 headers were used along with cats. There is a custom Stromung muffler as well.

The exterior of this E30 wears Kamei headlight eyebrows, M5 headlight grille set, M5 kidneys, BMW M Technic side skirts, E30 Zender front valence, 89-91 front and rear bumpers, BMP rear apron, Zender E30 M3 Evo 3 rear wing, E36 M3 replica mirrors and a single wiper arm.

The interior is fitted with a Euro MTech 2, 3 spoke wheel, E30 M3 door panels and rear speaker deck. An E30 M3 cluster with interior coding plug from a 325i. Carbon fiber accents around the interior, center console gauge housing, M sport shift knob, M3 door sills, Euro check control unit and a German on board computer. Recaro SRD seats are up front and recovered with Nardo cloth imported from Germany. E30 M3 rear seats.

This E30 was a very "no expense spared" type build. Services records are available and dating back to 2014. These receipts total well over $24,000. A lot of the original swapped parts have been replaced with the same parts or rebuilt since 2008. The receipts are extensive and can be reviewed if needed. 

The A/C is functioning as well but would not be considered "comfortable" by today's standards. The car runs and drives fantastically. It really does feel like an older brother to the E46 M3. The paint on the front clip (hood, fenders, bumper) have been redone at some point and the match is about 90%. It is visible that the paint is not a 100% match but not an eyesore either. The black trim around the windows is peeling at places.

Comes with 2 keys, car cover, extensive records dating back to 2014, a booklet made during the original swap and a European Car magazine where the car was featured.