Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? TL/DR version: Been looking at cars for sale and researching these cars on some forums and noticed quite a few with blown headgaskets... Is this a common issue with these engines...or just meathead owners overheating their engines because they are not maintaining their somewhat fragile cooling systems? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109396#msg-109396 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:27:15 -0500 Phorum 5.2.15a https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109869#msg-109869 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109869#msg-109869
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john vanlandingham
Too bad with a lot less work and cost this would kick that's ass
https://eastoregon.craigslist.org/cto/5361722590.html
and starting price nearly a thousand less.

Drop an Ecotech into it with T-5, spend a few thou on brakes that can stop it and a few more thou on suspension plus a few thou on wiring and cosmetics lest you puke in your mouth walking up to it. :-)]]> NoCoast Rally Chat Fri, 25 Dec 2015 16:56:12 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109862#msg-109862 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109862#msg-109862
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RALLYRS
Rebuilt head too...wonder if the old one cracked...

Nice looking car...too bad it has that stupid california top..ruins the car.

Too bad with a lot less work and cost this would kick that's ass

https://eastoregon.craigslist.org/cto/5361722590.html

and starting price nearly a thousand less.]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Thu, 24 Dec 2015 11:47:07 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109857#msg-109857 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109857#msg-109857
Nice looking car...too bad it has that stupid california top..ruins the car.]]> RALLYRS Rally Chat Thu, 24 Dec 2015 00:37:06 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109852#msg-109852 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109852#msg-109852 https://pullman.craigslist.org/cto/5360532600.html headgaskets redone..]]> biggreen96 Rally Chat Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:20:18 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109672#msg-109672 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109672#msg-109672
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Pete
I've posted that Duratec E30 picture before, because you can get silly power with a nonturbo Duratec and it looks like cheap M3 grins.

BTW - There's a dealership a couple hours from here who wants only $150k for an E30 M3! So maybe that is a better deal than a Duratec swap into a 318.

Damn if they only had two at that price. It'd make the trip worthwhile..
Buy 2, drive some hillclimbs in second gear, sell one for $175K and enter STPR, come second from last and sell it for$195k...

I have a Honcha that that'd work.

Isn't there that Phildelphia guy selling a Fiesta now with stock motor, stock suspension, just a cage and a sumpguard for only $25,000?? Built at Broke-ass motorspurt, that's why he's broke...]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Sun, 13 Dec 2015 16:29:49 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109671#msg-109671 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109671#msg-109671
BTW - There's a dealership a couple hours from here who wants only $150k for an E30 M3! So maybe that is a better deal than a Duratec swap into a 318.]]> Pete Rally Chat Sun, 13 Dec 2015 15:26:09 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109669#msg-109669 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109669#msg-109669 Gravity Fed Rally Chat Sat, 12 Dec 2015 12:14:07 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109654#msg-109654 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109654#msg-109654 Cosworth Rally Chat Fri, 11 Dec 2015 10:37:07 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109647#msg-109647 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109647#msg-109647 But it's what non-BMW engine I would prefer swapped in...

If I was inclined to swap.....

Or a rotary.

:|


......]]> RALLYRS Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:51:44 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109646#msg-109646 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109646#msg-109646
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DaveK


Probably do a 4g64 Mitsubishi if I ever blow the 6 up. Easy power from 200-600...it gets expensive above that point.

Dave

Badass for sure, I have one. I still think I'd stick with a 4g63 for the extra head gasket sealing area. But damn, 4g64's are awful cheap compared to 4g63 blocks.]]> Paddy1337 Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:32:55 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109645#msg-109645 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109645#msg-109645
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NoCoast
Ecoboost all things!
Or just turbo the BMW six? Or Kern style S54 with it's 330 or whatever. Or LSX swap from a crashed GM.

Probably do a 4g64 Mitsubishi if I ever blow the 6 up. Easy power from 200-600...it gets expensive above that point.

Dave]]> DaveK Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:58:15 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109644#msg-109644 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109644#msg-109644 Or just turbo the BMW six? Or Kern style S54 with it's 330 or whatever. Or LSX swap from a crashed GM.]]> NoCoast Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:40:26 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109642#msg-109642 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109642#msg-109642
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NoCoast
So with how much work to get to the same or less power than a fairly affordable engine swap will get.
I almost went with a S52 swap for my rally car at 240 hp/ 240 ft lbs STOCK. It was like $2k with ECU, wiring, and gearbox. I decided the M52 was sufficient, bought the whole running/driveable but crashed donor car for $175. The 193 hp/210 ft lbs. is plenty for my needs right now, which is really to just get seat time and have fun without having to constantly fix things. So far I've got 3 hours of competition on track and two completed hill climbs (about another 0.75-1.0 hour in seat time) in the Goose, which is probably around $6-7k spent at this point. LSD diff, lightweight flywheel/clutch, 2.5" exhaust, upgraded radiator, shroud, and fan, and Porterfield R4 pads. That's about it for improvements. Going back to more road racing and building the new car for gravel in 2016.
Bought the cams used for $600, pistons are $500, rods another $500, and the fact that it weighs half of an iron 6cyl its not bad at all. But if I was running a bmw I'd probably run the 6cyl too just because there's more of them. But not because its better. And now since you can run different manufacturer engines for RA, I'd look at a different 4 cyl to put into a TI.]]> Cosworth Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 17:53:06 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109638#msg-109638 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109638#msg-109638
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Cosworth
Ding ding ding ding... you can make a 4 banger beat a 6cyl very easy. I'm not sure on the internal geometries of the m44 but with little head work, high compression pistons and some 305 cams it could make 220hp all day. 250 if you could get a good intake and exhaust combo to match the cams.

So with how much work to get to the same or less power than a fairly affordable engine swap will get.
I almost went with a S52 swap for my rally car at 240 hp/ 240 ft lbs STOCK. It was like $2k with ECU, wiring, and gearbox. I decided the M52 was sufficient, bought the whole running/driveable but crashed donor car for $175. The 193 hp/210 ft lbs. is plenty for my needs right now, which is really to just get seat time and have fun without having to constantly fix things. So far I've got 3 hours of competition on track and two completed hill climbs (about another 0.75-1.0 hour in seat time) in the Goose, which is probably around $6-7k spent at this point. LSD diff, lightweight flywheel/clutch, 2.5" exhaust, upgraded radiator, shroud, and fan, and Porterfield R4 pads. That's about it for improvements. Going back to more road racing and building the new car for gravel in 2016.]]> NoCoast Rally Chat Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:03:28 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109630#msg-109630 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109630#msg-109630
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Gravity Fed
really? seems like the M42/M44 have ZERO value here in CA. people will literally give them away when swapping or failed smog because seriously no wants them.

Same here. Hard to even find as most scrap them.]]> NoCoast Rally Chat Wed, 09 Dec 2015 22:29:42 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109629#msg-109629 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109629#msg-109629
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john vanlandingham
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NoCoast
Fours sound like a winner in many categories, except that one simple smile inducing one.

Only to guys who don't know how to make engines go, or make excuses about gearing and final drives and are simple too cheap to do the right things to make it go.
Ding ding ding ding... you can make a 4 banger beat a 6cyl very easy. I'm not sure on the internal geometries of the m44 but with little head work, high compression pistons and some 305 cams it could make 220hp all day. 250 if you could get a good intake and exhaust combo to match the cams.

You could do things like this if you're really into it.

]]> Cosworth Rally Chat Wed, 09 Dec 2015 20:51:54 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109628#msg-109628 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109628#msg-109628 Gravity Fed Rally Chat Wed, 09 Dec 2015 20:49:53 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109621#msg-109621 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109621#msg-109621
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RALLYRS
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DaveK
......
I got mine for $1100 back in 2009 and drove it home. Did have a check engine light...so I scrapped it and put in multiple M3 engines. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot? LOL

Dave

So it's entirely possible the lowly 4 cylinder BMW engine has an edge(at least in reliabilty) than the
'legendary" BMW 6 cylinder?

I wouldn't say they have an edge, but I would say they are equal. They are the same engines with very slight changes in bore, stroke, and cylinder count. People often take m3 pistons and rods coupled with a diesel crank to make a 200hp plus 2.1 liter M44/42.

The first M3 engine was based of the M1 supercar engine the M88. Legend has it that the R&D engineers took a road going m10 block/crank from a 2002 and the put M88 head on it with two cylinders cut off.

Basically they are all the same. They use the same parts. Obviously a long straight six crank has a weakness that a four banger will never have, but we also don't rev our engines to extreme RPM.

One point I will make is and I think Grant and Dave may have said something regarding this is....

In the US only 318 and 318ti from 1990-1999 have m42/44. While in Europe they have 316,318,320,518,520, etc not to mention a slew of diesel four cylinders. AKA four cylinder BMW cost more then six cylinder BMW in the states. That is why I'm building my car with a heavy M52 2.8 six banger. I bought the whole donor car running and driving for $300.]]> Nate.Vincent Rally Chat Wed, 09 Dec 2015 13:01:29 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109607#msg-109607 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109607#msg-109607
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john vanlandingham
200 Hp should be easy: a set of pistons and a pair of cams, maybe valve springs, done on the engine.

That's all well and good (and more than $750), but didn't you hear 333 is the new 200? If (when) I blow it again, I've got an excuse for an ex-nascar v8. :hot: ...and the front dampers to keep it in check. :beer:

Dave]]> DaveK Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:41:15 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109606#msg-109606 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109606#msg-109606
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DaveK
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john vanlandingham
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NoCoast
Fours sound like a winner in many categories, except that one simple smile inducing one.

Only to guys who don't know how to make engines go, or make excuses about gearing and final drives and are simple too cheap to do the right things to make it go.

Cheap is right. When a 6-cyl pops, it's $175-$750 for a brand spanking new-to-me 6 cyl that makes 200 hp & tq off the showroom floor. Hard to justify dropping several K to make 40hp less...

Dave

200 Hp should be easy: a set of pistons and a pair of cams, maybe valve springs, done on the engine.
Management of some sort, exhaust..done. Torque: do the math. Engine makes T for torque x X.XX for final drive, comes out the same as an engine makes 1.4 times the torque, times 3.xx final..
Difference? weight sounds like a big one---6 is 50% more of everything (2 more cylinders worth of block, 2 more throws on the crank, 2 more rods, 2 more pistons, lots of extra valves..

Sure seems like much of the world can go pretty damn good with a 2,0 16v motor.

Have we forgotten how Paddon paddled every single turbo 4wd car in NZRC round this year with a nearly 40 year old 1600 16v in an old thing with leaf springs?
Seems kinda superfluous, especially when the 3,0 thing seems to blow up so easily.]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 20:13:23 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109605#msg-109605 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109605#msg-109605
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john vanlandingham
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NoCoast
Fours sound like a winner in many categories, except that one simple smile inducing one.

Only to guys who don't know how to make engines go, or make excuses about gearing and final drives and are simple too cheap to do the right things to make it go.

Cheap is right. When a 6-cyl pops, it's $175-$750 for a brand spanking new-to-me 6 cyl that makes 200 hp & tq off the showroom floor. Hard to justify dropping several K to make 40hp less...

Dave]]> DaveK Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:13:17 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109604#msg-109604 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109604#msg-109604
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NoCoast
Fours sound like a winner in many categories, except that one simple smile inducing one.

Only to guys who don't know how to make engines go, or make excuses about gearing and final drives and are simple too cheap to do the right things to make it go.]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:10:22 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109602#msg-109602 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109602#msg-109602 NoCoast Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 19:01:49 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109601#msg-109601 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109601#msg-109601
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DaveK
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RALLYRS
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DaveK
......
I got mine for $1100 back in 2009 and drove it home. Did have a check engine light...so I scrapped it and put in multiple M3 engines. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot? LOL

Dave

So it's entirely possible the lowly 4 cylinder BMW engine has an edge(at least in reliabilty) than the
'legendary" BMW 6 cylinder?

The water doesn't have to travel as far, maybe less likely to boil as a result?

Dave

Same basic materials? Iron, aluminum, steel..
Roughly same height, width, length?
Shorter will be stiffer.
Block is shorter..
Crank is shorter
head is shorter
weight moar btter-er
weight moar better-er-er located.]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:57:06 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109599#msg-109599 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109599#msg-109599
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RALLYRS
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DaveK
......
I got mine for $1100 back in 2009 and drove it home. Did have a check engine light...so I scrapped it and put in multiple M3 engines. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot? LOL

Dave

So it's entirely possible the lowly 4 cylinder BMW engine has an edge(at least in reliabilty) than the
'legendary" BMW 6 cylinder?

The water doesn't have to travel as far, maybe less likely to boil as a result?

Dave]]> DaveK Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:41:02 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109598#msg-109598 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109598#msg-109598
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DaveK
......
I got mine for $1100 back in 2009 and drove it home. Did have a check engine light...so I scrapped it and put in multiple M3 engines. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot? LOL

Dave

So it's entirely possible the lowly 4 cylinder BMW engine has an edge(at least in reliabilty) than the
'legendary" BMW 6 cylinder?]]> RALLYRS Rally Chat Tue, 08 Dec 2015 16:26:08 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109514#msg-109514 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109514#msg-109514
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RALLYRS
Yeah Andrew when I'm ready to buy I'll be as careful as I can about getting a maintained one.

Been hanging at 318ti.org a bit...

A lot of these cars are modded and/or neglected.....

Doesnt seem like the m44 and m42 are a bad engine, but one to keep the cooling system maintained and a watchful eye on the temp gauge.

More so than one might with your average crapbox anyway...

These were "cheap" for the make, so often the people who bought them didn't take care of them. Local shop out here swears by the motor for being nearly indestructible as long as the cooling system is properly maintained, but...see above. :)

I got mine for $1100 back in 2009 and drove it home. Did have a check engine light...so I scrapped it and put in multiple M3 engines. Have I mentioned I'm an idiot? LOL

Dave]]> DaveK Rally Chat Thu, 03 Dec 2015 16:40:38 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109500#msg-109500 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109500#msg-109500
Been hanging at 318ti.org a bit...

A lot of these cars are modded and/or neglected.....

Doesnt seem like the m44 and m42 are a bad engine, but one to keep the cooling system maintained and a watchful eye on the temp gauge.

More so than one might with your average crapbox anyway...]]> RALLYRS Rally Chat Wed, 02 Dec 2015 22:04:11 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109498#msg-109498 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109498#msg-109498
My research indicated that this is quite common on these motors if they have been overheated. It appears that common failure is the casting around the valve seats cracks.

Unless you are planning on a motor swap you may be better off buying a car with a better maintenance history and a working engine.]]> Andrew_Frick Rally Chat Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:36:05 -0600 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109407#msg-109407 Re: Are the 4 bangers in the BMW 318ti's prone to blowing head gaskets? https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,109396,109407#msg-109407
And that picture is purdy too.]]> RALLYRS Rally Chat Mon, 23 Nov 2015 23:52:23 -0600