318is with m3 swap -

boostin240 · 10-29-2008, 01:42 PM

I have a friend of mine who has a 94 318is with a 96 m3 motor dropped in it. How much would u suspect an alternator would cost(only thing bad on the car).it has bilstein shocks and H&R Race springs. My friend says it runs but only needs the alternator.

My main question is how much would it cost for an alternator of course and to have it installed? where would be a good choice to where it would get done right, and at a low cost.

cosM3os · 10-29-2008, 01:48 PM

As I recall, couple hundred bucks for new parts/labor. BMW used two different manufacturers for their alternators. Make sure you get the right replacement.

boostin240 · 10-29-2008, 02:00 PM

Thanks, you think just getting one from a 96 m3 block would do it? or should i play it safe and buy new?

ZoHeB318 · 10-29-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostin240

Thanks, you think just getting one from a 96 m3 block would do it? or should i play it safe and buy new?

As long as they are the same alternator. The two brands are Valeo and Bosch

boostin240 · 10-29-2008, 02:26 PM

Bosch, cant i get that from like autozone?

ZoHeB318 · 10-29-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostin240

Bosch, cant i get that from like autozone?

Nope

**Shuasha** · 10-29-2008, 02:41 PM

Are you sure? Autozone carries some, thrrtht on here used to get them from there. IIRC, they were subpar on quality.

jfranci3 · 10-29-2008, 02:57 PM

Wait are you buying this car or did your friend buy this car? If you're buying this car, you might want to not buy a frankenstein car if you're not comfortable tracking down and changing the alternator. You just don't have the parts manual deftness to navigate your way though the swap world. You'll be happier with something else.

Either way, make sure you check if the alternator an M3 unit, at 318is unit, or something else. They may not have swapped the alternator for some reason.

StreuB1 · 10-29-2008, 02:57 PM

autozone has them!!

i did also thill i threw the 3 i had in the dumpster about a month ago. lol

ZoHeB318 · 10-29-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuasha

Are you sure? Autozone carries some, thrrtht on here used to get them from there. IIRC, they were subpar on quality.

According to their website they have Duralast alternators

uiuc240 · 10-29-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfranci3

Wait are you buying this car or did your friend buy this car? If you're buying this car, you might want to not buy a frankenstein car if you're not comfortable tracking down and changing the alternator. You just don't have the parts manual deftness to navigate your way though the swap world. You'll be happier with something else.

+1

If you're asking these questions, it's not for you. This will not be the first time you need a strange part. Especially given the fact that both the chassis and the engine are over 10 years old. Things are going to start going bad and you're going to have to get creative.

I'm mainly posting here because personally I want my mother-in-law to sell me her almost-mint 318ti in a couple years so I can embark on my own swaparoo. A 318ti with a nicely modded S52 (N/A) would be SO MUCH FUN.

Eric

jfranci3 · 10-29-2008, 03:32 PM

I don't think the brand name matters unless it's orginal OEM. You basically have Orginal MFG, rebuilt, and copycat parts all marketed under different names. You'll probably find the exact same part marketed by 15 differnt companies. Duralast is just a brandname that probably uses rebuilt or copycat parts. The brands basically sell the parts and may provide a distribution center and take the risk of owning the inventory. Otherwise a parts distributer will just pay to use the Duralast name to move his parts.
I'd go rebuilt for your car. The only way to tell is to look a the existing part then open the box at the parts store. If the casting look the same, you should be good to go.

bmwperson · 10-29-2008, 04:35 PM

just buy it from bmw, $350. It's not worth getting stuck...

boostin240 · 10-29-2008, 05:52 PM

i will be getting this car. he wants 800 for it. the car runs, and has ran for 3 years, just working full time and having no time for his toys( including his 10 sec miata) hes just selling all he has for cheap. Im also getting several turbos in gr8 condition which i plan on reselling and using one to hook up to my 240sx and make it a ka-t.he says the 318is is in gr8 condition body, interior mileage everything.he has strengthed the frame since he knows the problems these cars have and all. I know he knows his stuff and i have 100% confidence in him. Anyone wanna buy that miata its for sale as well.

jfranci3 · 10-29-2008, 06:05 PM

Hell, $800. Go for it.

10-29-2008, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
boostin240 New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Round Lake/Champaign Posts: 29 Casino cash: $167415	318is with m3 swap I have a friend of mine who has a 94 318is with a 96 m3 motor dropped in it. How much would u suspect an alternator would cost(only thing bad on the car).it has bilstein shocks and H&R Race springs. My friend says it runs but only needs the alternator. My main question is how much would it cost for an alternator of course and to have it installed? where would be a good choice to where it would get done right, and at a low cost.

10-29-2008, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
cosM3os Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oak Park Posts: 899 Casino cash: $1783012	As I recall, couple hundred bucks for new parts/labor. BMW used two different manufacturers for their alternators. Make sure you get the right replacement. __________________ Kyle Burkhardt 2007 NASA TTD National Champion VP, Windy City BMW Pajamapants Racing 06 GTI 05 Chevy Suburban 98 M3 Coupe NASA TTD#124 (soon to be GTS2)

10-29-2008, 02:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Shuasha Burn, Baby, Burn Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 7,632 Casino cash: $1755993	Are you sure? Autozone carries some, thrrtht on here used to get them from there. IIRC, they were subpar on quality. __________________ StreuBocharged 97 M3/4 - Top Mount Turbo Kit, Built/Stroked M50 Non-Vanos, GT-35R, 3" Turbo Back Exhaust, HR/Bilstein Combo, UUC SSK/Sways/LTW Flywheel, AA DSB 93 525iT

10-29-2008, 02:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
jfranci3 Swamp Buggy All-Stars Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bucktown Posts: 1,915 Casino cash: $758892	Wait are you buying this car or did your friend buy this car? If you're buying this car, you might want to not buy a frankenstein car if you're not comfortable tracking down and changing the alternator. You just don't have the parts manual deftness to navigate your way though the swap world. You'll be happier with something else. Either way, make sure you check if the alternator an M3 unit, at 318is unit, or something else. They may not have swapped the alternator for some reason. __________________ 2000 Stang Gt with Duottro dual wheel drive. In the wet: Duottro < Quattro < Chevy AWD < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD In the Dry: Chevy AWD < Quattro < Duottro < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD

10-29-2008, 03:32 PM	#12 (permalink)
jfranci3 Swamp Buggy All-Stars Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bucktown Posts: 1,915 Casino cash: $758892	I don't think the brand name matters unless it's orginal OEM. You basically have Orginal MFG, rebuilt, and copycat parts all marketed under different names. You'll probably find the exact same part marketed by 15 differnt companies. Duralast is just a brandname that probably uses rebuilt or copycat parts. The brands basically sell the parts and may provide a distribution center and take the risk of owning the inventory. Otherwise a parts distributer will just pay to use the Duralast name to move his parts. I'd go rebuilt for your car. The only way to tell is to look a the existing part then open the box at the parts store. If the casting look the same, you should be good to go. __________________ 2000 Stang Gt with Duottro dual wheel drive. In the wet: Duottro < Quattro < Chevy AWD < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD In the Dry: Chevy AWD < Quattro < Duottro < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD

10-29-2008, 02:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
boostin240 New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Round Lake/Champaign Posts: 29 Casino cash: $167415	Thanks, you think just getting one from a 96 m3 block would do it? or should i play it safe and buy new?

10-29-2008, 02:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
boostin240 New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Round Lake/Champaign Posts: 29 Casino cash: $167415	Bosch, cant i get that from like autozone?

10-29-2008, 04:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
bmwperson Polish Pride Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Naperville,IL Posts: 2,622 Casino cash: $1971482	just buy it from bmw, $350. It's not worth getting stuck... __________________ -- Tomek "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."

10-29-2008, 05:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
boostin240 New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Round Lake/Champaign Posts: 29 Casino cash: $167415	i will be getting this car. he wants 800 for it. the car runs, and has ran for 3 years, just working full time and having no time for his toys( including his 10 sec miata) hes just selling all he has for cheap. Im also getting several turbos in gr8 condition which i plan on reselling and using one to hook up to my 240sx and make it a ka-t.he says the 318is is in gr8 condition body, interior mileage everything.he has strengthed the frame since he knows the problems these cars have and all. I know he knows his stuff and i have 100% confidence in him. Anyone wanna buy that miata its for sale as well.

10-29-2008, 06:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
jfranci3 Swamp Buggy All-Stars Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bucktown Posts: 1,915 Casino cash: $758892	Hell, $800. Go for it. __________________ 2000 Stang Gt with Duottro dual wheel drive. In the wet: Duottro < Quattro < Chevy AWD < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD In the Dry: Chevy AWD < Quattro < Duottro < Nissan GT-R Magical AWD

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