Anybody have experience with M20s?

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AlexTheBeaner
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:51 am
Location: Fresno CA

Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by AlexTheBeaner »

Hello all,

I know it's not an e34 site, but I figured that your guy's knowledge will help me out. I purchased a 89' 525i (auto) last weekend.
It's a great & comfortable car to drive, but man, this car feels slooooooooow. Maybe I'm used to my e92 335i (N55) even then, my mk5 jetta feels slightly quicker at picking up speed.

I've done some quick research, there's not much to wake up this engine unless you go turbo. :-k
The other thing is just chip and that's about it. I read that aftermarket air intakes can actually make the car lose power.

I found Turner's Chip for $169 on their website. Any other companies that make good chips for these types of cars? :?:
Other suggestions on what I can do to make this car just a bit quicker. I don't need anything crazy fast, but good enough to pass traffic from time to time. I live in a agricultural area and I'm always finding myself passing semi trucks because they're infamous on chipping your paint and windows. :-?

TIA!
brickwhite
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Location: Broomfield, CO

Re: Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by brickwhite »

160hp m20 in a 3500lb Automatic e34... yep it's slow. That's why they only came to the US for 2 years.


only buy m30,s38, m50 or m60b40 e34s..... no m20 or m60b30 :(
- 12 535i
- 92 325ic
AlexTheBeaner
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:51 am
Location: Fresno CA

Re: Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by AlexTheBeaner »

brickwhite wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:13 pm 160hp m20 in a 3500lb Automatic e34... yep it's slow. That's why they only came to the US for 2 years.


only buy m30,s38, m50 or m60b40 e34s..... no m20 or m60b30 :(
First time learning about the M20s. Should've done my research. Oh wells. :oops:

Regardless, it's a great car for the price. It will be my daily for some time.
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hornhospital Online
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Re: Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by hornhospital »

The M20 is just as durable as an M30 except for one thing, the timing BELT. Make sure it's got less than 4 years/60,000 miles on it. Breaking a timing belt on an M20 at speed is a guarantee that you'll spend a boatload of money repairing the head and probably the pistons. At least your '89 version is rev-happy. :wink:
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
davidradio
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Re: Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by davidradio »

brickwhite wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:13 pm 160hp m20 in a 3500lb Automatic e34... yep it's slow. That's why they only came to the US for 2 years.


only buy m30,s38, m50 or m60b40 e34s..... no m20 or m60b30 :(
yep I'm using S38, M20 is very slow =;
AlexTheBeaner
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:51 am
Location: Fresno CA

Re: Anybody have experience with M20s?

Post by AlexTheBeaner »

hornhospital wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2019 1:42 am The M20 is just as durable as an M30 except for one thing, the timing BELT. Make sure it's got less than 4 years/60,000 miles on it. Breaking a timing belt on an M20 at speed is a guarantee that you'll spend a boatload of money repairing the head and probably the pistons. At least your '89 version is rev-happy. :wink:
Much appreciated! I guess I'll just put a chip and call it a day. Anyways, it's a daily, nothing out of the norm. I just removed the seats yesterday. This will be my first attempt in fixing the "twisted" seats.

Cheers
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