S54 Swapped E30 M3 Mountain Test Drive | Is This the BEST Classic BMW Combo of All Time?!

[@SlowEuros]

Was awesome meeting you and letting you rip my overpriced E30, you’ll have to come out to Denver sometime and drive some more beat up m cars on the twistys

[@habsom1406]

Awesome car, awesome video, love those wheels, just what an M3 E30 needs....and a nice curvy road to explore! 👍😎

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ill certainly have to take you up on that. Thanks again brotha!🍻

[@m42b14]

Cool to see an OG R3V guy! Im dude8383 there... Have been around for a minute too. Happy to see this car is getting driven!!

[@BMWE30S54]

hello could i ask what you did to fit a fan clutch on the s54? what rad did you use? I have a s54 swaped e30 and I would love to fit a fan clutch in front, but there's no room, would love to know what trickery you did there. thanks

[@SlowEuros]

@@BMWE30S54 it’s an E28 535i rad fits perfectly, the s54 water pump pulley in the z3 m coupe is also closer to the engine

[@ThomasPregiato-ip1jm]

This was my old car, so hyped to see it go to a good home! I had incredible memories ripping this thing around upstate NY and then in the hills of LA. I truly miss it every day. Zach you're a madman driving it all the way to the east coast, that drone is real hahah!! But that's just more proof you were supposed to own this car next. Drive safe, enjoy it!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Wow what are the odds!! How cool. This is one hell of a car man! Honored to have gotten to enjoy it.

[@m42b14]

I knew it was your car the moment I saw it! Happy to see another fellow enthusiast is taking care of it and driving it like it was meant to be. My setup doesn't drone and we have nearly identical systems. The only difference is that I'm running cats on mine and I have a 6spd GS6-37BZ.

[@SlowEuros]

Haha the drone definitely killed me, she’s in good hands 🙌🏻

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

Two great dudes, 1 great car, and 1 great video. Had me smiling the whole time.

[@11_10s_racing]

Made me miss you guys

[@m3nameisjosh464]

🥹🥹 thank you Chris. We miss you!!!!

[@mikep7915]

Dbo needs a new video

[@11_10s_racing]

@@mikep7915 could not agree more

[@naterichard171]

Saw the thumbnail and hate to say that I was thinking the exhaust would sound like 95% of s54s. That was the best sounding s54 I’ve ever heard. All the way to redline.

[@M3Davin]

The shorter wheelbase and difference in how you have to route the exhaust makes a difference!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Literally the best sounding S54 ever!

[@Kooldood.]

Cool owner man. Ups for him letting you push the limits.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Right, not often will someone allow you to do that!

[@LateNightRituals]

This video made me open the FB marketplace. (Thats the biggest compliment imo)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahaha absolutely love to hear that

[@asparceproton1]

I've ridden in this car and it's absolutely bananas. Shout out to Zach for letting you rip it, I wish I knew he was in my neck of the woods!

[@M3Davin]

Great video Josh! Love to see someone else's perspective on the s54 e30

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you Davin!!

[@habsom1406]

The smile on Josh's face says it all! Awesome video guys, big up to Zach, super cool guy with great taste! Just love those wheels, fill out the arches perfectly.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You’re so right. Instant smile maker!

[@davidcombs8458]

Those roads around there are so nice. That’s the perfect car for the mountains.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The best roads ive ever driven!!

[@supercarscreams]

this is actually so cool

[@m3nameisjosh464]

🤝🙌🏼

[@JY-vr8ok]

Oooo yaaa! Shhhicka shick haaaa!!!80’s Dream ride!!! Zack glad those king rod bearings for the uro s50 came in clutch way back when! Tell Chris to get posting again!! Thanks Josh from Josh that was freakin a great vid!! BMW is generational and the OG’s will always be the ones to fully enjoy!! Mostly cuz we can afford to work on them!!ha ha 😅

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Haha Thank you Josh!!! Much appreciated. Hopefully we can motivate DBO to get back on the saddle!

[@e30life_91]

drove 11,565 miles with my e30 1990 325ix from ga all the way up to Alaska stock engin m20 one of the best experience i have ever had...... these cars goes for life

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@e30life_91 sounds awesome!!

[@btootoo]

I miss Zach Chris and the DBO gang this is rad. To cool Josh

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

We miss all of you guys too

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Maybe we will motivate them to get back to content creation!!

[@imSchwaggy]

This is the type of e30 m3 id like. Beat up. Swapped. Etc. Im not personally a super clean, perfect car person.

[@habsom1406]

Me too, a daily well set up M3 with blistering performance and a sweet soundtrack to keep the smile firmly on my face!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The most enjoyable cars to own, hands down!

[@imSchwaggy]

@@m3nameisjosh464 I drove in one when I was little but not as I've gotten older. Hope to get in a well sorted one soon.

[@imSchwaggy]

@@habsom1406 honestly! Something I wouldn't be sad to see rock chips on from spirited driving.

[@torygyberg8837]

Wow, made me smile ear to ear and get increased heart rate! :D - And it sounds great also, none of that terrible rasp

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Love to hear that!!!

[@blobcsgo7190]

very cool, Only thiing that would make the video better, a couple flybys from outside, and a suction cup go pro for on the outside of car. Great video!

[@habsom1406]

Yeah, I'd like to see flybys from outside too, good suggestion. What d'ya say Josh?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You guys are very right. Will DEFINITELY start integrating these into videos. Foolish me for not thinking of it sooner. Thank you!

[@mikesphoenix_e46m3]

Great video yet again josh and what a perfect recipe combo i mean lets be honest these s54 engines are one of the best then stick one in a light chassis works its magic

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ohhh yeah!!!!! Thank you!!

[@alcantarainterior8078]

E30 with an S54 engine sounds like a treat! Man Josh you should buy a trailer there, make it an air bnb and be there on every vintage or just for the sake of planning driving ventures like these with other bimmer owner friends. Cool video mate 💪🏼 💪🏼

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I might have too!!!! Thank you man!

[@michaelscott-s5f]

Zach is the man we miss DBO

[@viperocco]

the engine and exhaust note is fantastic

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Right?!?

[@ravenmaster6364]

magnus walker wou ld be proud, love it 👍👍

[@noahhiguera8114]

literal dream build

[@m3nameisjosh464]

After driving it, me too!

[@juancorrea9037]

Now, that car sounds awesome. Nice swap. That engine on a 2002 will be nuts.

[@mikegsg9r]

He needs a 2002!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

That would be scary fast!

[@daltonhanleyjr4142]

What subframe is under it? I also like the fact that it still running the mechanical fan

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Asylum engineering from my understanding

[@Covkiller]

This is a perfect match

[@user94322]

zach's a cool guy

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The coolest!

[@florider_hd]

this needs to be restored!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

No need!! Shes lookin and performing great!

[@startingtech3900]

just saw 5 classic bmws go buy wtf

[@timgoodwin3030]

I am doing the same project, but a long way off having it finished. just a few questions what suspension are you using and brake set up?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

This car is on stock M3 brakes and ground control coils if i recall.

[@brenden0311]

Absolutely insane car 😵‍💫 maybe we will see one on the channel soon??

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Not soon enough 🥹🥹🥹

[@ladin425]

Awesome!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you!

[@jotighe2]

those seats look great. recaro LS, you said.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Yessir. Beautiful seats

[@1995RangeRover]

Very cool!!

[@disco_volante1062]

Charger 500 (compared to the standard 69 charger) had the same trick with the back window! Imagine this M3 E30 with an S62 or even an S85!

[@grad0n]

Driftworks has an S65 in theirs.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Would be an absolute riot! However the driving dynamic would be very different I think. May not be as user friendly

[@Retrobeemer]

*Sorry Josh but my tuned S14/2.3 makes 260bhp and revs to 9K and is much better balanced. I had a 320is with an S50/3.0 and whilst quicker 0-60 it was not as much fun through the bends. Both cars were glorious though.*

[@shifty1927]

Im sure those induction noises are amazing. Been thinking of putting a k series in my e30 as a good alternative to the s14. Ive done all out turbo bmw builds but never done a NA build.

[@SlowEuros]

A built S14 does sound amazing but for the price of that I love the S54

[@Retrobeemer]

@@shifty1927 I put ITB's on an M44/1.9 and put it in a 1600-2. It made 164bhp and sounded pretty good. It's in my vids if you'd like to hear it. I did think about using the Honda S2000 engine.

[@Retrobeemer]

@@shifty1927 My M3 is in the Petrolicious ''Therapist'' video.

[@shifty1927]

@@Retrobeemer both of them are awesome. Also you're m3 is beautiful. How i imagine m3s when i daydream about them. But here's a vid of my e36 someone uploaded to youtube from the bimmerforums. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4mWZZdsZp2Xl6csi=cIAbjOTLNLtBngG2 Stopped messing with the car around 08 after it was the 1st to 1000whp and in the 9s.

[@BMWE30S54]

I see that you have a fan clutch , nice what rad and fan clutch setup you use?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hopefully Zach will chime in to answer

[@BMWE30S54]

@@m3nameisjosh464 i hope so , im curious what he did there! great video!

[@svrepublic6551]

Hate to ask but how does it pass smog if it has the cat cut back. Or how do get to register it. I am having mine done and just need advise

[@m3nameisjosh464]

He lives in Colorado. The rest of us outside California dont know what smog is😉

[@svrepublic6551]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Yes California really sucks with these Smog issue. thanks Great Build

[@fatoputso7375]

Dude that car can make the saddest days into happy one's. Chill owner for sure, almost too chill😅

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Well said man! Instant fun haver. And Zach is the man!

[@hooptie157]

Mine is almost done…. Almost

[@StacheCam]

Zach such a pimp daddy

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Aint that the truth

[@SlowEuros]

Coming from the og pimp daddy!

[@placeholdername3206]

I love the look of E30's more, but imo the E36 is just a better platform for a build like this. E30's just drive like an old car, less so than E36. In my opinion E36 is the perfect balance between the old and new. E30's also feel nose heavy with even an M20 up front, let alone an S54

[@DENVERBEERANDOIL]

You should drive an m3 with an s54, I thought the same thing until I drove this one.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Even Zach himself in the video said E36s are better! Hahaha. Ive driven both an E36 m3 and e30 m3 with S54. Cant help but feel like the E30 was the better feeling car

[@LateNightRituals]

The owner such a gangster

[@m3nameisjosh464]

True that!

[@11_10s_racing]

The DBO vibes are stong

[@m3nameisjosh464]

YESSSS

[@h1923]

I love when a car is not perfect and you just want to use it as it was designed to

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@h1923 me tooo!

[@Dietcola1]

God's CHARIOT!!❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

YESSSIR!!

[@grimsta5761]

That’s my mechanic lol

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You got one cool mechanic!

[@Dinner34]

Damn that's hot

[@chrisfinkbohner]

cool

[@jotighe2]

I heard that. you're an e34 guy? since when? I thought you were always the e46 guy, or is it e36? I know the last e39 you drove on the channel made you prefer e34, but I thought that was only for fives. this is a three series.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ive always been an E34 guy. E34 came before anything else except E46 M3. E34 is my bread and butter

[@redordead4491]

If it had the S14 it would retain its value 😏

[@m3nameisjosh464]

🙁

[@serot0nergic]

He paid just under $80k for it, and it's been used and abused pretty well. I'd say it's in excellent condition, but for what the average person would consider to be a collectors car, it's retained plenty of value.

[@redordead4491]

@@serot0nergic tell that to a collector.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Imagine, 30 years from now, two guys raving about a front wheel drive 1 Series. 😂 Henna red is just a porn colour and rare on the E30 M3. BMW were replacing it with Zinnober as the M3 was being introduced.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Ahhahaha would NEVER happen! Henna is awesome. He said less than 400 made!

[@Tec_KnowTech]

This is pretty nice 👍 We did the opposite and yanked the S54 out of e46 M3 and slapped a N55 into it 🫡

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Craziness!!