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Fall Special - 1991 318iC

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    Fall Special - 1991 318iC

    CL find 1991 318iC.

    I'd been looking for a convertible for awhile. My 6 year old loves them as does the wife. I was open to a few things, but an E30 was my #1 choice.

    I'd seen this car on CL all summer. Initially at $5500. I didn't think that was out of line for a clean car, but more than I wanted to pay.
    Dropped to $4k this fall and I called him to take a look. Negotiated a bit and brought it home.

    BMWs are unusual in this area. I've bought a few cars over the internet with good luck, including my M3. But it is always a gamble and it costs a bunch to ship them up here. Was nice to find something I wanted locally.

    This car was owned my someone in the military. The Carfax has it going from SC to WA every couple years with the same owner. It also made a trip to Germany and back somewhere in there. Was sold in WA a couple years ago. Traded owners again 2 years ago and came to MT.

    It is a very base spec car. No cruise, no power locks, cloth seats etc. 5 speed with 104k miles.
    Perfect. My M3 is the same way. The only option it came with is LTW wheels.

    The last owner spent a couple grand on it. New bushings, cooling system, tires etc.
    Overall it is clean. No rust I've found. Original VIN tags except for the trunk. It was swapped for one with a spoiler.
    Came with an air deflector and factory tonneau cover(!).

    Drove it for a few weeks before the winter set in. It had been taken care of and was ready to go when we got it. Runs, drives and stops fine.
    The M42 is peppy. It rolls around more than I like but feels solid. The top is good, but the back window is shot. Seats are covered, more on that later.

    This winter I'm going to update the suspension and replace the wheels/tires. I'm not a fan of bottlecaps.
    I've got H&R Cabrio Springs, Bilstein Sports, strut and shock mounts, and refinished 15" Euroweaves on the way. Looking for a deal on tires.
    I'm also going to replace the bleeding 6 button clock with an analong and get an OEM radio.

    I'd like to do the top this winter as well but I don't think I'll have time. So, next winter it should get a new top and some new upholstery.

    My wife is in school to become a Nurse Practioner. She will be done in 2 years. I plan to reward myself with her being done with school (and me paying for it) with an S52 swap. That will be 2-3 years down the road.

    We'll see if that actually happens. I like the M42 more than I thought I would.

    On to some pics.

    Mrs. Poorhouse enjoying the last of the season.



    No Rust.



    Even the battery tray is clean.



    Seat Covers.



    Hiding pretty good tops. Bottoms not so much. I really like this upholstery. Doesn't appear to be available new anymore so will be looking for a good backseat to redo the bottoms.





    Bad back window.



    Heckblende. I'm usually not a fan, but I like them on E30s.



    In the shop, waiting for parts.

    Last edited by Poorhouse; 11-30-2016, 03:14 PM.
    1991 318iC
    1989 325i Field Rescue

    #2
    looks good! Check to see if your rear window is a zip-in. If it is, order an emiata replacement for around $150 and have a go!

    Those seat covers are pretty nice :) bavauto makes a set now but they don't look as nice as yours.

    An analog clock in your car would match the euro feel of the cloth seats very well


    it's a Kenny Powers quote on wheels

    Comment


      #3
      this the same Poorhouse from mk1 VW fame! haha
      Simon
      Current Cars:
      -1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle

      Make R3V Great Again -2020

      Comment


        #4
        plate filler is legit

        Turbo M42 Build Thread :Here
        Ig:ryno_pzk
        I like the tuna here.
        Originally posted by lambo
        Buttchug. The official poster child of r3v.

        Comment


          #5
          Euro clocks are so played out. It's all about the 6 button.
          1991 318is Brillantrot daily driver (slow restoration)

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by c0rbin9 View Post
            Euro clocks are so played out. It's all about the 6 button.
            wrong.

            every 6 button is only about half of its potential. a solid 13 button is the way to go
            Simon
            Current Cars:
            -1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle

            Make R3V Great Again -2020

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Das Delfin View Post
              looks good! Check to see if your rear window is a zip-in. If it is, order an emiata replacement for around $150 and have a go!

              An analog clock in your car would match the euro feel of the cloth seats very well
              Not a zip out. :(

              Analog arrived today. Will install once I find a radio.

              Originally posted by 2mAn View Post
              this the same Poorhouse from mk1 VW fame! haha
              LOL. Long time MKI owner trying out something different.

              Originally posted by c0rbin9 View Post
              Euro clocks are so played out. It's all about the 6 button.
              Going with the clock is the easy way out. At this point IDGAF, I've got to many other things to sort out.
              1991 318iC
              1989 325i Field Rescue

              Comment


                #8
                So much potential there. I like your plans. :up:

                COTM

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by N2MYE30 View Post
                  So much potential there. I like your plans. :up:

                  Thank you!

                  Your cars are an inspiration for this one.
                  1991 318iC
                  1989 325i Field Rescue

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Pics of the tonneau cover now! Looks like a great start. Love the cloth door cards.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Poorhouse View Post
                      LOL. Long time MKI owner trying out something different.

                      Going with the clock is the easy way out. At this point IDGAF, I've got to many other things to sort out.
                      You will like these cars, its sort of a better mk2 with RWD. plus these cabrios look a LOT sexier than a rabbit convertible
                      Simon
                      Current Cars:
                      -1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle

                      Make R3V Great Again -2020

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by 325i Vert View Post
                        Pics of the tonneau cover now! Looks like a great start. Love the cloth door cards.
                        I'll get some pics tonight.

                        Originally posted by 2mAn View Post
                        You will like these cars, its sort of a better mk2 with RWD. plus these cabrios look a LOT sexier than a rabbit convertible
                        M42 feels a lot like a GTI 16V.

                        The whole car feels more solid and the suspension is much better.

                        True!
                        1991 318iC
                        1989 325i Field Rescue

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Poorhouse View Post
                          I'll get some pics tonight.



                          M42 feels a lot like a GTI 16V.

                          The whole car feels more solid and the suspension is much better.

                          True!
                          exactly and the S52 is like the ultimate VR6 swap you could do since the only 3.2 VR is the R32 motor
                          Simon
                          Current Cars:
                          -1999 996.1 911 4/98 3.8L 6-Speed, 21st Century Beetle

                          Make R3V Great Again -2020

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Suspension parts starting to arrive.

                            Bilstein Sports
                            H&R Cabrio Springs
                            E46 RSM with ECS Reinforcement
                            Strut mounts

                            Pending:

                            Garagtastic X Brace


                            Considering that the car drives well and received a new left control arm and bushing a couple thousand miles ago I had planned on just doing the struts/shocks/springs/mounts.

                            Reviewing everything that has to come apart on the front end to remove the struts I'm wondering if I should refresh the front end.
                            I'm not a fan of new parts on one side only so I would do both control arms, M3 bushings, tie rods, sway bar bushings and links.
                            Another $375 on ECS.

                            Thoughts on that plan?

                            Any other "while you are in there" suggestions?
                            1991 318iC
                            1989 325i Field Rescue

                            Comment


                              #15
                              great car. I've always wanted to live in Whitefish. Such a beautiful area.

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