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FS/FT: super clean 1991 E30 M52/S52 cams, OBD1, E46 M3 6MT, lots more!

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    FS/FT: super clean 1991 E30 M52/S52 cams, OBD1, E46 M3 6MT, lots more!

    SOLD SOLD SOLD


    Hello all,

    My wife has informed me that baby #2 is on the way. While I'm ecstatic about the news, it means I need to sell my favorite toy and start finding an E90, E60 or maybe E39 (or something else?). I'm a serious E30 nut and I've thought long and hard about just keeping it and getting a bigger car for a daily driver. Then I could turn it into a hardcore track machine. Thing is, with two young kids I'd be kidding myself that I'm going to have any free time for a few years. I can't bear to let it sit - these cars are best driven. So, I'll have to let it go and pursue another E30 some years in the future, if they haven't gotten too expensive by then.

    Ok, on to the car itself. What you're about to see is the culmination of my intent to drive an E30 indefinitely. The goal was a fast, tight daily-driver with modern drivetrain and reliability, but the clean lines of the classic BMW 3-series. I spent over 1.5 years looking for the right E30, either 24V-swapped or to swap myself, before finding this one with the swap already completed by Matt Harper (M4TT) and Chuck (chuck90m3) in Atlanta. When I first contacted Matt, the car was not for sale. I bothered him for months to sell me the car, and finally convinced him and struck a deal in early 2008. Once I bought it, I picked up where Matt left off, and have installed a number of upgrades since then.

    Synopsis
    1991 BMW 318i 4-door (~156Kmiles) with low-mile 1999 M52B28 (~57K miles) and brand-new 2006 E46 M3 6-speed (~6K miles since install). Georgia car, never any rust (this is its first year in Michigan - always garaged of course). OBD1 converted, S52 cams, Conforti CF intake with ITG Filter & 3.5” MAF, custom tune from Chuck Stickley. Fresh high-quality repaint in stock color. Very clean interior. The perfect daily-driver E30 (even has r134a-converted AC!), restored and upgraded by detail-oriented BMW enthusiasts. Complete, right down to the toolkit and owners manuals.

    Full Details
    Chassis

    1991 BMW 318i 4-door
    VIN # WBAAJ9310MEJ05704
    Color: Diamantschwarz (Diamond Black) Metallic
    Manufactured by BMW GmbH Munich; in-service date 18 Oct. 1991

    Engine & Related Swap Parts

    • 1999 M52B28 (2.8L 2793cc)
    • S52 Cams (E36 M3)
    • 21.5 lb injectors
    • M50 computer (red-label 413 ECU) - used 318 harness box connected to 325 wires, with OEM BMW connectors. NO EWS.
    • OBD1 converted: M50 manifold, OBDI throttle body, OBD1 wiring harness/ecu/sensors
    • S52 valve cover
    • 3.5" 540i AFM (1994-1996 540, 740, 840 - BMW part # 1362-1747156)
    • Conforti carbon fiber intake with ITG filter and Samco 3.5” to 3” intake elbow from Bimmerworld (yes, the expensive one!)
    • Chuck Stickley (CSS Motorsports) custom tune for M52 w/ S52 cams, 21.5 lb injectors, 3.5” HFM and stock E36 exhaust. Arguably better than Jim C chips for 24V applications and makes more power. Rev limit is 7200 RPM
    • New NGK plugs
    • 7-Series brake reservoir - sits above intake instead of under like 320i – provides better maintenance access (and to fuel lines too)
    • Brake reservoir adapters from an E21
    • 325ix brake booster
    • E28 M5 engine mounts
    • M5 master cylinder
    • All new gaskets where parts for the swap were changed (i.e. the oil pan gasket and oil sump gasket for the e34 oil pan and sump)
    • Fully converted R134a A/C (ice cold), using AC compressor from M50; stock lines with redone ends
    • Always frequent oil changes, and always with conventional 5W30 oil from BMW: the VANOS units on the M52 were designed to use the conventional oil slight pastiness/buildup as lubricant (thus a full synthetic is not advised for this application). Talk to Dr. Vanos about this!
    • New power steering lines, fresh power steering fluid and brake fluid
    • E30 M3 wiring loom cover
    • Sparco rep strut tower bar
    • High and low-speed cooling fan switch (automatic) – car runs in low to center of temp gauge even in traffic on 100-degree days
    • Power estimate: Here is an example dyno graph of an E30 with the exact same engine and mods as mine. READ: NOT MINE, so don't get bent out of shape. I have not had time to dyno mine yet. Note that peak power in this example is actually greater than a stock S52, but mid-range torque is obviously way down without the additional displacement.



    Transmission

    • New 2006 E46 M3 6-speed (S6S 420G)
    • This would cost over $3000 just by itself.
    • Connected with UUC fluid lines.
    • New stock E46 M3 clutch
    Notes
    1. The internals of this transmission are the same used in the 6-speed mkIV Supra - so it’s basically indestructible.
    2. This Getrag trans is the upgraded version of the e36 6-speed (as found in Euro cars). The syncro problems of the e36 were fixed to solve the miss-shift problems and early wear.
    3. Also, the 330i 6spd is a ZF. It’s a good tranny for the e46, with a little different gearing. They do not hold up to power very well, however. The M tranny is bullet proof but a little noisy. If you are installing the 6-speed in an e46, then both are ok under 300hp. Anything over 300hp and you’ll want to stay with the Getrag. If you go into any other car (e30, e36) the Getrag is also more desirable, because you can install it with all OEM parts. The ZF requires parts to be modified to make it work in E30/36 applications. Why care? Because this car is ready for forced induction!

    Differential
    • 3.25 LSD, inside cover from 325is (318i chassis had small case diffs).
    • Fresh redline fluid in both transmission and diff.
    • This is an excellent gearing for the street. It pulls strong when you want to have fun, or you can put it in 6th gear on the highway and turn 2700RPM @ 70mph and see nearly 30MPG. Take that, sneering hybrid owners!



    Gear Ratios / Speeds at RPM (Mechanical Only / No Air Drag Correction)


    Drivetrain
    • Front half: professionally shortened M3 driveshaft
    • Back half: 325 driveshaft
    • New centershaft, new guibo, new (2) U-joints.



    Suspension
    • Bilstein Sport shocks
    • E30 M3 springs with 66K miles as of install with odo reading 136,901
    • Stock sways
    • New front control arms, tie rod ends - car feels tight and doesn't make funny noises!



    Brakes
    • Bought a whole kit from Jordan Sarette last fall, and just installed it with new front and rear OEM brake sensors and full fluid flush.
    • Calipers were completely disassembled, bead blasted, and powder coated. Bores and pistons were honed/polished and the calipers rebuilt with all new seals and guide bushings. Better than stock performance (fade free!) with much better looks and durability to boot.
    (2) UUC Front slotted rotors
    (2) UUC Rear slotted rotors
    (4) Rebuilt powder coated calipers
    (4) Pair Hawk pads









    • Stock brakes are available if desired - original calipers still in great shape, with 80% pad life remaining and still-functional sensors. The old rotors are within spec to be resurfaced, but I don't think they are worth their cost to ship.



    Exhaust

    • Stock E36, including OBDII exhaust manifolds, factory cats & resonators through a Bosal aftermarket muffler with dual 2.5” tips.
    • Quality install – uses all factory mount points, heat shields in place, etc. - looks like it came on this car.
    • Sounds just like a stock S52 E36 M3 at full throttle ;)



    Continued in next post...
    Last edited by m3_eater; 06-26-2009, 06:54 PM. Reason: Car is sold
    .


    E30 24V 6MT SOLD :( - look for it in sunny Miami :)

    #2
    Continued...

    Interior

    • Full leather swap in Natur from a 325is (formerly had ratty gray cloth) in great shape with arm rest/ski pass-through rear.
    • New near-mint tan coupe sports (perforated leatherette) with forward angle capability. All adjustments work. Comfort leather seats are stored indoors.
    • New full set of tan BMW floor mats with BMW logo, and (4) soft black rubber mats on top of those.
    • New power sunroof: completely new sunroof cartridge, installed and drain tubes cleaned.
    • M-Tech II steering wheel.
    • Airbag car - has the padded under dash panel.
    • New rear seatbelts/anchors, torqued to factory spec. I occasionally need to put my 2 1/2 year-old in her seat in the back, and was not going to take any chances with safety. She loves "daddy's fun car, the Bimmer." :)
    • UUC SSK, with all new bushings, plastic parts, etc. – and all OEM so in future can just use part numbers off the side of anything that wears out.
    • OEM BMW E46 ZHP/M 6-speed weighted short-shift knob with new boot
    • New (used) fully functional VDO “I” cluster with 7000RPM tach.
    • Maplight rearview mirror.
    • E36 window switch retrofit.
    • George Graves interior light delay with auto dimming.
    • Check panel and 13 button OBC (fully functional).
    • Sony CD head unit. MB-Quart separates front and back. Using OEM front door mirror corner tweeter enclosures.
    • Extra fog lamp switch wired to garage door opener (behind switchplate on top of head unit DIN chassis) in dash next to hazard switch. I'll leave the switch in place so you can do the same if desired.
    • Dynamat installed in front doors, backs didn’t need it. OEM carpet. Trunk noise-reducing tar did not come on the 318, so the car is nice and light but could be a bit quieter.
    • Clean, complete toolkit, jack, full-size spare (on bottlecap), etc.



    Exterior Details
    • Recent high-quality repaint in original color (Diamondschwarz Metallic): bumpers off, door jambs painted w/ original VIN tags taped.
    • DOT-4 OEM BMW passenger quarter panel (no sign of reason/no damage when inspected for repaint). All other VINs match.
    • Rust-free (always been - GA car).
    • New M3 windshield (mounts flush unlike base E30 one, and has more aerodynamic curved shape) and gasket/seal.
    • New OEM E30 M3 Evo flush hood seals.
    • Shadowlined.
    • Have the pictured black kidneys (standard SEM trim paint), but I tired of the look and put chrome back on. Choose whichever you want.
    • Euro trim front and back (deletes all side markers).
    • Rims: 17” x 7” Racing Hart C4 Style Reps (4X100X114.3 Offset: 40mm Center bore: 72mm) – hubcentric, direct fitment with no spacers required!
    • Tires: brand-new 215 40R17 Falken Ziex – sticky and they clear with no rubbing ever, even at full lock. Tires just went on this week, and come with roadhazard certificates good nationwide. Discount Tire even states that if there is no store near you, you can buy a replacement tire from someone else and they will reimburse you!
    • Euro smileys (yes, flush glass).
    • Euro license plate filler.
    • Fogged turn signal lights. Also have Abraham Motorsports turn signal lights/inserts (new in box/not installed).
    • Installed HIDs and hated them so they are out and now has four SilverStar halogens which look & function great.
    • Clear Lamin-X: 20mil on headlights and high beams, 40mil on fogs.
    • OEM fog glass (instead of replacement plastic ones) with new seals and brackets. Drivers side has a crack that has never leaked, even before the Lamin-X install.
    • New taillights (enclosures). Not a fan of all-red tails, so these are stock.
    • E46 decklid spoiler
    • EJ-05704 and 24V E30 euro plates do not come with the car (sentimental value).



    Recent Maintenance
    • New Fuel pump, fuel level sending unit and fuel filter, August 2008.
    • New radiator, expansion tank, thermostat and BMW coolant, January 2009.
    • New, upgraded brakes (see above) all the way 'round, with new front and rear OEM BMW sensors and full fluid flush, April 2009.
    • New left front bearing/hub pack went on with the new brakes. Old one was starting to drag a bit, so why not do it while in there? These carry a warranty.
    • New tires all the way around, with accompanying roadhazard certificates, April 2009.



    Known Issues
    • No cruise control: stalk there, but wire is not connected under dash and would need to scrounge up the motor.
    • Sport seats need new shocks (height/back angle) – originals are present and functional but worn out. Not expensive to do at all - just haven't had time.
    • Drivers-side rear window is stuck closed. I think it is the switch, but haven't diagnosed it yet. I plan to fix before sale if time permits.
    • Even though all relevant sensors and sending units were replaced at swap time, there are still a couple of intermittent false positives (verifiable) on the check panel. I plan to have this addressed before sale also - mentioning here for full disclosure and no surprises if anyone sees the car before I get to it.
    • That's it!



    On to the rest of the pics!
    Note: Car is now sitting on low-mile E30 M3 springs (see later pics), but comes with the lowering springs that were on in the first photos if buyer wants them.










    Note: car now has Conforti CF intake (not pictured) - E36 airbox, filter, etc included if buyer wants them.












































    .


    E30 24V 6MT SOLD :( - look for it in sunny Miami :)

    Comment


      #3
      Price
      So, as you can see, it's not a full rotisserie restoration, but this is no ordinary E30 swap cobbled together from worn-out parts. This E30 should not need anything mechanically for a very long time. It would easily take more than $20K to build another like it (and that's a reasonable estimate of what I've got into it). You never get it back though - it really is a labor of love. I have to separate my emotions from the business reality, and let it go. I'm thinking $13,500. Option is open for buyer to negotiate for additional extras (rim/tire combos, stereo options, assorted spares and many brand-new uninstalled upgrades ready to go on, etc).

      I'm willing to ship.

      Trades considered (plus cash on my end or yours as appropriate) for modern sedans with more rear seat room than the E30. BMW-wise, that means E90, E60 or possibly a nice E39. Other makes also considered. Warranties are a plus! Please send any trade offers via PM, so as to not clutter this thread.

      Please accept my respectful apologies in advance, but I cannot accept E36 trades. I've owned & spent plenty of time in them and love them too, but the E36 doesn't have much more interior space than my E30. It's harder for me to reject the E36 than you might think, since I have a serious weakness for the last of the M3/4/5 cars produced in Estoril on Dove
      .


      E30 24V 6MT SOLD :( - look for it in sunny Miami :)

      Comment


        #4
        Where in Michigan are you? I have a friend who may be interested.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by dvs909 View Post
          Where in Michigan are you? I have a friend who may be interested.
          NW Detroit suburbs. I'm within two hours of Hudsonville.
          .


          E30 24V 6MT SOLD :( - look for it in sunny Miami :)

          Comment


            #6
            Absolutely fantastic car! Worth every penny IMHO! Good luck with the sale!
            The Red Dragon V.5 1991 318iS / 2013 F800GT

            "You gotta fix the nut behind the wheel before you fix the bolts on the car"

            Comment


              #7
              This is what a FS: ad should be. GLWS, and sweet ride, sorry to see it leave.

              Comment


                #8
                man. i want this. don't have the monies though :( good luck with the sale man
                sigpic

                Comment


                  #9
                  PM sent.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    secks

                    Comment


                      #11
                      One of the nicest e30's ive ever seen. Good luck w/ the sale.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        fap fap fap
                        http://instagram.com/dslovn.drives

                        Comment


                          #13
                          very very very nice swap car. worth every penny. good luck with the sale.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            don't sell it! i know you have your reasons, but man that thing is PERFECT!
                            Greg

                            Comment


                              #15
                              good ad wicked car. glws

                              '89 Alpine S52 with goodies

                              Comment

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