IL: 1991 318is 115k

[e dub]

So the time has come for me to part with my e30. it's a 1991 318is with 115k brilliant-rot/black. i bought the car last year after i sold my e36 m3 it was supposed to be my winter/spring project but i fell in love with the Mazda Rx2. my bro picked one up last summer and now i want one. the interior is very clean, no rust anywhere! (almost impossible to find an e30 in the Midwest with no rust) the dash has no cracks and its all original. the tool kit is still there and complete. all the body panels have matching vin's except for the driver side fender that i replaced because it had quite a few dents. now it does need some minor TLC.

• needs a new headlight switch. (the interior lights don't come on when the headlights are turned on)
  
• the AC was removed by the previous owner
  
• passenger door has a large dent but its definitely repairable. i do know someone who has a matching door that i might be able to get my hands on as well.
  
• idles rough (just needs "the mess underneath the intake" fix and she should be fine)
  
• needs a new exhaust, the current one has a leak.
  
• climate control needs to be replaced. the current one has 2 broken tabs at the top so it sticks out. another easy fix that can be sourced at a yard.
  
• clear on the hood is all gone so it would need to be re-cleared. also a small spot on the driver door as well.
  
• gauge cluster needs to be replaced. when i purchased the car the RPM tach didn't work but the MPH did. it didn't bother me because its common, but yesterday when i took the car around the block i noticed the MPH stopped working as well.

The car is overheating, i have no idea why. it became my DD in September and in November on my way home one night it overheated on me. i got the car home and parked it and haven't drove it since. i haven't really looked to see whats wrong with it so i have no idea what it could be. i might just be an easy fix. i don't have time to fix it right now and no place to do it. the car does run. In fact i drove it around the block yesterday and the m42 pulls really strong. in all honesty i just lost interest in it which is why i haven't gotten in fixed up. but my lost is someone else's gain. i tried to be completely honest in the description because i wouldn't want anyone to sell me a car and tell me its great and when i get there it has multiple issues. i believe in karma thats why i'm being straight up. all in all its still a super rare find with super low mileage the just needs a little time and loving. the 318is is one the rarer e30's and is bound to be a collectible and this car is the perfect candidate. My asking price is $3000 obo and i will listen to all reasonable offers. feel free to ask me any questions you might have. and yes the pictures suck, let me know if you want to see something specific and ill post it. the first picture is from back when i first got it. you can see how the fender was and why i replaced it. the other pics i snapped yesterday with my cell phone. the car is dirty so you cant see the shine. but it does clean up nicely like in the first picture.

[Tom64]

You should have the overheating diagnosed. To ask $3,800.00 for this car with an overheating problem is going to be a tough sell in my opinion. GLWS

[Tsweers89]

especially since m42 are know for blowing headgaskets which is an expensive fix if you cant do it yourself

[e dub]

especially since m42 are know for blowing headgaskets which is an expensive fix if you cant do it yourself

The headgasket is not blown, it runs and drives really well. if that was the case it wouldn't run as strong as it does. i just dont have the time right now to trouble shoot it. And as far as the price goes a I think i priced it a little steep. Price dropped to 3k obo if it doesn't sell by the end of the month i think i will just keep it and fix it up and sell it for 6k plus. So for all those guys in the midwest looking for rust free e30's and for everyone that is looking for a super low mileage 318is now is your chance. shoot me some offers...

[Dirtsquirt]

Diagnose the overheating yourself...

If there is oil/water mixed under the valvecover or in the oil its a blown HG.

If there is steam or air coming out of the radiator it is the HG.

If you add coolant to the top of the radiator and it doesn't start to come out as the car is revved (when warm) its either the thermo or waterpump.

Feel the radiator when the car is warmed up... if there are cool spots it could be a clogged radiator.

Feel the hoses to and from the thermostat. If one is cold it is a stuck thermostat.

Easy stuff, really

[e dub]

Diagnose the overheating yourself...

If there is oil/water mixed under the valvecover or in the oil its a blown HG.

If there is steam or air coming out of the radiator it is the HG.

If you add coolant to the top of the radiator and it doesn't start to come out as the car is revved (when warm) its either the thermo or waterpump.

Feel the radiator when the car is warmed up... if there are cool spots it could be a clogged radiator.

Feel the hoses to and from the thermostat. If one is cold it is a stuck thermostat.

Easy stuff, really

Thanks for the tip! Now that i think about it. it over heated on me after i topped off the coolant. i might just have to bleed it. the temp gauge was acting funny since i got the car it used to float back and fourth between hot and cold but never overheated. then one night i decided to put coolant in it to see if it would stop floating around. and thats when it overheated on me. im going to try and take a hack at it again this weekend. thanks for the info!!

[Danny]

Would you ship it?

[e dub]

Would you ship it?

As long as the buyer pays for the shipping I have no problem assisting the shipping company.

[graveshaker]

Any more info on the overheating issue?

[Mike The Bavarian]

not tryna knock you or anything or the car..but i can visably see rust on the bottom of the battery tray.

[naplesE30]

Good luck on the 6k plus. Looks nice for the 3k if there is no rust.

[scabzzzz]

Good luck on the 6k plus. Looks nice for the 3k if there is no rust.

Im in the market for this exact car, and I moved right on along as soon as I saw the price tag and the list of things wrong with it/missing/needs replaced. And keep in mind, your Southern state friends wont be impressed with the minimal rust. Where is the battery tray picture now btw?
GLWS tho, not tryin to rag it. Just being real and trying to help the sale.

[e dub]

not tryna knock you or anything or the car..but i can visably see rust on the bottom of the battery tray.

You sir must have xray vision if you can see the rust on the battery tray. Its not even in the picture! This car has ZERO rust. It took me 3 months to find this rust free e30. But thanks for the free bump!

[e dub]

Good luck on the 6k plus. Looks nice for the 3k if there is no rust.

Im not saying 6k in its current state. 6k would be what it would go for once its cherry! It really doesnt need much work. Its just needs someone to spend a little time to get it back where it was in all its glory.. There was a 318is posted on here the other day for 5800 and people were going nuts for it! And it had 124k on the clock. When one of the members went to check it out with cash in hand he realized it was wrecked pretty bad and the work wasnt quality. My car is all original with ZERO rust and only 115k. I think it would easily be worth 6k once its restored.

[Tom64]

rust?

I think that may be snow and or ice build up back there.:)

not tryna knock you or anything or the car..but i can visably see rust on the bottom of the battery tray.