Feeler: 1991 318i Diamantschwartz/Natur, CA Car, Well-sorted, 1 Family owned since 92

[freeride53]

It really pains me to post this, but all great things must come to an end. This car has been in my family since 1992. It belonged to my aunt between 1992 and 2010.
The original owner was the Fire Chief of Alameda, CA. He bought it for his daughter, and it only accumulated few miles before my aunt bought it, it was hardly used.
So the real original owner was my aunt. She babied that thing, and the car resided in San Mateo, CA (SF Bay area) almost it's whole life.
I bought the car from my aunt when she bought a new 3-series, and had no more use for the car.
I promptly went over the car entirely with my father, as well as German Auto Sport, C-5 Automotive, and Don Lawrence BMW - all highly reputable shops & repairmen.

The car is a 7/1990 BMW 318i/4 (M42 with Getrag 240 5-speed).
Built in Regensburg, Bavaria plant - I have the German spec sheet.
Sought-after paint combination of Diamond Black Metallic on Tan.

I have an entire folder stuffed with receipts dating back to 1991.
The mileage of the car is documented with the swap over to Kilometer/Metric European Cluster

The car always gets compliments, wherever I go. It is truly in fantastic condition for its age.

It's current mileage is 226,XXX.

What I have done since it came under my ownership:

Engine/Mechanical:
-Mess Under the Intake Mod (11 to 3 hose conversion)
-Magna-flow Offset-to-single tip muffler, deep and pleasant grumble
-Clutch + Associated parts replaced at Weatherford BMW
-New Alternator
-New (re-manufactured) ZF Steering Rack
-New Belts
-New Mass Airflow Boot and Air filter
-Spark Plugs + Wires (thanks tjits1 for the recommendation)
-Bare-finished Valve Cover
-Replaced Timing chain guide/tensioner
-Many new gaskets/seals (ie: valve cover)
-New oil-pan
-New Fuel Filter
-Race skids Skid-plate
-New Thermostat
-New Fan Blower-motor resistor

Exterior & Suspension:
-14" BBS Basket-weave Style Wheels & "very good" rubber
-Full set of New OEM BMW Mud-flaps (Rears in-box!)
-Bilstein Sport Struts, Touring (rear) shocks
-Eibach Pro-kit Springs all around
-OEM BMW E90 3er Drop-hats
-E30 M3 Control-Arm Bushings (brand new, in-box)
-OEM ZKW Foglights retrofitted properly with 2000k 35 watt Amber HIDs
-ALL Exterior Trim has been refreshed
-iS Front Lip Spoiler, paint matched with lower rockers in Black
-European Rear Center panel filler
-Brand-new Hirschmann Electric Antenna
-Amber European Side-turn indicators for Fenders (not installed)

Interior & Audio:
-European Spec Instrument Cluster with Chrome Trim rings
-Original "Natur" Leatherette interior, extremely clean
-BMW Premium Audio Speakers
-Blaupunkt Key West Mp36 Head-unit with iPod Connectivity, CD/Mp3
-13 Button On-Board Computer with fully functional speed warning
-Replaced Glove box hardware
-M-tech Cloth Pattern Shift Boot, New "euro" shift-knob
-Car comes pre-wired for sub woofers in the trunk, with amplifier
-Illuminated front & rear ashtrays

Misc:
-Working Spare tire jack with 14" Funco BCap Spare in great condition
-Complete rear tool-kit
-New Roundels

When I mean this car has been my baby, I mean it. Oil & Filter changes always on the dime. ALWAYS 91 Octane Fuel, and no bullshit brands of gas.

Some highlights:
-Crack-free Dashboard, yes sir
-NO rust. I repeat, NO rust.
-Comfort-line interior is nice.
-Sunroof seals are tight, no leaks
-SRS Airbag wheel (?) if this is cool to you..
-Car has NEVER been smoked in
-All buttons, instruments work.
-Clutch grips wonderfully
-Great on gas, I've done a few trips to Lake Tahoe and SoCal without fault


Aesthetic things that still need attention:
-Drivers side Front Fender has paint flaking off on the top, right next to the hood line
-Front bumper cover has faded paint
-Roof clear coat is beginning to fade, buffing it will do her well
-There is some shallow key marks on the trunk lid, not too noticeable
-Cracked door sill trim and a tiny blemish on the piping along the side of the drivers seat
-Windshield washer sprayers do not work
-As usual, there are small scratches around the car.

When I mean this car has been my baby, I mean it. Oil & Filter changes always on the dime. ALWAYS 91 Octane Fuel, and no bullshit brands of gas.

I am currently in no hurry to sell it, but when the right buyer comes along, I will gladly pass her along.
We've had too many good times to count, and I will truly miss those road-trips, and cruising the strip in the evening.
Driving this thing will bring an uncontrollable smile on your face from cheek-to-cheek.

She passes California Smog with Flying Colors.

Reason for sale: college loans are starting to mount up, I live on-campus, and quite frankly, my parents back home live in a gated HOA community and there simply is no more room.
I am going to go back to my Peugeot roots, and with a newly restored car, I no longer have room for this.

I want to see this car go to a mature driver, who will not thrash or abuse it. This is a lovely little car that needs to be driven.
It may seem a little high to some, but this is the kind of E30 that will not require many repairs post-sale, like so many other E30s out there.
Everything had been addressed throughout my 3 years of ownership, and have been replaced with OEM parts.

Also, I ask for you to be respectful of my thread.
I'm not some Vlad trying to sell my shitty car like a pig with makeup,
I have stated all pros and cons in this thread, nothing is hidden.

Any questions and concerns please either post here or PM me.

Asking $5500 for the car as is, but I'm negotiable.

Thanks for your time.

I have trillions of photos here

[freeride53]

I know there are things I have done with the car that are currently escaping me, I will update this thread frequently.

[freeride53]

Edit: See original post, I am going to get the paint blemishes around the car all fixed when I take the car into the shop next week.
(If anyone wants the car as-is, that can be arranged as well)

I am throwing in some spares with the car, hence the increase in price.
I just need everything gone all together with the car.

And remember ladies and gentlemen, this is a feeler.
I am in no rush to sell the car, and will not take any low-balls.

[ivzuh88]

Sorry if its in the ad, on my phone, A/C?

[freeride53]

Yes sir! Works very well for me in Southern California.

[DaButt]

god if you weren't on the other end of the continent... even though I already have an e30, I needz a sedan BAD. And love the M42.

But alas, reality strikes hard.

GLWS

[freeride53]

god if you weren't on the other end of the continent... even though I already have an e30, I needz a sedan BAD. And love the M42.

But alas, reality strikes hard.

GLWS

Thanks man!
Yes, like a lot of people have recently noted, even compared to a M50, M42's are very torquey, and have great throttle response
- if properly maintained like this example right here.

[ak-]

Look at this car. Just look at it.
Where will you find a car just like this one that hasn't been molested?

Sorry to see you sell it.

[MR 325]

But what will you drive when the Peugeot breaks down? :D ;)

Best of luck with the sale man.

[buddha]

Nice ride. Any pics of underneath? pm if want to send direct.

[freeride53]

Nice ride. Any pics of underneath? pm if want to send direct.

Thanks! And no, I don't think so (although the car is completely rust free).
I'll see if I can get it up in the air tomorrow and snap some for ya.

[freeride53]

Updated pictures. Just installed some better sounding BMW Premium Sound components.
She will be getting into the body shop before I leave for San Diego again, to get some touch-up work.


Untitled by sina.pour, on Flickr


Untitled by sina.pour, on Flickr

[freeride53]

Put the caps back on. See original post. Car will be sold as-is, price negotiable of course. I am Keeping the roof rack for my bikes and sub woofers in the trunk.

I have bookshelf with some cool random misc. stuff, for example, the US cluster for the car.

PM me with any questions.


It's for sale. by sina.pour, on Flickr

[RUFFLZ]

I'll buy it mah nigga.

5000 payments of $1, 0% apr cool tho?

[squidmaster]

very nice glws