318is (good buy?)

[keada714]

Hello fellow r3v!!

I came across a decent shape 91' 318is that I would like to buy (manufacture date is 10/90). I've delt with a few Honda and Nissan before so I have a slight ideal of what is going on but I am new to bmw so I would like to get some feed back with you guys. The car seems like it is in good condition regardless of having 233xxx miles on it. Exterior and interior looks good, however, while looking at the car I notice some odd things about the cooling system on the car. First of all I started the car and let it idle and notice that the car temp gauge is increasing and finally hit the red portion of the gauge. So I decided to give it some gas and it drops down to the middle part of the gauge. So me and the owner takes the car for a test drive on the freeway. The car seems to be in decent shape. Felt under power to me since I use to own a nissan with a sr swap with a big turbo. Aside from that I kept my eye on the temperature gauge which is still at the middle mark. Didn't think it was a big problem.

After picking up the money for the car, I decided to test drive the car once more. This time the car temp gauge was well under the half mark while I drove it on the freeway. So I pulled over and let the car idle for 5 min. The car slowly warms up to the middle mark again. I was wondering does anyone know what is wrong with the car? I would like to know before purchasing the car.. I am very excited to buy the car but would like a second option for you guys. He also wants 2500 for the car!! Good deal?

[Pantless Spency]

please provide more info on condition of body, interior, and such.
also provide year manufactured.... derrr.

[Nomadic]

Sounds like the car is low on coolant and/or has air in the cooling system. Also sounds like the thermostat has been pulled out. Not a good sign. Coolant probably leaking somewhere... either out on to ground, out the tailpipe (white smoke) or into the oil (grey sludge) Check the oil cap and radiator cap for grey sludge, sure sign of a blown head gasket.

[ill4noreason]

it should of not hit the red that is not normal. I would negotiate serious money off based on that as you may be tearing into that engine... 91 318is is a cool car. Post up a couple pics. Again it depends are you buying the car planning on swapping out the m42 engine? or wanting to build the m42. If your getting rid of the m42 and the car is clean then go for it. if you don't wanna do a swap then maybe have a mechanic look at why its overheating... 2500 for an overheating car sounds high esp in cali where all the nice e30's are...

[JT325is]

nope dont buy it

[Kershaw]

i wouldnt buy an e30 that tapped into the red right in front of me during the buying process. if it happened then... when else and how bad?

i'd negotiate a new (potentially) new headgasket and cylinder head in the purchasing price.

i dont think i'd go past $1500 if the rest of the car is in really nice shape.

[Roysneon]

i dont think i'd go past $1500 if the rest of the car is in really nice shape.

Although I am a sucker for paying too much for cars that need too much work, I agree here.

[Roysneon]

please provide more info on condition of body, interior, and such.
also provide year manufactured.... derrr.

I came across a decent shape 91' 318is that I would like to buy. I've delt with a few Honda and Nissan before so I have a slight ideal of what is going on but I am new to bmw so I would like to get some feed back with you guys. The car seems like it is in good condition regardless of having 233xxx miles on it. Exterior and interior looks good,

Another failure on public display by bimmer_e30 v2.0.... derrr.

[urbancynic]

The gauge issue could be as simple as a ground issue with th gauge itself, or loose negative cable on the battery. It could also be serious

[keada714]

After a few hours of thinking it over I decided to buy the car for a little over 2000. In my option it was a pretty good buy. I ripped apart the car cooling system and and found out that the previous owner decided not to use a damn thermostat for the car, so i'm guessing that is the big problem with the cooling system. Waiting on the thermostat housing gasket before I install the thermostat.

I'm digging the car and can't wait to lower the car, giving it a more aggressive stance. Can anyone suggest a good combination for this? I usually go with coil overs on all my previous car but i'm not sure of the option I have for the car (500 budget). Also the car is idling quiet high over 1000. So I took apart the intake manifold only to find a bunch of gunk, so I cleaned that as well as the ICV but it is still idling high. My guess is because the car never reaches its operating temperatures, any other ideals?

[mr.vang]

After a few hours of thinking it over I decided to buy the car for a little over 2000. In my option it was a pretty good buy. I ripped apart the car cooling system and and found out that the previous owner decided not to use a damn thermostat for the car, so i'm guessing that is the big problem with the cooling system. Waiting on the thermostat housing gasket before I install the thermostat.

I'm digging the car and can't wait to lower the car, giving it a more aggressive stance. Can anyone suggest a good combination for this? I usually go with coil overs on all my previous car but i'm not sure of the option I have for the car (500 budget). Also the car is idling quiet high over 1000. So I took apart the intake manifold only to find a bunch of gunk, so I cleaned that as well as the ICV but it is still idling high. My guess is because the car never reaches its operating temperatures, any other ideals?

m42 cold star idle at 750rpm...as for coilover, if your on a tight budget get comso coil with their adjustable top mount.. then just get some sport bilstein (lately i have seen a lot of sport at the junk) then your good to go..

[urbancynic]

Post pics.

[Massimo]

First wlecome to R3V and the M42 engine. Second Your problem could also be a bad water pump this is a classic waterpump problem. Also I will refer you to this thread

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=197459

Some good stuff in there.