Finally - E30 - Senior Dookie

[2ndName]

All,

Finally snagged one. Pretty decent condition based on what I've seen for the amount of money that I have. The market is pretty competitive here in the Bay Area. In any case, this is a E30 1992 Bronze Vert 318i 5 Speed



Lots of work to be done but hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll take more pics as I progress, literally just came back home with it.

[e30vert]

Thats got potential. Pull the 4 banger and go with the M20 on the cheap or do a full fledged S50/S52 on it!

You've got to first wash off that sand from the front plate . :)

[2ndName]

Thats got potential. Pull the 4 banger and go with the M20 on the cheap or do a full fledged S50/S52 on it!

You've got to first wash off that sand from the front plate . :)

I would but this will reside as my DD, that's why the 318i caught my attention. I will just try to restore as much as possible and have a nice cruiser. I have a baby due in Nov, I doubt speed/track is in the near future. I was lucky enough with the wifey letting buy a DD, haha.

[Vivek]

Thats got potential. Pull the 4 banger and go with the M20

Spoken just like someone who's never driven an m42 car.

Nice pickup OP, clean it up and get everything else in order before looking for more power.

[2ndName]

Spoken just like someone who's never driven an m42 car.

Nice pickup OP, clean it up and get everything else in order before looking for more power.

Do you have any tips? I've been eying your builds, loving your car man. One of the few reasons why I decided to go with a vert.

[Vivek]

First make sure that your engine is running fine, no mods, but make sure it's all running. Second, your dampers and probably every bushing in your suspension is likely garbage, so go through that and replace/upgrade as you please. Then address anything cosmetic-dents, scratches, interior, etc. After that's all been gone through and you have a nice, safe, running car, mod it as you please.

And thanks man, I have another little update I'll be posting right after this :)

[FunfGan]

spoken just like someone who's never driven an m42 car.

+1

[2ndName]

First make sure that your engine is running fine, no mods, but make sure it's all running. Second, your dampers and probably every bushing in your suspension is likely garbage, so go through that and replace/upgrade as you please. Then address anything cosmetic-dents, scratches, interior, etc. After that's all been gone through and you have a nice, safe, running car, mod it as you please.

And thanks man, I have another little update I'll be posting right after this :)

Thanks for the advice. I will get on that ASAP. Just doing a quick interior cleanse to get rid of the previous owner's scent, haha.

Can't wait for your update!

[Schnitzer318is]

Nice find. Nothing wrong with a good solid running m42. They can make almost as much HP as an m20 and (to me) are a smoother motor.

[2ndName]

Thanks, we'll see how it goes. Just finished cleaning the interior. Reviewed and did minor touch ups inside the engine bay. For a 92, it's in decent shape.

I noticed that the odometer stopped working on my way home, any advice on how to bring it back from the dead? Occurred after I drove over a bump. Reseated the fuses and that didn't do anything.

[ELVA164]

The best bet for the odometer is to buy a set of replacement gears from Garagistic on the forum for like $15 shipped and replace them. The old gears are probably stripping/breaking to pieces. It's a pretty straightforward replacement and there is plenty of information about how to do it. I just did mine a couple weeks ago and it was no sweat.

[bastianshaw]

nice find!

[2ndName]

nice find!

Thanks, a fellow Bay Area member, hey!

The best bet for the odometer is to buy a set of replacement gears from Garagistic on the forum for like $15 shipped and replace them. The old gears are probably stripping/breaking to pieces. It's a pretty straightforward replacement and there is plenty of information about how to do it. I just did mine a couple weeks ago and it was no sweat.

Done, ordered a set last night.

[AndrewBird]

Another thing to go through and inspect is your brakes. Change all the fluid and re-bleed plus obviously check your pads and rotors. Adjust the e-brake as well.

I would change all the fluids, including engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, diff fluid and transmission oil. While the engine oil was likely and hopefully changed, things like diff fluid and such are often overlooked unless the car was owned by an enthusiast.