Bimmer mag: The “is” mystique

[bmwstephen]

the funny thing is those bone stock cars probably handle better overall than half of the "lowering spring" cars here.

but some things like shocks, springs, and definitely bottlecaps (ugh) can be upgraded tastefully and still leave the car stock.

yeah, they made a lot of "is" cars but really, how many nice ones do you see anymore? All the E30s I see are total hackjobs that I wouldn't pay $500 for.

likely true. there's so much involved with suspension systems that simply lowering the car does not equate to better dynamics.

[Cinnabar325is]

yeah, they made a lot of "is" cars but really, how many nice ones do you see anymore? All the E30s I see are total hackjobs that I wouldn't pay $500 for.

I just said something like this last night to my wife. We live in an area where I'd expect to see as many E30s as anywhere else in the country. Yet I could count on one hand the number of them I've seen on the road in the last 6 months. And all them were early models... either 318s or 325e.

Seeing a late model coupe on the road or especially a 325is? Just about impossible.

One other point, I'm still surprised at what seem to be the majority of 325is cars which came with automatics. Nowadays, a clean 325is that was originally a 5 speed is very tough to find.

[bmwstephen]

I just said something like this last night to my wife. We live in an area where I'd expect to see as many E30s as anywhere else in the country. Yet I could count on one hand the number of them I've seen on the road in the last 6 months. And all them were early models... either 318s or 325e.

Seeing a late model coupe on the road or especially a 325is? Just about impossible.

One other point, I'm still surprised at what seem to be the majority of 325is cars which came with automatics. Nowadays, a clean 325is that was originally a 5 speed is very tough to find.

quite the opposite around here. see a lot more 5 speeds than auto ISs. not like the automatics were any bad. i have an automatic IS and its pretty peppy and responsive compared to my e46 automatic

[Cinnabar325is]

quite the opposite around here. see a lot more 5 speeds than auto ISs. not like the automatics were any bad. i have an automatic IS and its pretty peppy and responsive compared to my e46 automatic

Surprised to hear that. Not saying it's a bad auto, but virtually any enthusiast would prefer to do their own shifting. And being that it was the "sport" model, I can't believe the proportion that I see as autos.

[bastianshaw]

I have, once it is painted, what would qualify as a "time capsule car". It is an 87 325is that has been restored to like new stock condition. I've been working on it as time permits for the last year of so. Major work completed so far includes complete suspension rebuild, motor rebuild, new seat leather, various electrical parts replaced to fix problems or get rid of faded switches/lights, brake system refresh/rebuild, and all new A/C parts. The only place I didn't use OE parts is in the suspension. I prefer the M3 offset cab's and I used Koni SA shocks. The car sounds and drives like it did when it was new and the interior looks like a new car.

The handling in the stock configuration (with everything fresh) is really quite good. Certainly much better than it needs to be in street driving. And I'm comparing that to my Spec E30.

pics of said car

[reelizmpro]

Stock suspension is just different than what most of us have gotten used to. Let's not get carried away here. My daily 88 iS had stock suspension and it was a good combination of sport/comfort but I wouldn't say it's better than H&R Race/Bilstein because I like the car lowered without the monster fender gap, less sway and go cart like handling.

As far as clean iS' go, true you hardly see any clean ones anymore but this is true for all E30's in general, not just the iS. Truth be told, if I were really searching for an clean iS, I bet I could find one, locally as well. There are still a lot of E30's in Cali. In fact, there's a pretty clean one selling for $7k right now. A couple of guys on the forum picked up a decent one recently that just needed a detail and fresh gas for $1800.

[achtung911]

What is considered a "time capsule" car?

I have a 1992 325i vert. Working electronic top. Working heated seats, actually everything works with 83000 original miles. I am 2nd owner.

[leegf]

What is considered a "time capsule" car?

I have a 1992 325i vert. Working electronic top. Working heated seats, actually everything works with 83000 original miles. I am 2nd owner.

how's the paint? interior? is it up to date on maintenance? what on the car is non-original or non-oem?

depending on the answers to these questions, yours sounds like it might qualify.

[steven g]

Looks like the owner of the 1991 318is in that article has their car for sale on Autotrader

http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=340710297

[achtung911]

how's the paint? interior? is it up to date on maintenance? what on the car is non-original or non-oem?

depending on the answers to these questions, yours sounds like it might qualify.

Everything's mint. Only thing I can think of is a few dents. here's a few pics for reference

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=273953

[leegf]

Looks like the owner of the 1991 318is in that article has their car for sale on Autotrader

http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=340710297

he sold it to EAG (harvester of low mileage BMWs), who then placed it on autotrader.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=3609386&postcount=27

Everything's mint. Only thing I can think of is a few dents. here's a few pics for reference

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=273953

dents notwithstanding (and provided they can be removed via PDR), i would say that that qualifies, yes. nice car! :)

[Luke_M]

What's the deal with EAG? They seem to be buying up a lot of e30 m3's in particular and are asking crazy prices when compared to what private owners are asking. I know they are usually clean and lowish miles but damn. It's like they are trying to single-handedly trying to drive prices up on clean stockish bmws. If it's working, more power to them I guess.

[leegf]

i'd be interested in seeing where this ends:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/325i-Coupe-/350721090429?ViewItem=&item=350721090429

[ssaylor]

Hey guys, that's my 325is in the article. I have it entered in the Concours at Legends of the Autobahn this year and it will be on display at the Octoberfest concours.

It's going to be BMW heaven in Monterey this year! Hope you all can make it!!!

Scott

[illest318i]

Awesome article! Unfortunately my subscription with Bimmer ended and I never got to read this till now, but thanks for posting OP!