Hi everyone,
After lurking on this site for some time and trying to find the right car I finally pulled the trigger on this clean 1991 318i with appx. 150k miles.

The car is in Diamantschwartz with a beige cloth interior, m42 engine and to my surprise, came equipped from the factory with the optional 4.10 LSD!! The car is a 5 speed with a new transmission and master cylinder just installed by the PO. The car does need some work but i am confident this forum can help me out.



Known Problems:
The PO reports trouble holding idle and rough acceleration due to a vaccum leak. I plan to check the intak boot as well as the ICV and related hoses to try and fix this
PO also reports leaking powersterring requiring a new rack. Can i just drive it like it is?
There is some rust along the driver side fenders, including a nickel sized hole in the rear. I will try to stop the spread.
One troubling thing is the guy doesent have much in the way of service records but the M42 has a timing chain which is a lifetime item and the water pump is fairly new.
The worst thing about this car is the interior.


I believe this was originally a pearlbeige cloth interior. the comfort seats are pretty chewed up but the fronts have covers. this will do in the short term but eventually i want to replace with sport seats.
My goal with this car is basically to build a "318is sedan" which didnt exist at the time. I already have the m42 and lsd so all i need is sport seats, suspension and some cosmetic stuff right?

Thanks for reading and Please chime in with your thoughts.
After lurking on this site for some time and trying to find the right car I finally pulled the trigger on this clean 1991 318i with appx. 150k miles.

The car is in Diamantschwartz with a beige cloth interior, m42 engine and to my surprise, came equipped from the factory with the optional 4.10 LSD!! The car is a 5 speed with a new transmission and master cylinder just installed by the PO. The car does need some work but i am confident this forum can help me out.



Known Problems:
The PO reports trouble holding idle and rough acceleration due to a vaccum leak. I plan to check the intak boot as well as the ICV and related hoses to try and fix this
PO also reports leaking powersterring requiring a new rack. Can i just drive it like it is?
There is some rust along the driver side fenders, including a nickel sized hole in the rear. I will try to stop the spread.
One troubling thing is the guy doesent have much in the way of service records but the M42 has a timing chain which is a lifetime item and the water pump is fairly new.
The worst thing about this car is the interior.


I believe this was originally a pearlbeige cloth interior. the comfort seats are pretty chewed up but the fronts have covers. this will do in the short term but eventually i want to replace with sport seats.
My goal with this car is basically to build a "318is sedan" which didnt exist at the time. I already have the m42 and lsd so all i need is sport seats, suspension and some cosmetic stuff right?

Thanks for reading and Please chime in with your thoughts.
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