Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

BMW Classic CCA's The Ultimate Classic Magazine

Last November I wrote about taking my kids on an E30 adventure to Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns. I wrote something about our road trip (shocker) and submitted it to BMW Classic CCA's The Ultimate Classic Magazine. I received it in the mail a couple of weeks ago and I'm THRILLED to have taken the cover shot and have my article included in the latest issue.

PXL_20240202_180550492 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240202_180707853 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240202_180808662 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20231107-DSC_7623 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20231107-DSC_7761 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20231107-DSC_8510 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20231107-DSC_7966 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20231107-DSC_8145 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[iXBeater]

Wow - fantastic on all counts!

I'm getting ready to take a big trip bringing my E30 back to North Carolina - wonder if I should write something up...?

[mike.bmw]

My 1991 318is was due for a brake fluid flush, so yesterday I knocked that out. That makes two days in a row as I had bled the brakes on my 1998 M3 with fresh fluid the day before.

No hiccups with the 318is. I had replaced the brake lines a few years ago. Motul 5.1 fluid.

After that was done, I thoroughly cleaned the interiors on all three cars. The F31 really needed it!

20240229-PXL_20240229_162308886 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_162921954 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_163313826 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_163752330 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_160917563 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_163726430 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_172739017 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240229-PXL_20240229_204615725 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

There's not going to be a Cherry Blossom Run this year, but that didn't mean I couldn't take a Friday afternoon to enjoy a drive into Washington DC in my E30.

20240315-DSC_1785 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240315-DSC_1800 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240315-DSC_1839 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240315-DSC_1919 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240315-DSC_1852 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240315-DSC_1949 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

And for those following my E36 M3 thread... Yes, I went into Washington DC twice, a couple days apart, to enjoy the Cherry Blossom trees and take photos. :-)

[mike.bmw]

After a positive experience ordering Coco Mats for my 1998 M3, I realized my 1991 318is needed some love. For over eight years, I've had floor mats that matched the seats, door cards, and carpet, and I've been drowning in a sea of tan/natur.

I wanted to add some contrast to the interior, so I ordered a set of front and rear "Classic" Coco Mats in Black/Taupe. Taupe is a close match to the vinyl and carpet, while the black goes well with plastic trim and the dash.

The interior is now totally transformed! Why didn't I do this years ago?!? I really can't express how happy I am with how this turned out.

The ordering process was great, just like last time. They sent me a couple of samples in the mail and followed up to see which I liked better. After finalizing my order, within two weeks the mats were made and delivered. The E30 didn't need pattern/fitment verification as they've done enough of these to ensure a perfect fit.

And with that, my prep for the Vintage is complete! Well, I still need to recover the driver's seat as the bolster is cracking. 😂

20240328-DSC_3566 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3503 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3348 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3494 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3527 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3471 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3458 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240328-DSC_3417 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[iXBeater]

Those look great!!

Getting ready to order a wool set for my E30 as well (which is what I have in my E24). I'm debating the contrast approach vs. just-black - this is helpful for that too :)

[mike.bmw]

I finally got these two together for some photos (second time in ~18 months).

20240417-DSC_7249 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240417-DSC_7364-3 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240417-DSC_7400 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Two R3VLimited OGs, Lars and Paul, are making custom scale E30 "Moddables" now. I was excited to receive a 1:64 scale body-in-white prototype in the mail last week, complete with a number of custom touches to match my 1991 318is. It was also a fun photography opportunity to recreate some scale scenes with the real thing.

Lars explained, "We are both E30 owners like yourself, so the first Moddables we will release will be the E30 since it's a model that's special to us." They looked through my Instagram posts (apparently I post a lot of E30 content) and R3VLimited E30 project thread to dial in the updates I've made to my 318iS over the past eight years, and being knowledgeable car guys they were able to spot my customizations quite easily.

The model includes exterior details like the "is" front valance, the glass sunroof, and my BMW CCA and BMW Classic CCA grill badges. A cutaway model showcases interior details like the Momo Prototipo steering wheel and rear headrests. The package also included sample graphics with 318iS-specific drawings of the vehicle body, sports seats, BBS RS001 wheels, a Momo Prototipo steering wheel, and M42 engine.

Thanks Lars and Paul!

LegoModdables by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240504-DSC_9943 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240502-DSC_9931 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240501-20240501-DSC_9319-2-2 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240501-DSC_9319 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240501-DSC_9497 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

Despite the rain, last Sunday was an awesome day at the 40th Deutsche Marque Concours! I was grateful to take home second place in the Meister class (the class winners from last year's event), and just a point shy of Barry Bocaner's amazing first-place Z3 M Coupe!
Carter was a trooper and made it just until the end before needing to pull the rip cord and make an exit.

20240505-DSC_9971 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

PXL_20240505_132941620~2 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240505-DSC_9983 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240505-DSC_9987 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240505-DSC_9981 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240505-DSC_0222 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[mike.bmw]

The Vintage 2024 was EXCELLENT.

I put about 1,200 miles on my 318iS over the course of four days---a little less than previous years because I was having fun catching up with friends. The weather was supposed to be a wash out, but thankfully it barely rained the entire weekend! This is by far one of my favorite events of the year. Great people. Great cars. Great roads.

I did have one small hiccup. After the nearly 500-mile drive to Asheville, NC on Thursday, I spent some time Friday morning checking over the mechanicals while the engine was cool. Upon starting the engine, there was a massive gas leak from under the intake manifold, and it was flowing directly onto the starter!

I immediately shut it off and got my fire extinguisher in case there was a fire, which is mounted in front of the passenger seat. Having twice replaced the short fuel lines and associated clamps under the M42's intake manifold during my eight-year ownership, I assumed these were the culprit. (The first time was when I replaced everything under the intake manifold after purchasing the car, the second time was when I upgraded the injectors and figured while I had it all apart, I'd do it again.)

Unfortunately, I didn't bring the correct combination of flexible extensions to reach the hose clamps in Asheville. Fortunately, a man named Steve who was also in the parking lot looking over his E28 M5 did. It was good enough to tighten the loose clamps and drive my 318is to all the Vintage-related activities and back home.

When I got home I went back in to double check everything with better suited tools. Removing part of the intake and throttle body made for just enough access. All four clamps were loose. As of the last time I was in here 3.5 years and 12,000 miles ago, they're new OEM hose clamps and OEM fuel hose. Yet they loosened up? I'll keep an eye on it, but this really shouldn't have happened.

The caravan crew:

20240516-DSC_1129 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

The Clarion Inn parking lot is always a great time:

20240516-DSC_1249 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

A visit to BMW Zentrum with Jim:

20240517-DSC_1931 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240517-DSC_1971 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Caravan to Hot Springs:

20240518-DSC_2268 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

The big show in Hot Springs, NC:

20240518-DSC_2543 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240518-DSC_2645 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

We got a little rain, but the weather was mostly pleasant!

20240518-DSC_3205 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

An early morning on Sunday before heading home:

20240519-DSC_3215 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[Reichart12]

Every year I get a little jealous when you share your coverage of the Vintage. Easily one of the best events I've attended. Seems like every year is rainy though.

[mike.bmw]

Every year I get a little jealous when you share your coverage of the Vintage. Easily one of the best events I've attended. Seems like every year is rainy though.

It's such a great weekend of fun with classic BMWs. I've only been to the past four events, but it always seems to rain for at least one of the days. Given the forecast for this year's event, we lucked out. It was overcast and cool on Saturday, with only some rain on the drive back to Asheville after the show.

Stay tuned for the full story! It should be published in September. :-)

[Vantablack]

Hey Mike, I randomly thought of this for a different buddy, but figured I would also pass it to you. Not sure if you are into day drives, but I used to do them often when I lived in NoVA. I wanted to suggest one. From NoVA it's Point of Rocks > Cunningham Falls > High Rock > The Gettysburger > back home, all along scenic Route 15. Just a good way to spend 4 hours.

[mike.bmw]

Hey Mike, I randomly thought of this for a different buddy, but figured I would also pass it to you. Not sure if you are into day drives, but I used to do them often when I lived in NoVA. I wanted to suggest one. From NoVA it's Point of Rocks > Cunningham Falls > High Rock > The Gettysburger > back home, all along scenic Route 15. Just a good way to spend 4 hours.

I will have to do this, thanks!

[mike.bmw]

Do you have an automotive project that you've put off until next year? Did “next year” turn into almost ten? I’ve owned my 1991 318iS for eight-and-a-half years, and for the duration of that ownership I’ve been saying that I would recover my ripped and torn driver’s seat “next year.” It’s something that time and time again has been demoted to lowest priority amidst other projects.

I typically don’t shy away from a challenge, but I had major reservations undertaking this project. Thankfully, my friend Jerry Valega, whose 1986 325e I wrote about earlier this year, offered to showcase his skills and restore my driver’s seat. Jerry has plenty of experience, having repaired at least twenty sets of BMW sport seats, with the results of his first BMW interior restoration still residing in his beloved 325e. He has specialized tools, spare parts, and strategies for handling what lies beneath the surface, making even the most horrendous seats look, feel, and operate like new.

I watched Jerry work his magic and couldn't be happier with how the seat turned out. His work speaks for itself...

The old seat:

20240527-DSC_4542 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240524-DSC_3288 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Loaded up and heading to Jerry's:

20240527-DSC_4580 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

New upholstery:

20240527-DSC_4564 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240521-DSC_3260 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Right to work:

20240527-DSC_4588 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240527-DSC_4721 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20240527-DSC_4710 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

All done!

20240528-DSC_4765 by mike.bevels, on Flickr