Andrew's Sterlingsilber 90 325iS -> 318iS

[Jokester]

I know this car will be well taken care of, excited to see where this goes. Sub’d

[Andrew325is]

I was starting to miss my last E30 so I decided it was time for a new one. I can’t believe it has already been over 6 years since I sold my Zinno 88 325iS with the S54 swap. I love a red E30, but my 94 Defender 90 is red and I decided I don’t want 2 red cars. I started thinking about which other color I would like instead, and it was an easy choice. When I was in Seattle a while back I saw a Sterlingsilber 318iS and I fell in love with the color. So that’s the one I set out to find. Of course, it turns out that color isn’t all that common since it was offered only in 90 and 91 so I thought finding one would probably be a long shot. I posted on the forum on New Years Eve that I was looking for one and when I woke up in the morning I had a message from another forum member who had found one on Craigslist that had just been posted in the Atlanta area. He offered to go check it out for me as something fun to do, which was a super nice gesture. Based on his assessment, viewing the very detailed photos he took, and talking to the owner I decided to go ahead and purchase it without flying down there to see it myself. The previous owner was very nice to work with and the transaction went very smooth.

It’s due for a timing belt so I decided against driving it back to Oregon. The forum member who found it recommended an auto transport broker (Number 1 Auto Transport) so I called them and arranged shipping. They had a carrier ready to load it up the first day of my pickup window (4 Jan) and the trucker delivered it on Tuesday, the 8th. I was very impressed.







The previous owner told me he bought it from a member of the Air Force in Spokane, WA, which was in December of 2003. It was sold new at BMW Northwest in Tacoma. So now it has come back home to the PNW. :)

It’s all original and stock except for the wheels (I plan to get some Euroweaves), has fairly low miles for its age (164k), no rust (except for little specks where the paint is chipped that I need to touch up), and it seems to be fully optioned. It has heated sport seats, ski bag with rear armrest, and a map light rear view mirror. The build sheet is listed below.

I spent time yesterday and today cleaning it. I dissolved all the tar from the lower side panels with WD40, then I went over the whole car with a clay bar, and I waxed it. The paint is pretty good for being 29 years old. I’ll just need to get a new front spoiler and paint that and touch up the rock chips. Depending on how thick the paint is I think buffing it could remove all the light scratches.







The interior is in pretty good shape. The dash is crack-free, but the leather seats can use some help. I plan to reupholster them in black leather. The previous owner included an extra set of rear speakers in black, so I’ll just need the door cards. I don’t want to modify an original car too much, but I think changing to black will be okay.





Prod. Date 1990-02-21
Type 325I (USA)
Series E30 (3 Series)
Body Type LIM
Steering Left Hand Drive
Engine M20
Displacement 2.50
Power 125kw / 170hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Manual
Colour STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (244)
Upholstery (0292)

Comfort And Interior Equipment
S401A Liftupandslideback Sunroof Electric
S410A Window Lifts Electric Front
S464A Ski Bag
S481A Sports Seat
S494A Seat Heating Driverpassenger

Multimedia
S675A Rear Audio System

Driver Assistance And Lightning
S530A Air Conditioning
S540A Cruise Control
S551A Onboard Computer II With Remote Control
S562A Reading Light

Wheels And Drive
S209A Differential Lock 25
S226A Sports Suspension Settings
S240A Leather Steering Wheel
S281A BMW LA Wheel Chromeplatedround Spoke

Environment And Safety
S324A FRONT-UND HECKSPOILER
S841A AUSSENSPIN WAGFAU325IS SCH

Other Equipment
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET