Andrew's Sterlingsilber 90 325iS -> 318iS

[Andrew325is]

I calculated my mpg at 25.5 at the last fill up. That seems pretty good to me.

[Andrew325is]

Skip's fixed a cracked wheel for me years ago. I was out of town when the wheel got picked up, so I didn't see the job until it had already been paid for and was a done deal for a few days. Looked like a 12 year old kid welded the crack and did no finish work, and to top it off, it still leaked air.

That being said, they refinished a set of BBS RS for a friend's E30 M3 and they did a very nice job. Seems to be that they are the only place in town with any quality standards anymore. The next set of wheels I need refinished (I hope not anytime soon), I will likely have them do the job.

It sounds like you've had some bad luck with wheels too. I guess once an alloy wheel is toast, it's toast, unless you're lucky enough to find someone who really knows what they're doing and has the right equipment. When repairing a bent wheel the runout should be precisely measured. The guy at FWO was literally just eyeballing it and he didn't straighten the outer inside edge at all because he said he didn't want to hurt the finish, so he machined the inner edge only (where the tire lip rests). Literally just shaved it on a lathe. It's a shame these wheels are currently NLA (in both regular silver and Nogaro). I called the BMW dealer today and they told me they're not in production. It's possible they'll do another run at some point, but who knows when. He said there are still some 14" weaves in stock, but I don't think I really want to spend a grand on a set of 14" wheels. At least they would be straight though.

[e30austin]

Yeah, I don't think I'll go back. I called Skip's Wheel Werks in Beaverton. Do you know anything about them? I talked to Skip on the phone and he seemed nice.

Skip's fixed a cracked wheel for me years ago. I was out of town when the wheel got picked up, so I didn't see the job until it had already been paid for and was a done deal for a few days. Looked like a 12 year old kid welded the crack and did no finish work, and to top it off, it still leaked air.

That being said, they refinished a set of BBS RS for a friend's E30 M3 and they did a very nice job. Seems to be that they are the only place in town with any quality standards anymore. The next set of wheels I need refinished (I hope not anytime soon), I will likely have them do the job.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Yeah, you probably shouldn't drive on those.

LOL true, but they're just my backups for now (on a car I drive MAYBE a hand full of times per year).
No rush to change them as there's also no sidewall cracks etc.

[Andrew325is]

FWO is an epic waste of time. Sorry to hear about your experience :/

Yeah, I don't think I'll go back. I called Skip's Wheel Werks in Beaverton. Do you know anything about them? I talked to Skip on the phone and he seemed nice.

[e30austin]

That’s a good idea. I’ll keep my eyes out for a set of steelies. I had the tires rebalanced today at Discount Tire. They said 2 of the wheels are visibly bent with some lateral motion. They put those on the rear, but I’m still getting vibration through the steering wheel, so the other 2 must be a little bent still too. Their machines can’t measure runout. I’ll need to find a place who can. I talked to the shop that did the straightening. He said he couldn’t see how they’d be bent still, but they’ll take a look at them if I drop the car off in the morning. I feel like I’m just wasting my time with them.

FWO is an epic waste of time. Sorry to hear about your experience :/

[agent]

This is exactly why I have a spare set of e30 steel wheels with OEM full hub caps. They have high quality Michelin tires from the early 00's in the stock 195/65/14 that hare hard as a rock

Yeah, you probably shouldn't drive on those.

[Andrew325is]

That’s a good idea. I’ll keep my eyes out for a set of steelies. I had the tires rebalanced today at Discount Tire. They said 2 of the wheels are visibly bent with some lateral motion. They put those on the rear, but I’m still getting vibration through the steering wheel, so the other 2 must be a little bent still too. Their machines can’t measure runout. I’ll need to find a place who can. I talked to the shop that did the straightening. He said he couldn’t see how they’d be bent still, but they’ll take a look at them if I drop the car off in the morning. I feel like I’m just wasting my time with them.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Wouldn’t hurt to do the wheel bearings too. Also, I’m getting some vibration at highway speed. The first thing that comes to mind is that these wheels were slightly bent and maybe the shop wasn’t able to fully straighten them. Never having that done again. Bent wheels need to be recycled. I probably should have just got some of the 14” weaves, but I really wanted 15”, grr. Of course the wheels that were on the car when I got it were aftermarket on spacers and those vibrated horribly. The PO said it was due to the tires having flat spots from sitting, but it felt like the spacers to me. Who knows. It would be nice if I had a known good set of wheels to try so I could rule that out. It’s possible the brake rotors are warped or something. I felt them with my fingers and they’re pretty uneven. Worn down a lot too.

This is exactly why I have a spare set of e30 steel wheels with OEM full hub caps. They have high quality Michelin tires from the early 00's in the stock 195/65/14 that hare hard as a rock, but boy does the car ride smooth and track straight with no vibrations whatsoever (just wish they didn't look so homely). Most e30's at this age are rolling on old, bent alloys that make the car handle and perform sub par despite looking great. Steel wheels are highly underrated when it comes to durability and longevity. Another cause of your vibration could be on the hub itself. Do the wheels snug up tight to the hub? or are you relying on centering rings that may be worn down? IIRC e30's need hub-centric wheels that fit SNUG on the hub.

I'd honestly recommend sourcing some e30 specific steel wheels, as they'll always be handy when diagnosing issues thereby saving you time and $$ on your e30. Most owners don't care about them and are scrapped/sold for practically nothing.

Best $100 bucks On Craigslist I ever spent!

[Andrew325is]

It’s starting to get there. Next I plan do renew the brakes. Probably Akebono pads because the ones on there now make tons of dust. Wouldn’t hurt to do the wheel bearings too. Also, I’m getting some vibration at highway speed. The first thing that comes to mind is that these wheels were slightly bent and maybe the shop wasn’t able to fully straighten them. Never having that done again. Bent wheels need to be recycled. I probably should have just got some of the 14” weaves, but I really wanted 15”, grr. Of course the wheels that were on the car when I got it were aftermarket on spacers and those vibrated horribly. The PO said it was due to the tires having flat spots from sitting, but it felt like the spacers to me. Who knows. It would be nice if I had a known good set of wheels to try so I could rule that out. It’s possible the brake rotors are warped or something. I felt them with my fingers and they’re pretty uneven. Worn down a lot too. Another odd thing is that the bulb in the cluster for the brake lining was missing so I installed one and of course the lamp is illuminated. Someone didn’t install a new sensor when they did the brakes. The wires are cut off. Strange how they couldn’t put the effort into doing that, yet they put the effort into pulling the cluster and taking the bulb out.

[e30RS]

Impressive list! Car was clean to start with and now a great ride. Well done.

[Andrew325is]

Splash guards would be nice. Here's all the things I've done to the car so far. It's getting to be quite an exhaustive list!

-New timing belt (Continental)
-New timing belt tensioner (INA)
-New pin and spring for timing belt tensioner (Genuine BMW)
-New camshaft seal
-New camshaft seal housing o-ring
-Checked valve clearances
-New rocker shaft end plugs
-New valve cover gasket
-New valve cover breather hose (Genuine BMW)
-New oil filler cap (Genuine BMW)
-New fuel injectors (Bosch 62415)
-New radiator (Nissens)
-New cooling system hoses (CRP)
-New heater core hoses (CRP)
-New heater core (Behr)
-New heater core pipe o-rings (Genuine BMW)
-New water pump and gasket (Graf)
-New thermostat & o-ring (Calorstat)
-New thermostat housing gasket (Genuine BMW)
-New throttle body heater gasket (Genuine BMW)
-New coolant (Pentosin Pentofrost NF)
-New fan clutch (Sachs)
-New cooling fan blade (URO)
-New V belts (Continental)
-New spark plug wire set (OP / IMC)
-New spark plugs (NGK ZGR5A)
-New distributor cap (Bremi)
-New distributor rotor (Bremi)
-New crankshaft position sensor (Vemo)
-New ignition coil (Bosch)
-New coolant temp sensor for DME (Bosch)
-New coolant temp sensor for cluster gauge (Genuine BMW)
-New air filter (Mann)
-New fuel filter (Mahle)
-New air flow meter (Bosch)
-New idle control valve (Bosch)
-New headlights (Hella Bi-Focus) (Original wiring intact)
-New radio antenna mast (URO)
-New radio antenna seal (URO)
-New radio (Alpine CDE-HD149BT) (Original wiring intact)
-New amplifier (Alpine KTP-445U) (Original wiring intact) (Connected with RCA cables to HU)
-Replaced steering wheel airbag from E36 M3 (Original kept as spare)
-Replaced power mirror switch
-Replaced power sunroof switch
-Replaced A/C / recirculate switch
-New “iS” front spoiler, painted to match
-Repainted rear trunk spoiler
-Replaced aftermarket wheels with 15” Euroweaves, painted Nogaro silver
-New Nogaro silver wheel hubcaps (Genuine BMW / BBS)
-New tires (Dunlop Direzza DZ102 205/55R15)
-New hubcap wrench (Genine BMW / BBS)
-Changed engine oil (Mobil 1 15W-50)
-New engine oil filter (Mann)
-New transmission fluid (Pentosin FFL4)
-New differential fluid (Amsoil Severe Gear 75W-90)
-Replaced glove box latch (Genuine BMW)
-Replaced instrument cluster SI board batteries (FDK CR14250SE)
-New battery vent tube fitting (Dorman)
-New BMW emblems for bonnet and trunk lid (Genuine BMW)

[Stanley Rockafella]

... And I touched up the black paint on the lower sides and the rear.

Time for some splash guards to keep them looking fresh

[Andrew325is]

Looking really nice. Thought iS have factory sport suspension but ride height looks just about the same as how my 316i used to be.

I think ride height is the same on the iS, but the springs are more stiff.

[pipeuy]

Looking really nice. Thought iS have factory sport suspension but ride height looks just about the same as how my 316i used to be.