New (to me) 91 318is *Large Pics*

[Schnitzer318is]

Update: Running total on the project is...

1. 1991 318is - $1300
2. Tax, Title, License - $170
3. m42 & transmission - $1100
4. Tow from Austin to San Antonio - $209.75
5. Power Steering Fluid, Coolant - $47.05
6. Control Arm Bushings - $49.99
7. Control Arms - $40.00
8. Guibo/Flexdisc, Driveshaft Center Support, Power Steering Crush Washers - $95.00
9. Intake Boot, Spark Plugs, Exhaust Hanger - $53.24
10. Front & Rear Brake Wear Sensors - $21.78
11. Exterior Temp. Sensor - $17.90
12. Brake Master Cylinder (Rebuilt) - $63.31

Total So Far: 3168.02


Thought I'd introduce by posting some pics of the car I just bought to replace my 2000 323ci 5spd. She's a 91 318is with original vinyl interior. Interior is pretty mint. Exterior is ok, she's missing the IS lip and it's had a cheap respray but it will definitely get the job done for a nice daily. Everything works on it (which is a huuuuuge plus in my book), including the factory BMW alarm system w/ keyless. I am the 3rd owner of the car and it has most of it's service history with it. Even has the original owner's manual, radio, and alarm instruction manual in the glovebox. This is my 5th BMW now and I've loved them all, even my cherry '83 528e.

Picked it up for a mere $1300 due to a blown head gasket. Rather than wasting time and seeing how bad the damage was I just bought another m42 with only 20,000 miles on it (it's a documented BMW installed rebuild/reman). Got it with trans for $1100. Trans came with short shift kit, don't know which, and the motor came with reground cams to schrick specs. I have all the paperwork on the cams and install. I know the car it was in drove great when I test drove it before buying the motor and trans. New motor went in last weekend so I've already popped or motor removal cherry. Other than the motor she doesn't need a whole lot... control arms & bushings, and new shocks are the only thing I can think of. It should be an excellent daily driver.

I already bought a set of euro smilies, euro grilles, and a few other goodies, thanks euro3. Future plans include H&R springs, Billy sports, rear toe/camber kit, and some keskin wheels. More plans that that actually, just can't remember off the top of my head. I'm installing a custom stereo (I do mobile audio and lighting on the side) as soon as she's running well. I have some pics of the motor swap and other various things if you guys would like me to post. Didn't know if interest in a lowly m42 would be that high ;) This is my first e30 so if you have any advice/suggestions please share. I've been lurking here for a couple of months now and this seems like a huge source of info for e30's.


Here she is after her first wash, wax, & full detail job. Took my wife and I about 7 hours.








Yes those mats will be replaced ASAP :)



This is the car it replaced. 2000 323ci 5spd with 160,000 miles on it. Why sell it you ask? Well, the wife bought a brand new Mazda CX7 which carries a huge payment of course. Soooooo I got tired of having a mortgage and 2 car payments. Plus I got $10000 for the 323ci so I was happy too.

[e30this]

Very clean car..
Cant wait to see all your plans come together for it..
From your description I take it you got the motor from Abe??
That was one hell of a deal BTW...

Good luck with it


Mike.

[Schnitzer318is]

From your description I take it you got the motor from Abe??
That was one hell of a deal BTW...
Mike.

Thanks for the compliments... and ya I got the motor from Abe *don't ban me* :) It was a good deal for what he was offering. I probably could have gotten him down a little more, but I needed a motor and he wanted to sell, so it worked out well. I just met him actually... lol I was worried after reading his posts on Rev. Both worried about meeting him and buying a motor from him because I was worried it might have been abused. But he even delivered it and helped us install it, so in person he seemed like a decent kid. A little immature, but most young guys start out that way.

[318isbmw]

Looks decent on the outside after the wax. Very clean interior...

[Bimmerista]

Nice looking car! Congrats on the purchase!

What part of TX do you reside? There is a good number of us DFW guys here.

[bimmer_E30]

WOW..that 323ic is a pure sex.

[george graves]

Let me know if you want to get rid of that dash mat. I've been looking for something like that for a while.

[Schnitzer318is]

What part of TX do you reside? There is a good number of us DFW guys here.

I'm in San Antonio... just drove to DFW actually to look at a couple of 325is' but wasn't impressed for the $$$.

WOW..that 323ic is a pure sex.

Thanks, I put alot of time and energy into it. Not a ton of money, but lots of custom stuff. I even had LED courtesy lights on the door handles like the e90's do. I'm going to add that to my e30 too if I can figure out how to add dome supervision upon unlock of the alarm. Did it to my wife's CX7 too. I have a couple vids on youTube.

[N2MYE30]

Yeah, one of those nice perks of having an e30...NO CAR PAYMENTS!!!

[Teaguer]

Congrats on the car , it seems to be pretty nice .
What city did you find the car in ?

Oh and don't worry about that d-bagg having abused the engine , it actually came from another respected member who actually took car of his cars . ;)

[mtechnik]

Welcome to R3V. Congrats on the pick up. Nice that the wife likes to help in babying cars. The E46 was also a beaut. :D

[Jason604]

I think that the most impressive thing is the fact that he got his wife to help with the washing/detailing/waxing. :bow:

And for 7 hrs too!

[Lazr111]

I'm going to add that to my e30 too if I can figure out how to add dome supervision upon unlock of the alarm.

Take a look at George's sig in the post above your's, he's made exactly what you're looking for.

[Schnitzer318is]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys... my wife is definitely a car chick and even helps me wire my stereo jobs and lighting mods when it is too tight a fit for me under the dash. I can only be under a dash for so long, I'm 6'8" so my back starts crying out in agony after about an hour. She's an awesome interior detailer and usually takes 4-6 hours on a car depending on starting condition. I do all the outside work. I have to admit this one cleaned up really well. It's a solid 10 footer.

Congrats on the car , it seems to be pretty nice .
What city did you find the car in ?

Oh and don't worry about that d-bagg having abused the engine , it actually came from another respected member who actually took car of his cars . ;)

Glad to hear... I never met the car's previous owner but from all the receipts I got with the motor/trans I gather it was well taken care of. Oh I found the car in Austin and had it towed back to San Antonio where I live. He wanted $3000 for it but didn't know the head gasket was blown. I pulled out the the dipstick and was like... oil isn't supposed to look like coffee. Called him back the next day and told him I'd give him $1300 and pick it up that day. He took it.

Take a look at George's sig in the post above your's, he's made exactly what you're looking for.

Working on a trade for my dash mat right now ;) I saw them on ebay about 2 months ago and couldn't believe I ran into him (the seller) in this thread. It's an awesome product. George are you an EE?

[e30325ic]

Nice find and nice looking car. I just bought a 90 318is myself. Out side isnt as nice as yours but the inside is. I had to replace the engine in mine also. Keep us posted.