New Member Introduction

[Craig Gaites]

I am new to the forum so I thought I'd introduce myself and my car with a couple of pictures. Its a 91 318i (M42), brilliant red, 5-speed of course. I've owned it for about a year now, and have been putting time into it whenever I can. It was purchased for $1200 dollars w 98,000 miles from a dealer that took it as a trade on a 75 Porchse 911. It barely ran, but the body and paint were in fantastic condition for a 13 year old car. The PO had given it to his 16 year old son, who had turned it into a rice burner nightmare (aluminum wing, about 50 stickers, wind shield banner, and also ruined the cluch and flywheel trying to drag race Civics with it. Since I've had it I have removed the wing/stickers/windshield banner, repainted the black on the rocker panels, replaced the clutch and flywheel, replaced the power steering rack and pump, and replaced the plugs and wires plus some vacuum hoses. I haven't preformed any modifications except for the body color IS Spoiler and blackout kidneys, but I plan to do the suspension soon. Currently 130,000 miles and about $3000 dollars later, I have been nothing but happy with my investment.





I think it looks pretty good, and really is a great car. It performs well on the backroads, is reliable and good on gas, holds all my crap, and is pretty dam confortable too. Not as much fun to drive as my Miata, but doesn't look gay and I can put surf racks on the roof.

Let me know what you think.

[kansas-ix]

get ellipsoids (headlights). Burn the mIata ( because it not only looks gay it is gay),
Take some interior photos and welcome, Craig, peace

[nando]

Re: New Member Introduction

Not as much fun to drive as my Miata, but doesn't look gay and I can put surf racks on the roof.

:rofl:

looks clean, $1200 for that car is was a steal!

[Rob]

miatas rock

[KenC]

Welcome. That's a nice looking specimen you have there. $4200 isn't a bad price at all for a nice 318i.

[e30Matt]

Welcome. That's a nice looking specimen you have there. $4200 isn't a bad price at all for a nice 318i.

Or $1200. :)

[KenC]

Welcome. That's a nice looking specimen you have there. $4200 isn't a bad price at all for a nice 318i.

Or $1200. :)

$1200 for the car + $3000 work = $4200 finished product ;)

[e30Matt]

Welcome. That's a nice looking specimen you have there. $4200 isn't a bad price at all for a nice 318i.

Or $1200. :)

$1200 for the car + $3000 work = $4200 finished product ;)

Meh, shup. :)

[hamann318is]

I don't want to know what that awesome car looked like riced up. It's probably very sad.

You picked a good place to learn. See ya around.

[Jand3rson]

Great as always to have a new member. You car looks very clean!

[Mystikal]

Burn the mIata ( because it not only looks gay it is gay)

Miatas are badass. If I could fit in them (I'm 6'3" and yes I've tried) I'd own one.

Great looking E30, keep it clean.

[e9nine]

miatas rock

Miatas are badass

MIata's might look a lil funny but they sure do give e30s TOUGH competition. Power to weight ratio and ownership $ of a Miata makes it a candidate for fun instead of an e30. If I liked cabbies and got one it would be with a hard top and susp. I'd take the hardtop off when I get to the track/auto-x :twisted:

$1200 for the car + $3000 work = $4200 finished product

hmmm so can I assess blood, sweat and tears a monetary value too? My car would be worth more than an e46 m3 if that were the case ;)

NIce project so far! Welcome to the new m42 guy :)

[Jand3rson]

[hmmm so can I assess blood, sweat and tears a monetary value too? My car would be worth more than an e46 m3 if that were the case ;)

Make me feel worse about wrecking my car, jeez... :D

[Digitalwave]

Nice car dude, its good to see another surfer on the forums :)

[Craig Gaites]

Thanks for the welcome.

First off, the Miata might look as gay as pink spandex, but if you've ever driven one you wouldn't be so quick to rag on them. The most fun I've ever had while driving was in a friends Miata with a Jackson Racing supercharger - beating out a 96 911 cabriolet, and a 2.5 liter Z3 for pure fun, even after you factor in feeling like everyone is laughing at you. That said I am about ready to burn mine. Mechanically they are bomb proof, but I can't keep the car painted to save my life (its a 90 in crystal white, often reffered to as cancer white for this problem), plus I can't get a surf board and my girlfriend to the beach at the same time in it (not a bad thing, but she gets pissed).

My plans for the E30 are first to take care of some minor problems - a cracked fog light, some rot on the rear valence, and a rattle from the passanger side door I can't track down. Next, if the money is ever there, bavarian auto springs and blistien sports. Then I should be pretty happy with it. I'd like ellips and eurogrills, but those are just for vanity in my case as I never really drive at night. Anyone want to buy a shitty looking white Miata with 180K on the odometer?

More pics when I can borrow a camera again.