Project Weißer Regen: 91 318iS Restomod

[kronus]

dats nice

[Jordan]

This evenings project was to get the column switches along with the dashboard that came back from repair and turned out pretty decent the second go around. I'm still looking for an absolutely mint used or a new dash but this one will do fine for the time being.

I have a nice nearly new turn signal switch from Levent @ Guten Parts, and I have a wiper switch with crisp silk screening except for an unsightly gouge in the stalk coating....



The stalk seems to be coated with a PVC sleeve of sorts, and I found with some artful application some thick heatshrink tubing in its place is a suitable replacement. The plastic end cleaned up nice and there we go...



Switches on the car:




Dash dropped on with NOS MTech 2 steering wheel.

[jeenyus]

^ if I ever move where it snows I'm getting an ix for sure. I'm always impressed with vids people throw up on here, seems super capable for a 30 year old box

I've owned an Audi for the last decade and this car beat that car hands down. It powered through 6" or 12" of snow like it was nothing. i got to the resort and everyone was blown away i brought the little e30 up there and that it made it. I'd park it in some of the most obscure places because i knew i wasn't getting stuck. it also does donuts in the snow like nobody's business. seriously such a fun car.

[wworm]

^ if I ever move where it snows I'm getting an ix for sure. I'm always impressed with vids people throw up on here, seems super capable for a 30 year old box

[jeenyus]

well, i've had a couple of them here in houston. no snow but i really like the way they drive. they feel more solid and planted to me. i really like the whining noise you get from a working vc when you make a tight turn. if i can find a nice clean ix coupe body with good paint, i am thinking about selling the Mtech II. as to value, yes....they are underpriced for what they truly are. but they are too compliated, too heavy, and too expensive to fix.

The IX is such a beast in the snow and in the dry. I do get a little worried about the AWD system, but there are fixes and it does hold up well assuming it's already gone through about 30 years of abuse. They are undervalued in my opinion, but i have a biased opinion. They really aren't that complicated once you know the differences compared to the RWD version of the e30. Really the front is where it's different.

[flyboyx]

The problem with the iX is that the joy comes from doing things that will destroy the car. I wouldn’t be surprised if the three iXes that still exist in 30 years are worth more from a sheer rarity perspective. But what is the point of an iX that you can’t drive in the snow?

well, i've had a couple of them here in houston. no snow but i really like the way they drive. they feel more solid and planted to me. i really like the whining noise you get from a working vc when you make a tight turn. if i can find a nice clean ix coupe body with good paint, i am thinking about selling the Mtech II. as to value, yes....they are underpriced for what they truly are. but they are too compliated, too heavy, and too expensive to fix.

[nrubenstein]

The problem with the iX is that the joy comes from doing things that will destroy the car. I wouldn’t be surprised if the three iXes that still exist in 30 years are worth more from a sheer rarity perspective. But what is the point of an iX that you can’t drive in the snow?

[jeenyus]

I think those numbers are correct enough, however it's also about collector value. The IX wouldn't be considered as "pure bmw" as a rwd e30. Listening to journalists talk/write about these cars, its always about balance and purity/simplicity of these chassis. The ix addition to BMW's roster seemed to be more of a utility option rather than an option that aided the "driving experience". That being said, I'm sure a 325ix built to this level of detail would fetch relatively identical price, but I don't think it'd necessarily sell as quick or appreciate in value as fast a slicktop 318is

That's a fair assessment. I appreciate the response.

[wworm]

So I was curious about this and the production numbers that are listed on this website don't line up. The 318is is rare, but if i'm reading these numbers right, the 325ix was more rare by a like 10 thousand units. I'm sure the numbers are all wonky, cause I can never get a straight answer.

I'm using this as my reference. I'd love to know the proper numbers if these ones are wrong.

I think those numbers are correct enough, however it's also about collector value. The IX wouldn't be considered as "pure bmw" as a rwd e30. Listening to journalists talk/write about these cars, its always about balance and purity/simplicity of these chassis. The ix addition to BMW's roster seemed to be more of a utility option rather than an option that aided the "driving experience". That being said, I'm sure a 325ix built to this level of detail would fetch relatively identical price, but I don't think it'd necessarily sell as quick or appreciate in value as fast a slicktop 318is

[rturbo 930]

Also consider that the 318is is probably the most frequently bastardized model in the whole lineup, since they're the desirable late model body style, fairly light, but the M42 motor is often swapped out for a 24V motor, which generally isn't happening with IXs. I can definitely see clean, original 318is cars going up in value pretty significantly, although not as much as the M3 has for obvious reasons.

[jeenyus]

totally not conjecture. Sure, m20 torque is cool but this is the rarest e30, and clean versions will probably be fetching near m3 prices (circa 2010) in a decade or so. Okay, that last statement about pricing is conjecture but theyre definitely the most coveted in stock/restored form. Obviously thats beside any alpina, hartge or any of the unicorn e30s

So I was curious about this and the production numbers that are listed on this website don't line up. The 318is is rare, but if i'm reading these numbers right, the 325ix was more rare by a like 10 thousand units. I'm sure the numbers are all wonky, cause I can never get a straight answer.

I'm using this as my reference. I'd love to know the proper numbers if these ones are wrong.

[wworm]

really? the 318is is the most coveted non-M e30 with the lowest production amounts? That's gotta be conjecture.

totally not conjecture. Sure, m20 torque is cool but this is the rarest e30, and clean versions will probably be fetching near m3 prices (circa 2010) in a decade or so. Okay, that last statement about pricing is conjecture but theyre definitely the most coveted in stock/restored form. Obviously thats beside any alpina, hartge or any of the unicorn e30s

[jeenyus]

really? the 318is is the most coveted non-M e30 with the lowest production amounts? That's gotta be conjecture.

[330i ZHP]

Good stuff Jordan

[Jordan]

Small update for this evening. This is the first E30 I have actually plumbed the windshield washer system back into, where as all else I ripped it out...

New nozzles and clear braided hose... and of course oetiker clamps.