Project Weißer Regen: 91 318iS Restomod

[Jordan]

Beautiful car!

The blanking plate you are using instead of the check control panel - is that an OEM piece?

Thank you, I believe it is standard on all 318iS, which did not come with check control as a factory equipment.

This build is amazing. This really shows how good an OEM build can look great without a ton of crazy mods. Its inspiration for sure.

What are your thoughts on the M42 engine? Clearly you have had a lot of different engines in various E30s so Id be curious of your impression.

The factory does in most cases get it right, and on these cars as I've got older that becomes more and more clear.

I love the M42 for what it is. Relatively light, cheap, reliable and makes good power for its size. Of course its still god awful slow, but I also putt around in an 800hp daily driver so just about everything is. More power in a E30 is certainly welcome, but the car as is is a joy to drive. It doesn't feel underpowered and delivery is nice and smooth. Jon and I managed to line em up off a red light and even me still with the stock chip (no tune in place for the engine yet) I managed to get a solid 1.5-2 cars on him to 60 or so in his stock ~75k mile 318iS.

[wazzu70]

This build is amazing. This really shows how good an OEM build can look great without a ton of crazy mods. Its inspiration for sure.

What are your thoughts on the M42 engine? Clearly you have had a lot of different engines in various E30s so Id be curious of your impression.

[Glaede]

Beautiful car!

The blanking plate you are using instead of the check control panel - is that an OEM piece?

[TeXJ]

that car is so clean!

[mike.bmw]

It's certainly a stunning result and it makes me happy that this build is completed, but I really do miss those detailed build posts where you'd fully disassemble something and put it back together. :-)

[PieterVN]

Crazy to think that this car one day was a flood victim. The depth and level of detail in this build is amazing.

[parkerbink]

Wow!

Amazing!

[Jordan]

Saturday the E30 got to stretch its legs a bit. I didn't realize but really its been just shy of 3 months since I've seen the car, much less driven it so it was long overdue! A friend of mine was putting on a Vintage BMW car show not far from where the car is stored (Jon's place) so I went over and Jon and I caravanned over to the show. Needless to say the car drove superbly, and man it is just such a pleasurable car to cruise in. The odometer ticked up to 173 miles by the end of the day. We got quite a few looks on our way to the show rolling out 2x2 in cars you don't see 1 on 1. These photos were all snapped with the new iPhone 12 Pro Max, which I have to say really takes some beautiful pictures. The HDR video is also breathtaking, shame Youtube doesn't support Apples new codec for that yet, but I bet it will soon.

Youtube Video (1080p/60 nonHDR) https://youtu.be/1a3s-ZePbOY

[Jordan]

Jordan Will you ever dyno this thing? I’m very curious what a 2.1 M42 would make

The engine (car) whatever has about 134 miles on it, so its not really at the point it needs to be dyno'd yet. I'm also still waiting on software for the engine as its still running on the stock chip until the break in is completed to my satisfaction. As it stands I haven't seen the car for at least 2 months, I left it in Jon's care while I plug away at other projects.

[2mAn]

Jordan Will you ever dyno this thing? I’m very curious what a 2.1 M42 would make

[Jordan]

That is the brake pad wear sensor repair harness for early cars, yes they have a redundant and altogether unnecessary ground that was eliminated on later cars. If it came with the tapered boots that interface with the struts I feel there would be a case to use it, but as it doesn't... I passed it over.

There most likely is a more cost effective solution for the grommet, but then it wouldn't be correct. $25ea is a bit insane for what it is, but we don't use the C word around here sir.

[Vincenze]

With the hardware off the plate that's left me to finish working on the chassis harness I started on the weekend before. The ABS wheel speed sensor repair kit harnesses came in, and I also managed to find a solution for the dry rotted brake pad wear sensor harnesses which unfortunately are not available new.

Pro tip, SRS harness wiring is the same size jacket as the brake pad wear sensor, but isn't made out of shit that dry rots. Damn wire colors are even the same. Since I'm removing SRS from this car I used that wiring as a donor to repair the brake pad wear sensor harness, sliding the rubber boots and hangers off the original junk and over the new.

I wonder if this line can be used?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/61121367674/

It has an additional ground connector, though.



Also, is there a cheaper substitute for the grommet 61611356460?

[Jordan]

Hey Jordan when you put your windshield back in did you source the oem tape that goes under gasket?

I did not reinstall any of that. Its sheet butyl tape with a thin plastic layer over it. I believe it is primarily for corrosion resistance, but who knows.

So is it unreasonable to think that there may be many E30s out there with underperforming brakes due to such build up in the ABS unit? But otherwise fresh brake system? (calipers, lines, MC, reservoir etc.)

That is really disturbing to see the gunk inside the unit.

I think its entirely and very likely possible to be the case. The bias limiting valve on the frame rail is going to have some build up on it as well, and all of the caliper bodies always have some inside when you rebuild them. Fact of the matter is that brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs water, and water attacks metals over time. Those corrosively lifted metal particles become suspended in the fluid and eventually find a resting place.

I'll have time to go drive the car this weekend and can report back on overall brake feel and response with the "new" pump.

Super cool to see this taken apart. Thanks, as always, for documenting the rebuild.

It is REALLY cool to see it blow all apart, it is far more complex inside than I gave it credit for.

[Melon]

Super cool to see this taken apart. Thanks, as always, for documenting the rebuild.

[Sh3rpak!ng]

So is it unreasonable to think that there may be many E30s out there with underperforming brakes due to such build up in the ABS unit? But otherwise fresh brake system? (calipers, lines, MC, reservoir etc.)

That is really disturbing to see the gunk inside the unit.