Finnaly i got one!

[appletree]

an e30 That is!!!!

ad been looking around for a 325sport but every1 i looked at was either tappety or had big rust problems under the m-tech kit. but a 318is cout my eye on auto trader.

went down today and bought it!!!, no rust on the r-arches ur sills and only a very slight bubbling on the f-wing. 88k, 2 owners and ran very sweet, very tidy interia ro rips, and fsh Ԛ£995 although i did have to drive to manchester to pick it up which took about 3 hours each way ( mostly coz i got lost!!)

The only fing was about half way home the speedo be came intermitent and woulnt stay at a constant reading, any ideas?

Also noticed there isnt a chip listed for the 318is in the zone shop, will a normal 318 chip be any good?

[Cloggy Saint]

I think the speedo operates via a signal from the diff'. If the wire from the diff' is on it's way out it could give irregular readings. I might be talking bollox though...

[kezza]

Is it on the following plate: G96 VNA ????
I was interested in that, but i'm in London, so didn't fancy travelling up there! Glad u got an iS, i've been after one for about 6 weeks!

[kezza]

What part of Donny are you from ? I know Town Moor and Balby quite well!

[martauto]

I think you may have got there quicker!
Donny to Manchester in 3 hrs? Please tell me where you went.I live in Leeds and would like to avoid this route.
Mart.
Sorry mate but 3hrs?
But did you enjoy the trip back home in your new 30?
(3hrs, 4hrs, so what!)

[stonesie]

another member from donacster, what part you from mate...... out in the sticks myself (adwick)

[appletree]

dont no route followed sat nav! like i sed i went exited the motorway a junction early and it redirected me cross country. went through woodhead though. very good bends, but not in the wet!! i dint say i was in a 1.2 8v punto with 2 15" subs and half a garge of tools just in case me or the bmw broke down.

ya, that was the reg, it was from worrington

[Jamesb318is]

Normal 318 chip wont work. Only option is chippeduk viper chip, or something from america. I personally can recommend the chipped uk chip.
Nice purchase, hope your happy with it!

[appletree]

very happy with it, its aot a few bits and bobs to sort out but the body and interia is sold.

whats the chip called that youhave fitted called? how bigger difference did it make?

[DemonDaz]

Good to see another happy E30 owner!

As for the intermitant speedo, on the back of the instrument panel ther are a couple of nuts that may need tightening!

There are plenty of threads on it if you have a quick search.

[320Touring]

Congratulations!

glad to see another new owner! the iS is a fine version-just treat it gently when its cold and it'll probably out live you

as for the speedo, first stop would be the wires on the senderr at the diff

jack the car up at the back, and have a look to see if you can detect any cracks or breaks in the wire.

if so, you can fix in a new bit of wire and that should solve it

if you go to the technical section, and do a search for speedo issues, the whole process will be detailed there.

[hammoj28]

Congratulations. The IS is a brilliant little car and a hoot to drive. Love mine to bits. Hope you enjoy it mate.

p.s wish the zone would do a chip for the is!

[Jamesb318is]

Viper 2 chip mate from ChippedUK. Ԛ£75. Some people have had problems with chipped uk, but my chip has made the world of difference. Pulls harder at the top end, and smoother/torquier(sp?) low down. Better throttle response too.

[appletree]

just been reading on the net that the m44 engine in the 318is is also used in the e36? is this Right? so is the ECU the same? as there might be a chip for the engine on (dare i say it) and e36 forum shop?

thanks for the advice on the speedo al have a lookm tomorrow

it also has the standard sports seats but they have deep blue/black bolsters and a realy dark tarton, are these normal? i though the sport seats were ligther with light tarton?

[appletree]

also can i remove the cat with out messing up the ecu? does it rely on before and after cat readings to function? would this mod realy make fhat much difference?

[Cava]

Hi, congratulations on your purchase!

Not sure on the e36 ecu as the e30 318is uses the M42 engine (which was also used in the early e36's but with a different ecu (I think).

As for the cat question, check with a bmw dealer if your car definately has one - they are quite rare. They should be able to give you the original factory delivery sheet with the cars spec.

[Jamesb318is]

Check to see if its actually got a cat, most dont!
Dont think the ECU is the same as the M44 is almost the same engine mechanically but has different bits such as inlet manifold, and makes use of knock sensors so the ECU will have a different map to make use of these.

[appletree]

Yup its definatly got one! the car started off as a bmw demonstrator so its got all the options.

the exhust is in perfect condition and i almost seams a shame to chop it out which is why i asked if the'd be more difference in the performance.

what air filters are you runing?

[tim_s]

e36 m42 has a different DME (disa control, lambda, knock sensors), as does the m44 (obviously) so neither will work. i don't understand why you can't just get the correct chip?
as for jayson's chip, it works fine for me. this has all been covered in previous posts too.
its v unlikely you have a cat, i've never seen one on a 318is.

[hammoj28]

Im waiting for a bmc carbon airbox at the moment.

[Jamesb318is]

If it does have a cat, then there would definately be difference in performance with it removed, they are quite restrictive.
Normal induction kits are supposed to be pony on this engine, if you want one, go for a pukka sealed one like the BMC CDA.

[hammoj28]

Hmm, will have to check if mine has a cat. Is it a good idea to remove the cat? Will it pass an mot without one? Cant wait to get my BMC.

[Kedge]

Shold get thought the MOT unless you have bad emissions, no need for the cat on pre '92 cars.

Great little cars these are, got back into mine today after driving my 325i touring for the last couple of weeks and love it to bits, if only htere was more low end torque!