E30 Zone

Hi guys i have just bought a 318is e30 which i am picking up over the weekend.I have looked at all my old bmw mags and can not find much info on the car aside from them being used in germany for forest racing.
I know its called the baby m3 or poor man m3[why].
I also found out that it was not a good seller in the uk but its supposed to be rare now[why]
The car i have bought is red with 15"bbs alloys.
Remote bmw alarm.
Headlight washerwipe.
Onboard computer
lecy windows and sunroof.
Cloth sports seats.
Is this well speced.
What are they like to drive and whats it like on gas.Is the engine good[m42] Will i feel the difference with the sports suspension set up and limited diff againts my 325 convertible.

Cheers
Ryan

Seems well specced. It's called the baby M3 because of the handling, certainly not the straight line speed although is pokey enough to keep the saxo vtr's at bay.

Only problem with the engine is it's expensive when it breaks, check the head gasket has been done.

Hardly uses any fuel when driving normally and is a fantastic drive. Especially if it has the limited slip diff!

Ryan very few came with LSD's

The alarm
BBS alloys
On board computer
Headlampwash wipe

These are all extras and i would say quite a high spec iS

It's called a baby M3 (my guess) because it's another 4 pot that does not struggle to haul it's arse along like a 318, 316. The engine repair bills can be like an M3 too! These cars did sell well BMW just didn't make alot of them. They were more a test bed for the engine etc to see if the public would buy a sporty 4 cylinder coupe. Check that timing chain tensioner!

Cool sounds like you got a well speced is
They only sold about 2 thousand in the UK i think so its a reasonably rare car.
The engines a lovely smooth unit, if a bit lacking on out and out power, gotta keep it on the boil around corner!
Its "probably" the best handling (standard) E30 (save the M3) as it has better weight distribution than the 6 pots.

Ryan you know about 318is from when you were interested in buying my old one!

Hi Ryan!

I like to think the iS is called the baby m3 due to its rev happy 4-pot and great handling balance

They're great to chuck around - less ponderous on turn in than a 325, and with a power-weight ratio about 86% that of a 325 not that much slower. If you're happy keeping the revs up and giving it some you should find you can gain back most of what you lose from a 325 in the twisties and under braking

Remember fun is in the bends - I think you'll enjoy it

Forgot to say - there's probably not that many due to the fact they were only made for just over a year?

They went from G plates 1989 to about H 1991, well mine was a G plater anyway! Not sure about actual production dates tho.

Check this site out... VERY helpful...

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318isintro.html

Giles.

Hi giys i have just got back from veiwing the IS that i won on ebay,had to leave it had nobody to drive it back for me today,mates who needs them never around when you want them.So i left a deposit on her and i will be collecting this weekend coming.
I have never seen such a clean e30 in my life its just perfect its in better condition then my convertible.
The wheels and tyres are like new the interior looks like its never been sat on i was gob smacked.
The glove box torch even works full tool kit first aid kit warning triangles.Body work looks like its come out of the show room bright red gleaming.The carpets under the overmats are like new no wear at all.
Took it for a test drive sounds very different to the 6pots but it got one hell of a power band.Very quit on the road no rattels smooth ride.

It does have power steering somebody said that they did not come with p/s.Does the 320 and 325 the only models that come with pop out rear windows the one on the is or all sealed.

The only thing wrong is the high milage but the engine sounds very healthy and its got a good service history and only 3 owners.
I hope i dont have to do anything to her for awhile trouble free motoring for a few months i hope.

Sounds like you've found a nice one mate.

Good look with it.

All UK IS came with the power steering, think opening rears were just an option.
Sounds like you got a good one

Sounds nice

Mine has power steering (in fact i think all th iS I've seen have?) but not pop out rear windows - think they only came on the 6pots?

Sounds like a bargain! Mine has power steering and sealed rear windows too

Lordschleife wrote:Sounds nice

Mine has power steering (in fact i think all th iS I've seen have?) but not pop out rear windows - think they only came on the 6pots?

My 318iS has pop-out rear windows! but then again i retro-fitted them...
Easy job to do. Got to admit though, never use them!

i use them on my sport! so i can hear that 6 pot sweetness! oh it's a 4 pot sorry!

That would be another extra then Ryan? get the chassis no. go to the dealer they will type it in and the car will come up with it's exact specification as it left the factory with all the extras noted on it. Get them to print it for you too

Simon13 wrote:i use them on my sport! so i can hear that 6 pot sweetness! oh it's a 4 pot sorry!

Not another thread thats about to decend into a "6 pot superiorty" thread!

Cmon Si, you miss your go-kart really!


4 & 6 pot group hug

I would love to have another iS but it would have to be in sterling silver again and they are like hens teeth!

Cheers guys will get some pics up soon and i have a funny feeling that i will be getting a call this week to say come a collect your BRING MONEY WITH LOL.
One more think in the September 2001 issue of total bmw they have a story on the is in germany forest rallying.
Often described as the poor mans m3 the 318is used the newly developed 16 valve m42 engine.Then in the story its says it has the m40 engine is that the one thats in the standard 318i which is correct.On the add itself he had all the numbers for all the options the car had can anybody tell what they are if i post them up.
While i was walking the dog i thought how do i know this i a genuine is i dont i suppose it would be very easy to clone.The only is features i could see where the 15"bbs also found on many e30s Cloth check sports seats and the gear lever was leather with the m strips at the top.There was nothing on the engine that made it stand out.Sorry it just me being paranoid

Cheers
Ryan

I think the chequred cloth seats were 318is specific?
Anyway the best way to tell is just to open the bonnet! M42 is DOHC and M40 is single.
Look on that irish fella Purcells site for a pic of the M42 engine

Simon13 wrote:I would love to have another iS but it would have to be in sterling silver again and they are like hens teeth!

'tis a nice colour
Part of me's being tempted back to the 6pot, quite fancy a 325 touring or an e28 m535i

Wouldn't get rid of the iS though - love the powerband/revs/chuckability

yes i'd quite fancy an e28 M535i with a slipper and dogleg box for £500! they are very cheap, proper q car

palerider325icab wrote: While i was walking the dog i thought how do i know this i a genuine is i dont i suppose it would be very easy to clone.The only is features i could see where the 15"bbs also found on many e30s Cloth check sports seats and the gear lever was leather with the m strips at the top.There was nothing on the engine that made it stand out.Sorry it just me being paranoid

Cheers
Ryan

Here's a pic of the m42 engine


If it had a nice power band I think you're ok!

Simon13 wrote:yes i'd quite fancy an e28 M535i with a slipper and dogleg box for £500! they are very cheap, proper q car

For £500 it'll be a bit of a beater/track slag, good for a laugh though

I'd think £1500 should get a pretty nice one
Dogleg box is weaker and more of a pain to use in everyday traffic than the std manual, can sell em for to m3 types though

Don't they all come with a slipper?

think so i just thought the manuals had a dog leg but i mean't not an auto as that would spoil the fun! M-tech kit to with some nice wheels also

*cough* Sterling Silver...

320is i take it giles.

Nope... that's a 318iS

My 320iS was Lachs Silver... same as my Sport is now...

Can i send some pics to anybody that can post them for me.These are the ones he sent me.

Cheers
Ryan

Yeah, send them to me dude...

send um to me hellstaff@yahoo.com

On its way geeman sorry si he was fastest finger first.LOL