Hillbilly30's 318is M52......She's back!!

[hillbilly30]

Ok I've pick up my new e30 this evening, it's been we'll loved, done 93k miles and drives better than any e30 I've had before! Slowly getting my head round the 16v on the way home after several 325's in the past years but in the end I found it quite good fun, the thing just revs forever!!

Due to a garage full of crap an outdoor cover will have to do until I build a shed for the crap to live in

Picked it up with the 15" BBS fitted but swapped for others you see in pic that also came with car

Now planning to save some coin and get an M52 conversion done and the dream will be complete!
If I get time tomorrow I'm gonna hit the paint with a clay bar and a heavy dose of wax! Will post shiny pics when it's done!
Ta for looking,

[Jamie8GTi]

She looks mint from day 1!
Lovely looking e30

[polsta]

Looks imaculate ,look forward to more pics

You should keep it standard bring that nice and looked after and milage

[hillbilly30]

To be fair I nearly added a poll! Should I leave standard or go for m52? I'm going to drive about with the m42 for the rest of the summer anyway, it might grow on me!.......... It might not

[Nobby_N]

Looks mint mate, and JamieGTi sort your avatar size out, your fucking up every thread with the size bud!

[Jamie8GTi]

haha i was waiting for someone to say that, i'll see what i can do

[jmc330i]

Does look lovely that

As for engine swaps, you can do an M52 swap without buggering the car up so it can go back to standard when you want, although personally I'd keep the M42... maybe with a sneaky supercharger though

[hillbilly30]

That's an interesting thought James! So far I've had a chat with Big Baverian Beauty's and am being told 2k ish for m52 conversion, (sounded fair). Could a supercharger conversion be done for this kind of budget? Who could carry it out? The m52 just seems so simple and the rewards so high!

[Neilios]

Looks nice, keep it standard.

[Sanchez]

Looks nice, keep it standard.

+1

Looks like a nice standard is. You can M52 any e30 but a nice 318is is harder to come by.

Mims look nice with a polished lip.

[hillbilly30]

Been polishing!

[hillbilly30]

Why do pics look totally different sizes on ipad to iphone? I hate technology! Must be why I like e30s

[polsta]

Don't do a conversion with an idea to put back to standard later keeping the engine - realistically it will never happen, as above you can m52 any e30, a nice is like that us more desirable as it is, nippy revvy and reasonable/good on fuel, keep it under 3k revs for super economy mode or they love a revvy drive too

If you want fast and juicy get another e30 to convert and insure the is for penuts as a daily on a classic 2nd car policy

Best is mods - 370ml tech 2 steering wheel, z3 quick shift with new gear linkage, eibach springs, make an enjoyable difference

Get the icv and throttle body and cable linkage all cleaned with carb cleaner and a full service

Rear head rest kit looks great too if its not got them

[hillbilly30]

Yea I do hear what you're saying! At the moment it's costing £98 a year for insurance! I do fancy the short shift mod, I've seen them on eBay, which are best to get?
Also found out today it has an LSD! Very sideways I was!
Are there any power mods worth doing?

[polsta]

Are you sure it has an LSD ? Ie checked the metal tag on the diff ? A lot of is owners think they have an lsd

Short shift only buy the z3 1.9 genuine from bmw its not expensive look in the wiki for part number,no point getting cheap eBay rubbish, its excellent to drive with but make sure the linkage is all nice and tight

[hillbilly30]

Only from past experience, my e30s that haven't had LSD tend to light the inside wheel up but this just grips or if damp it goes drifting, only my old 325i sport had LSD all others did not, hence my sport was the only one I put in a hedge! Loved that car, hope it still lives!

Sold it to guy in Edinborough in 2005 iirc

Thanks for help Polsta! This is e30 number eight for me, but never done much in the way of modding, first one was back in 1998, m10 316, had a few of those, then 325i's in sport, touring, se, and a moredoor mtech se, always come back to them and wonder why I ever changed! This one is for keeps though! Might be my last chance? Even in 2009 when I sold my last 325i (to a zoner) there were hundreds in the classifieds! Now down to dozens!

[hillbilly30]

Pic works! Pic doesn't work! f693 RGS was the reg anyway!

[polsta]

Awsome mate, you should keep this one and look after it, I
Miss my old is I sold 2 years ago now, would buy another if I can find the right one for the right price, fancy a red one or maybe alpine , don't see many/any without a few issues or needing too much work or roof rust issues etc

[hillbilly30]

It has a garage! Much better, now I can bugger about with spanners and polish after dark!!

And fitted this. Yes! I know it won't make it go any faster but it just makes full throttle sound great, sounds at least 20% faster!

[Dave441cc]

Mint !

[lharrobang]

Im loving this IS.
the best thing is your also in norfolk!! so i may even see it in the flesh .

Out of interest your insurance is very cheap... how did you get such a good deal?

[Pauledin]

Very nice indeed, I always loved them in white.

[goosiegander]

Nice car

[bhups]

Looking good.

[hillbilly30]

Insurance is though RH specialist division, as a second car 3000 miles a year, garaged and non commuting, and I'm very young! 32

[hillbilly30]

Sorry not exactly a turbo build or weldathon

Just a summer pic of the "is" with its next owner!

[TPS]

Very Nice though, those wheels are lovely.

[hillbilly30]

Well the timing chain issues were the final straw for me and my relationship with the m42!
After much thought I've come to the conclusion that despite the "is" being my favourite e30 in the exterior looks and interior looks/finish will always be wanting more from the lump.
So..... A date is penciled in with Big Baverian for an m52 transplant with e36 rack and suspension upgrade! Sorry to anyone who loves an original car but this work will make the car everything I've always wanted an e30 to be, can't wait!

[jmc330i]

Good choice, especially if you're keeping the car - it looks to be a few years before the next owner gets his hands on it lol

[hillbilly30]

It's happening!

Happy times! Can't bloody wait!

[hillbilly30]

Well it's all happening! Been to collect all original engine n bits today

One, two, three, four, five, six! Much better! IMO.
Just can't wait to drive the thing! Also keep thinking about putting the BBS back on then going lower but not sure, I'm too old to be bouncing about on Norfolks knackered roads. I like the Mims a lot but the offset won't allow any drop unless it rock hard

[jmc330i]

Cool

What you getting, an M52 on the M42 gearbox?

[hillbilly30]

Yes, m52 on m42 box, m50 inlet and a stainless custom exhaust with single tail pipe to look like original 318is. Oh and a wide open diff!

[jmc330i]

exhaust with single tail pipe to look like original 318is. Oh and a wide open diff!

Good good. I was going to suggest a single tailpipe - it would be a shame to cut the rear valance.
Nothing wrong with an open diff.... makes drifting much more satisfying

[jmc330i]

A single 3" tailpipe fills the cutout in the rear valance perfectly.