My 1990 318is - New Wheels Fitted! 03/04/10

[inlovewithRWD]

Well, after waiting for some good weather to take reasonable photos of my car, I was finally able to get som photos of my new 318is today.

I have only been driving it for a couple of weeks, but I have already fallen in love with this car. The combination of great handling and the fantastically revvy M42 lump make it an absolute hoot to drive, especially on the country lanes near me.

This particular car is a 1990 iS with only 80,000 miles on the clock and a full BMWSH minus the last two services (I now get it serviced at an independent garage where the owner was trained by BMW on e30s). The car really is in outstanding condition. The bodywork is almost perfect with only a couple of imperfections and a few small patches of rust. These will be dealt with ASAP. The interior is unmarked and it drives like new.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

















All comments welcome!

[ETERNITY]

Looks fantastic

exactly like mine, except I have upgraded my alloys.

[inlovewithRWD]

I'm hoping to get either 15" BBS or 16" Hartge alloys soon!

[ETERNITY]

yes stick with the 15inch bbs wheels

look more factory

I personally like the euro look,(3inch deep dish)

[tonybtonyb]

Your e30 looks great!But adding black leather interior,15"bbs alloys your car will look the business..otherwise very cool

[inlovewithRWD]

Sorry, but the check seats are staying, I love them! But I agree on 15" BBS

[MrSpliffy]

I love a white E30, and am a fan of the 318IS (we never got that model in SA). Your car is beautiful

[inlovewithRWD]

Cheers! SA may not have the iS, but got some pretty cool models such as the 333 instead. I'd love one of those

[MrSpliffy]

I love the 333i and 325is even more. I've always been a fan of high revving 4cylinder I'm looking for an E36 M42 motor here in SA, but I'm still researching the conversion though.

[inlovewithRWD]

I'd have thought that conversion to an M42 wouldn't be too hard.

[TPS]

That a stunning IS you've got there.

[smithysmith]

Nice IS, i remember when it came up on pistonheads, i was going to view it, but youbeat me to it

[smithysmith]

Nice IS, i remember when it came up on pistonheads, i was going to view it, but youbeat me to it

[rix313]

iS's rule

Stunning example that! Would you not consider sticking with the 14inch wheels to keep the gearing correct?

[WeBuyAnyCar]

Whats skirts are they?

[rix313]

Look like colour coded SE skirts

[richardlkay]

Very nice......but I'm biased

[bss325i]

iS's rule

Stunning example that! Would you not consider sticking with the 14inch wheels to keep the gearing correct?

15" BBS with 205/55R14 have the same rolling diameter as 195/60R14's so gearing will no different.

To the OP, nice looking iS and you very rarely see them with sub 100k mileage now.

[inlovewithRWD]

Cheers for all the positive comments guys! I have the car as a daily and it hasn't missed a beat, even with the crap weather and snow we have been having in Sussex.

There are only a few niggles at the moment. The paint really needs detailing to get it back to its original white but it's impossible at the moment. I may even get it detailed in Spring...The exhaust has also started to blow a bit. At the moment it sounds ok but will need replacing soon. Does anyone know of an exhaust that will look/sound as close to OEM as possible?

[robbo86]

http://www.leisureshack.co.uk/318iS-1-8 ... 11109.aspx

Or PM a zoner called Dezzy, who I think came in a mite cheaper.

Nice IS. Wait till Alex tells you how much he paid for his.

[inlovewithRWD]

Well, after a long time spent waiting I have finally got a set of Hartge alloy wheels for my car. They have come back from being refurbished by Lepsons and look . I also bought new caps as well. The low light doesn't show the shine very well, but they did a fantastic job of colour matching the wheels and centre caps.







I am hoping to get tyres fitted at the weekend and will post photos of them on the car soon. Can't wait!

Also, does anyone know the best way of removing fitted centre caps? Having spent €200 on a set I'm scared of breaking them!

[m4xos]

very clean IS, nice new rims! thats all i like, standard e30 but with some rims

[inlovewithRWD]

Cheers! Once the Hartges are fitted I think I'll lower it (40/40 or 60/40) and then leave it alone. Nothing beats a clean looking IS.

[Duke137]

Sorry, but the check seats are staying, I love them! But I agree on 15" BBS

Yes on the interior check seats FTW

I prefer them to leather, one of the many reasons I went for the IS

BTW Nice car

[inlovewithRWD]

The wheels are now fitted, and to say I'm chuffed is an understatement! A picture speaks a thousand words so here goes...







IMO they suit the car perfectly and the quality of the refurb is very good. I gave the wheels a wax before the tyres were fitted and they have a fantastic shine (and will hopefully be easier to clean too).

The wheels are shod in Kumho KU31s. My brothers use them on their cars (M3 and 525tds) and tell me they perform well. I'll soon find out...

There is also one more addition to the car...paedo bear!





I think the next job will be to lower the car (probably 40mm) as it looks a bit like it's on stilts. I'll probably wait until the summer though.

[mick_318is]

Looking Very Very Nice

A small amount of lowering on the front maybe needed other than that leave it how it is

[iceox]

where did you get that pedo bear? i want one lol

[inlovewithRWD]

My brother got it from an American site, but I think they're available on eBay as well.

[inlovewithRWD]

Looking Very Very Nice

A small amount of lowering on the front maybe needed other than that leave it how it is

Cheers! I agree about the lowering. I'm considering a 40mm drop all-round and nothing more for now.

[Miris325i]

very nice example of IS and with Hartge wheels looks awesome!! and i would agree with mick...if u wanna put car low, do it just on front (35,40mm) as i think its look better and u still can put some bagade to the trunk good job anyway

[inlovewithRWD]

Good point. I'm still debaiting how much I should lower it TBH. My brother is pushing for 60/40 but I think that is way too low. I may just save up for a GAZ or KW coilover kit which would allow me to get the perfect ride height...Bloody pricy though!