What to look out for when buying a 318is

[sheebie]

Im looking at a 318is tomorrow, and was wondering if there was anything specific to look out for?

I heard they are galvanized so rust is not any issues,

Rust as any e30 but anything that this 318is specific.
How expensive it the timing chain rattle to get sorted?

[age]

i love that saying " iS's are galvanized" lol
thats just something a couple of e30 heads came up with

however it is true that a 325 will keep up with an iS till 3000rpm when the iS breaks through the sound barrier leaving the boat anchor behind
M42 FTW

iS bodies are the same as any other e30 so the scuttle, pockets, dont forget to take off the rear door cards, i got caught badly one time with that, had a tea towel stuck in there

check everywhere basically, and remember if its not right then walk away, there are plenty of them out there

[johnl320]

Take it for a drive, get it warm and listen for any rattles coming from the engine, especially 3 - 4000 rpm range, that can be chain/tensioner issues that can turn expensive.

[320iAN]

they never all left the factory with elec windows, roof, 14 or 15" alloys or a LSD .. even the front fog lights were only an option so look for one with some factory added comforts .. some have also knowin to have had leather fitted from new.

[Raj_p]

Only other thing to look out for, that isnt mentioned is......

The two missing pistons

[jann]

I have one and got pretty lucky as the inner arches were replaced.
But to look out for are
Scuttle rust
Temp issues
Chain tensionor
Obv blue/White smoke
Diff whine

Just to name a few the m42 engine so I've heard is pretty bomb proof.
And for the limited amount of time I've had my IS they are right.
It's an absolute peach above 3500 when it comes on cam:D

[Felix79]

Make sure it's a proper IS and not some tarted up M40 318i.

the IS is a very revy engine so I would start it from cold and get it warmed up properly and see how it feels through the whole power band

[Kos]

Make sure it's a proper IS and not some tarted up M40 318i.

the IS is a very revy engine so I would start it from cold and get it warmed up properly and see how it feels through the whole power band

what power band ? lol

first up, body work. check for rust, previous accident damage etc. no point buying a car with a good engine if the body work its hanging. sills,scuttle, rear panel, rear inner and outer arches.

engines, make sure its quite. look for oil leaks, water leaks. make sure it get to operating temp and stays there. taking it for a decent run, and use all the rev range. exhausts are IS specific and after market OEM or performance replacements are not widely available

suspension, listen out for any clunks/bangs rattles

they are generally all round decent cars.

[n1tr0_9]

. look for oil leaks, water leaks.

+1

Look down the front of the engine for leaks here. The front covers are prone to leaking oil if they have been put on badly. They can also leak water around the thermostat housing. Check all the cam cover bolts are there, as the threads sometimes get stripped out by overzealous spanner monkeys. Its not really an issue, but will give an indication of who has been looking after the car.

[bss325i]

they never all left the factory with elec windows, roof, 14 or 15" alloys or a LSD .. even the front fog lights were only an option so look for one with some factory added comforts .. some have also knowin to have had leather fitted from new.

All 318iS' have electric windows and central locking as standard.

[sheebie]

Thanks for the reply, the one i am looking at is local to me. If I dont buy that next on the list are these:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2365626.htm

and this one, but not as much as the first:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2353778.htm

If anyone knows anything about these or can give some insight, i would be grateful

[320iAN]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2365626.htm
1st one has not got an iS splitter and looks like the rear shelf may have been butchered (6x9's fitted)

& as for the 2nd one... think i'd keep looking if the other ones are not for you

[pacerpete]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2365626.htm
1st one has not got an iS splitter and looks like the rear shelf may have been butchered (6x9's fitted)

& as for the 2nd one... think i'd keep looking if the other ones are not for you

+1. They both sound like hounds being sold by chancers, AVOID.

[sheebie]

I will keep looking there are not many around atm but im not in any rush, thanks

[polsta]

Thanks for the reply, the one i am looking at is local to me. If I dont buy that next on the list are these:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2365626.htm

and this one, but not as much as the first:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2353778.htm

If anyone knows anything about these or can give some insight, i would be grateful

the red 1st on there...a decent well looked after car..that the loving owners have lost all the paperwork , also heater blower doesnt work -possibly had some sort of heater matrix issue, maybe a leak issue, and like mentioned and he says..has dff/bigger rear speakers, you want it all standard, then just upgrade the speakers if need be with beter ones in standard holes, if your paying 1500-2k out for a 20 year old car, you want it to be all original and nice

e30s are collectable becoming sought after cars and wil continue to do so the more that are broke up etc, if your going to buy one that you want to keep and love, then having all the paperwok is something you ideally really want to have, that red one for £1500 with its problems and no history..id personly steer well clear, look for one thats fully working and has all the paperwork, as its nice to have on an older classic car that will continue to rise in value etc

and the silver one...if you want an is, get a standard is, not one with mtech 2 kit on it, looks naff ,and makes it a tech 2 wanabe and not an is !!! avoid that too

also things to check for are under carpets for leaks,signs of damp etc, jacking points,sills etc

[Bakedbean100]

The first one seems ok to be despite what others say, if tis local go and have a look and if it doesn't seem right walk away. Is's with full history tend to go for abit more than that £1500 one. however i agree that it does have a few faults but i reckon you could knock £200 off by going along and sounding knowledgable.


as for the second one.........

[Simon13]

only came in 5 colours, metallic was a free option so why are most of them alpine white and brillant red?! diamond black, lazer blue and the rarest sterling silver. Any other colour is a fake.

[sheebie]

only came in 5 colours, metallic was a free option so why are most of them alpine white and brillant red?! diamond black, lazer blue and the rarest sterling silver. Any other colour is a fake.

Thanks for that i did not know they only came in 5 colours, would love a black one or another laser blue to match the m30, but not seen any

[iDreamBeemer]

Can't believe this site (the one I've linked, not the zone!) is still going. Your one stop shop to iS buying! http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/

[donnyboiler]

Brendan Purcell's site is what sold me on my first IS back in 2000. Cool place.

Check this guy out too:

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html

Brilliant!

I've had a black one and a red one along with every other E30 going. They are still my favourite all rounder.

If you are lucky enough to find one with less than 80k, the profile gasket may be an issue (google it). These are chain driven which is great news but tensioners need doing. It has hydraulic tappets but if the top end is rattly they may need replacing. They are a tough engine and many have very high mileages now with few problems.

Standard wheels I believe were steels but I've only ever seen 3 or 4 with those. Most were sold with 14'' BBS, many with 15''. My first had bottlecaps from the factory and I've never seen another with those.

Most things were an option. Sunroofs, ABS, fogs, alarms, leather, LSD, OBC, the list goes on, but ABS and fogs are common. Standard cars came with the m-tech suspension, sports interior, the spoiler kit, elec windows, elec mirrors, green tinted glass, central locking, PAS and that's about it.

You can get a lovely standard one wth no rust for £1500 so don't compromise. The best ones I have seen in recent times have been for sale right here.

Don

[320iAN]

Don .. i totaly agree with you about the iS being an "all rounder" i to have owned a few other E30 examples.. all of which were 6cyl car's
yes the iS may not be thee quickest E30 but as normal run of the day E30's go it's the 2nd quickest.. 325 is deffo a quicker car but cost far more to run (fuel, service, insure)

after my above speech there will know doubt be some 6cyl E30 owner jumping on with a "6 pot's rule" post (or some other nonsense about how they see/slate/rate E30 iS model's) and that all other E30 BMW's mean nothing!.. even though this is a forum for ALL E30 OWNERS

[sheebie]

thanks for the advise, I already have a m30'd one but looking for a more cheaper daily, either a 318is or a m50'd one.

I have seen 3 318is so far, but walked away from them all, One was tapping more then my 2.5 lol

Will still keep looking as im in no rush at the moment. Still need to get rid of my e46 also

[Duke137]

thanks for the advise, I already have a m30'd one but looking for a more cheaper daily, either a 318is or a m50'd one.

I have seen 3 318is so far, but walked away from them all, One was tapping more then my 2.5 lol

Will still keep looking as im in no rush at the moment. Still need to get rid of my e46 also

It's in their nature to be rattly, live with it or look for something else would be my advice.

Mine has been great (for a 4 pot) never really had any bad probs apart from the radiator reaching the end of it's life this week.

I'd be more concerned with the bodywork and how much MOT tbh

[Stu_Bee]

I know of this one.

http://www.swdubs.co.uk/forum/viewtopic ... d6f4c753a2

[dom-1984-320i]

only came in 5 colours, metallic was a free option so why are most of them alpine white and brillant red?! diamond black, lazer blue and the rarest sterling silver. Any other colour is a fake.

You learn something new every day.

[ash-e30]

that 1st is says he cant afford to insure it but will take a cupra in px with cash your way wouldnt insurence be a lot more for that? and sounds like a chav