1990 318is - The Daily Driver

[max_crox]

This is my new 318is which I purchased from here









The pictures above are from the for sale ad!

It is a replacement for my current daily driver an 328i Sport which will be for sale shortly! Its not my first E30 as I had a 325i Touring which I sold for the E36.

Its not meant as a project car as I already have one of those as I'm building a mk2 Polo Track car. This is suppose to be my daily driver, however it does need a bit of work to be done.

These are:
- Change rear lights - Done
- New number plates - Done
- New wiper arm (as it stopped working due to the splines being worn away) - done
- Replace the car mats
- Fix reversing lights
- Fix electric mirrors
- Fix drivers electric window - was working now stopped
- Fix/buy headlight - done
- Tidy parcel shelf
- Replace Dash batteries as SI not working or MPG gauge properly - Dash replaced
- Buy roof gutter cover - done
- Fully underseal/waxoil for winter months
- Fix 1 number plate light.
- Purchase smoked front indicators
- New fuel cap
- Fix Heated rear window
- Change thermostat
- Replace/fix rear ashtray
- Patch/weld holes left by tow bar

so nothing major!

Mark

[mrjonchandler]

Nice one Mark,
I've got a nice one too, also in Warks, where abouts are you based?
Car looks really tidy mate.
Cheers,
Jon

[max_crox]

Hi Jon,
Cheers.. I'm based in Leamington.

I've already made a start and changed the rear lights and plates

[Liam554]

Great looking IS you got there mate

[mrjonchandler]

Hi Jon,
Cheers.. I'm based in Leamington.

I've already made a start and changed the rear lights and plates

Ah right, i'm just outside Stratford!
Looks better already with stock lights, are you changing it to original then?
I'm after a black front grille if you know anyone with one or if you swap yours out.
Cheers, let's stay in touch, Midlands need more IS crew!
Jon

[aj_mckay]

Add a set of 15" BBS wheels to the list you've already written and you're onto a winner

Nice looking car.

[max_crox]

Plan is to keep it mostly original. I want to get a e36 rack as compared with my sport its a bit bus like. But getting a smaller steering wheel might help with that. Also a Z3/Short shifter I think will help the driving factor a bit.

My grills are just painted. In fact they need doing again as its seems it wasn't prepared that well as its flacking off a bit.

The wheels will be a future thing as the 14inch ones have basically brand new tyres on it.

[max_crox]

Fitted some new clocks and now I have a working MPG gauge! Also fitted a new Ariel so I can finally pick up radio!

its a nice black one..


also fitted my fire extinguisher


I also fixed the head light so it doesn't swing back and forth.

Next on the list is interior lights as its a pain getting you stuff out of the car at night. I want to put a light in the boot as well.

[mrjonchandler]

Looking good Max, i just spent the last 2 days doing my rear beam bushes on this Touring i've got, not much fun but it drives really well now.
You missed a good meet on Sunday, was a really nice ride out.
Cheers
Jon

[max_crox]

Hi Jon, Cheers..
ahh its a job that I have to do as well.. not looking forward to it really. But I'm glad it makes the car handle better. Mine feels all over the place at speed.

I'll make it to a meet one day!

[mrjonchandler]

Hi Jon, Cheers..
ahh its a job that I have to do as well.. not looking forward to it really. But I'm glad it makes the car handle better. Mine feels all over the place at speed.

I'll make it to a meet one day!

Let me know if you need any pointers, can be done but the removal tools really help.
Cheers
Jon

[max_crox]

Well the car has been at Crackley Garage whilst they fight to fix some things on it.

The rear beam bushes had totally disintegrated and the person who last fitted them had done so incorrectly. steering tie rods and ends where replaced. Trailing arm bushes replaced. Front wish bone bushes replaced. Ignition barrel replaced.

This has totally transformed the car and now I actually enjoy driving it rather than veering all over the road. Next its some decent tyres, fix the washer jets and put some decent headlight bulbs in.

[tonybtonyb]

Hi fella what a stunning IS really looks fab keep up the good work!

[emdog16]

you should do a fog conversion and then just do the tint on everything, it will save you having to buy the smoked indicators. Some blacked out 15's would do that car wonders too. Beautiful car though!

[polsta]

looks nice man !! dont smoke all the lights, red e30s look better with standard lights !

and get rid of those nasty red mats

is that interior/seats factory standard ?

[Brinkland]

nice car

[max_crox]

Cheers guys The pictures do make it look a bit nicer that it actually is But it is in good condition.

I was thinking of front fogs and some black center BBS would look good. The Mats are nasty but in this weather they can stay for a while.

Trying not to spend too much money on this as all my money should be going on my other car restoration. But it is tempting!

I believe the seats are factory but I don't see any/many with the vinyl bolsters.

[Duke137]

this was "nollys" old car, a fine example he gave it away really at the price he dropped to. Well done mate, that's a keeper!

[max_crox]

Yes it was. It does look good but there was quite a bit of work that needed to be done to it to get it drive right. But its is now a real hoot to drive!

Next on the list is a Gearbox and diff oil change and fix the heater as its blowing luke warm. Not great in this weather.

[max_crox]

Had to take some photos for the insurance so gave it a bit of a clean.. I love how this car looks!




Yep the door is open a bit.

I also had to change the power steering and alternator belts as one/both was squealing. So I got my ramps out




And this is the alternator belt! I think it needed changing!

[charlE30]

Cars looking fantastic as usual mate, that belt is properly fooked

I love your ramps where did you get them?

[PG325]

Just saw them and I want a set as the ones I have now wont clear the front valance.

Bloody expensive though!

http://www.cjautos.webs.com/hyramp.html

[max_crox]

Cheers!

Yep the ramps came from CJ Auto's. Me an my brother got fed up with the process of getting cars on Axel stands and also removing the front spoilers on the cars to get them on ramps. So we got these. Annoying I do still have to put a block of 2x4 before the ramp to drive up first to clear the splitter on the E30. But other than that they are great!

[magpie]

good ramps indeed,much easier to raise and lower with a 24v impact gun though

[max_crox]

I think you might be right however the CJ Auto ones don't go as low as the hydraulic which would have meant taking the splitters off the cars..

[max_crox]

Took it down to a Rolling Road day that I was helping out at.


Its a bit lumpy compared to my other car

[max_crox]

The Car is going strong


Had a suspension refresh with new front and E46 cab rear top mount and fitted Eibach Springs.

This has transformed how the car rides and handles.

I've also fitted a replacement 370mm MTech1 Steering wheel.

This really does make a difference to the steering and makes it feel less like you are driving a bus.

As this is my daily it has been doing the 180mile round trip to Basingstoke with ease and I've been averaging 400mile to a tank which I think is rather good!!