'91 318iS minor resto.. ;-)

Fri Apr 03, 2015 9:12 am

Wow, black m3, very nice indeed

Good choice

Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:49 pm

Yes, it is Por 15 black!!

No its actually diamantschwarz-metallic.. actually a very nice colour in the flesh... looks dark blue with low light and black when its darker.

The car is very very clean. It has 164 000 kms, verified. It had not done 1000km since 2006. I drove 800km to get it home and it purred the whole way and drove great. The PO was not a car guy and bought it as an investment but unexpected baby #3 forced him to sell. I bargained him down to 22500 cdn which is 12000 pounds. Pretty amazing considering the market! But he was very motivated to sell!!

Yes my wife knows about it - she now drives the black e46 - a fair trade imo!

The car has almost no rust. I will eventually do a full respray and all will be sorted. The interior is mint and its easy to see the car has been well looked after. Absolutely everything is stock (minus wheels and radio) but I have the original 15"s and they are being media blasted and powder coated new this week. Also have to find appropriate rubber for them.

You guys know me...the car is already up on jackstands with the exhaust and rear subframe and fuel tank removed. The fuel vent pipe was rusted to the point I thought it might fail its MOT (required because I bought it out of province) and the rear brake lines were a bit rusty. So its getting all new lines and new fuel pump/filter. Im also putting in a bilstein/eibach combo originally slated for the iS.. also getting all new parking springs and pads, brakes and discs are basically new. Gonna clean up the little rust that I have found underneath and por 15 then respray. Subframe will be ground clean and por 15d as well. Its gonna look awesome. Have to change the output shaft seal on the tranny as it weeps a little. And thats it as far as what the car needs. For looks I have euro front grills and euro smilies I will be putting on, already purchased for the iS. Im also thinking of the more aggressive evo front lip and evo ii rear spoiler..but that will wait...

Long term I will fully restore the car but unlike the iS I will do it in sections. This will make it more manageable and affordable... The engine runs great, nice steady idle and sounds healthy. However I will bring it to the guy who is rebuilding my m42 and have him look her over. I will get a valve adjustment and have the crank bearings checked and a general tune up. She is presently running on synthetic but Im thinking of putting her back on dino oil. Thats about it - the car is mint really and I plan on having all the work done by the end of the month and have her back on the road May 1st. I will drive her everywhere.

I did notice the car gets A LOT of attention. The mechanics who did the pre-purchase inspection were besides themselves! They knew what it was but had never actually seen one! And on the long drive home so many people gave me thumbs up and honked.. Every stop drew attention and many people came up to me to talk about the car. Its really quite the experience. And driving it, despite the too large 17s, was bliss. I cannot wait to take her up into the hills north of Montreal and enjoy the twisties!!

Work will continue on the iS though! She will become my main car once done and that is looking to be sometime next summer.

Fri Apr 03, 2015 5:41 pm

Mate, you died and went to m3 heaven.

Great buy, you should be very proud.

Awesome !

Fri Apr 03, 2015 5:53 pm

Absolute steal at 12K!

Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:36 pm

So jealous

Please finish the iS

Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:50 pm

Thanks guys - totally agree: total steal! I think Ive used up all my lucky charms on this one!

hennared323i wrote:

So jealous

Please finish the iS

Absolutely hennared, my passion for her remains unchanged. Work will continue as soon as the M3's niggles are sorted.
My dream was always to have an e30 M3 in the garage alongside the iS someday... I still cant believe its come true.... just have to finish her up...

Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:50 pm

I love how this thread took this twist lol.

Please finish the iS, this is one of the best threads I've ever read on the internet. I hope your son ends up with these cars!

Edit: POR'15!

Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:50 pm

Thanks, that's high praise indeed! - Right now though it certainly doesn't feel that way. The M3 teardown has become a bit of a FULL TIME job... Originally I thought, no big deal I'll drop the fuel tank, suspension, replace some brake lines and put her back together... Its gone great so far but its gotten expensive! Surprise!

Rear Calipers to rebuild..
New parking brake pads/springs and cable
New axle shafts
New Bilstein/Eibach suspension to be setup (stolen from the iS project)
Diff inspected - no problems...
New fuel tank
New Fuel pump
New fuel vent line
Fuel lines removed, cleaned and resprayed (they were like new)
New brake lines to be bent and installed
Wheels refurbished..now need to paint them
New tires
Both sway bars removed, ground clean, repainted and new bushings and shells installed.
Underside cleaned of rust, Por-15'd and resprayed
Driveshaft removed and cleaned and resprayed
Tranny output shaft seal to replace...
Need to replace both control arms...
Thats about it...

That's all good but dealing with rusty seized bolts and brakes lines has me waking up at 3am in a sweat!

I have one brake line in the engine bay to loosen (to the brake balancer - no space at all to work!) and if I can't Im gonna have to tow her to a brake place.. that's a nightmare I can't think of now...

I am a glutton for self-punishment....

Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:54 pm

You're a better man than me!

I signed up to find out some information on these cars and I've truly been put off! I'll leave the thought of owning an E30 to a fantasy.

Keep it up though.

Wed Apr 22, 2015 1:55 pm

Split_S wrote: Tranny output shaft seal to replace...

Sure it needs replacing? Most 'leaks' from here are actually a leak from the selector shaft seal directly above it (very common), or along the splines that the output flange sits on.

Wed Apr 22, 2015 2:14 pm

Thanks Brian - I will have a look... Ive already bought the seal but wasn't looking forward to doing it - fear I'll screw it up...

Right now I have brake lines to bend and a new fuel tank to fit...

Wed Apr 22, 2015 2:39 pm

0-AID wrote:You're a better man than me!

I signed up to find out some information on these cars and I've truly been put off! I'll leave the thought of owning an E30 to a fantasy.

Keep it up though.

I was looking for a project- and I got my money's worth... If you can find a clean e30 its a straight forward car to work on and fun to dirve - granted Ive only driven the M3 but I have no doubt they are all great....

Wed Apr 22, 2015 2:46 pm

I haven't got the space or time to work on one! I love the look of these cars but I don't want to spend half my time getting it fixed!

Wed Apr 22, 2015 3:55 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
Split_S wrote: Tranny output shaft seal to replace...
Sure it needs replacing? Most 'leaks' from here are actually a leak from the selector shaft seal directly above it (very common), or along the splines that the output flange sits on.

Even autos?

Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:12 pm

0-AID wrote:
0-AID wrote:You're a better man than me!

I signed up to find out some information on these cars and I've truly been put off! I'll leave the thought of owning an E30 to a fantasy.

Keep it up though.
I haven't got the space or time to work on one! I love the look of these cars but I don't want to spend half my time getting it fixed!

Buy a new(er) car then as old cars always need work somewhere. It's a never ending love/hate relationship.

Wed Apr 22, 2015 6:37 pm

0-AID wrote:You're a better man than me!

I signed up to find out some information on these cars and I've truly been put off! I'll leave the thought of owning an E30 to a fantasy.

Keep it up though.

Forums always give a negative picture of what they're about. You get a dozen posts on "what is wrong with my car?" and "how can I fix this?" to every post abouty just driving the car.
A lot of E30s have been badly neglected, partly because they are so well engineered that they can be neglected and still soldier on, but get yourself a good one, catch up on the maintenance, and an E30 will be the most reliable car you can own and the cheapest to run. Certainly more reliable and cheaper to run than any modern stuff.

Wed Apr 22, 2015 7:03 pm

Plus there simply isn't anything out there that looks even half as good.

I may be in over my head with three but don't be deceived: I love my e30's!

Thu Apr 23, 2015 1:58 am

Brianmoooore wrote: get yourself a good one, catch up on the maintenance, and an E30 will be the most reliable car you can own and the cheapest to run. Certainly more reliable and cheaper to run than any modern stuff.

Agreed but there lies the problem, cathing up. To do a proper job (like Split_S's list few posts below) you'll easily pay what i payed for a twice as economical '98 Hyundai Excel which lasted 4 years of daily driving without a single penny spent. Thinking of it i might have changed the oil & filter once. But yes, once sorted though that road with e30 won't disappoint

Split_S wrote:Plus there simply isn't anything out there that looks even half as good.

You include BMW in that?
All 80's Beemers are gorgeous imo and if i had the luxery of beeing able to own 3 cars it would be my current e30 (wouldn't be able to trade for M3 for emotional reasons) and these 2

Split_S wrote: The M3 teardown has become a bit of a FULL TIME job...

Pics please

Stunning well spec'd lookin M3 btw!

Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:59 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
0-AID wrote:You're a better man than me!

I signed up to find out some information on these cars and I've truly been put off! I'll leave the thought of owning an E30 to a fantasy.

Keep it up though.
Forums always give a negative picture of what they're about. You get a dozen posts on "what is wrong with my car?" and "how can I fix this?" to every post abouty just driving the car.
A lot of E30s have been badly neglected, partly because they are so well engineered that they can be neglected and still soldier on, but get yourself a good one, catch up on the maintenance, and an E30 will be the most reliable car you can own and the cheapest to run. Certainly more reliable and cheaper to run than any modern stuff.

You all make good points, what would you guys consider to be a 'good one' then?

I've been looking around and it seems a good 325i Sport when it comes up goes for at least £4,500+.

Am I right in paying that kind of money or buying one at a lower price and getting the work done myself?

@e30Passion - I know exactly what you mean. If I end up going with my heart, I'll end up in this love/hate relationship!

@Split_S - I agree! I love these cars and I've always wanted one since my Dad got rid of our 316 E30 when I was a kid!

Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:59 am

£4,500 will probably get you a project sport these days.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:35 pm

You guys are lucky in the UK - you have a wider selection of cars than we do here in Canada but they also seem a lot worse when it comes to rust on average than here..most Canadian cars weren't winter driven - those that were though are easy to spot and are pretty bad...

So what to get...

You'll find there are two camps on this site: 325 6 inline lovers and the four banger lovers...

They are both great and the differences are basically one of power vs. more nimbler handling..

If you prefer smooth power over curving corners get a 325..

If you like the frantic shriek of a 4 cylinder and the nimble handling that comes with a lighter 4 engine get a 318iS..not a plain 318i but the iS... different engine and better handling..

From my experience the only truly important thing is a clean shell - rust is the number one enemy, everything else can be dealt with fairly easily but rust is a b@tch...

As for the M3 as an option... I would say dream on but incredibly Ive managed to get one despite never in my wildest dreams thinking it possible... but you have to be pretty much obsessed with it though to justify the money it will cost you...

I havent taken any pics of the M3 teardown as I've simply been too busy with the amount of work its entailed... no time to take pics and post unfortunately.. its very similar to what I did in the beginning with the iS - depressingly familiar for me!! But I will try to get a few snapshot in later today for those who want to see what happens when you get in over your head!!

Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:01 pm

Here are some pics...

Im insane i know....

Below all this stuff, in a spot you cant really reach is a brake line connected to a brake balancer that I need to remove... Ive had a 10% success rate getting brake lines free without breaking them so Im not optimistic. The brake line is 3 meters long with many bends and somehow I have to copy these perfectly and reattach the whole thing... Its giving me ulcers thinking about it!!

So that is where Im at... pretty good progress for 7 days work...

Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:11 pm

Proper resto on the IS, would love one. M3 should be good! Can't wait to see it progress

Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:53 pm

Subscribed to this one, some interesting pics there. Was there a hose missing in the fuel pump area, looks like the pump output hose (small curved one) went nowhere. ???

Thu Apr 23, 2015 3:58 pm

Not to bad at all! Looks a cracker for the money

Actually far from insane, just a genuine e30 enthousiast! I can only dream of the things your busy with

What are those 2 black things next to the speakers on the parcel shelf?

Thu Apr 23, 2015 5:48 pm

0-AID wrote: You all make good points, what would you guys consider to be a 'good one' then?

I've been looking around and it seems a good 325i Sport when it comes up goes for at least £4,500+.

The first way to save money is not to go for a 'Sport'. There are plenty of well specced. 325i and SE models around that can be bought for far less.
The other way of getting a good one is to go for an always garaged, regularly serviced (with documentation), totally unmolested example, not owned by a penniless loser. They do still exist, but are becoming harder to find.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:17 pm

Cheers for all the helpful posts.

I'll let you guys know if I ever go with my heart and buy one. The 318iS isn't a model I ever considered, I might be better off looking out for one of these.

I always thought the 325i Sport was the one to go for?!

Thu Apr 23, 2015 6:55 pm

0-AID wrote: I always thought the 325i Sport was the one to go for?!

It's the one that commands the highest price, but it's just a specced up 325i 2 door saloon that had a number of option boxes ready ticked. Same engine as any other 325i, and same suspension as any other with the sports suspension box ticked.
Doors are out of proportion IMHO - 4 door looks much better.

Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:08 pm

jimbom30cab wrote:Subscribed to this one, some interesting pics there. Was there a hose missing in the fuel pump area, looks like the pump output hose (small curved one) went nowhere. ???

I removed it prior to the pic being taken and Ive ordered a new one as there was wetness around it at the pump... the M3 has dual pumps, one in the tank and one outside.. I also ordered a new exterior pump just in case it was the pump...

e30passion:
The black things on the parcel shelf are extra speakers..They sound like shizen honestly and I will be "stealing" the OEM BMW radio from my spare 318iS and putting it in the M3..Who the hell listens to the radio driving an e30 M3? Not this guy....

I also brought the original 15inch BBS rims to have them straightened and trued. They have been sandblasted and I am having them painted too. They will look awesome judging from the work Ive seen the shop do. I elected to go one or two shades darker on the silver as I think it will just look that much nicer than the lighter original silver. I am putting high performance Yokohama S-drive 205/55R15 (original spec size) tires on.. It is difficult to find tires to fit 15 inch rims let me tell you... I should get them maybe next Friday..yes I will post pics...

Thu Apr 23, 2015 7:19 pm

Sambe30 wrote:Proper resto on the IS, would love one. M3 should be good! Can't wait to see it progress

Thanks! Work will continue on the iS in about a month or so but it won't be very exciting. I am at the sanding stage and I will be working towards getting her painted by August/September. the engine rebuild will be done by then too and I will need to find a second job soon because I cannot afford all of this!!

I will take a very different approach with the M3 as far as restoration goes. I will do it in stages and be very focused. Eventually there will be a rebuild of the engine (I will have the bearings inspected and a valve adjustment done as soon as I can) and a full respray. Will it be a complete strip down again? I don't know. Considering how little rust there is on the car I dont see it as being necessary...

But, it seems I never do anything very half-way so time will tell...

Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:27 pm

Haha yeah, just got to take your time with it I suppose!

Sat May 02, 2015 5:14 pm

Been very busy with the M3 and only a few boring pics to show for it!!

Managed to get all rear brake lines completed: even the 3meter long one that goes to the brake balancer beneath the MC. That one was my big worry but I removed the power steering reservoir and the charcoal filter and loosened the brake line from the top. Then I spent the better part of 2 hours bending the new brake line only to discover that the BMW OEM brake line was 15cm longer than the original. Which completely screwed me as I couldn't get the extra 15cm to fit no matter how I tried. I had to go out and buy a bubble flaring kit to cut it and retry but ultimately I had to completely redo the line. Was worth it as the kit came to the same price as a replacement BMW brake line : 50$. It worked great.

New fuel tank and lines in place: Looks sooo much better than a rusty old one...

New fuel pump and filter. Bracket completely "de-rusted" and repainted..

Test fitted the subframe: nice and shiny black, no more rust...

Completely ground clean the diff and POR-15'd it and had it inspected. Also got the half-shafts rebuilt..

Brake lines on the trailing arms done as well as completely new parking brake assemblies...

Also managed to remove the rear shocks..new Bilsteins installed...

Mounting holes were spotless, no rust...

Can also see the new sway bar setup...

New everything including a reinforcement plate...

And finally, the reason my wife will leave me one day...

Sat May 02, 2015 9:29 pm

Good progress

I would be tempted to redo the line going from the T to the left calliper, its a little too tight of a kink for my liking.