A small bit of background info - I run a Mini website and I've only ever owned (classic) Minis before, but always liked E30s. Started to think about getting a 316i, as I thought insurance would be ridiculous. Turns out I was wrong - My insurance went down by 66% after my first year, and after a quote on a 318is and a 325i Sport - I was VERY pleasantly surprised!
So the hunt was on - I wanted a 318is ideally, in black and not a huge project but anything in need of a tidy would do. Being in Ireland, it's a nightmare to find anything that isnt horrendously overpriced and failed trips to the UK can get expensive. Lucky enough a good mate of mine knew a guy selling a 318is up north.
The car:
1990 318is, 112k, really good nick - just needs a polish and a good clean (filthy in the pics). Interior also needs a good scrub but no damage/rips (tiny crack in dashboard and glovebox needs reseating I think).
Drives really nicely and has a full stainless exhaust system which sounds great (not too loud). The 15" Sport rims were a nice surprise too - mate told me it had 14s. My mate also reckons its been chipped - he's had a few IS's and said this was very very lively. Certainly felt quick!
Going in for the MOT tomorrow and I'm collecting it tomorrow night/Tuesday
Only bad bits are:
- Wrong gearknob
- Paint needs a good polishing
- Small scab on one arch & in the filler cap - will be sorted asap
- Water leak in boot (drain plugs seemed ok, taillight was leaking - but it was like a swimming pool in one of the recesses in there! Has been sitting a while though)
- Lack of history - something I said I wouldnt do is buy a car without history, but from the condition of the interior and how sweet the engine is, it really does seem to be a genuine 112k. The guy is still trying to get the history off the last owner.
- Last one is a weird one but I think I know why it was. At the start of the test drive, the steering wheel was near enough horizontal (slightly to the right). At the end of the test drive it was more angled more to the right when you were driving in a straight line. He'd just replaced the track rod ends, so I assume they werent tightened properly??
Plans at the moment are to clean her up, fit a headunit, improve the awful standard speakers (where can I put speakers up front?!), maybe lower it (quite like how it sits though and Dublin is full of speedbumps) and fit a K&N panel filter. It's currently only going to be a weekend car as I have a company car and 2 Minis also (projects).
Anyway, hope you like the car - should have some better pictures by the end of the week. Looking forward to paining you all with lots of questions
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