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FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: tmacbmw74 on May 11, 2016, 11:32:34 AM

Title: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 11, 2016, 11:32:34 AM

So it all started after seeing an article calling this vehicle the "Poor Mans M3" in 2015. So I pitched to my other half that it would be a great little investment, and she agreed (thankfully). So I started my search and found one that seemed perfect in Tampa FL at the end of Feb 2016. So after several weeks of back and forth emails and phone conversations with the owner I decided to buy it. But found odometer hadn't been operational since 2002. But from all the photos it still seemed like a good buy. So finally after all the bs of trying to lock down a shipping company the IS was picked up on April 02, 2016 by a shipping company. It arrived to me on April 05, 2016 at 5am covered in mud, ice, and snow.

I got it home and me and my little lady washed her down and felt such joy that we had our very own 91 Brilliantrot 318is. I currently own a 90 M3 but this little red Bimmer really makes feel like a kid. But once all cleaned up I see I'll be having a long list of to dos. So list begins: bodywork under passenger rear tail light, and front valance. Needs would be a front spoiler, sportier suspension/stance, Mark D chip, wheel/tire upgrade, new defrost switch, and that's about it for now. Some paintwork on the hood, trunk lid, and some paint near quarter windows, I'll most likely do a full respray. Interior is mint just the headliner is brittle so I'll replace that as well. Here's a fewphotos after a month of cleaning up replacing some trim, and lighting

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 11, 2016, 11:34:26 AM

A few interior shots

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 11, 2016, 11:35:31 AM

Engine bay and underside

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: Nick_318is on May 11, 2016, 01:29:25 PM

Looks like you found a really nice example, welcome!

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 16, 2016, 08:31:13 AM

My exciting Saturday night gauge cluster refurb and odometer gear replacement.

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 16, 2016, 08:32:46 AM

My Sunday glass sunroof install

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 16, 2016, 08:33:48 AM

Glass Sunroof continued

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: Darky on May 16, 2016, 05:28:53 PM

A moonroof, now there's the e30 unicorn.

Where did you get it from?

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on May 17, 2016, 07:19:50 AM

I searched forever to find a new one in a box. Two weeks ago one popped up that was purchased at BMW of Cincinatti about 25 years ago that had been stashed away.

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on June 08, 2016, 07:54:27 AM

Replaced my hood and front valance with a new used paint matched panels along with new euro bumper trim

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on June 17, 2016, 10:47:25 AM

Bought me a slightly used Supersprint exhaust. It needed some TLC

Title: Re: Tmacbmw74 318IS
Post by: tmacbmw74 on June 17, 2016, 10:48:53 AM

Now here's the exhaust cleaned up and painted/polished