M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: 16v of Fury on May 17, 2007, 04:36:58 PM
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Hey guys,
Just recently picked up an E30 318is here in Long Island --- Details below:
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/Stock91318is0.JPG)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/Stock91318is1.JPG)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/Stock91318is2.JPG)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/Stock91318is3.JPG)
'91 318is
Bone stock - 157k miles.
- AlpineWeiss II w/ black vinyl interior
- All the standard 318is goodies - Shadowline trim, 4.10 LSD, manual sunroof, etc
- Less than 200 miles on 14" 'Weaves w/ new Falken Ziex ZE512s
- Set of Bottlecaps w/ BFGoodrich Winter Slalom snow tires included
- Panasonic CD + Sirius head unit w/ Sony front speakers and Blaupunkt rears
- Stock BMW Cassette head unit included
- Detailed records, but only since 94k miles - it's something, I s'pose
- Awesome BMW mudflaps, complete w/ stock suspension - 4x4 insanity crazya.gif
- Equally awesome sealed beam headlights...
- Clear title
Needs:
- A front lip
- Driver's side floormat
- Umm... a working drivetrain
Bought from the second owner for $550. The first owner garaged the car for the entire time he owned it. Well looked after car - very clean underneath and glossy paint.
Unfortunately, it doesn't run. The shop that has been maintaining the car for the last five years says it needs a new head, or a valve job, as the valves are leaking. A compression test found low compression in three cylinders (well below 100#).
I don't know if I agree w/ the diagnosis, but I haven't had an opportunity to dig into the car yet.
Any hints or tips?
Happy to be here - I owned a brilliantrot E30 318is when I lived in Germany - looking forward to getting this one up and running, as I love the M42 cars!
Cheers,
-AJ
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Wow looks good man! Glad you got the posting issue sorted out.
Where in L.I. are ya?
There's a couple of us around here that meet up every now and then to just hang out, drink a couple of beers, talk about cars... You know the deal.
Now, your car.
Low compression numbers usually mean the seals are probably done, the rings are damaged or maybe a head gasket is leaking.
You can isolate the issue by doing a Wet Compression Test, a leak-down test, or a vacuum gauge test.
The car looks great btw, where did you find her?
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Wow looks good man! Glad you got the posting issue sorted out.
Where in L.I. are ya?
There's a couple of us around here that meet up every now and then to just hang out, drink a couple of beers, talk about cars... You know the deal.
Now, your car.
Low compression numbers usually mean the seals are probably done, the rings are damaged or maybe a head gasket is leaking.
You can isolate the issue by doing a Wet Compression Test, a leak-down test, or a vacuum gauge test.
The car looks great btw, where did you find her?
Hey bud - thanks for the good words!
I'm in Farmingdale, NY 11735. I found the car just down the road from me in Amityville, via Craigslist. The seller found that his car wasn't running well, and took it to his shop, where I bought it from and had it towed 3mi back to my house :D
Yeah, drop me a line next time you're gonna have some beers and talk car shit - I'm in!
As described to me, at some point the car went from running just fine (the guy I bought it from was the 2nd owner, and had it for 5 years) to acting up, then it stalled and he couldn't get it started.
He said it started bogging on him in the past week or two. His mechanic told him that three cylinders have very low compression because the exhaust valves are leaking, and that the fix will need to be a $2,000 valve job.
When I picked up the car, I spoke to the mechanic and he told me that three cylinders had compression in the 40 to 50# range.
The car was carefully maintained - I have receipts for everything from upper and lower oil pan gaskets, rear main seal, clutch, brakes, tires, etc etc. Both owners were in their 40's, so it's most likely gently driven.
When you say the "seals" are probably done, which do you mean? Valve seats?
I have a couple friends w/ M42's that drive the HELL out of their cars and have never had any issues like this - so I'm highly confused, although I'm certainly no M42 expert.
What d'you suggest? Should I find a replacement head?
Thanks for the help!
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I'd look for a replacement head...but not before pulling it off and taking a good look at it!
By the seals, I mean the seal between the piston ring and the cylinder wall.
I'm one of those that also beats the living daylights out of the M42, and I'm pretty surprised this has happened to a well maintained car.
Either way man, you've scored a great car for a good price!
PM me your number and I'll give you a call when we're all hangin!
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I'd look for a replacement head...but not before pulling it off and taking a good look at it!
By the seals, I mean the seal between the piston ring and the cylinder wall.
I'm one of those that also beats the living daylights out of the M42, and I'm pretty surprised this has happened to a well maintained car.
Either way man, you've scored a great car for a good price!
PM me your number and I'll give you a call when we're all hangin!
I'm pursuing a replacement head already - tough though, all I've found so far are replacement motors...
Yeah, I'm not certain on the integrity of the rings - I have done absolutely no diagnosis yet on the car. I need to spend some time under the hood, hopefully this weekend.
Shot you a PM!
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That's a good deal, just keep your eyes peeled for the tans and head.
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Sweet car. Looks like it's in pretty good condition.
Now post pics of your other BMW's. :D
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Ok - Here are my other cars:
'88 M3
True Hennarot
Currently wearing 16x7.5 E28 M5 BBS
Otherwise bone stock
81k miles
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/P1010155.JPG)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/E28M5BBS.JPG)
'89 325i
16x7 OZ Superleggeras
H&R Sports
Stebro catback
True E30 Recaro's (NOT Sport seats)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/Side325i.JPG)
'05 M3
Eibach Pro Kit + Koni SA's
Otherwise bone stock
18k miles - European delivery US-spec car - ordered the car new and received it while stationed in Germany
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/3Miles.jpg)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/FirstTasteof100Octane.jpg)
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/MyM1.jpg)
The Fleet
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/TheFleet.JPG)
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Welcome to another M42 fan(atic). Very nice looking car. An original, clean E30 318is is good just the way it is.
However, they induce madness.
My recommended mods are:
E36 rack for quicker steering
Short shift kit using the BMW Z3 or E46 shifter.
They aren't appearance or performance mods but they make the car feel so much better.
If the parts start to add up and you do your own work, just put in an E36 M42. There's all kinds of info here. Check out the DIY and FAQ pages.
P.S. Just saw the pics of the "fleet". It appears the madness began long ago!
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Welcome to another M42 fan(atic).
P.S. Just saw the pics of the "fleet". It appears the madness began long ago!
Thanks! Great to be here!
Yeah, I've been a BMW guy for a loooooong time! This 318is is my sixth E30! I've had an '87 325is, '89 MTech2 325i, '91 318is, and the black '89 325i and Henna '88 M3 pictured above :D --- I love E30's!
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Are you a lottery winner? I would have a hard time picking one to drive to work! Nice stable you have!
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Wow, I wish I had the space to kepp a fleet like that. Oh, and I'd probly need a bit more money....
Anyway, welcome to the club. Looks like a great car, hope the engine problems aren't too bad.
BTW I've never seen the E28 wheels on an M3, but they really look awesome, and sleeper.
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Great selection of cars man!
What happened to those previous 5 spoke rims on the M3, they looked hot!
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Are you a lottery winner? I would have a hard time picking one to drive to work! Nice stable you have!
Haha - no, I'm no lottery winner. Really, it's not an expensive collection of cars. The E46 when it was new was a little more than your average fancy SUV soccer moms drive around in. The E30 M3 was $11k, which is the going rate for a couple year old Honda Civic. The black E30 was $1800, less than people are spending on plasma TV's. The 318is was $550 - cheaper than a cheap couch from Rooms To Go :D
Of course, I don't own any SUV's or plasma TV's :D
Thanks for the good words!
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Great selection of cars man!
What happened to those previous 5 spoke rims on the M3, they looked hot!
Thanks Denis!
They are Momo Star's --- real '80's wheels! I have them down in the basement, they were on the car when I bought it. I'm not going to put them back on - I like BBS much better!
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Thanks Denis!
They are Momo Star's --- real '80's wheels! I have them down in the basement, they were on the car when I bought it. I'm not going to put them back on - I like BBS much better!
Haha well you can't EVER go wrong with the basketweave
:D
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I sent you a PM, hope it helps.
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Thats my car! Great find.
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Nice fleet! I'd also honestly find it hard to pick a car to drive to work in out of your fleet! I do love the two M3's! Stunning choices!
Pete
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Sup dude :cool:
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What a nice collection of bimmers. I'm hoping to have a similar stable soon.
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MUST MEET!
(nice cars, I know exactly where you are... we will bring the M42 crew from the 718... can you spell "Home Invasion" ?)
Denis will bring the extra M42 valvetrain parts he's hoarding and not telling you about also.
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Sup dude :cool:
E - What's up?
The rest of you take note - the white E30 on this pic, on the left, is E9Nine's 318i, and that's him w/ his back to the camera in the red shorts!
(http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/5/0/1/P1010155.JPG)
MUST MEET!
(nice cars, I know exactly where you are... we will bring the M42 crew from the 718... can you spell "Home Invasion" ?)
Denis will bring the extra M42 valvetrain parts he's hoarding and not telling you about also.
Haha - sure, c'mon over! Just let me know when you're coming, so I can get the beers ready! Denis has been a big help already, although he made no mention of hoarding M42 valvetrain parts.... :D
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Haha, yeh I have stuff laying around, but most of it will be re-used for my motor.
I would offer the parts from the motor thats currently in my car, but its my DD!
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Hey I've got a complete M44 head if that helps at all.
Just need to put it back together.
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Yeah, i think his backyard makes a perfect location for one of our tech days (aka jack cars up, bring cars back down and drink beer) :D . Im out in queens and work in roslyn so if you guys are ever going to meet up, sam and dennis know how to catch hold of me.
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Yeah, i think his backyard makes a perfect location for one of our tech days (aka jack cars up, bring cars back down and drink beer) :D . Im out in queens and work in roslyn so if you guys are ever going to meet up, sam and dennis know how to catch hold of me.
haha indeed.
Gotta meet up, haven't seen you in ages. I gotta a lot of goodies done to the car :)