M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: John W on November 11, 2007, 06:32:07 PM
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last Monday.
Not in bad shape overall. It had a violent shimmy under braking, so I replaced the pads and rotors and it has gone away. I checked out the rest of the front end and it looks OK (but there is still a lil' bit of on-center steering back/forth nervousness under about 50 mph). Also checked the oil pan more closely. Thankfully it looks good and all the bolt are where they're supposed to be.
But I digress. All in all, I think it's a very solid car for $1100. Can't wait to get some work done on it!
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Front suspension rubber components are probably in need of replacement, maybe more things like ball joints, tie rods, etc. That's the first thing I replaced, just to get a good "baseline" Not too pricey, then an alignment should fix it. Good deal on the car, it looks like mine. How many miles? If you need any parts, I have a parts car in the backyard. I'm located off of 664 in Chesapeake.
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Thanks. It has 130k miles. I have the records from the car and the ball joints were replaced two years ago. The control arm bushings look good (no cracks in the rubber), but if I push hard on the arm you can see the bushings flex. I guess I'm trying to decide whether to replace just the bushings or those plus the entire control arm. In any case, I'm going with the harder offset M3 bushings.
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If your ball joints are new, inner and outer, then there's nothing to gain with new control arms. You can get the M3 CABs for $50-$60 at FCPGROTON. Has your car been lowered? If not, you can use the solid CABs non-M3. Offsets help bring the wheel back where it should be after lowering. I don't know if you gain anything by using them on stock height cars. Anyone know the deal with these CABs?
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Wait, $1,100?!?!?!
You sir, officially suck. ;)
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Wait, $1,100?!?!?!
You sir, officially suck. ;)
I agree!
I wish my car looked that good for $1100!!!
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Haha. Yeah, I got a good deal. The crazy thing is I had been looking all over the East Coast for one of these cars. (I even enquired about dude's ^^^ very cool 318is.) Turns out that the sellers of the car I ended up buying live less than 2 miles away from me.
All that said, the car is definitely not perfect. I need to refresh the suspension and fix some annoyances like the glove box latch that looks like it broke into a million pieces. But so far, I love the car. It's very similar to the '97 318ti I used to own -- but for some reason I cannot figure out -- it just suits me a whole lot better.
PS, jpod, I saw your car in the Reader's Rides section of the GRM Web site. It was one of the E30 m42's that inspired my search for one of these cars in the first place. You have a very nice example.
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PS, jpod, I saw your car in the Reader's Rides section of the GRM Web site. It was one of the E30 m42's that inspired my search for one of these cars in the first place. You have a very nice example.
Wow, small world. You signed up at GRM, or get the magazine? I would definately do both if the answer is no.
EDIT: How'd you find the thread at GRM? I see in the picture above that you have a Miata...so I'm thinking you are most likely signed up at GRM. Got any pics of the Miata?
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looks good. BTW I changed your title to meet our rules ;)
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hey, did your (very very nice) $1100 car come with the iS lip attached? if you...
YOU ARE THE FIRST EVER!
(congrats and welcome... and congrats on not buying denis' car)
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hey, did your (very very nice) $1100 car come with the iS lip attached? if you...
YOU ARE THE FIRST EVER!
(congrats and welcome... and congrats on not buying denis' car)
Don't know about Denis's car but a used 318is with the is lip defies all laws of the known universe. Besides, it's just not fair!
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Don't know about Denis's car but a used 318is with the is lip defies all laws of the known universe. Besides, it's just not fair!
I bought mine with the IS lip attached! :p
John, that is an awesome deal for a relatively low-mileage example that looks to be in excellent shape. I too searched for mine all over North America and ended up purchasing one that was right under my nose.
Sometimes you just have to wait for them to come to you. :D
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For some reason the images aren't working, but sounds like you got a really good deal!
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Wow, small world. You signed up at GRM, or get the magazine? I would definately do both if the answer is no.
EDIT: How'd you find the thread at GRM? I see in the picture above that you have a Miata...so I'm thinking you are most likely signed up at GRM. Got any pics of the Miata?
I've been on the GRM forum for about 4 years and a subscriber for more than 10.
I have a ton of Miata photos, but for some reason everything I try to upload is getting denied. (Maybe because it says "Miata" in the file name ... haha!) I'll try later.
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hey, did your (very very nice) $1100 car come with the iS lip attached? if you...
YOU ARE THE FIRST EVER!
(congrats and welcome... and congrats on not buying denis' car)
Yep, lip spoiler was attached. Actually, it's stupid, but it was kind of a deciding factor for purchasing the car. When I pulled up to look at it, I walked around to the front of the car expecting not to see it. Since it was still there, I knew the car probably couldn't have been abused too badly.
But, as you can see in the photo, it's starting to come loose on the passenger side front.
I wanted to let you all know I'm really impressed with this forum! There seems to be a deep knowledge base among many of the members here. I was expecting something similar to 318ti.org, but this is much more of an enthusiasts forum.
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Quick update. Nothing too exciting, but it's a start ...
Did a minor tune-up today: Mobil 1 Synthetic 15w-50+ new filter, K&N drop-in panel air filter and new plugs. I also have a new fuel filter waiting to go in, but didn't want to change it in side the garage and it was raining outdoors. I ordered Magnecor plug wires last week, but those haven't arrived yet.
Also replaced the roundels on the wheels, trunk and hood. What a difference from the dilapidated pieces they replace. Once daylight returns/rain stops, I'll take pics.
I've also started collecting parts for some suspension work. I already have e30 M3 springs and Bilstein Sports (thanks Wizard!). I'll also be ordering m3 offset control arm bushings, and some BMW OEM offset upper strut bearings to provide a little bit of neg. camber up front. I want this car to be suitable for autocross and the occasional track school day, but it's main purpose is for a reliable, comfortable daily driver -- hence the conservative approach.
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I've been on the GRM forum for about 4 years and a subscriber for more than 10.
I have a ton of Miata photos, but for some reason everything I try to upload is getting denied. (Maybe because it says "Miata" in the file name ... haha!) I'll try later.
Didn't see this post until today. Oops. I had a suscription for a year, but now that my NASA membership is expired I don't. My dad is still a member so we will still be getting the magazine.
Tried http://www.imageshack.us?
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If your ball joints are new, inner and outer, then there's nothing to gain with new control arms. You can get the M3 CABs for $50-$60 at FCPGROTON. Has your car been lowered? If not, you can use the solid CABs non-M3. Offsets help bring the wheel back where it should be after lowering. I don't know if you gain anything by using them on stock height cars. Anyone know the deal with these CABs?
i dont think its about bringing the wheel back to where it should be, its more of a caster change improving the turn-in. i just had them installed on mine (along with new CAs, inner/outer tierods), and with all those changes the steering feels extremely precise (obviously), but its hard to tell a difference exclusive to the M3 CABs because everything else was so worn out anyway.