M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: isinc on November 01, 2008, 07:03:53 PM

Title: isinc
Post by: isinc on November 01, 2008, 07:03:53 PM
So, I thought 91 318is owners were a bit brainwashed by their own car cult. But recently I drank the koolaid and I have to say that you guys were right. This is a great car.

I brought her home about 8 weeks ago for $700 CAD. 300000 kms, third owner. Certified and etested. Once I got her home, closer inspection revealed many new bits under the hood, brand new kyb gas-a-just's, and lots of oily leaks all over my once pristine parking pad.

So far:
 Clunk from trunk was a rear shock mount that had the rubber blown completely out by the shock. Paid way too much for new ones at dealer.
 The parking brake was dragging a lot. $50 spring kit fixed it.
 A power steering leak. PS leakstop seems to have shut it down.
 Diff output shafts leaking, Replaced the oil. Might DIY the seals in the spring if I'm feeling brave.
 Driver's side door lock won't lock from outside. Key turns, just doesn't lock.
 Thermostat stuck open. New t-stat on it's way.
 New to me momo shift knob installed today. The old mtech one flies right off, and the leather is half gone.

I bought this expecting to treat it like a beater, but that didn't last long. It's by far the best handling car I've ever owned, and makes me smile when I walk up to it.

Thanks for a terrific community. It sold me on these cars, and has made owning one easy.

These pics manage to hide the rusty side :)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2863571805_6b101f540a_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2863571859_4fb3f8ef3d_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3078/2863571757_9e1cfd5d10_o.jpg)
Title: isinc
Post by: ak96ss on November 01, 2008, 07:19:17 PM
The Koolaid is good... drink the Koolaid...

I bought mine 5 years ago as a DD beater so I wouldn't put miles on my 1996 Impala SS. The SS is gone, I still have the 318is, and I hate to drive it to work everyday, 'cause I hate to put miles on it for something so unimportant as work (well, that and the fact that I've had it gutted for a year as I putter about with a new interior).

:D
Title: isinc
Post by: ak96ss on November 01, 2008, 07:19:21 PM
The Koolaid is good... drink the Koolaid...

I bought mine 5 years ago as a DD beater so I wouldn't put miles on my 1996 Impala SS. The SS is gone, I still have the 318is, and I hate to drive it to work everyday, 'cause I hate to put miles on it for something so unimportant as work (well, that and the fact that I've had it gutted for a year as I putter about with a new interior).

:D
Title: isinc
Post by: kowalski on November 14, 2008, 02:04:30 PM
the hammer?
Title: isinc
Post by: EN318isPDX on November 14, 2008, 04:09:58 PM
lol welcome to the club! nice find and welcome to the new cocaine! Front looks great! I'd fix the rust in the rear asap :) If you have not already check into the thread about "Mess under the intake" and the thread on the oil pan shifting and the loose bolts floating around the oil pan.
Title: isinc
Post by: xwill112x on November 14, 2008, 04:22:56 PM
DEFF check the oil pan for loose bolt in it ASAP..!  its like a 13$ part at bavauto.com
Title: isinc
Post by: EN318isPDX on November 14, 2008, 04:55:16 PM
i really hate bavauto, after i found pelicanparts i will probably never go back to bavauto's overpriced web site of false pictures.
Title: isinc
Post by: JP 91iS on November 15, 2008, 11:09:24 AM
haha - welcome to the club!  Looks like you got a great deal, definitely tend to that rust before it spoils the goods.

(pelican is one of my favorites too - they're super friendly and you get a coupon after every purchase)
Title: isinc
Post by: Voluted on November 15, 2008, 09:30:34 PM
Good to see more people from Ontario on the board, although i have no idea where "The Hammer" is. My guess is Hamilton?
Title: isinc
Post by: isinc on November 16, 2008, 09:56:49 AM
Quote from: kowalski;60726
the hammer?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Ontario (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton,_Ontario)
Title: isinc
Post by: isinc on November 16, 2008, 10:42:03 AM
Quote from: EN318isPDX;60741
I'd fix the rust in the rear asap :)


Oh, that's the least bad bit of rust. I think she might have terminal rot, and only a year or two to live.

Driver's side in front of shock tower:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3035310452_edb0d6063d_o.jpg)

Passenger side door sill:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/3035310396_e963244195_o.jpg)

My prognosis is not worth the repair. Probably evidence of a front end accident. Any second opinions?

It sucks living in the rust belt.
Title: isinc
Post by: gearheadE30 on November 16, 2008, 11:04:31 AM
I don't know what kind of junkyard selection you have around there, but it would be easy enough to cut out a good section of sheet metal and have it welded in in place of the rusty metal. It just depects on what the car is worth to you, though. I wouldn't put stiffer suspension on that car, though; at least not with the shock tower rot.
Title: Update
Post by: isinc on October 31, 2009, 06:40:00 PM
Well, the fuel pump crapped out on me recently. Partsource gave me a Delphi FE0110 as a direct fit replacement. It specs out the same as the OE, fits perfectly after removing a few bumps and tabs on the bottom, but comes with a GM specific connector for power. Even the GM dealer couldn't find the match, so I had to do neurosurgery with my crappy soldering iron to attach the old leads back on.

Runs like a champ again :)

Anyone know any good junkyards for e30 parts in the GTA or Hamilton? Looking for interior parts (glovebox and shiftboot).