Author Topic: 91 318iS has some minor issues (Read 7218 times)

lightswitch7 · « **on:** January 09, 2009, 03:44:27 PM »

Hello, I had no idea the E30 318iS even existed until I ran across a '91 in a local car lot. I'd been looking for a Nissan 240SX, so the 4-cyl. and RWD combination caught my attention immediately. The 318iS I ran across seems to be in excellent mechanical condition, however it has multiple minor flaws. The parking brake doesn't work, the turn signals don't function, and the heat is very poor. The dealer attributed these flaws respectively to a broken cable, a missing hazard light switch, and a low temp thermostat (if it were summer I would have no problem with that but Illinois winters have been brutal the past few years). I've done some research and all three seem to be cheap, simple problems to fix. The only question is if the dealer is being honest with me.

The parking brake cable I think I should be able to check myself. I'm more concerned about being able to tell if the problem with the heat is actually a low temp thermostat. What are other possible causes for poor heat? Is there a way to tell if the thermostat currently installed is of the low temp variety? I was also curious if anyone has any insight on the hazard switch problem. I assume it should be a fairly simple installation? Any relevant advice regarding any of these three problems would much appreciated.

manydubs · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2009, 12:47:27 PM »

Spounds like a themostat that is stuck open... Low temp will still allow a system to get to operating temp. There could also be an issue with the heater core.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2009, 12:17:35 AM »

Turn signals may not function due to a missing / trashed flasher relay. Not too expensive, kind of a pain to install but nothing too bad. I replaced mine and when I had it out, the turn signals did not function.

LeeThompson · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2009, 11:06:24 PM »

Ask the dealer if you can take it to an auto repair shop. If they say no then I would not buy the car. Also write down all the problems the dealer says is wrong with it and how they feel it could be fixed and give that list to the shop to evaluate. The shop will tell you if you should buy it or not. Get a quote from the shop then take away the amount it would cost to fix the problems from the car asking price and bargin with them.

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:11:22 AM »

How much does the dealer want for the car? Thats my first question (It's a rhetorical question so you don't have to answer.) Now compare the price now to what is wrong with it, In the end once everything is fixed will it still be a good deal?

A parking brake cable that does not work and turn signals that don't work are potential safety issues and if you present them to the dealer as such you may be able to get them fixed on their dime and time or make them come down more.

No heat is a red flag for me. You need to make sure it's just a heater valve issue and not something serious. It could be air in the system. Even if it has a low temp thermostat or a stuck open thermostat, sitting there idling for 20 minutes its should get as hot as it's going to get. Even a low temp theromstat is going to be scalding hot. If you don't have heat you may have air and that could lead to big problems but it's easy to fix. What do the guages tell you? Look at the coolant.

manydubs · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2009, 08:24:27 AM »

Possibly a clogged heater core?

I know that any of my bimmers take more than 20 minutes to warm up the engine idling. There is alot of coolant in them.

If you can take it for a spin it will warm up faster

KenC · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2009, 11:20:26 AM »

Lack of heat is definitely NOT due to a low temp thermostat. The "low temp" one for the M42 is only 7 or so degrees Celsius lower than the normal one.

Does the water temp gauge fluctuate a lot when you're driving?

No heat could be due to an air bubble in the cooling system, a thermostat stuck open, a faulty heater switch, faulty heater core... the list goes on.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2009, 05:25:22 PM »

My turn signals were corroded connectors in the front bumper. Easy fix. The parking brake is never adjusted right...it's in the hat of the rear rotor, pretty easy fix.

The low heat could be three things, various costs. If the car heats up according to the gauge but won't heat the interior, it's the heater control valve. They're pricey, maybe $200-300. Could be a plugged heater core too, ~$200. If the car won't heat up at all, it's likely a thermostat, like you guessed, $35 with gasket & o-ring. These cars are famous for overheating...the cooling system is marginal at best.

If you decide to go with the car, I'd highly recommend getting a decent indie BMW tech to give it a mechanical inspection. Have him run a compression or leak down test on the motor. Could be that someone dumped the car after it overheated & just overtorqued the bolts to cover up the warped head.

I came from SX's myself, had an S12 and an S14 kouki. IMHO the BMW is better hands down, especially with the sport interior. They're not nearly as drop-dead reliable though...

Other things to check:
Any oil in the coolant/coolant in the oil, cracked vac hoses.
Rust in the outer rails, rear floorpans, driver & passenger a-pillar/firewall corners
Water leaks off the plenum, windshield, plugged sunroof vents (take it for a drive in the rain)

Oil leaks on the engine are OK, mine oozes all the time. The M42 isn't as tight as a KA24DE, but it's somehow more fun to drive. It's slower too. It'll put on the miles though...mine has 270k & counting.

Bushings are just as important on the e30 as the 240SX. New rubber or poly will make it feel like a new car.