I want an 318is! But is this a bad idea?

[derek]

I used to have an e28 and I have always dreamed about getting another e28 and now more recently I dream about getting a e30:)  I didn't know much about the 1991 318is until I had a nice long chat with an e30 fan.  Now, I am very excited about this car and am pursing purchasing one but am worried about how realistic it is for me to own one of these cars.

I have found a couple on craigslist that are in pretty good shape with lots of maintenance/repair records, but higher mileage ~200k miles...  This worries me a little because the engine/transmission may soon need major work or replacement.  I would be fine investing some money into the car and replacing these parts when needed, but is it reasonable to think that I can pick up a replacement engine/transmission for this car?  It seams like these cars are not very numerous and I worry that as the parts become more scarce they will then be unreasonably expensive?

Any guidance would be appreciated!

[Warsteiner]

derek,

Welcome to the list!!


Where are you located and are you looking for a modified M42 or stock?

Cheers,
~Ralph

[DesktopDave]

You do have some valid concerns, but from what I've seen parts aren't that hard to come by. My '91 318i is approaching 300K miles and it's been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Your experience with the E28 is golden...the E30 is a very similar car. They even share a large number of parts! E28 has slightly better suspension & brakes, E30 is lighter and a bit more nimble. So I guess it's down to your location and used car market.

Trim & spares are far easier for the E30...they're always parting something out on R3v. The same engine was installed in thousands of newer E36 BMWs up until 1996 or so; an M42 from an E36 is a relatively easy bolt-in swap. The >96 M44 can also be used but that's a more involved swap. The transmission is overbuilt for the car, ditto the drive line. Diffs are available in thousands of 80s BMWs.

Just be aware of the usual E30 trouble spots. As for the 318iS specifically, the oil pan is a poor design, fairly vulnerable to road strikes. The M42 has a high-pressure cooling system that requires an overhaul every 100K miles or so. Vac leaks are common.

[derek]

Thank you for the replies, very encouraging!!!

I currently live in Pacific Grove, CA.  I would consider a slightly modded car, but don't have the time to maintain a race car:)

So the e36 M42 is pretty much a swap in replacement for the e30 m42?

Can the Oil pan be protected with a skid plate?  What needs to be replaced with the cooling system overhaul?  Water pump, hoses, radiator?

Thanks,

derek

[Darky]

Hi Derek

The e36 is a direct swap for e30 m42, slightly better too smaller valve stems, timing rail. You will need to use the inlet manifold sump wiring and exhaust manifold though from the e30.

A skid plate is a must, very common modification easily attainable.

Cooling system fails because these cars are design/made in Europe. It's cold there, so in hotter climate it's good to do the overhaul. Water pump, hoses and rad flush. The plastic on hoses and radiators are designed to give a little in case it freezes a bit. Unfortunately the plastic starts failing and going white because of high ambient temperature!

You can purchase aluminium radiators, but there designed for hotter climates!

Cheers Rohan

[Gunnar]

After owning a red slicktop 318is for about 7 months, maybe my 2 cents could help. I carfaxed the car. 300k miles in 2006. Alleged swap the year after, ironically the same year the new owner got the car. He lied! Checked vins. Now I have an m42 motor with over 500k miles. Just spend 700 bucks replacing the harmonic balanced, that's all I've had to do so far. In my experience, m42's are bulletproof. I say pull the trigger.