Author Topic: Committed to 91 318is; need thoughts (Read 4690 times)

Old2002Driver · « **on:** May 03, 2009, 08:17:21 PM »

I'm a new follower of this Board. Had a new 2002 in 1972 and have suffered lightweight BMW withdrawal ever since. Got the bug recently for an E30 and then discovered the M42 cars. Have been looking for a few weeks here in Atlanta. Made a commitment on a car today that has some good and bad points. Have read most FAQs and will re-read, but would appreciate any direction.

Craigslist ad read:

"91 bmw 318 is e30 5sp its red two door tinted windows has about 163k miles has a brand new head fully reabuilt engine with new seals and water pump must sell by this weekend price is 2300 but negotiable the car drives perfect looks really good and really fun and reliable car has m steering wheel nice cd player and good sounding system new brakes, Bilstein shocks"

Can't upload pics. Here's the ad. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1145294454.html

The good:
Car is a non-sunroof version.
No rust.
Body panels have BMW VIN labels so no violent crashes.
Carfax is clean with 150k miles reported in mid-2004. Odometer still works, shows 163k; could be a replacement.
Five original wheels with matching 50% tires.
Carpet very nice; passenger sport seat excellent; drivers seat bolster torn and bad.
AC works; blower works on all speeds. Power windows work. All instruments work. Fairly new non-original stereo.
Runs smoothly and quietly; plenty of power. Temp stays stable at low and high speeds.
Can't tell about head; it's clean, but that's easy. Does appear to have new belts and hoses; brand new radiator; couldn't tell about water pump.
No pull in either direction with hands off wheel. No pull under braking.

The bad:
Small dents in left front fender leading edge and hood leading edge with misalignment of fender/hood joint. Left rear wheel arch dented repaired and primered. Red paint nice on roof, needs repaint elsewhere due to small dents.
Several dash cracks.
Slight oil smell after running on road for a few miles (10 or so). Could not find any obvious leaks. Slight oiliness under front of transmission.

The questions:
Current owner stated that previous owner installed Bilstein shocks and new brakes. The car does not have lowered springs, and feels a bit tippy to me, not like recent Bilsteins. Brakes are strong and smooth, but I'm used to harder pedal. Maybe this is typical? Shifter is very easy, very little resistance, but direct. Again, typical?

Car has four into two into one tubular headers on it, followed by a muffler and cat (we have emissions checks here in Atlanta).

Owner also said previous owner "installed a chip". How can I check this out?

I offered $1900 for the car, pending a CarFax, so I'm now committed. Reasonable?

Any hints as to first things to check. I'll be looking at suspension for bushing wear, etc.

Pardon the long-windedness, but I'm excited about my new toy.

B318M42W · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2009, 08:41:11 PM »

why is he selling? can you open up the valve cover and check if the engine was indeed rebuilt? can you do a compression test, as to check engine condition? (unless the owner has a receipt of engine rebuild) and if you followed the FAQ/buyers guide checklist, should be golden! as for the shifter, i think it's pretty direct too. 1900$ is a fair deal if it's really in that condition.
good luck!

almost forgot... CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER!!! and check the fuel tank condition (inside) for rust deposits... then the fuel filter gets bad, it damages the fuel pump... don,t want to change a 250$ part because of a silly 20$ filter. (been there, done that

)

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2009, 08:47:44 PM »

Thank you. That's exactly the kind of immediate direction I need.

The current owner has only owned for a short while. Didn't really have a chance to disassemble. I did go through the FAQs and tried to follow those directions. I'll do compression and leakdown tests this week. I expect both positive and negative surprises.

JP 91iS · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2009, 01:00:20 PM »

nice steering wheel

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2009, 08:14:41 PM »

UPDATE:

Picked up the car today. Had a chance to look at invoice for work done in January 2009! Included head rebuild, new gaskets for head and oil pan (will need to check part numbers), new head bolts, new belts, water pump, crank seal, timing chain, and a shift lever bushing. Parts alone were $1,000. Does not include a new Behr radiator and hoses. Took the car in for an emissions check; passed with flying colors. So I'm comfortable that the drive train is OK for now.

Missing lots of miscellaneous small bits, to be expected, and lots of minor bodywork, but I'm happy.

When time permits, I'll go under and check on suspension bushings, tie rods, etc.

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2009, 07:49:09 PM »

I know this is old hat for many, but this is my first BMW since my new 2002 in '72. (Not counting the Mini Cooper).

Dug around more this evening, mostly under the car.

Interesting contrasts.... under the rear, there are fairly new Bilstein economy model shocks and a new BMW muffler; yet the right outside CV joint boot is torn away on the inside, and there is a wire with plug hanging from the brake line (assume it's the pad sensor).

NOTE: metal tag on differential said 4.10 8261. No sign of ever being opened up. Obviously its a 4.10, other numbers??

In the front, can't tell about struts, but swaybar links look new but the swaybar mounting bushings are old and cracked. Have some oil seepage appearing to be from front of motor.

Next step will be to send to shop for replacement of CV boot if I don't discover that I can do it. Will still send out for a general checkover. Gave the car a bit of cleaner wax this evening, which improved the 50 foot view significantly. Have decided to focus on mechanicals to assure that it will be a reliable daily driver, then tackle the driver's seat since other front seat and back are pretty nice. Body work will come with time, unless I run across matching left fender and hood.

Sorry to be long winded, but I thought this might be of interest particularly to some as new as I am to the E30/M42 game.

Petebee · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:47:38 PM »

Welcome to the addiction. Did you check the condition of your cam sprockets? Pointy tips are bad, flat tips are good.

Diff is 4.10. If the code is preceded by an "S" you have an LSD...if not it is an open diff.

You should come to the Vintage at the Vineyards in NC on 5/23 (I think that's the date). I know a couple of Atlanta guys are coming up.

Petebee · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:48:44 PM »

Plus at V@V you'll see lots of very clean old 02's

Danny707 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2009, 10:54:20 PM »

I think you should get it and then buy my turbo kit.

John W · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2009, 09:45:48 PM »

Let us know how the CV boot replacement goes. I for one probably would have it done by a shop b/c I think you will need to remove the hub nut, which has loads of torque on it. Kind of rare for CV boots to tear on these cars. Even with the now uber old 2002s (I owned 3 of them), I never had a torn CV boot.

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2009, 11:50:51 AM »

Yes, you do need to remove the hub nut. I can do it, but will probably will check on local shop. Does anyone have experience with the remanufactured halfshafts sold by Autozone under the Duralast brand? They are inexpensive and would not be subjected to high horsepower stress.

manydubs · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:54:03 AM »

you can find some used on ebay for $50 + shipping..

Old2002Driver · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2009, 02:20:43 PM »

Thanks. Found one and ordered.

Also, thanks to the Board members. Your suggestions have been valuable.

My wife and I are going with another "non-vintage" BMW couple to Vintage at the Vinyards. I'll either get inspired or totally demoralized. Only kidding! I bought a low end 318 to get some education and, of course, to have a new toy.