Author Topic: 318is E30 featured in the newspaper (Read 4206 times)

MattB30 · « **on:** April 29, 2010, 08:20:31 AM »

... but only because I wrote about it. Short version is that I'm an automotive journalist up here in Canada and I just made my first car a 318is.

Read the story here: http://thechronicleherald.ca/Wheels/1179780.html

Quote

HOLD THE PRESSES.

A young man has done a stupid thing!

The once-carless car columnist has bought himself a car, his first car. (The Brighton doesn�t count � it was his parents�.)

The piggybank has been emptied. Kind donations from grandparents used. Money from old summer jobs spent.

But, fear not loyal readers for the cause is just.

It is with great pride and a silly grin that I present E30, a 1991 BMW 318is. A stupid choice, to be sure.

It is a 19-year-old German car with 100,000-kilometres already under its tires. It�s not particularly fast. Unlike the Brighton, it won�t be able to move my entire apartment. Four people might fit but only if two are experienced contortionists... (rest of the story at the link above)

Enjoy.

BlueBMW · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2010, 10:08:51 PM »

And you should have a stock radio for it soon! Also, did I catch you were missing some centercaps? I may have one or two extras if you need em.

deekay · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2010, 10:57:50 PM »

congrats!

Romrog318is · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2010, 11:04:41 PM »

very nice!!! congrats!

MattB30 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2010, 12:34:22 PM »

Thanks all. And Blue, yeah, I'd love centre caps if you don't need 'em.

M42club comes through again! This place is great.

Cheers,

-Matt

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2010, 07:10:13 AM »

Wisdom comes early to those who seek...

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2010, 05:24:31 PM »

Story expired! Re-post!

jscribble · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2010, 03:06:54 PM »

Seconded! Link or text of article would be greatly appreciated!

MattB30 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2010, 08:44:52 AM »

Hey dudes, thanks for the interest. Not all of our "Wheels" stories get archived online, but here's the un-editied copy.

The little E30 just finished its first Autoslalom, proving conclusively it's much more capable than its driver. That story will be in the paper soon.

Quote

HOLD THE PRESSES.

A young man has done a stupid thing.

The once-carless columnist has bought himself a car, his first car. (The Brighton doesn�t count -- it was his parents�.) The piggybank has been emptied. Kind donations from grandparents used. Money from old summer jobs spent.

But, fear not loyal readers for the cause is just.

It is with great pride and a silly grin that I present E30, a 1991 BMW 318is. A stupid choice, to be sure.

It is a 19-year-old German car with 100,000-kilometres already under its tires. It�s not particularly fast. Unlike the Brighton, it won�t be able to move my entire apartment. Four people might fit but only if two are experienced contortionists. And, I�ll have to make a serious effort to avoid driving it in the winter to keep the vintage metal away from rust-causing road salt.

The inline-four M42 engine is a bit gutless at low revs. It made 136 hp at 6,000 rpm when new, but I am optimistic it�s still on the happy side of 100 horses.

The Alpine White paint is original, and the car still has the classic BBS basket-weave rims although they�re missing the centre-caps which probably got stolen during the car�s early life on the mean streets of Toronto.

Still, I didn�t get any sleep the night I finished the deal. I was busy looking up different parts for the engine, M3 Sport Evo steering wheels, modifications to make the nasty plastic handbrake a bit nicer, original Blaupunkt stereos.

The next day wasn�t much better. I�d try to do a bit of work, then go and look at pictures of the car again which would inevitably spiral into 20 minutes of looking up part numbers for various BMW bumpers fitted to North American E30s between 1988 and 1991 -- you know, or something.

By now, you either completely understand or you don�t. For those that don�t let me try and explain. E30-generation BMWs are fast becoming classics, known for their sublime handling, and boxy good-looks. They are a rare breed in the new car world too: a cheap, simple, proper handling, rear-wheel-drive coupe.

I wish I could tell you more about what it�s like to drive, but the car is painfully far away in Toronto, parked in my aunt and uncle�s driveway (thanks guys) when my dad isn�t test-driving it.

The story goes like this: I was in Toronto a few weeks ago to check out an older E21-generation 320i and to see my girlfriend -- not necessarily in that order -- but the car which had been on sale for nearly a month sold the day I got into the city.

Out of frustration I went back to scouring the internet for interesting cars. Saw a nice JDM Impreza but they�re almost too good, too competent, too grippy and too difficult at the drive-through window. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, Lancia Integrales and anything nice by Alfa were way out of my price range. Then, lightning struck twice. A yellow BMW 2002 and the white E30.

In my defense, you could argue I made the responsible choice really. The classic 2002 was from one of those decades with the bright colours and the music and the drugs. At least I was born before the E30. Can�t say the same for the 2002.

The details were promising: five-speed manual, limited slip differential, low kms, hardly any rust. I persuaded my dad to come check it out with me.

Now, understand I had never done the whole �test-drive� dance before. I literally kicked the tires. I had a look �round the car, asked some questions the internet told me I should ask, and then took it for a drive.

All I remember is that the steering felt like nothing else I�d driven, very light and connected, and quick too. Once the engine was warm I, well, I believe the technical term is �drove it like I stole it.�

It wasn�t fast, even with the engine at 5000 rpm. It sounded great though, and because the engine is so small, it�s fun even at entirely legal speeds. It sounded like the little engine that could -- and it did, winning touring car races in the early 90s for BMW.

To be honest, it had me at the test drive, although a proper road test will probably have to wait until June.

I realize I have become an entirely boring person, talking about nothing but this car for days now. It is temporary. I promise. Where�s everybody going?

Well, I�ve got to go anyway. I need to find the cheapest prices on those little plastic grommets that hold the antenna on.