Author Topic: VenomRS4 New here with $540 318is (Read 3132 times)

VenomRS4 · « **on:** October 04, 2011, 09:50:37 PM »

Hey everyone. I just figured I'd introduce myself here. Today I purchased an alpine white 91' 318is. 160k miles. It's in though shape but I think I can bring it back from the dead. Under the hood looks scary. Intake mani is off and all vac hoses are disconnected and strewn about. Its been sitting outside like this for a few months and sat inside for years before that. Intake ports have surface corrosion. Its a mess under there. Interior is beat. Complete, but beat. Someone cut, or I should say hacked, out 6x9 holes for speakers in the middle of the door :rolleyes: and the upholstery is ripped. Leaking steering rack. Exhaust....rotted off. Missing IS lip. And the pass side tail light is broken on the corner with a small dent above it. BUT...other than the dent, the body is really clean and rust free. Being a New England car this is very surprising. Good dash too. It also has bilstein sports and Bavauto lowering springs that look recent. Supposedly, a lot of parts were replaced recently. Comes with 2 sets of 17" ghetto-fab wheels (belong on a civic) with great tires which I will sell to fund the resurrection of this automobile. Overall, its not too bad...especially for $540.

I'm no stranger to these cars. I had a Boston Green 95 318is for 6 years...best car I have ever owned. I purchased another 91' 318is when I worked in the Midwest and drove it 1700 Miles back from Minnesota which was one of the best drives I have ever done. Other BMWs I have owned: 2 1987 528e's one 5 speed and one auto, 1984 533i. My current car is a 1995 540i/6. Going on 3 years of ownership and 225k miles. Awesome car, but I need to take it off the road for the winter and thats where the new (to me ) e30 comes into play. If I can save the engine in the newly aquired 318 I'll rock that. If not, a swap may be in order. Anyways, Ive browsed around here a bit before joining and this seems like a cool crowd. Im looking forward to my stay. Its telling my upload error when I try to load pics so no pics for now I guess.

Thanks

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2011, 10:12:12 PM »

Nice...cheap M42 FTW! The motor will absolutely come back, unless the head is cracked. The e30 is harsher than the e36, but it's easier to work on & less stuff breaks...IMHO.

Welcome to the 'club. It's quieter 'round here than usual, so feel free to post away. The picture upload deal doesn't work properly, I host anything on Photobucket or Picasa to share with other sites as well.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2011, 01:45:38 AM »

Welcome Venom! I know you will save that Alpine beauty for sure!

deansweet · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2011, 06:45:10 AM »

Welcome! I also picked up a ~$500 alpine white 318is a few months back.
I absolutely love mine.

VenomRS4 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:15:34 AM »

Well, I started going through the parts in the trunk...and what do I find? An oil pan. So if that's in the trunk...what's on the car? I go look underneath and I see the oil sump sticking out. Crap. So I cringe and take a closer look. Nice coating of surface rust on rods and crank. I briefly thought about dropping in another m42 or seeing how feasible an obd1 m44 is. But I think the easiest thing to do is drop an m50 in. So next up is a swap for the car.

Gerta318is · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2011, 08:32:46 PM »

geez, that blows. Well good luck swapping! Sounds like you have a great plan for the car!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2011, 07:42:15 AM »

That's a shame. Still is a decent price, even with the motor damage.

Likely the pan cracked on some pothole, the motor seized & the car left to rot. Good thing you came by to rescue it!

I'd be tempted to pull the main & cam bearings to check for damage. If they're still OK I'd toss that pan back on, fill it with used oil and some SeaFoam or MMO & crank it over. If she fires up, run her 'till she dies! I've seen waterlogged bike motors restored that way.