318idol -- Portland, Oregon

[318idol]

Hi, all....

About a month ago picked up a near-mint 1991 318i sedan, Swartzmetallic, steel wheels, plastic wheel covers, grey cloth seats -- the stripper.  Only options were metallic paint, sunroof, and...the LSD.  110,000 miles, two-owner car.

Plans:  H&R Sports, Bilstein Sports, OEM basketweaves, new shifter bushings.  That's it.

I've been down the "project car" road before, as I built two project cars for EuroTuner magazine, a 1989 325is (the Budget Bimmer project), then a 1994 325is, (M325 project).  Both turned out to be awesome cars, but way too nice  -- and fast -- for daily in-city driving.

Before I started the '89 project, I drove a 318is, and loved how light and nimble it was.  However, I was seduced by 6-cylinder power.  Silly me. Both projects were built with the help of Bimmerhaus in Broomfield, Colorado, and owner Bob Tunnell.  http://www.bimmerhaus.com.  Bob is a 10-time SCCA autocross champion, the first few in a 1991 318is.

So, far this club has been a great source of information.  E30s must be the most written about car on the internet ever.

Anyway, I'm glad to have located this club and site.  Gary

[FL318is]

Great to have you with us.

Car looks great as is.  Looking forward to the "end" results.  Will have to give a look at the articles.

[RED IS 91]

That car sure is shiny Looks good

Welcome

[4over6]

man your car has great paint

it looks nice i cant wait to see more pics

[///Motorsport]

I love four doors! Nice find, with LSD and all.  Get those weaves and suspension and well you know the rest!
Happy Motoring!

[M42boy]

Nice find!  Where in Washington do you live?

[Vladi]

Nice car! Clean! Get some rims fast.

[doucy2]

same as mine 4dr no options except for the paint, roof and lds

[318idol]

I live in Portland, but the car came from across the river in Vancouver, Washington.  Still waiting for my OR plates.

Yes, I already found a set of basketweaves...and the Bilstein sports and H&Rs are on the way.  I may try and track down an "is" spoiler lip, too...and "black out" the side bright window trim.  Can't decide..

I also toyed with making a set of 14x7s -- and still use the stock plastic wheel covers.  Very stealthy...

Yes, the paint looks very good in the photo -- not perfect in the real world, but not bad, a few door dings, etc.

Amazingly, everything works, every light, button, switch, crank.  I even found the original window sticker in the glove box.  It's a real time machine.

318s are all marvelous cars!

I used to own an immaculate 1989 325is, with all the goodies.  It became the eurotuner magazine "budget bimmer" project car.  But as "perfect" as it was, and all the extra power and luxury, I like this 318 better.

Gary

[FL318is]

I have some grey interior trim left over from a 2 door.  Let me know if you need something.

[318idol]

FL318, do you have a good condition grey cloth seat bottom cushion?

[318idol]

Hello, all...

Here are a couple pix the car in its latest form, after:

H&R Sports
Bilstein Sports
Basketweaves

Also, installed new strut bearings, lower control arms, sway bar links, M3 control arm bushings, shift linkage bushings, new driveshaft center bearing.

All that is left is to paint and install an iS rear trunk lip and repair the front seat cushions.

Such a wonderful car...

I'm a little on the fence about the Bilstein sports -- much stiffer and harsh at slow speeds (under 20 mph) than Konis, but they sure feel good as speed.  Anyone ever tried Bilstein Touring (the OEM replacement) with H&R Sports?

Gary in Portland, Orygun

[jpod999]

Wow that car is in insane good condition.  Looks good dropped, I ain't so big on weaves though.  I would definately shadowline it and then throw in some ellipsoids.  Would look awesome.  Nice to see a 325 converter, not many people believe in the 318's.

[318idol]

I like 'weaves because they're original and the real deal.  And just look right on e30s.

If by shadowline, you mean blacking out the window brightwork, well, I thought about it, even used black-out trim take to see how it would look.  Not bad, but the car is so dark, the brightwork gives the shape a bit of contrast.  Maybe I'll just black out one side -- then I'd have a car both ways.  

The trunk spoiler should add a nice touch -- if I summon the courage to drill the holes in the boot lid!

Thanks for the kind words.  The cars has 111K, only two owners, alway in the NW's gloomy skies. Good for paint longetivity.

Gary

[rloewy]

Interesting to see. I just bought a 1991 318i in Portland as well, red - and the paint is really nice (especially for red). I had a 1972 2002 before - and I liked it a lot - but I seem to like the 318 a bit more.

For me this car is a winter driver/daily driver/kid day care car - it basically replaces my early Miata as a daily driver (I still have the Miata for drop-down days) and the reason I bought this car instead of a 325i or any other things is because to me, it feels a lot like a 4 door/4 seat Miata - light weight, engine that loves to stay in the 5-7K range, nice shifter, rwd, good steering, nimble.

My car came with some 16'' wheels that were just too heavy - so I just purchased a set of bottlecaps for it - does not look as good but it really drives much nicer with them (and better tires help too). The picture is still with the 16'' on it.

My car is still on the original suspension - but I think it might be time to invest in something better. If there is one thing that the Miata is miles ahead of my Bimmer - it is the suspension - and while this car can stay a bit more on the "comfort" side of things - it needs to be a bit better in this department.

Anyway, I am wondering if I might be able to come see your car at some point just to get an idea for a feel with the lowered suspension?