Author Topic: Feeler/FS CA: 1991 318iS w/ 2.1L Metric Mechanic Engine (Read 11858 times)

bmwman91 · « **on:** January 12, 2013, 09:12:21 PM »

EDIT: I am going to see about sending the head to MM for a full repair before selling. If you are interested in a fully running 318iS with 205BHP, make an offer. It will probably be 1-2 months before the car is running again.

Well, it is with a sad heart that I am looking at putting my car up for sale. This is not a "straight forward" sale as the car is not running right now. As some of you know, a valve spring broke on the engine shortly after I got my shiny new 2.1L M42 built by Metric Mechanic. They repaired it for me at no charge. Unfortunately, I am now ~1100 miles in and another spring has gone out.

So, this is the sale of a rolling chassis with an engine that needs repair. This is a VERY expensive engine, and all it really needs is new valve springs. I would recommend replacing ALL of them since, at this point, I am not sure what the deal is with the ones in there. The engine alone was $12k. It is an MM Rally 2100 with every possible option, including an 11lb M20 flywheel.
Here's the brochure.
http://www.metricmechanic.com/pdf/M42-Engine-Booklet.pdf

There is a laundry list of stuff done to this car, but here are some of the more notable ones:
- Full black micro-suede upholstery, custom done by Kevin Chinn who is THE E30 upholstery guy
- 15" EuroWeave wheels in very good shape, no curb rash
- Full custom sound system, designed and installed myself. Looks 100% OEM, and it sounds anything but.
- Supersprint cat-back exhaust
- Small case 4.10 LSD

That's only a fraction of what it has done to it. See the link below for the full list.
http://bmw.e30tuner.com/my318is_mod.php

Full gas mileage and maintenance histories.
http://bmw.e30tuner.com/my318is_maintlog.php
http://bmw.e30tuner.com/my318is_econlog.php

I will be speaking with Metric Mechanic over the next few days to see what all of my options are. IDEALLY, I could return the engine for a full refund, but anyone that has had a custom job done knows that it isn't exactly like going to WalMart with a receipt. At the least, I will be demanding a full set of new valve springs, a new valve & guide (once I figure out which one ate shit) and those items would be included with the car upon sale.

This time there is no option to keep the E30. I am not at a phase in life where I can be having these sorts of issues, and my main concern right now is financial damage control. We got married a few months ago and are looking at houses and that sort of thing. I will ultimately be taking my wife's 2003 Civic LX and whatever new car we buy will be her new commuter car, and my road-trip vehicle when I need it.

As of now, I am curious to see what people would pay for this car. If it was running, I would list it at $12k OBO. Given that it needs a weekend of work to get running strong again (pull head, replace valve & spring), I know that the sales appeal drops quite a bit lol. Anyway, feel free to PM me some offers if you are interested. I have a price point in my mind, but we'll see what the market thinks.

Also, I can have it towed to anywhere within a 100 mile radius of zip code 94043. Possibly 200 since I have been easy on my AAA membership over the last couple of years!

bmwm42 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2013, 11:52:02 PM »

Hmmmm

nickmpower · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2013, 01:06:30 AM »

dude, you are at the home stretch. Don't throw away thousands of hours of blood, sweat, and tears when there are only a few hours left. Once you get the new valve springs in it will be good to go.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2013, 01:56:41 AM »

Nope. This is the second time with this engine. While new valve springs will likely be the cure, I do not have the time or energy to continue with an E30. I just don't love owning and maintaining it like I used to. It is placing undue stress on my marriage and it's gotta go. It saddens me a little to let the old Red Lego go, but I can't keep doing this. If I owned a house with a garage it would be different, but I don't and probably won't for some time.

Now, if nobody will buy the car then I guess I am stuck with it lol.

sfinsf · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2013, 09:56:44 AM »

This makes me very sad. I am sorry to hear about your decision, but I truly do understand. I think you are making the best choice for your situation and your longer term vision. I have followed your threads and admire all the love you have put in this car. Best of luck with the parting.

keflaman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2013, 10:20:09 AM »

I gotta agree with sfinsf. It won't be the same without you around, but the situation is decidedly different with a new bride to consider. That changes one's perspective and I mean that with no slight involved. You (we) knew it was a one shot chance to get it right after the first spring failed and it would be folly to expect otherwise at this point.

I hope someone will come along and things will work out for you. You've been extremely honest and transparent with the entire evolution and I think that's worth a great deal of peace of mind for a prospective buyer.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:08:09 PM »

+1 on that. A good marriage means far more than one person's priorities, and there are many wrong times for the chaos of project cars. Furthermore, every thoughtful husband puts his wife's feelings positively at the top of his priorities. A happy wife makes life oh-so-much better in every possible way. Once you've turned some house into a home you'll be a better situation for these kinds of hobbies.

Still, :'-(

Your situation reminds me a bit of my own problems...maybe ten years ago. We had decided it was time for a family, so we made all sorts of lifestyle changes. For my part I traded in my sporty cars for a sensible minivan, quit drinking, quit smoking, quit riding. My wife, since she's the greatest, even felt a bit sorry for me...but those are a few of the things that men must do.

But the oddest thing happened. I felt great. All those problems, all that time and effort, all that frustration...gone! Like a ton of bricks lifted off my shoulders.

Of course, it couldn't last. About five years later she encouraged me pick up another project. That's how I ended up here!

bmwman91 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:17:37 PM »

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I appreciate it. I am going on 29 years old, and kids are something that will probably enter the picture in the next 2-3 years. Not much really changed as a result of marriage, other than maybe some of my mindset, but man, I can see how kids are the real game changers.

Anyway, I am going to talk to MM this morning. Since I doubt that I can recover any money from them, I am actually thinking about pulling the head and making them repair it. If the same valve spring broke again, I will be very suspicious of something else being wrong. Regardless, this car is worth vastly more in running condition, so I at least need to have MM take care of that before I sell it. Cross your fingers for me that the piston is not damaged. How much damage can a slightly stuck valve cause to a piston anyway? All I can see happening is it getting dinged up, really.

Dave, I can see where you are coming from. The thought of getting rid of the car makes me sad since I have so many memories tied up in it, but it would be really liberating. I have SO much other stuff I want to do and work on at this point in life, and while the car has some items on that list, it isn't #1. I can see myself getting another project vehicle down the road when I am more established in life, although it will sure be hard to beat a 200BHP+ 2500lb E30. There are much tougher pickles to be stuck in in life though, so I am glad that this whole thing is really just an annoyance rather than a major problem. Count your blessings, I guess.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:18:26 PM »

Oh, and I will still post on here. I have far too much fun discussing OTHER people's car problems lol.

Nelson_40 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:26:50 PM »

Maybe you could get your car on to bringatrailer? It certainly is what people there like, well documented, tastefully modded, good looking classic.

I am fairly sure you can work something out with MM and sincerely hope you don't have too much trouble letting go of the car, even if it is for all the right reasons.

wazzu70 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2013, 12:50:40 AM »

Bummer on the situation.

My advice is to get the car running. It will have WAY more appeal that way and its the ony realistic chance of getting the money out of it to make it worth selling.

I got married last March, and I can see why you are considering selling. I want to work on my car constantly, but there is little time. When there is, i usually end up doing something my wife wants instead.

Having a garage is the only way to make things work since it can sit until I can get to it which lessens the pressure!

bme30 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2013, 05:13:23 AM »

I hope it works out that you keep the car.

My m42 e30 (constant work in progress) i was thinking of selling but my wife would have it. I now have a 3 week old daughter. Still have the car, but everything has slowed right down.

Not to be selfish but... Im also looking forward to your maf conversion kit for the m42

Glws

jrobie79 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2013, 11:19:17 AM »

so does that mean the FX-R retrofit is out the window too?

hgrunt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:46:48 PM »

I'm a bit sad to hear that you have to sell the car. I've followed your website and car for a long time (possibly since 2006ish) and it's been such a great resource for working on my own car. Wish you the best of luck on the sale, and sorting the whole thing out!

timothymcn · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2013, 08:58:31 PM »

Sad to see. How many miles did you get from it, before the recent issues?