I am reluctantly selling my 1991 318is. The car is located in Toronto, Canada in the Yonge & Sheppard area. The car has been in the family since new and I'm only selling now as I have recently moved overseas and will not be returning for the foreseeable future. The car is almost completely stock.
Price: $4400
Model: 1991 E30 318is M42
Manufacture Date: April 1990
Body Type: 2 door coupe
Colour: Alpine White
Transmission: 5 speed manual
Mileage: 228,194 km (141,793 miles)
Vinyl sport seats (heated)
Power/heated mirrors
Power windows
Three spoke leather steering wheel (no airbag)
Fog lights
Sunroof
ABS
AC
The only modifications are the following:
- High-end Kenwood Stereo (approx 2008) - CD/MP3, USB and ipod/iphone adapter cable routed into the glove box. This was only replaced because the stock stereo stopped working. The brightness and colour of the display can be set to match the orange dash lights perfectly.
- K&N air filters (stock air box) have been used in the car since the late 1990's.
- MarkD performance ECU chip 91 octane (approx 2009) - I have noticed smoother power delivery and crisper throttle response with this chip. I have not noticed any change in fuel efficiency. Rev limit is raised slightly.
- BMW leather weighted 'M' shift nob (2010). Replaced when the leather on the original nob wore out.
As I said the car has been in the family since new. Was originally purchased brand new in 1991 from BMW dealership in Mississauga by my aunt, a dentist, and driven by her from approximately 1991 to 1994 until she upgraded to an E36 (which she has always said she regrets doing).
It was then purchased by my father who owned it from 1995 to 2010. It was used as his daily driver for his roughly 40km commute to and from work until approximately 2006 when it became the third car in the household and was driven considerably less, mostly for pleasure. It has not been winter driven since 2005/2006.
I purchased the car from my father in 2010, the same year that I began working for the Canadian government and was stationed elsewhere in Canada. The car remained in Toronto and has been stored in my brother's garage since. I drive the car every time that I return to Toronto for vacation or work. On average this amounts to the car being driven for approximately 1 week every four months or so. Yearly mileage since 2010 probably works out to be approx 2500km. While stored in the garage the car is on jack stands and covered. Despite the intermittent use the car has always started right away.
The car has always been serviced regularly as it was a daily driver for the majority of its life. When the car was newer all of the maintenance was performed at the BMW dealership. Since 1995 the car has been serviced at either Bavarian Motors in Markham
www.bavarianmotors.ca , or at Auto Trend in Toronto
www.autotrend.netMaintenance and work done over the last couple of years includes the following:
- Car was regularly oil sprayed underneath to prevent rust
- Synthetic oil and filter changes 2 times a year. (Oil and filter changes were done more frequently when the car was driven more)
- Coolant flushed and replaced (2012)
- New battery from BMW (June 2014)
- Front 'is' lip replaced and painted (2010)
- Rear 'is' spoiler repainted (2010)
- Original 14" Basketweave wheels professionally repainted and restored with new BMW logos (2009)
- New front and rear BMW emblem (2011)
- New front grills (2011) replaced due to the plastic fading
- Drivers door lock replaced (2011)
- Antenna motor replaced (2009)
- New blower motor (2012)
- New water pump (2012)
- New radiator (2010)
- R134a A/C conversion (2012)
- Throughout it's life the car has had numerous sets of Bilstein sport shocks. Most recent set was installed in approx 2006/7
- Clutch has been replaced 2 or 3 times throughout the cars life. Most recently in approx 2006.
- Steel braided brake lines (2006)
- Rotors and pads have obviously been replaced numerous times throughout the cars life, most recently in 2009
Issues/Negatives
- AC did not blow cold when the car was last driven in late June, despite the fact that the R134a conversion was done recently in 2012. Not sure if it requires a recharge or more significant work.
- Gas tank has developed a slow leak when above half full within the last year (likely at the seam that connects the top and bottom portions). I have avoided having this repaired by not filling that tank past half. This will require attention.
- Fuel level gauge only works intermittently
- Sun roof has not been opened or used in the last 2 years out of fear that the seal is getting old and brittle and may start leaking if opened. At this point the sun roof does NOT leak.
- There is a clunking noise in the rear suspension when going over moderate to large bumps. This has only started in the last year. The car still feels tight and handles fine. May be worn out bushings or mounts.
- Moderate wear and several tears in the vinyl of the front seats. I would say average condition for the age and considering the seats are all original. Rear seats are mint condition.
- Tires are still usable, but are at the end of their life. I would definitely recommend new rubber.
Other history
The car has been repainted once in it's life. To the best of my memory this was in approx 2003 and was done simply because the original was beginning to look tired. It was resprayed in its original Alpine White. The respray was of slightly above average quality. Not high end, but not cheap either. There is some bubbling on the hood (about the size of a quarter) that has been there since 2007 and not spread. Overall the paint is in average condition. I would give it a 7 out of 10. Not a show car by any means, but better than the majority of E30's that I see on the road.
The car has been in two minor low speed fender benders in it's life. In the late 1990's it was rear ended while stopped at a red light by an elderly driver. The elderly driver misjudged the length of his car and the collision occurred at very low speeds. Body damage was done to the lower panel around the muffler only and was easily repaired. No frame damage.
The second fender bender occurred in approx 2004. A pick-up truck backed into the car while parked. Again very, very low speed. Suffered some minor chips to the front edge of the hood which were easily repaired with touch up paint. The hood was moved but not bent. The gap between the hood and the passenger side is slightly larger than the gap on the drivers side. This could probably be fixed by someone with more patience and experience realigning the hood than my father and I had. Most people wouldn't notice the slightly different size gaps unless told.
Never had any major problems with the car. It has always been very reliable and well cared for. Never raced and no track days. Engine still pulls well and sounds good. The car still handles well and feels tight. Lot's of fun to drive as you all know.
The car is currently not insured or plated. It is being sold AS IS.
I would love for the car to go to an enthusiast who appreciates E30's and intends to keep it stock or close to it.
Please see the photos below. Photos were taken with an iphone are are not fantastic quality, but none the less I feel that they accurately depict the condition of the vehicle. As I now live overseas my father, who owned the car for 15 years, will be the one showing the car to interested parties. Please email me at
michael . j . henning @ gmail . com (remove the spaces) to arrange to view the car or with any questions. Please feel free to post any questions in this thread.
Topic: 1991 318is - Toronto, Canada *SOLD* (Read 4250 times)