92 318ic Pre purchase inspection

[twebb854runner]

So I got my E28 fix over with and sold my 85 535i and am thinking on moving on to another project.  I've been eyeballing E30's in the area for a long time and they're either major basket cases in the $2-$3k range or pristine for $6-$7k.

I've come across a pretty clean 92 318ic 5 speed with 262k and a broken odometer.  He says it runs strong but has the typical M42 engine tick.  I've been reading up on this but still scares me a little since I sold my 535i with a bad camshaft that was causing valve ticking because it was a little too much of a project for me. 

It's a manual top model and the leather is pretty clean and he says the a/c even works good.  Dash isn't all cracked up either. 

So what thinks everyone and thanks in advance for all the input!

[Darky]

Hi

I wish we got your cars.
Convertible m42 just great, never got them in Australia and I don't think Europe either.
They must be getting rare the e30 318ic.
I'd check the engine by being there when it was cold and starting it, check for smoke on startup.

Cheers Rohan

[DesktopDave]

Compared to the M30, a valve tick isn't a big deal on the M42. I'd presume it's just a sticky lifter. A little synthetic 5w30 might clean that up. If not, there's no need to pull the motor and drive the lifter shafts & cam out of the back of the head...the M42 cam trays simply lift out.

The things you'd urgently need to check on the M42 are the upper oil pan bolts, the profile gasket, and the cam drive gears.

The cabrio is a lovely machine. The manual top is a great option, it doesn't break like all the EM power tops do. The convertible is unfortunately about 300# heavier than the coupe & sedan. Despite the incredibly short 4.27 diff...this car (alas) will never be quick.