Author Topic: 16v of Fury (Read 8879 times)

16v of Fury · « **on:** May 17, 2007, 04:36:58 PM »

Hey guys,

Just recently picked up an E30 318is here in Long Island --- Details below:

'91 318is

Bone stock - 157k miles.

- AlpineWeiss II w/ black vinyl interior
- All the standard 318is goodies - Shadowline trim, 4.10 LSD, manual sunroof, etc
- Less than 200 miles on 14" 'Weaves w/ new Falken Ziex ZE512s
- Set of Bottlecaps w/ BFGoodrich Winter Slalom snow tires included
- Panasonic CD + Sirius head unit w/ Sony front speakers and Blaupunkt rears
- Stock BMW Cassette head unit included
- Detailed records, but only since 94k miles - it's something, I s'pose
- Awesome BMW mudflaps, complete w/ stock suspension - 4x4 insanity crazya.gif
- Equally awesome sealed beam headlights...
- Clear title

Needs:
- A front lip
- Driver's side floormat
- Umm... a working drivetrain

Bought from the second owner for $550. The first owner garaged the car for the entire time he owned it. Well looked after car - very clean underneath and glossy paint.

Unfortunately, it doesn't run. The shop that has been maintaining the car for the last five years says it needs a new head, or a valve job, as the valves are leaking. A compression test found low compression in three cylinders (well below 100#).

I don't know if I agree w/ the diagnosis, but I haven't had an opportunity to dig into the car yet.

Any hints or tips?

Happy to be here - I owned a brilliantrot E30 318is when I lived in Germany - looking forward to getting this one up and running, as I love the M42 cars!

Cheers,
-AJ

dude8383 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:20:07 PM »

Wow looks good man! Glad you got the posting issue sorted out.

Where in L.I. are ya?

There's a couple of us around here that meet up every now and then to just hang out, drink a couple of beers, talk about cars... You know the deal.

Now, your car.

Low compression numbers usually mean the seals are probably done, the rings are damaged or maybe a head gasket is leaking.

You can isolate the issue by doing a Wet Compression Test, a leak-down test, or a vacuum gauge test.

The car looks great btw, where did you find her?

16v of Fury · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:32:57 PM »

Quote from: dude8383;25958

Wow looks good man! Glad you got the posting issue sorted out.

Where in L.I. are ya?

There's a couple of us around here that meet up every now and then to just hang out, drink a couple of beers, talk about cars... You know the deal.

Now, your car.

Low compression numbers usually mean the seals are probably done, the rings are damaged or maybe a head gasket is leaking.

You can isolate the issue by doing a Wet Compression Test, a leak-down test, or a vacuum gauge test.

The car looks great btw, where did you find her?

Hey bud - thanks for the good words!

I'm in Farmingdale, NY 11735. I found the car just down the road from me in Amityville, via Craigslist. The seller found that his car wasn't running well, and took it to his shop, where I bought it from and had it towed 3mi back to my house

Yeah, drop me a line next time you're gonna have some beers and talk car shit - I'm in!

As described to me, at some point the car went from running just fine (the guy I bought it from was the 2nd owner, and had it for 5 years) to acting up, then it stalled and he couldn't get it started.

He said it started bogging on him in the past week or two. His mechanic told him that three cylinders have very low compression because the exhaust valves are leaking, and that the fix will need to be a $2,000 valve job.

When I picked up the car, I spoke to the mechanic and he told me that three cylinders had compression in the 40 to 50# range.

The car was carefully maintained - I have receipts for everything from upper and lower oil pan gaskets, rear main seal, clutch, brakes, tires, etc etc. Both owners were in their 40's, so it's most likely gently driven.

When you say the "seals" are probably done, which do you mean? Valve seats?

I have a couple friends w/ M42's that drive the HELL out of their cars and have never had any issues like this - so I'm highly confused, although I'm certainly no M42 expert.

What d'you suggest? Should I find a replacement head?

Thanks for the help!

dude8383 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:41:02 PM »

I'd look for a replacement head...but not before pulling it off and taking a good look at it!

By the seals, I mean the seal between the piston ring and the cylinder wall.

I'm one of those that also beats the living daylights out of the M42, and I'm pretty surprised this has happened to a well maintained car.

Either way man, you've scored a great car for a good price!

PM me your number and I'll give you a call when we're all hangin!

16v of Fury · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:55:58 PM »

Quote from: dude8383;25961

I'd look for a replacement head...but not before pulling it off and taking a good look at it!

By the seals, I mean the seal between the piston ring and the cylinder wall.

I'm one of those that also beats the living daylights out of the M42, and I'm pretty surprised this has happened to a well maintained car.

Either way man, you've scored a great car for a good price!

PM me your number and I'll give you a call when we're all hangin!

I'm pursuing a replacement head already - tough though, all I've found so far are replacement motors...

Yeah, I'm not certain on the integrity of the rings - I have done absolutely no diagnosis yet on the car. I need to spend some time under the hood, hopefully this weekend.

Shot you a PM!

Tonyb · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2007, 05:59:56 PM »

That's a good deal, just keep your eyes peeled for the tans and head.

jpod999 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2007, 06:37:00 PM »

Sweet car. Looks like it's in pretty good condition.

Now post pics of your other BMW's.

16v of Fury · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:03:13 PM »

Ok - Here are my other cars:

'88 M3

True Hennarot
Currently wearing 16x7.5 E28 M5 BBS
Otherwise bone stock
81k miles

'89 325i

16x7 OZ Superleggeras
H&R Sports
Stebro catback
True E30 Recaro's (NOT Sport seats)

'05 M3

Eibach Pro Kit + Koni SA's
Otherwise bone stock
18k miles - European delivery US-spec car - ordered the car new and received it while stationed in Germany

The Fleet

D. Clay · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:13:51 PM »

Welcome to another M42 fan(atic). Very nice looking car. An original, clean E30 318is is good just the way it is.
However, they induce madness.
My recommended mods are:
E36 rack for quicker steering
Short shift kit using the BMW Z3 or E46 shifter.
They aren't appearance or performance mods but they make the car feel so much better.
If the parts start to add up and you do your own work, just put in an E36 M42. There's all kinds of info here. Check out the DIY and FAQ pages.
P.S. Just saw the pics of the "fleet". It appears the madness began long ago!

16v of Fury · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:32:26 PM »

Quote from: D. Clay;25974

Welcome to another M42 fan(atic).
P.S. Just saw the pics of the "fleet". It appears the madness began long ago!

Thanks! Great to be here!

Yeah, I've been a BMW guy for a loooooong time! This 318is is my sixth E30! I've had an '87 325is, '89 MTech2 325i, '91 318is, and the black '89 325i and Henna '88 M3 pictured above

--- I love E30's!

Tonyb · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:36:52 PM »

Are you a lottery winner? I would have a hard time picking one to drive to work! Nice stable you have!

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:38:56 PM »

Wow, I wish I had the space to kepp a fleet like that. Oh, and I'd probly need a bit more money....

Anyway, welcome to the club. Looks like a great car, hope the engine problems aren't too bad.

BTW I've never seen the E28 wheels on an M3, but they really look awesome, and sleeper.

dude8383 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2007, 07:42:44 PM »

Great selection of cars man!

What happened to those previous 5 spoke rims on the M3, they looked hot!

16v of Fury · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2007, 08:01:18 PM »

Quote from: Tonyb;25983

Are you a lottery winner? I would have a hard time picking one to drive to work! Nice stable you have!

Haha - no, I'm no lottery winner. Really, it's not an expensive collection of cars. The E46 when it was new was a little more than your average fancy SUV soccer moms drive around in. The E30 M3 was $11k, which is the going rate for a couple year old Honda Civic. The black E30 was $1800, less than people are spending on plasma TV's. The 318is was $550 - cheaper than a cheap couch from Rooms To Go

Of course, I don't own any SUV's or plasma TV's

Thanks for the good words!

16v of Fury · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2007, 08:02:22 PM »

Quote from: dude8383;25985

Great selection of cars man!

What happened to those previous 5 spoke rims on the M3, they looked hot!

Thanks Denis!

They are Momo Star's --- real '80's wheels! I have them down in the basement, they were on the car when I bought it. I'm not going to put them back on - I like BBS much better!