Noob/Lurker emerges

[bmw327]

Good afternoon all,

Hope you've all had a pleasant holiday and my compliments on a great and informative forum!  The faqs and general info here are very helpful to this potential E30/M42 enthusiast.

I've been lurking here for about a year and thought I might emerge from the shadows for a moment or maybe two as I'm considering selling off my e34
535i/5 spd in favor of an M42 equipped 318i (not that I've found one yet).

I've come to the realization that while the 535i is truly a great car, it's too "old" for me.   Old has nothing to do with age, though - it's more of an attitude thing.  It goes as fast as I'd ever want to (want 90 mph in third?), handles well, is good looking despite faded paint, is amazingly reliable for a 19 y/o car, and is supremely comfy, but it's a cruiser at heart.  I want a car that begs to have the snot revved out of it and lives for the twisties and I think a 318i might fit the bill.  I know, a 318is would be more fun, but I have two small children and a 2dr isn't an option.

I grew up on small displacement fun cars: 2 Fiat X1/9's - don't laugh until you've driven a well sorted one, an Audi Coupe GT, a VW Jetta, and a Dodge Omni GLHS clone among others, and I think I'm more suited to the genre.  Also, I expect that I should be able to get a decent 318i for whatever my
535i might bring, maybe less.

As to the car in the photo, it's your e30's great grandmother (a '38 327 cabriolet, # 273 of roughly 1400) and that particular example sleeps in my garage awaiting large infusions of cash, which it will someday get.

Hope you dont mind my disjointed ramblings and best to all!

[haledj]

Welcome, when you find an e30 318i you will love it.  You will miss the 535 though, you always miss a good car.  Look for a good example, be patient, you will not regret it.

Don't worry about a 4 dr being less fun, the drive is exactly the same.

[dude8383]

Wow, I think we need to see pics of the '38 327.

Welcome, and goodluck finding your 318i!

Take your time is just about the best advice I can give

[Febi Guibo]

hail Long Island... I'm in Bay Shore... I'm currently in the process of getting a 318i back on the road.

There's a very minty white 318i for sale in NY (western LI I think), I don't know the car personally, but it looks sharp.

Welcome! You will really like the 4 banger... please stop by and say hi!

[bmw327]

Yes, I've seen the ad for the super minty 318i - in Mt Sinai for about $5500, tho' the car's too minty for me.  Forgive me, but I like really solid runners that are somewhat cosmetically challenged because my intended use is commuting in all weather with occasional kid hauling (think car / booster seats and all that comes with them - little kids can be sticky) and I don't have indoor storage for the daily drivers.  Basically, I don't want to make a pretty car ugly, however I don't mind keeping an ugly car.  My tendency is to buy cars that run well, are solid but not pretty and keep them running well.  

The 535 is a truly great car - it's the only one that I've ever had that will take you from 10 to 90 mph without shifting.  The m30 is a wondrous machine despite being ancient.  At 185k miles and 19 years old, it neither burns nor leaks anything, runs cool, starts every time, and has never received anything but routine maintenance as far as I can tell.  The rest of the car needs some help, though. Some of the electrics are a bit autistic, the steering box is worn out, the clutch chatters when cold (dual mass flywheel) and there are some rust issues.  It's a bit of a pig, too.  Typical mileage is 21 mpg (which is great for an m30) and a fill-up can easily run $60.

Basically, I can spend three grand fixing the wunder-piggy or  swap it out for a car that would be just as much fun if not more, which would also be a bit simpler in general and save me about $800 per year in fuel alone. Even if I sell the car, I may keep my spare m30 (M30B35) & FI bits just in case I run into a Bavaria I can't resist...

The 327 is in deep hibernation.  It was my dad's when he was in the US Army in Germany in the 60's and he had the wisdom to keep it, tho' he disassembled it long ago.  I have all the bits and some spares and while it is pretty solid and certainly worth restoring with the current going rate for a copy, it will be a significant and costly effort.  Anyone interested in the process should have a look at a friend's site:

http://www.dougcygan.com

The agreement is that I drive my daughter to her wedding in it (she's in pre-K) and when my wife goes back to work, I can restart the resto.

Will post with any finds and thanks for the tolerance of my OT ramblings!

[Febi Guibo]

lol... our forum topic is, uh, so topic specific it's impossible not to get OT...

at least that's what I tell myself!

I look forward to seeing your resto-mod... hopefully my 1602 project will be done before yours...

although it's not looking good...

[dude8383]

Having looked at your website, I can say that you sir, are most definitely not a NOOB to say the least!

Great to have you here

[bmw327]

Having looked at your website, I can say that you sir, are most definitely not a NOOB to say the least!

Great to have you here

Please understand that that is not my site and I can in no way take credit for it!  Doug is a friend of mine who is restoring a car similar to the one I have and he is an amazing craftsman, not me.  I put the link up to illustrate what the car is to those who might not be familiar and I'm sorry for any confusion!

[dude8383]

OOPS!

Well best of luck to you anyway