Author Topic: neilofla (Read 3097 times)

neilofla · « **on:** February 26, 2008, 04:24:23 PM »

Hi All,

I'm from Ireland where e30s are getting quite popular. I've always wanted an e30, in particular a 318is, so when I saw a clean one in black, I had to buy it as they're rare enough here. probably not the smartest thing to do seeing as I'm in my final year in college as now all I want to do is go out and fix all the niggly things like rubber seals and vacuum hoses etc. when I should be studying!

Its a 1990 DiamondSchwartz 318is, 125k miles, running fairly smooth, but does need a new rear+centre muffler and vacuum hoses / manifold gaskets.
So far all I've had to do is the thermostat and coolant, but changed the engine oil, sparks, air filter, diff oil, brake fluid - more for my own peace of mind I suppose.

This site is very helpful for how-to and procedures, though it is a bit strange to see that some genuine parts can be cheaper to import from the US than to buy here in Dublin - do I blame Irish BMW dealers or thank the exchange rates?!

Anyway here it is,

excuse the dodgy pics, a camera phone is the best I can do for now...

I was driving past a BMW dealer in Dublin and saw this machine in the showroom, had to take a pic or two. There was an e30 320i anniversary model and a couple of very nice 2002s, as well as a bright yellow 850i in the same showroom, all part of the dealer's personal collection.

There was a great smell of petrol and oil from the rear quarter window/vents on the M1, couldn't get interior pics as the car was locked, but it looked fantastic. The perfect blend of pointy Italian '70s design and German reliability - plus THAT engine!

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2008, 05:30:29 PM »

Wow, that's awesome. The owner of the dealer near me owns an Alpina Z8. BTW welcome to the club, the 318is looks great!

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2008, 07:15:43 PM »

i agree, cars can be distracting for students like us!
but hey, if we're in school its to be able to pay ourselves some good time working on cars, so why no take life how it comes and enjoy all you can now. i'm sure you'll do fine with your exams..

by the way, you have a very nice car, and you're lucky you can find a dealer with such nice cars in the showroom.

i had some flatmates from sligo and castlebar! very good friends and bottomless drinkers! hope you enjoy yourself just as much!

keep us posted!

MikeK · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2008, 09:14:16 PM »

nice car.

any more pics of the brilliantrot mtech2 in the background?

neilofla · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2008, 06:22:05 AM »

MikeK - good eyes! no more pics of the 320i, I might take a trip over to that dealer again for more pics though. It was fairly nice, mtec2 spoiler / skirts, tec1 steering wheel, grey cloth sports seats, could't see how many miles on it, but it looked very fresh - time warp stuff. Number plate says it's a 1988 model.

hoevesruperd - yeah, them fellas from the west are well able for the drinking - they have hollow legs...

I was surprised myself to see those cars at a main dealer, most BMW dealers I've been to don't really seem interested in cars (let alone older cars), just interested in making a sale and talking a lot of nonsense - but I suppose thats their job!

In that showroom I had asked a salesperson was it OK for me to look at the older bmws (they're not in the main part of the showroom) and she looked at me as if I was mad. I had just walked past a new m3, a facelifted X5, various 5 series... all to look at a 30 year old car! I may have embarrassed my girlfriend when I took a quick look under the rear of the M1, she scuttled away from me very quickly!