Delia

[Delia]

Hi, All!!!

I'm not new to the E30.  Not new to BMWs in general...been driving them since 1972.  Owned a number of 2002 models '69, 74, 71, '75...loved 'em all!  Had a Zinnoberot automatic 325is several years ago.  It was a great complement to my Inka Orange '73tii.  I DROVE that old beast from from Michigan to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006...never missed a beat.  Parked it in storage and got a silver-colored  beater 2002tii for tooling around daily and felt pretty safe. But when I got crashed into from behind - totaling it on I-80, that was enough!  

The visions of mortality and a renewed faith in my maker suggested it was time to sell my antique rides and go contemporary...at least relatively so.  My friend had an '87 325is w/five speed, and I couldn't come up with the money...oh well.

Poked around on craigslist and answered an ad for a '91 318is down near Santa Cruz.  It was dirty and (Brilliantrot) red and had been in the same family for the past dozen years.  The asking price was $1750.  How good could a $1750 "is" be?  

Pretty durn nice!  Passed smog. A/C works.  All original body panels, Sunroof.  Black interior cleaned up pretty well.  Floor mats covered the carpets since new.  Seats not too badly damaged.  Radio screwed up.  Drives straight.  Plenty of power in the upper rev range.  Leaking power steering fluid (pump? rack?).  Needs lots of little things fixed.  Detail shop made the paint shine.  It's a gem.

I'll be taking it to Bill Arnold's independent BMW repair shop in San Rafael so he can have a look at it.  Bill is great!  He drives an E30 every day!

Delia

"The older I get, the faster I was..."

[C.Saenz]

It sounds like you've had quite a history with BMW's I love my 318is, and I'm sure you'll love it too once all the wrinkles get ironed out. I'm new to BMW's and my 318 is my first, but I'd love to get into a 2002 sometime. Welcome to the forum!

[John W]

Welcome Delia. I remember you from 2002faq.com. I must say your Orange Julius (73 tii) is a wonderful example. You're going to like it here and we're lucky to have you. I also think you're going to enjoy the e30 318is as a daily driver. Post some pics of your new ride -- and the tii -- when you get a chance.

[Delia]

Yeah, the grind of driving not one, but TWO tii models is a lot to manage.  Now that I've reached a more mature level (well, kind of) of sophistication, I just gotta have things like A/C and power windows.

I put my '73 tii, "Orange Julius" up for sale...not for any other reason than to pass him on to a good home.  Darned if my eye for a bargain back in 2001 when I bought him would turn into such a collector classic.

I think here in the Bay Area I build up my new 318is with a few mods and re-create the 2002tii "experience."

Take Care,

D

[318kid]

Pics of the 2002 and e30? How much do you want for the 2002? With a good suspension you'll love the e30.

[Delia]

Look here:

http://collectiblecars.nytimes.com/View_Listing.asp?ListingID=COL705091

One of the top 30 finalists in the New York Times Collector Car of the Year - 2007.

No, I didn't win.  

Delia