New to the 318is

Author Topic: New to the 318is  (Read 25830 times)

FL318is

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New to the 318is
« on: July 27, 2006, 12:58:13 PM »
Bought myself a 318is 1991.  Picking it up next Friday.  Has a couple of things wrong with it but overall sound.  It is white which is great for Florida.  Trust me, my E46 is black and it sits all day attractioning 95 degee weather.

I am excited about my 318is and will have questions and will be asking you guys for help.  Also want to get some feed back on best all around performance mods.  Any Florida members on the forum?

Later

edit  Leaving tomorrow!  I can't stand the wait!
« Last Edit: July 27, 2006, 07:13:37 PM by FL318is »

mgold

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New to the 318is
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2006, 05:06:09 PM »
Welcome to the forum.  We look forward to seeing pics of the new ride.

dude8383

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New to the 318is
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2006, 05:54:09 PM »
Welcome man! It depends what kind of upgrades you want to do...throw some ideas out and im sure we will be more than willing to throw in our 2 cents!

Denis


FL318is

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Thanks
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2006, 06:58:58 PM »
I appreciate the welcome.  OK, got the flight booked out of Orlando and Auto Train in Va.  Wanted to drive it back but rear bearings are talking and are original so I don't want to test them.  Besides I think trains have a bar car and I want to see how many times I can watch Saving Pvt Ryan.

The car will have an extra set of sports seats in rough shape so let me know if someone needs them or even wants them.  The interior is OK.  The great thing is I have an engine from a 325is and a garge full of E30 stuff at no cost to use as replacement parts.  If you guys are looking for anything pls let me know and I will keep an eye out for it.

As far as upgrades, do I do the engine first then work my way back or suspension?  What is the best sequence?  Will the stock engine hold it's own?

Question, the trunk spoiler paint is cracking.  Should or can I remove it?

I will document the trip and post pics when I get back.

Looking forward to trying to look as good as the E30s I see here.

Later
« Last Edit: July 27, 2006, 07:01:12 PM by FL318is »

StreetSpec_iS

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New to the 318is
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2006, 08:57:48 PM »
Quote from: FL318is
As far as upgrades, do I do the engine first then work my way back or suspension?  What is the best sequence?  Will the stock engine hold it's own?


Engine? But then we can't let you stay in the club. :D

Standard m42 can hold its own when driven in anger.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

asubimmer

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New to the 318is
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2006, 09:08:52 PM »
welcome to the club man, there is tons you can do to the 318.  Mine will hopefully be a 318isT soon lol.  and next summer 319isT ;)  I will deff do a write-up and everyone is welcome to boost also.  I may put together a kit for us but I don't know how many people would be interested.  Suspension is going to be pretty importaint for you though FL318is.  It can make a world of difference in your times.  I would say susp & brakes first THEN engine.  But then whats the fun in that.
///Alpinweiß II 24v 91\' 318is, 2004 Yamaha R6 SE for sale, 00\' VW GTi, 83\' El Camino BURNED, 2001 P71sold, 92\' Miatasold
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FL318is

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This is great!
« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2006, 11:06:45 AM »
The response is extremely helpful.  Plane departs in 3 hours.  Got to do the DMV thing tomorrow so wish me luck there.

Camera is ready!  Will post when I get up there.

So from what I hear the 318 is enough when driven "properly."  I will leave well enough and talk later!

///Motorsport

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New to the 318is
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2006, 11:48:00 AM »
good luck with the car. i bought a crappy condition white 318is, and i couldnt be happier (good news for your situation maybe..)  as for the spoiler, i painted mine black with bumper trim paint, you may be able to if you can scrape the paint off... if you still need one i think i might be coming into two more soon, let me know, i'd be willing to help out.  as for mods, i did suspension almost right out of the bat, because i am into the twisties and that about it.  i am super happy with H&R race springs and bilstein sports.  The springs are the some of the stiffest you cna buy, there are plenty of ther options, but the shocks everybdy uses and loves.  you'll grow to love the engine, and may want to get a chip (mine was 40, a dinan copy form ebay) so you can rev till 7.  i had reservations about buying a 4 banger, i had always loved driving 2002s, but thought i might be left wanting more. whih is true on uphills.  but still, the 318is is joy t drive, and i can stay on the bumper of and beat in the corners my brothers 325is on the local mtn touge...(haevnt installed my chip yet)

maxwellredrum

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New to the 318is
« Reply #8 on: July 28, 2006, 12:11:18 PM »
Hey FL318is, seems like the alpineweiss 318's are taking back the trophy from the brilliantrot's lol. Good choice on a car, and most of the mods that will make the 318 a little quicker and more responsive can be found for less than 100$. My car came with a full Koni suspension, mtech 2 spoiler, brows, kidney cover that looks like snoopys nose etc,. Since i didnt have to do suspension on it, i have proceeded to the easier things which i have on order, a z3 3.0 shifter from the dealer for 66$., Dinan ebay chip for 40$, already installed a k&n intake and custom heat shield. I would highly suggest taking care of the suspension things first, and might be able to cut you a deal from a friend of mine that owns ITGperformance, and then take care of simple easy to do tasks such as chip,shifter,intake..exhaust was pretty well taken car of by BMW but there is room for improvement. Brakes are always that topic that gets people hot, like make the suspension better and brakes better before going fast, the 200$ set of brembos and hks pads can wait as long as your brakes are up to date no grooves and non squealing. Im up in Tallahassee so gimme a shout if you need anything or wana chill before i have to go to boot camp in novemeber, cough cough im pretty good with the e30 cough cough:)

FL318is

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Whew!
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2006, 08:28:13 AM »
Made it through DMV!  Got there an hour before they opened and was out in
5 mins.  I think I did it right.:confused:

Got back here to check out the car.  Overall, pretty tight.  Body shows no rust, paint good but dull, engine clean, dash has only one small crack, tranny is tight, interior needs work but overall good (plus I have a complete black leather replacement.)

One concern.  The oil dip is half.  Under the car there is def some oil loss.  I have a 2 hour drive to the Auto Train.  Guess the thing to do is fill and go and stop and fill.  Any suggestions?

I will look to get some pics up later today.  Thanks for all the help.  hey max, what branch?

maxwellredrum

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New to the 318is
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2006, 10:02:31 AM »
dang you had a buisy day. About the oil loss, i would start the car and run it for 10 or so minutes and watch underneath and see if its leaking, i know on the 325's they had some stupid checkvalve on the oil filter housing that would keep the oil from draining from the filter nad that would leak like crazy after a while.  Mines a little over half after a 2500 mile trip from fl to VA. And im going in the Navy

FL318is

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Phase 3 - Road to Auto Train
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2006, 05:19:46 PM »
Checked the oil.  Topped it!  Seems like the oil leak might near the filter. Got a couple of quarts of oil and plan on hitting the road first thing Sunday am.  Be glad to get it home and on the lift.

USN  ABE3  NATC Patuxent River Strike TC-7.  Did 4 years.   Good luck bro!