Anyone has BMW E30 318is?

beepbeep · 07-04-2006, 04:34 PM

I bought one of those few months ago (never had a BMW except 535 E34 a few months) and I'm having a ball. The older I get the less power I need, it seems.

I welded together a little sports-exhaust, threw out passenger seat + spare wheel and installed a chip from a friend that runs chip tuning bussines. Changed a few fuel lines, painted engine cover black and changed all fluids. Little beemer rips, it's quite well balanced even if it only has 136hp. Engine revs forever and I just throw it around on small roads. Did some Auto-X:ing as well.

Bought it for 1400$. Lot's of fun for money...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I always though it would be a great commuter car, what with the hatchback and all...

Rick V · 07-04-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
what with the hatchback and all...

?????????????? hatchback? I think you are thinking about the E36 318ti
I love the E30 318 that thing is a tank and just loves being thrown around. I drove one for a couple of years, sold it to a friend who just loves the little thing.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

my bad. This thread is useless without pics

BlueSideUp · 07-04-2006, 06:35 PM

I tried to find a clean one in Socal of all places and couldn't get a hold of anything. All the E30s I saw were really rough.

It seems like an E30 would be a great fun cheap ride!

jim72911t · 07-04-2006, 06:42 PM

E30's are fun little cars. Cheap, quick, great handling, and nearly indestructable. Was going to buy an E36 M3 this year but I couldn't bear to part with my little 325is.

herman maire · 07-04-2006, 07:02 PM

I love BMW's, they just rock.... I drove a 91 318is long time ago
I was pretty surprised the way it puled but I would stick with the m20 6 cylinder.

Goran...What did you think of the E34?
I have one right now, solid like a tank even at 370km Black/black , 5speed , LSD ....3700lbs and its still easy to drift.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

My Ex had the E36 version, black on black 5 speed. I loved that car.. Not as well built as an E30 tho..

cantdrv55 · 07-04-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jim72911t
E30's are fun little cars. Cheap, quick, great handling, and nearly indestructable. Was going to buy an E36 M3 this year but I couldn't bear to part with my little 325is.

That's a nice car Jim!

Sarc · 09:34 AM

It's been my daily driver since '03 and it's a blast to drive (the 30+ mpg is a bonus). I love the build quality and the handling is sublime.

My twin (although my personal one is cleaner):

Expect to pay 4-6k for a clean one.

TerryBPP · 07-05-2006, 10:35 AM

My rat before its current m30 turbo disection:

Although mine is a 318i not a is.

serge944 · serge944's Garage

318is is great - weighs just 2550 lbs so it's quite nimble. A bit more forgiving than a 911 too.

Heres my 325is:

Oh, and in CA, you can find very clean 318is' for 2-4k.

BlueSideUp · 07-05-2006, 01:02 PM

Maybe I was looking in all the wrong places.

beepbeep · 07-05-2006, 01:05 PM

I drove 320's and 325's but 320 was a pig and 325 was too nose-heavy.

Even if 325 offers some extra poke I prefer 318is weight distribution. It's also faster than 320 in all situations and better car overall save for exhaust sound.

fastpat · 07-05-2006, 05:17 PM

The small size is just one reason I picked up my 325i Cab, initial cost $2300.00, plus a couple grand in various parts, wheels, tires and so forth. Some more work to do, install the H & R lowering springs and Bilstein sport shocks, and maybe a few other things. Nice commuter car.

My latest installation was an Ireland Engineering stainless cat back system, looks and sounds like stock, in stainless steel.

Sarc · 07-05-2006, 05:21 PM

Speaking of nose heavy......

deathpunk dan · 07-05-2006, 05:49 PM

e30 318is just needs a Mark D chip, 4.24 dif, and M40 oem or aftermarket alum flywheel to turn into a real scorcher. Awesome car!!!!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

how viable as a daily driver? Meaning, does the AC work, and can it stay on the road cheaply...

serge944 · serge944's Garage

E30s are bullet proof! I can't think of a car that old that is as reliable and cheap to maintain.

The A/C works when it works, if you catch my drift. Mine doesn't, and I'd rather use it as an excuse to pull out the compressor and alleviate the "nose heavy" problem than fix the leak and recharge.

jim72911t · 07-05-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
how viable as a daily driver? Meaning, does the AC work, and can it stay on the road cheaply...

Todd,
I use mine (89 325is) as a daily driver. As far as the A/C goes, yes, it does work, but not as well as, say, an American POS sedan or truck. Mine does have a slow leak, but I pay about $200 every 2-1/2 years to have it recharged with R-12. Beats spending the $1200 or so it would cost to fix the leak IMO. 110 degree days are tolerable, but not looked forward to. The black leather interior does not help, BTW.

My car has been extremely reliable. Change the timing belt if you have an M20 motor. Don't ask me how I know.

Other than the timing belt, all I've done is replace a fuel pump (~$200).

They are also quite fun and capable on the track, but I think you might have that area covered

.

Easily the best car I've ever owned. Like I said earlier, I had planned on replacing it this year with an E36 M3 (I even toyed with getting a Subie WRX wagon), but couldn't bear to let the E30 go.

Jim