Picked up new e30, whadya think

[phrunt]

I sold my old 1985 e30 back in college and since then I've been looking to get a 4 banger 318 and read that the M42 was the most modern engine for the E30. So I picked up this fixer upper 318is for $1700. It needs a paint job and some interior work but no biggie. It is a bare bones model; no sunroof, cruise control, fog lamps. It makes for a pretty light 2500 lb car.

Other than changing oil/filters what are some maintenance items to consider when acquiring a used M42?

[DesktopDave]

Nice ride...I have the same interior in my 4-door (a 325is donated it). That silver/black combo is my favorite. Welcome to the club. I don't think that your car is especially stripped...most of us don't have cruise control and many don't even have an LSD. Your car is pretty rare...the e30 'slicktop,' best for racing because of the reduced weight. You have the black fabric headliner too, right?

Check the upper oil pan bolts as soon as convenient. The front few bolts can loosen and let air into the main gallery, destroying your engine. Replace the oil seals as they all seem to leak. Verify that the timing chain tensioner is the updated model; otherwise the chain will eventually destroy your timing case.

Vac hoses are a headache...replace them/delete them or eliminate the throttle body heater entirely. Many of us have disabled the power steering and/or swapped it for an e36 rack. A few have done 5-bolt swaps.

Other than that, check the usual e30 trouble spots...sunroof drains, passenger firewall drain & main plenum for water leaks (before the firewall and driver's pan rusts out). Rear lower quarter & frame rails are also pretty vulnerable to corrosion. Rear shock mounts, front control arms, the usual suspects.

[///M3]

Nice pickup for a nice price.

[phrunt]

Thanks DesktopDave, I will definitely check those things out. I was kind of surprised by the non-sunroof, I was under the impression that all e30's had a sunroof. The car had around 200K miles on it before the odometer quit, so I am guessing the engine needs a good check up and tune up. I am under the impression that the car was properly maintained and adult owned since it still has the original paint and radio, and the engine runs like a top, the oil isn't even black yet. I am going to do a basic compression check and visual hose check before I start to dismantle the car for paint.

I am kind of wanting to go in the direction of Titanium silver BMW color I really like.

The headliner is actually tan colored.

Originally Posted by DesktopDave

Nice ride...I have the same interior in my 4-door (a 325is donated it). That silver/black combo is my favorite. Welcome to the club. I don't think that your car is especially stripped...most of us don't have cruise control and many don't even have an LSD. Your car is pretty rare...the e30 'slicktop,' best for racing because of the reduced weight. You have the black fabric headliner too, right?

Check the upper oil pan bolts as soon as convenient. The front few bolts can loosen and let air into the main gallery, destroying your engine. Replace the oil seals as they all seem to leak. Verify that the timing chain tensioner is the updated model; otherwise the chain will eventually destroy your timing case.

Vac hoses are a headache...replace them/delete them or eliminate the throttle body heater entirely. Many of us have disabled the power steering and/or swapped it for an e36 rack. A few have done 5-bolt swaps.

Other than that, check the usual e30 trouble spots...sunroof drains, passenger firewall drain & main plenum for water leaks (before the firewall and driver's pan rusts out). Rear lower quarter & frame rails are also pretty vulnerable to corrosion. Rear shock mounts, front control arms, the usual suspects.

[Blip Bavarian]

man, im jealous. Nice car, and no sunroof. Wow. congrats.

[iamcreepingdeath]

great find! You have the perfect car to start out with, and you will fall in love with the rev-happy M42. I don't know if you are the performance modding type, but i would suggest aftermarket springs and shocks and some 15" or 16" wheels.

I have H&R Race springs and Bilstien Sport shocks and 15" Kosei K1 wheels, and my car handles extremely well and will out-maneuver most cars on the road.

The 318is is very well balanced and takes well to suspension and handling modifications, especially your "slick top" as it has a lower center of gravity because of the lack of mass up high in the roof.

[Chalino]

Originally Posted by ijkl921

polo shirtscheap polo shirtsdunk sb cheap nike dunk sb Nike's basketball shoe line was fairly popular in the skateboarding scene

Damn! They haven't blocked your punk ass!?


phrunt, great find! Mine is pretty much the same deal but in DS. Welcome.

[Rich86]

Looks like a good car. I second the heater plate and cleaning up the mess under the intake. That is usually the source of some lost power due to the dozen little lines that tend to crack over time.

For performance grab yourself a chip. It will be the most bang for buck on your car.

[BimmerNovice]

Nice. But you should check out "Atan888" daily driver on Baybimmerz.net! This guy bought a 318is, wet sanded it and swapped a bunch of parts to make it look friggin new. I would've bought it from him for ten grand, not for sale he says.