... but don't get too excited, it's a 318i sedan.
All I really know is that if the cooling system hasn't been replaced do that asap. Anything else besides old car hoses and fluid changes to think about?
Now, this purchase is being brokered by my parents, so I haven't physically seen the car, but, garaged in San Diego, driven around the block periodically for GP, but pics of the interior and exterior are excellent, and at half of challenge money, seems a ridiculously good deal.
These are the very same parents who for decades have questioned my penchant for old cars, so it must be nicer than I think if they brought it up!
Plans will be lowering springs, wheels, tint the windows and drive it.
Just a nice little daily.
And then comes M/S50 swap, turbo, big brake kit...
Rock it. I've enjoyed my 318ti even though it doesn't exactly feel fast, still fun. I kind of wish it was a sedan, so I could put a car seat in it next year! Cooling system isn't too bad to do, and I think that if you're willing to pull the intake (not too bad - at least, the upper wasn't) there are a few other, difficult to reach coolant hoses that can/should be replaced.
I, of course, have researched everything Iansane posted about - M50 swaps and big brake "kits", since so much of these cars is Lego-work..
Enjoy it for what sounds like a fantastic price.
Congrats, sounds like a great buy if it's anywhere near as nice as advertised. My former 97 328is is still one of my favorite cars I've owned.
02Pilot
UltraDork
10/20/20 3:05 p.m.
In reply to OldGray320i (Forum Supporter) :
I can't say for sure if they'll fit, but I've got a set of Dinan lowering springs from an E36 325i coupe taking up space in my garage. Available at a very GRM-friendly price if you want them.
In reply to 02Pilot :
Possibly... the way it sits, might be a set of wheels away.
I'll pick it up weekend after this, I'll shoot you a note - thank you sir.
The_Jed
PowerDork
2/11/21 12:11 p.m.
I recently found one of these near me with a hair under 200,000 miles, '98, manual , sunroof, etc. for under challenge money which made my automotive ADD kick in and skew my motorsports plans for this year.
OldGray320i (Forum Supporter) said:
... but don't get too excited, it's a 318i sedan.
I'll get excited if i want to! That is awesome, and a real unicorn. I've only seen two four cylinder E36s and they were both two doors.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
What's funny is I sent it to the shop to take care of stuff I didn't want to deal with, and the guy said "They made about 6 of these cars, there's only two left on the road, and you've got one of them"
The ol' girl looks pretty good.
What year is the car? Looks like a 1991.
In reply to OldGray320i (Forum Supporter) :
What is funny is both of the ones I'd seen were also that color.
E36s on OZ wheels is a match made in heaven. Appears to be a slick top?
Very nice car and great deal.
Interesting that it does not have a fender turn signal. Must be an early production car.
Nice find! Only thing to be aware of is that the 318's have the E30 style trailing arm rear suspension, where the 6-cylinder versions got the newer multilink rear suspension. It's not that bad, as they kept using it on the Z3/Z4's as well. Just something to be aware of when you're shopping parts.
djsilver (Forum Supporter) said:
Nice find! Only thing to be aware of is that the 318's have the E30 style trailing arm rear suspension, where the 6-cylinder versions got the newer multilink rear suspension. It's not that bad, as they kept using it on the Z3/Z4's as well. Just something to be aware of when you're shopping parts.
IIRC it's only the 318ti (the hatchback) that uses the E30 semi-trailing arms.
In reply to jr02518 : '94
In reply to buzzboy : Sunroof, but it's inop - haven't looked up the fix on that yet.
In reply to djsilver : It's actually got the multilink - I think it's the TIs that are e30 rear - the others beat me to it....
e36/5 e36/7 and e36/8 are the only e36 cars with semi trailing arms.
That's a handsome car, congratulations.
They are proliferating!
manual, bbs Bugatti wheels, Hawaii car...
In reply to chandler :
Looks extremely clean! Good find! M42 or M44?
classicJackets (FS) said:
In reply to chandler :
Looks extremely clean! Good find! M42 or M44?
M50 actually. It's a 94 with 122k
