I didn't want to take away from the other thread since it was a totally different car 4 years ago.

Last night, I picked up a 1991 BMW 318iC with the 4 cylinder engine/5 speed manual trans. It needs some work, maybe I'll update this thread as I go.

From what I see so far, it needs:
A detail BADLY
2 new bumpers
rear brakes
idle cable
new gas pedal
Hail damage on hood and trunk (possibly will try to locate ones in better shape if I get to the next point some day
POSSIBLY some body work but I don't want to turn this thing into a money pit as of yet, baby coming in 2 weeks, can't spend too much $$. I don't need it to be a looker as it's just a cheap weekend car, but would like it a little nicer. I'll probably try to do some on my own, it only has a little surface rust on the doors under the moldings. The car is originally from Georgia, pretty hard to find one around here with this little rust. Drove it home last night, about 30 miles on the freeway. Drives smooth, no shakes, new tires, runs well, shifts well. This is my 4th e30, this one I plan on keeping a little longer though. I love these things!

Got the car at a great price, probably will put another $1000-1500 into it to make it right, need to find a cheap body man! Anyways, onto the pics:









I've been waiting for a basic 4 cylinder/5 speed vert and finally found one that isn't on it's last breath.

 

Congrats. With a little TLC this thing will clean up nicely.

 

Congrats and enjoy.

 

Oooooohhh, that looks like a fun project! Enjoy.

 

can't wait to see the work you put into this car..

keep us posted.

 

Definitely subscribed! I've been looking into these when I get a project car. Can't wait to see your progress.

And that interior looks to be in great shape, particularly the seats, for a 21 yr old car.

 

Very Cool! Fun in the sun!

 

Well, she started this morning! Always a plus after you buy a 21 y/old car.

Thanks guys. The seats actually have quite a few cracks in them, they look better in the pics than they are. So far I've clayed/buffed/waxed it today, looks a little better. It's going to take some time bringing her back to life. I also got it registered and insured it so I can finally drive it

There are some oil spots in the garage, need to get that looked at but I won't get a chance to get to my BMW guy until probably next weekend. I'll just keep an eye on the fluids for now and not park where I'm not supposed to.

Some quick cell shots:




I'll probably end up trying to get rid of that pin stripe by the end of the weekend. I REALLY want to find some new bumpers.

 

Like the fatty BFG's.

 

Looks like a fun project, good luck

 

Had a hell of a day yesterday. Beautiful weather, took the car out for a 50 mile ride out in the country. Went to a beautiful nature preserve and took my 8.5 month pregnant wife for a walk


Car drives great. Went over it in a little more detail, found my brake problem and my idle problem:

The previous owner simply pinched the brake line going to the left rear brake, that explains the caliper. I'm going to order new pads/rotors and a new caliper for the rear today. Also need to find that brake line.
Pic:


Car needs a new throttle cable, will order that today as well. Although this is good, it has dies twice on me so far when it's warming up. Otherwise engine runs great and car drives very well.
Pic:


Lexus hasn't moved since last Friday I just finally put the top up for the first time last night, put the Lex back in the garage (I hate only having a 1 car garage).



Plans for this week:
Order and replace the throttle cable
Start taking apart the brakes and hopefully get that taken care of by end of week
Taking it today to an exhaust shop to replace the muffler (small hole in it, getting annoying)
Try to blend in the farmer's tan I got from driving around all day yesterday

 

Looks great. Amazing what a clay/polish/wax can do

Did the previous owner just leave that vise grip like that??

 

e30 ftw. I wish I had the $ for one as a project car.

 

Sure did! I can see why though, cut off the fluid, the caliper won't stick. Brakes work okay though. I will rebuild the caliper and put in new pads and rotors.

I really shouldn't be spending $ on it with a kid on the way but oh well. It's a cheap enough project. Like I told my wife, the price of the car came from the profit I made on my last e30 so it's like FREE

Just ordered a ton of parts, should be here Friday. Brakes and throttle cable are first on the list.

I need to find bumpers and a cheap body man.

 

Congrats! It definitely looks like a solid car for its age, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it!

 

 

Just got back from the muffler shop. $180 later, she purrs like a kitten. New muffler and they had to do some weld work by the cat. It was weird starting her up.

 

Started to take apart the brakes, looks like we can save the caliper


What's the difference between picture A and picture B?
A

B

 

trick question?

 

Nope, there's a change!

 

Yeah...I see that. But I though it was so obvious, that you were kidding when you asked. lolol

 

My BIL didn't notice!

 

Nice work!

 

Wow that took me forever to notice! No more pinstripes

 

I didn't notice until you pointed it out. I kept looking at the rear tire & brake parts that were moved in the lower photo.
I liked the pinstripes, and would probably put on white replacement stripes.

 

Yes, I started to remove the pin stripe, I hate pin stripes. Just have the passenger side left. I have the car at my dad's house in his garage, he has a lot more tools than I do. Hopefully I'll get the brake parts in earlier than Friday so I can get her back on the road for the weekend, supposed to be in the 80's and 90's and sunny

 

Looks great and it took me a few looks to notice the pin stripe. First thing I did with my 3G TL was to remove that ugly line. Enjoy it, looks like fun

 

oh wow congrats bro... u and i always seem to go a similar route with our cars... 1G TL, 2GS, and eventually a 'vert... they don't make bimmers like they used to...

 

To me, a tasteful, conservative pinstripe would define and compliment the side view of the E30 convertible body.

FWIW, I laid a single pinstripe down the sides of my Integra shortly after buying it because it looked pretty plain and slab-sided.
Pinstripes are hideous on many cars, particularly on the 3G TL.

 

I LOVE the E30

I look forward to seeing this come together

 

Haha yup. Don't forget the 3G!



I actually took apart the caliper tonight, I'll post a pic of the brake pad later or tomorrow morning. New meaning to metal on metal. The caliper pistons would get stuck and wouldn't let the pads go back. I'm surprised that it came apart as easy as it did.

Another find today, I think the leak is actually the power steering and not oil. Which I'm happy about but will hopefully get it on a lift Saturday to verify.

I parts come sooner.

 

 

douche BMW owners..

Poor BMW.

 

whoa

 

Yup. Now I understand why he just pinched the brake line. No fluid = no movement so he just basically turned "off" the rear left brake.

Oh well, no biggie. I'll have brand new shiny brakes hopefully by EOD tomorrow.

I am having the hardest time finding bumpers for this thing. That might take some time. I did however find a coupe at a local junk yard. After I get it on a lift and go over 100% of it to make sure all is okay to invest $ into, I might go pick up a new hood, new trunk and possibly a new drivers door if theirs has no rust. And I'll start looking for a body shop but body work may have to wait until next year or over this winter.

 

^ This is how it starts bro ... Be careful

 

Looks awesome! Definitely keep updating us in this thread so we can track progress...

 

I know, my wife is already complaining

Will do. I also need to carry my Nikon more often and stop taking the pictures with my iPhone.

Can we change the title to "My BMW e30 project"?

 

Done

 

Thank you!





Need to get through this day quickly and go put some stuff in