As any fule kno, the E30 is much favoured by drifters and, as more recently reported here,
South African spinners
Some say that spinners and drifters are nice guys having fun on limited means. Others consider them to be car-wreckers on a par with the banger racers who have wantonly destroyed a significant chunk of the British classic car parc, and who therefore deserve to be horsewhipped to within an inch of their lives before being lashed to the slowly rotating wheel of a tractor, driven through a slurry pit, and then coated in honey and placed in a pit frequented by grumpy grizzly bears and soldier ants looking for revenge after being firebombed out of their thousand-year-old nest.
Shed takes no view on it, of course. He is, however, more than happy to own up to a liking for the three-box E30. A Provencal press launch of the 325i soft-top was one of many great memories in his motoring career. Somewhere in his toolbox he still has a cassette recording of the straight six’s metallic wail bouncing off the sun-kissed rocks of the mountain road that eventually drops you into Nice. Very Nice it was, too.
Honest transport with retro appeal, this 318i
This 318i Shed is powered by the less exciting four-pot 1.8. The power delivery is not what anyone would ever call hair-raising, but it is a refined sort of lump. In this case it’s the M40 unit that featured for just three years from 1988, and which sadly/annoyingly uses a timing belt rather than a chain. While you’re asking the vendor about whether that belt’s ever been replaced, ask him the same question about the water pump.
There are those who will tell you that BMW manual gearboxes are great to use. Others will maintain that they are about as easy-going as someone who has just been horsewhipped, driven through a slurry pit and attacked by angry bears and ants. Again, Shed keeps his own counsel on the matter.
Having contacted the owner – a genuine BMW enthusiast who also owns a 318iS, a 2002, an E28 M5 and a few other bits and bobs – Shed judges him to be a sound sort of cove. His still-to-do list is quite short. It includes replacement of a dodgy thermostat and a squint at the rear suspension top mounts, from which there is apparently a little knocking. Any 20-year-old E30 still running its original suspension parts will obviously benefit from a re-bush at the very least.
The vendor reckons there’s no discernible rust, but BMW’s extensive use of plastic shrouds at this time created a breeding ground for the non-discernible type of rust, so it’s best to check all the metal bits. Starting from the top, that means the roof (and especially the sunroof, which this one looks to have), the front suspension turrets, front and rear arches (particularly the inners), front wings (ditto), bulkheads, sills, door bottoms, bootlid, and rear valance (everything below bumper level). Definitely have a gange at the cups on the front corners of the floorpan that many mechanics still fondly (but mistakenly) believe to be jacking points. The bloody fools.
Owner has previous with E30s, too
A whining fuel pump is, as the vendor implies, ‘normal’ on these cars, but that doesn’t mean it won’t eventually blow. A replacement from such as Euro Car Parts will cost between £135 and £235. The clutch and flywheel are potential weak points, though as with the fuel pump the vendor is aware and has carried out some remedial works in these areas.
If you go to view and the engine runs a bit lumpily, check the intake manifold hose for signs of perforation. Worn driveshaft bearings will generate a noticeable thumping vibration. Leaky steering racks are common and a PITA to fix.
Inside, clocks and especially odometers conk out. It’s easy to pick up a new set of odo gears, which of course is both a good and a bad thing. Door locks are almost bound to be sticky. Seatbelt clips are fragile.
Having said all that, Shed is a great believer in the ‘sixth sense’ feeling you get from a car, even from a few scabby online pics such as these, and he likes the vibe he’s getting off this one. It sits nicely, the mileage is low, it has just three previous owners and the paint looks decent. Even at a distance, Shed is inclined to agree with the vendor’s summation of there being plenty of life left in it. His missus’s loss could be your gain.
BMW 318i for sale. 1800 M40 engine. Very reliable and pretty good on fuel. I purchased this car for my wife but she cant get on with it. She finds the driving position too low after her Renault. It is in very good condition and no rott anywhere from what I can see. The sills and floor look great. It drives very well indeed. It has 118000 miles on the clock but this will increase because my wife is still using it.
It has some wear to the drivers seat. The car is in good condition for its age. I have several BMW's because I love them and I would like this one to go to a good home.
Come and have a look. i am open to sensible offers.
Mot until end of August.
I have just taxed it but this will be for sale at extra cost. I will come to a deal with the new owner.
It has some history and lots of old mot's. Recent new front disks, pads and calipers. New clutch slave cylinder, new fuel pump relay, Osram night breaker headlight bulbs, new NGK spark plugs, recent oil and filter change with Magnatec oil.
Fuel pump makes a whining noise but my 318is is exactly the same. Temperature doesnt go much above the blue so will probably need a new thermostat to correct this.
Very nice car for its age. Come and have a look, you will not be disappointed. Plenty of life left in it.