E36 318is Saloon (1998 S-reg)
Discussion
Bought this rare old BMW up a few weeks ago from a fellow PH'er.
Having sold my Porsche Cayenne back in June and a bit of car shuffling and other exits and additions within the family fleet, I was looking for something interesting to run around in.
I ended up purchasing this low mileage E36 318is saloon.
Logistics and a couple of transportation companies messing around meant it finally arrived 2 weeks later after 10:30pm. My neighbours must love me....
Next day a very brief test drive and quick once over I had a list of jobs needing doing. So far I have tackled the following to get the car on the road and useable for me:
- Coilovers on it were too low for local speed bumps / caster on front wheels was way out / NSF tyre rubbing against shock. rather than messing about with coilvers they were removed and fitted standard suspension, and wheel alignment done
- No heating /fans - Climate Control unit dead - googling shows this as a common problem, read the titorials and repaired module (new capacictor fitted)
- ABS error - Cleaned sensor etc & resolved
- O/S/R Elec Win not working - fitted new slider/clips
- O/S/F&R windows slow - lubed window rails, sliders & mechanicals
- Wheel Nuts missing - fitted new ones
- Sunroof stuck/broken/goosed - ordered a BMW OEM repair kit and fixed the motor and sunroof runners / gubbins, now fully operational
- Original supplying dealer number plates tatty - fitted new plates
- Paint scratched and dull all over - did a 3 stage machine polish
- Interior dusty / grubby - initial clean to make it presentable, and will give it a deeper clean later
- Fitted DAB radio
Colour is Fjordgrau Metallic (310) which is reportedly rare for a E36.
Mileage is low and verified with a VCheck report, but no documented service history.
Some pics when I got it and started working on it:
Enjoying smoking about in this old BMW. Engine comes alive after 3k and is nippy enough to be enoyable without license endangering speeds.
How it looks now after a bit work:
The plan now is to continue to titivate and improve the cosmetics and bodywork, plus any mechanicals needing attention. I will be visiting the bodywork guy and tame mechanic this week for inspection and get a list of any further work required etc.
Having sold my Porsche Cayenne back in June and a bit of car shuffling and other exits and additions within the family fleet, I was looking for something interesting to run around in.
I ended up purchasing this low mileage E36 318is saloon.
Logistics and a couple of transportation companies messing around meant it finally arrived 2 weeks later after 10:30pm. My neighbours must love me....
Next day a very brief test drive and quick once over I had a list of jobs needing doing. So far I have tackled the following to get the car on the road and useable for me:
- Coilovers on it were too low for local speed bumps / caster on front wheels was way out / NSF tyre rubbing against shock. rather than messing about with coilvers they were removed and fitted standard suspension, and wheel alignment done
- No heating /fans - Climate Control unit dead - googling shows this as a common problem, read the titorials and repaired module (new capacictor fitted)
- ABS error - Cleaned sensor etc & resolved
- O/S/R Elec Win not working - fitted new slider/clips
- O/S/F&R windows slow - lubed window rails, sliders & mechanicals
- Wheel Nuts missing - fitted new ones
- Sunroof stuck/broken/goosed - ordered a BMW OEM repair kit and fixed the motor and sunroof runners / gubbins, now fully operational
- Original supplying dealer number plates tatty - fitted new plates
- Paint scratched and dull all over - did a 3 stage machine polish
- Interior dusty / grubby - initial clean to make it presentable, and will give it a deeper clean later
- Fitted DAB radio
Colour is Fjordgrau Metallic (310) which is reportedly rare for a E36.
Mileage is low and verified with a VCheck report, but no documented service history.
Some pics when I got it and started working on it:
Enjoying smoking about in this old BMW. Engine comes alive after 3k and is nippy enough to be enoyable without license endangering speeds.
How it looks now after a bit work:
The plan now is to continue to titivate and improve the cosmetics and bodywork, plus any mechanicals needing attention. I will be visiting the bodywork guy and tame mechanic this week for inspection and get a list of any further work required etc.
I have fond memories of my 318is coupe. Had great fun on a trackday with it in torrential rain when a lot of people with more powerful cars were having a grim time trying to stay on the tarmac, but I was far too underpowered to be having such troubles!
Edited by -Lummox- on Monday 16th September 15:00
daniel-5zjw7 said:
Hows its doing in terms of jacking points/rear trailing arm pockets?
Underneath is solid. Rear jacking point was an advisory last mot, but looks superficial rather than rot. Planning on treating underside with lanoguard soon.Panamax said:
I can't remember whether the "S" is belt or chain. Either way, watch out for it at that age.
From my research its a chain driven engine.Scoobydrew95 said:
M44? - Gods engine! Should get the ECU over to Enda, or drive to him if you're nearby.
yes M44. Sorry - Who's Enda? is there benefit in getting the ECU mapped/fettled?Yes, chain drive too.
Enda can be found on facebook, he's a lovely chap in Birmingham who strangely has Goldies old 8 series. Anyway he 'maps' the ecus. Also can do health checks on the engine which is useful. Can do a few bits as well as raising the rev limiter which these engines absolutely deserve.
If you want to go really far with these engines speak to BDS motorsport. My plan with my 318ti was to get to a comfortable 200bhp N/a but alas rust, and losing storage killed that dream. RIP S181GAN.
Enda can be found on facebook, he's a lovely chap in Birmingham who strangely has Goldies old 8 series. Anyway he 'maps' the ecus. Also can do health checks on the engine which is useful. Can do a few bits as well as raising the rev limiter which these engines absolutely deserve.
If you want to go really far with these engines speak to BDS motorsport. My plan with my 318ti was to get to a comfortable 200bhp N/a but alas rust, and losing storage killed that dream. RIP S181GAN.
Scoobydrew95 said:
Yes, chain drive too.
Enda can be found on facebook, he's a lovely chap in Birmingham who strangely has Goldies old 8 series. Anyway he 'maps' the ecus. Also can do health checks on the engine which is useful. Can do a few bits as well as raising the rev limiter which these engines absolutely deserve.
If you want to go really far with these engines speak to BDS motorsport. My plan with my 318ti was to get to a comfortable 200bhp N/a but alas rust, and losing storage killed that dream. RIP S181GAN.
Thanks - I've found him/EndTuning. Not sure I'll be doing any tuning but good to know its an option.Enda can be found on facebook, he's a lovely chap in Birmingham who strangely has Goldies old 8 series. Anyway he 'maps' the ecus. Also can do health checks on the engine which is useful. Can do a few bits as well as raising the rev limiter which these engines absolutely deserve.
If you want to go really far with these engines speak to BDS motorsport. My plan with my 318ti was to get to a comfortable 200bhp N/a but alas rust, and losing storage killed that dream. RIP S181GAN.
The M44 318iS saloons in RHD were South African built. The 'official' ones had the M Technic bumpers and were mainly Avus blue. The grey/black ones like yours with SE bumpers were imported by some dealers and iirc, some got into bother over it. They were sold here to fill a gap before the first E46's arrived and they never appeared on an official UK price list or brochure. Fjord grey was an 5/7 Series colour and not used on German built E36 saloons.
M44's are fine as they are. I've had them remapped and it doesn't make that much difference. The standard rev limit is fine on a 25 year old engine.
South African cars were well known for rotting and many were in a grim state at 10 years old so yours has done well. They're an excellent car as well worth preserving.
M44's are fine as they are. I've had them remapped and it doesn't make that much difference. The standard rev limit is fine on a 25 year old engine.
South African cars were well known for rotting and many were in a grim state at 10 years old so yours has done well. They're an excellent car as well worth preserving.
More work done of the last couple of days - addressing the dented & scabby front nose/grill panel.
scabby grills and panel:
Panel removed and ready for a quick clean before fitting the new panel & grills.
New panel fitted
Lights polished and refitted, all back together - looking much better now.
scabby grills and panel:
Panel removed and ready for a quick clean before fitting the new panel & grills.
New panel fitted
Lights polished and refitted, all back together - looking much better now.
Edited by Mabozza on Wednesday 18th September 09:41
I had a nice silver 318iS Coupe that I did several track days in and drove to Monaco as well.
It had been lowered (-50mm)on Schnizer springs, and had the wrong E39 staggered 17" wheels on. It was too low for daily use really, but was good on track. That M44 engine is great, and has almost a 'V-tec" character at the top end of the rev range. Mine also had the optional rear boot lid spoiler....( I do not like spoilers at all...!) so I exchanged that for a standard boot lid.
I had difficulty selling mine ....that was a few years ago....so maybe it is worth a bit more than the £600 i sold it for then...!!
It had been lowered (-50mm)on Schnizer springs, and had the wrong E39 staggered 17" wheels on. It was too low for daily use really, but was good on track. That M44 engine is great, and has almost a 'V-tec" character at the top end of the rev range. Mine also had the optional rear boot lid spoiler....( I do not like spoilers at all...!) so I exchanged that for a standard boot lid.
I had difficulty selling mine ....that was a few years ago....so maybe it is worth a bit more than the £600 i sold it for then...!!
Paul S4 said:
I had difficulty selling mine ....that was a few years ago....so maybe it is worth a bit more than the £600 i sold it for then...!!
lovely looking coupe. if you still had it you could easily add another "0" to that price. e36's were definitely unloved for a while. some of the current asking prices amaze me for cars with 150K or more miles - £6k or more! no doubt they are well sorted, but strong money compared to a few years ago. I guess the e36 pool is diminishing as the years go on, pushing up the values.Some updated pics after a good wash, clean and polish, in the nice weather a week or so ago.
Had the suspension and underside inspected, so next up is a couple of balljoints and topmounts needing replaced, not urgenty required, but will be done next week.
Underside was declared very un-e36 like and very solid! Its in the process if a scrub/clean up and some fresh underseal applied before winter to keep it solid!
loving the analogue experience of this old motor
Had the suspension and underside inspected, so next up is a couple of balljoints and topmounts needing replaced, not urgenty required, but will be done next week.
Underside was declared very un-e36 like and very solid! Its in the process if a scrub/clean up and some fresh underseal applied before winter to keep it solid!
loving the analogue experience of this old motor
Its been a few months, so a brief update on the 318iS
Lots of small jobs done over the last couple of months, including the following and probably forgetting loads…..
• loads of small jobs, eg - Clock bulb replaced
• ball joints & alignment
• Underside protected (after inspection confirmed as solid and no previous welding)
• PAS fluids changed
• Cleaned heater matrix and bulkhead of leaves and crap!
• Engine Service yesterday
◦ Oil
◦ Oil Filter
◦ Air Filter
◦ Spark Plugs
◦ New Sump Plug & washer
And loads more constant tinkering!
Service was straight forward other than the removing of the oil filter cap. Correct tool borrowed and off in no time at all.
Booked in for its MOT next week and maybe a car meet early Jan.
Some pics:
underneath now -
Engine Service shenanigans -
Bugger wouldnt shift....
off in now time with the right tool and anew Bosch filter and seals on in no time
Service done and running sweet
Lots of small jobs done over the last couple of months, including the following and probably forgetting loads…..
• loads of small jobs, eg - Clock bulb replaced
• ball joints & alignment
• Underside protected (after inspection confirmed as solid and no previous welding)
• PAS fluids changed
• Cleaned heater matrix and bulkhead of leaves and crap!
• Engine Service yesterday
◦ Oil
◦ Oil Filter
◦ Air Filter
◦ Spark Plugs
◦ New Sump Plug & washer
And loads more constant tinkering!
Service was straight forward other than the removing of the oil filter cap. Correct tool borrowed and off in no time at all.
Booked in for its MOT next week and maybe a car meet early Jan.
Some pics:
underneath now -
Engine Service shenanigans -
Bugger wouldnt shift....
off in now time with the right tool and anew Bosch filter and seals on in no time
Service done and running sweet
Car is coming along great. I really like the E36 (when you can find a nice one). I was after a nice E30 318is earlier this year until I saw what was being asked for them! A friends younger brother had a mint one many years ago and sold it for less than £2k! Again, them seem to have an extra zero on the end now.
So glad the E36 went to you. I kinda knew after we spoke on the phone that you were the right chap to take it on but this thread confirms it. It looks just lovely in those final photos. I can only apologise for not staying in touch.
I hope that I am able to get the E30 and head north next year, health permitting. I want to do the NC500 and visit Knockhll and dropping by to say hello and grab a coffee would be great. Mind you, I'm typing this one finger from a hospital bed, so one step at a time!
My old 325i was great fun once I'd stopped obsessively adding lightness would consistently lap Brands Indy in under a minute. I thought that was pretty good going. If it rained though, I was awful.
The s50 powered 320is always had way more to give than I had skills to accept. In the back of my head I just had to remind myself I needed to drive home! It used to sound great through Paddock Hill though and I really love this photo.
Mark
I hope that I am able to get the E30 and head north next year, health permitting. I want to do the NC500 and visit Knockhll and dropping by to say hello and grab a coffee would be great. Mind you, I'm typing this one finger from a hospital bed, so one step at a time!
My old 325i was great fun once I'd stopped obsessively adding lightness would consistently lap Brands Indy in under a minute. I thought that was pretty good going. If it rained though, I was awful.
The s50 powered 320is always had way more to give than I had skills to accept. In the back of my head I just had to remind myself I needed to drive home! It used to sound great through Paddock Hill though and I really love this photo. Mark
Edited by Mark-insert old BMW on Monday 30th December 22:29
Some minor interior improvements and frozen fingers - replaced the tired gear knob, tired worn and torn gear gaitor and tired handbrake gaitor. Not massive changes, but an improvement in my opinion. Pictures taken in the dark dont really do it justice.
Before:
A well worn knob (fnarr fnarr) -
Handbrake gaitor -
After:
Lovely new knob & gaitor -
The flash makes the knob look grey-ish, but it is black!
New hanbrake gaitor and handle -
Also have new bonnet and boot badges to replace the tired 26 year old originals - will do that when its not quite so baltic outside. I have already replaced the scabby wheel center caps so will get some pics up soon. Its these small changes that make a huge difference IMHO.
Before:
A well worn knob (fnarr fnarr) -
Handbrake gaitor -
After:
Lovely new knob & gaitor -
The flash makes the knob look grey-ish, but it is black!
New hanbrake gaitor and handle -
Also have new bonnet and boot badges to replace the tired 26 year old originals - will do that when its not quite so baltic outside. I have already replaced the scabby wheel center caps so will get some pics up soon. Its these small changes that make a huge difference IMHO.
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