Discussion
The chain doesn't need changing unless it gets very noisey. Even then it's probably just the tensioner. A fairly cheap repair. Listen out for a rattly sound at 2800-3000rpm. That said mine's been noisey since I had it. Done 25 thousand miles and now up to 152k and its fine :touchwood: They seem to like being thrashed (you have to to go quickly in an iS).
Get over to e30zone. Plenty of knowledge over there once you work out who knows what they're talking about. Just be prepared for any iS thread to turn into a 4 pot vs 6 pot debate.
This is also a handy resource http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
Get over to e30zone. Plenty of knowledge over there once you work out who knows what they're talking about. Just be prepared for any iS thread to turn into a 4 pot vs 6 pot debate.
This is also a handy resource http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
RodentRacing said:
The chain doesn't need changing unless it gets very noisey. Even then it's probably just the tensioner. A fairly cheap repair. Listen out for a rattly sound at 2800-3000rpm. That said mine's been noisey since I had it. Done 25 thousand miles and now up to 152k and its fine :touchwood: They seem to like being thrashed (you have to to go quickly in an iS).
Get over to e30zone. Plenty of knowledge over there once you work out who knows what they're talking about. Just be prepared for any iS thread to turn into a 4 pot vs 6 pot debate.
This is also a handy resource http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
thanks yes have been to both sites just knew I would get quick answer on here! Had an E30 M3 for 4 years and have missed it since I sold it but cannot afford another at present so thought this might partially fill E30 hole, love all E30sGet over to e30zone. Plenty of knowledge over there once you work out who knows what they're talking about. Just be prepared for any iS thread to turn into a 4 pot vs 6 pot debate.
This is also a handy resource http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
...yes there is no substitute for the 325 but I have always prefered the handling of the smaller engines E30s...
that sort of thing?
RodentRacing said:
I believe so 
At 73k yours is barely run in
What condition is the rest of it in and any tasty options?
bit of a find actually and unintentional, colleague emigrated and needed to sell quick, 2 owners from new, I think he bought it at approx 3 years old! Totally original, I would not say it is show car condition but not far off. At 73k yours is barely run in
What condition is the rest of it in and any tasty options?Even has the little things; still sealed first aid kit, torch etc, oh and to top it off it's white!!!
Should be with me this week, I am getting quite excited, feel naked without some sort of older/classicy BMW in garage
eta no tasty options that I can think of except leccy windows! Pretty basic I think, does not even have fog lights, does have manual sunroof...I am happy with that sort of suits the car IMO
Edited by chippy17 on Tuesday 1st July 12:17
chippy17 said:
thanks yes have been to both sites just knew I would get quick answer on here! Had an E30 M3 for 4 years and have missed it since I sold it but cannot afford another at present so thought this might partially fill E30 hole, love all E30s
...yes there is no substitute for the 325 but I have always prefered the handling of the smaller engines E30s...
that sort of thing?
Not driven an M3 but I doubt the iS will come close sorry. They are great little things though. Don't plan to sell mine....yes there is no substitute for the 325 but I have always prefered the handling of the smaller engines E30s...
that sort of thing?
And yes thats the sort of debate: 325s are understeery with the boat anchor up front; 318s are slow and sound rubbish, ad infinitum.
RodentRacing said:
chippy17 said:
thanks yes have been to both sites just knew I would get quick answer on here! Had an E30 M3 for 4 years and have missed it since I sold it but cannot afford another at present so thought this might partially fill E30 hole, love all E30s
...yes there is no substitute for the 325 but I have always prefered the handling of the smaller engines E30s...
that sort of thing?
Not driven an M3 but I doubt the iS will come close sorry. They are great little things though. Don't plan to sell mine....yes there is no substitute for the 325 but I have always prefered the handling of the smaller engines E30s...
that sort of thing?
And yes thats the sort of debate: 325s are understeery with the boat anchor up front; 318s are slow and sound rubbish, ad infinitum.
chippy17 said:
bit of a find actually and unintentional, colleague emigrated and needed to sell quick, 2 owners from new, I think he bought it at approx 3 years old! Totally original, I would not say it is show car condition but not far off.
Even has the little things; still sealed first aid kit, torch etc, oh and to top it off it's white!!!
Should be with me this week, I am getting quite excited, feel naked without some sort of older/classicy BMW in garage
eta no tasty options that I can think of except leccy windows! Pretty basic I think, does not even have fog lights, does have manual sunroof...I am happy with that sort of suits the car IMO
White is good too. Doesn't fade to pink like a red one 
chippy17 said:
but I think I will enjoy driving it nevertheless just fancy something that you do not have to be doing a gazillion miles an hour in to gain driving satisfaction, I am hoping like the M3 this will provide some...
The iS will definately do the job. It handles fabulously. I find it rewards being smooth in the quick stuff and a bit more aggressive in lower speed bends. The engine doesn't have that much but is eggs you on and you'll end up revving and revving it. As with any e30 the pedals are ideally positioned, heel toe comes naturally. The brake pedal is a bit soft because of the master cylinder being on the other side of the car (connected with a long bar). Other downsides are the less than feelsome steering and slightly long throwed gearchange. (Both correctable with later parts though). The brakes are good for an 18 year old car. What size wheels does yours have? I started on 14s but moved up to 15s and it made quite a difference. RodentRacing said:
chippy17 said:
but I think I will enjoy driving it nevertheless just fancy something that you do not have to be doing a gazillion miles an hour in to gain driving satisfaction, I am hoping like the M3 this will provide some...
The iS will definately do the job. It handles fabulously. I find it rewards being smooth in the quick stuff and a bit more aggressive in lower speed bends. The engine doesn't have that much but is eggs you on and you'll end up revving and revving it. As with any e30 the pedals are ideally positioned, heel toe comes naturally. The brake pedal is a bit soft because of the master cylinder being on the other side of the car (connected with a long bar). Other downsides are the less than feelsome steering and slightly long throwed gearchange. (Both correctable with later parts though). The brakes are good for an 18 year old car. What size wheels does yours have? I started on 14s but moved up to 15s and it made quite a difference. Stop now, I am getting the urge to tinker!!! Must resist, must leave standard!
But if I were to tinker, how do you make the steering and gear change better?! Anything you can do to the brakes or are they fine as they are?!
chippy17 said:
Stop now, I am getting the urge to tinker!!! Must resist, must leave standard!
But if I were to tinker, how do you make the steering and gear change better?! Anything you can do to the brakes or are they fine as they are?!
But if I were to tinker, how do you make the steering and gear change better?! Anything you can do to the brakes or are they fine as they are?!
That's what I said when I got mine. Steering can be improved but fitting a rack from an E36. (I think Z3 ones work too and I've heard of someone using an E46 one) You need to modify things a bit. All explained in this handy guide. http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=tech&p...Gear change benefits from Z3 parts. http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=tech&p...
Brake wise you really can spend as much as you want. Search the zone forums and you'll find loads of people that have uprated theirs. You'd probably need to go up to 16s or 17s though. My brakes are new but still standard apart from Pagid pads. It does pull up pretty well it's just the soft pedal (at the top of its range anyway) doesn't inspire confidence. Not much you can do about this short of relocating the master cylinder. They will fade if you drive it hard but it takes some effort. If I get a clear run up and down the Cat and Fiddle they'll sometimes start to lose a bit very near the end.
RodentRacing said:
chippy17 said:
Stop now, I am getting the urge to tinker!!! Must resist, must leave standard!
But if I were to tinker, how do you make the steering and gear change better?! Anything you can do to the brakes or are they fine as they are?!
But if I were to tinker, how do you make the steering and gear change better?! Anything you can do to the brakes or are they fine as they are?!
That's what I said when I got mine. Steering can be improved but fitting a rack from an E36. (I think Z3 ones work too and I've heard of someone using an E46 one) You need to modify things a bit. All explained in this handy guide. http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=tech&p...Gear change benefits from Z3 parts. http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=tech&p...
Brake wise you really can spend as much as you want. Search the zone forums and you'll find loads of people that have uprated theirs. You'd probably need to go up to 16s or 17s though. My brakes are new but still standard apart from Pagid pads. It does pull up pretty well it's just the soft pedal (at the top of its range anyway) doesn't inspire confidence. Not much you can do about this short of relocating the master cylinder. They will fade if you drive it hard but it takes some effort. If I get a clear run up and down the Cat and Fiddle they'll sometimes start to lose a bit very near the end.
RodentRacing said:
Not got braided hoses yet. They're on the to do list but quite far down it .
well my new toy has arrived, woohoo! All the way from Spain on a tansporter so it is a tad dirty! But still lovely and original. I am going to take some before and after cleaning pictures, I will post them when done, for anyone who is interested. only bummer is they have ripped the front lip spoiler off at some point and as I was not here when it arrived no one noticed!!!! Annoyed and of course they are denying it!!
You got it brought all the way from Spain!? Bloody hell. I actually met another bloke who bought a Spanish one. Bumped into him at the last service station before France. He was on his way home to Bulgaria. Car was a bit ropey and had a surfboard wing on the back. Just about visible in this pic
We were in the V6 75
We were in the V6 75
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