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TL;DR
Black car was old E30 and Red is current. Lowered on BWS, 16x8 et0 xxr ccw knockoffs.
This is a somewhat boring rant of somebody who has too much time on their hands at work and has an unrestricted workstation. I've been lurking S|W for awhile and figured I'd finally post something about my car. Though it's far from looking the way i want it i thought I'd share my experience. I barely have funds for my E30 and it is my only car right now. Hence the slow progress, knockoff wheels, and shitty paint job and dents left by the previous owner who was an "enthusiast".
But first, let me show you guys and gals (if any) what first got me into what i learned was called an E30. Growing up, I've always liked BMW's design. So when i spotted this for sale, not knowing anything about cars or even what the 318is badge meant, i bought this completely stock, one owner 318is slicktop.
It was a blast to drive despite it's certain blemishes and quirks. The seats were cloth sports seats were raggedy, the m42 was like a cross between a diesel and sewing machine when i was posted at the stop light. My suspension had seen better days but despite the squeaking bits, and body roll, i loved the car. The rev happy 4 cylinder complimented the light chassis and anybody who drove the car was impressed with the handling of a 20 year old car.
After several a month of owning it, doing minor maintenance work and daily driving it, i felt i was one with my E30. Driving through back roads, hitting every apex i can find, and finding a reason to even just drive my car. I was overconfident. I was complacent. There was an on ramp which rated at 35 mph and seeing that i had it all to myself and my ego. I blasted through the on ramp at almost twice the posted speed limit. I felt the car slip several times and corrected it or so i thought until i was defeated by the on ramp's ten foot barrier. My rear subframe shifted several inches out of the driver side that my rear left wheel was poking out. #MadPokeNoStretch
A month went by, i was still mad at myself and my stupidity. I should have taken gravel scattered on the on ramp into account, but nonetheless it was my stupidity. I searched far and wide for another E30. I really wanted another 318is because of how much i liked the peppy engine and the light chassis combination and the *cough cough* great gas mileage *cough cough*. Bingo. I found one somewhere in California. I drove there with my dad to pick it up. We felt as if the seller was going to flake but I insisted that we should wait. Eventually the seller showed up, did a quick drive of the car around the neighbourhood and did a quick once over. Haggled a bit and drove the car home. It felt right at home with my Dad's E24 project.
Then the nightmare began. I realized I bought a ticking time bomb. I've been left stranded at different places with the car refusing to start. I had to grab some manuals and seek the advice of the the Google machine. Found out I've been driving with a cracked head for one and a fuel pressure regulator was on it's way out. Good thing i found a donor m42 from new york. Head was machined and came with low mileage everything.
Who would have thought that flipping the shifter would turn it into a short throw?! Thanks PO!
That's just a taste of what i've had to deal with and probably would've been better off if i was patient enough to look for a different base to start with. I've had this car for three years and pretty much learned about mechanical and some electrical work because of my not wanting to take it to the shop. Though there were times that i had to when i couldn't figure out stuff like a no start issue that was caused by an incomplete circuit in a prehistoric aftermarket immobilizer that the PO had wired deep into the harness that i didn't figure out. Electrical work is my weakness after all. I'm barely learning about cars and also now having a better job as compared to before.
Like most old cars, my suspension was about to go. Blown struts and rusted springs which was a surprise to me since i got this from the West Coast. I ended up getting jom coilover sleeves that had struts included. At the time, this set was cheaper than buying oem. Like most would say, do it right the first time. I didn't care. I'm a car noob with one car. I rode on Joms for awhile, no adjuster in the rear as far down i could go on stock spring perches up front.
Ride height when i first got the car
After the Joms install
Bought some XXRs wrapped in rubber bandz because i heard it makes females dance. After awhile, i blew the struts that came with the joms and broke several lower pans and an upper pan along the way. For reference here's what the m42 lower pan looks like. Rebound on blown struts and an oil pan hanging lower than your subframe? Not a good time.
I said fuck it. I'm gonna blow my tax refund on something useful this time around instead of booze. I ended up ordering a set of Broadway Static coilovers from Jaze aka Jesus Christ. I was ecstatic when i finally got them. Despite the spring rates that i thought were insane, the car handles amazingly comfortable. Though i did run over/dragged a rock between the road and my pan and it ended up grounding a hole through the lower pan.
By now most of you who've read through this whole mess of words realize how i cannot emphasize any more so than i have when i said my lower pan is lower than my subframe. I plan on eventually swapping my motor out for something else since dry sumping, as convenient as it might be, is quite expensive for me since I don't weld nor have the equipment to do so. So for now, paint, bodywork, 5lug, and refinishing wheels i have sitting at home will have to wait. A swap is first on my list and a new fuel tank while i'm at it. Queuing shitty iPhone/ instagram flicks..
My name's JD and that was a pretty whiny story about my E30, Effy.
/rant
/intro
/work lol
update:
I think my upper timing case is leaking. idk. haven't really found anything yet.
Replaced lower pan from ecstuning. My e30 still has an m42.
I just noticed how all of my oil pans are smashed at the same spot and upon further inspection.. the passenger side mounting ear for the motor mount arm is tweaked.
Every time i jack up the motor then lower it on the motor mount.. the motor shifts to one side. so fucked. Also..found more timing chain guide bits from the previous lower pan. An engine swap is so imminent but I still haven't decided what motor to go with. I've even tossed up the idea of rebuilding the m42 and.... raising the car back to oem suspension to serve as my daily while going all out on my e28.. that's still sitting at a friend's place.
Black car was old E30 and Red is current. Lowered on BWS, 16x8 et0 xxr ccw knockoffs.
This is a somewhat boring rant of somebody who has too much time on their hands at work and has an unrestricted workstation. I've been lurking S|W for awhile and figured I'd finally post something about my car. Though it's far from looking the way i want it i thought I'd share my experience. I barely have funds for my E30 and it is my only car right now. Hence the slow progress, knockoff wheels, and shitty paint job and dents left by the previous owner who was an "enthusiast".
But first, let me show you guys and gals (if any) what first got me into what i learned was called an E30. Growing up, I've always liked BMW's design. So when i spotted this for sale, not knowing anything about cars or even what the 318is badge meant, i bought this completely stock, one owner 318is slicktop.
It was a blast to drive despite it's certain blemishes and quirks. The seats were cloth sports seats were raggedy, the m42 was like a cross between a diesel and sewing machine when i was posted at the stop light. My suspension had seen better days but despite the squeaking bits, and body roll, i loved the car. The rev happy 4 cylinder complimented the light chassis and anybody who drove the car was impressed with the handling of a 20 year old car.
After several a month of owning it, doing minor maintenance work and daily driving it, i felt i was one with my E30. Driving through back roads, hitting every apex i can find, and finding a reason to even just drive my car. I was overconfident. I was complacent. There was an on ramp which rated at 35 mph and seeing that i had it all to myself and my ego. I blasted through the on ramp at almost twice the posted speed limit. I felt the car slip several times and corrected it or so i thought until i was defeated by the on ramp's ten foot barrier. My rear subframe shifted several inches out of the driver side that my rear left wheel was poking out. #MadPokeNoStretch
A month went by, i was still mad at myself and my stupidity. I should have taken gravel scattered on the on ramp into account, but nonetheless it was my stupidity. I searched far and wide for another E30. I really wanted another 318is because of how much i liked the peppy engine and the light chassis combination and the *cough cough* great gas mileage *cough cough*. Bingo. I found one somewhere in California. I drove there with my dad to pick it up. We felt as if the seller was going to flake but I insisted that we should wait. Eventually the seller showed up, did a quick drive of the car around the neighbourhood and did a quick once over. Haggled a bit and drove the car home. It felt right at home with my Dad's E24 project.
Then the nightmare began. I realized I bought a ticking time bomb. I've been left stranded at different places with the car refusing to start. I had to grab some manuals and seek the advice of the the Google machine. Found out I've been driving with a cracked head for one and a fuel pressure regulator was on it's way out. Good thing i found a donor m42 from new york. Head was machined and came with low mileage everything.
Who would have thought that flipping the shifter would turn it into a short throw?! Thanks PO!
That's just a taste of what i've had to deal with and probably would've been better off if i was patient enough to look for a different base to start with. I've had this car for three years and pretty much learned about mechanical and some electrical work because of my not wanting to take it to the shop. Though there were times that i had to when i couldn't figure out stuff like a no start issue that was caused by an incomplete circuit in a prehistoric aftermarket immobilizer that the PO had wired deep into the harness that i didn't figure out. Electrical work is my weakness after all. I'm barely learning about cars and also now having a better job as compared to before.
Like most old cars, my suspension was about to go. Blown struts and rusted springs which was a surprise to me since i got this from the West Coast. I ended up getting jom coilover sleeves that had struts included. At the time, this set was cheaper than buying oem. Like most would say, do it right the first time. I didn't care. I'm a car noob with one car. I rode on Joms for awhile, no adjuster in the rear as far down i could go on stock spring perches up front.
Ride height when i first got the car
After the Joms install
Bought some XXRs wrapped in rubber bandz because i heard it makes females dance. After awhile, i blew the struts that came with the joms and broke several lower pans and an upper pan along the way. For reference here's what the m42 lower pan looks like. Rebound on blown struts and an oil pan hanging lower than your subframe? Not a good time.
I said fuck it. I'm gonna blow my tax refund on something useful this time around instead of booze. I ended up ordering a set of Broadway Static coilovers from Jaze aka Jesus Christ. I was ecstatic when i finally got them. Despite the spring rates that i thought were insane, the car handles amazingly comfortable. Though i did run over/dragged a rock between the road and my pan and it ended up grounding a hole through the lower pan.
By now most of you who've read through this whole mess of words realize how i cannot emphasize any more so than i have when i said my lower pan is lower than my subframe. I plan on eventually swapping my motor out for something else since dry sumping, as convenient as it might be, is quite expensive for me since I don't weld nor have the equipment to do so. So for now, paint, bodywork, 5lug, and refinishing wheels i have sitting at home will have to wait. A swap is first on my list and a new fuel tank while i'm at it. Queuing shitty iPhone/ instagram flicks..
My name's JD and that was a pretty whiny story about my E30, Effy.
/rant
/intro
/work lol
update:
I think my upper timing case is leaking. idk. haven't really found anything yet.
Replaced lower pan from ecstuning. My e30 still has an m42.
I just noticed how all of my oil pans are smashed at the same spot and upon further inspection.. the passenger side mounting ear for the motor mount arm is tweaked.
Every time i jack up the motor then lower it on the motor mount.. the motor shifts to one side. so fucked. Also..found more timing chain guide bits from the previous lower pan. An engine swap is so imminent but I still haven't decided what motor to go with. I've even tossed up the idea of rebuilding the m42 and.... raising the car back to oem suspension to serve as my daily while going all out on my e28.. that's still sitting at a friend's place.
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