Slick Top 318ti

[hagrde36]

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

After selling my 89 M20 E34, I found a 95 318ti about 2 hours away and decided to go pick it up.
For starters, I tend to buy e36's that need a far amount of work, "restore" them in a sense, drive them for a few months and then sell. That's my exact plan with this ti.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

1995 BMW 318ti - slick top (non sunroof) - 5 speed manual - 239k miles.
While drivable, the car needed more work than I had initially expected.

failed ignition switch
rear brakes completely shot
belt squeal
doesn't warm up to temperature all the way
drivers door panel was off and seen better days
drivers seat is "twisted" much like an e34 seat gets
drivers outer door handle broken
broken hood release cable
broken tail light
rear end clunk
front struts blown
oil leak (assuming the OFH gasket to be the culprit)
split intake boot

Cosmetically it has misc. dents and dings as to be expected from a 25+ year old car.
Aside from the aforementioned interior items, the only other interior flaw is a sagging headliner.
The chassis is practically rust free. The only rust I've found is surface rust on the rear wheel arches.

I brought the car home, swapped a set of 15" e36 style 32's on for temporary use and to remove the 15" ARE 398's to sell - and installed a push button start setup to remedy the failed ignition switch. Fortunately, the key is still required due EWS.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

From there, I started driving it back and forth to work, which is when I noticed most of the cars flaws mentioned above. I've spent the last few weeks sourcing and ordering parts to get it up to par.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

I plan to get most maintenance items taken care of along with brakes and installing EMUSA coil overs I have from another e36 paired with a set 17x8 et30 Rial wheels.
The interior will be cleaned up, headliner redone and the seat and door panel repaired.
The bumper lowers will be painted black and a set of e36 non m side skirts will be installed.

[Fruttolo]

Waiting for pix xD

[hagrde36]

Removed the stickers from the rear window and swapped the front bumper trim.
Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

I got all the parts gathered to throw this thing together. I'll also be replacing the dented nose panel.
Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Wheels: 17x8 et30 Rial Salerno's w/ 205/40R17's
Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

EMUSA Coilovers. I bought these new in box, second hand from a guy a few years ago and have had them on a 325i but figured the ti would benefit from them more.
Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

I had a rough set of damaged Depos and a single OK DJ Auto head light. I tore them all down and made a decent pair with mixed parts.
Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

That's it for now. I plan to swap the suspension and wheels along with installing the new brakes in the upcoming days.

[Benwalsh91]

look forward to seeing this progress man, keep up the good work.
love the e34 too!!

[hagrde36]

look forward to seeing this progress man, keep up the good work.
love the e34 too!!

Thanks! The e34 was a great daily driver, but was under powered as it was an automatic m20 car.

[hinrichs]

Ill have to keep my eye out for this one

[hagrde36]

Progress!

Popped the drivers corner light out to access the hood release cable since its broken. Give it a tug and the hood opens right up!

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

This is the first time I've had the hood open since purchasing the car. Coolant was a bit low and the OFH is leaking as suspected.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Installed the coils and new front brake pads. Sprayed the caliper/hub black to clean things up a bit. I also found the front sway bar links to be bad on both sides of the car.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Wiped down the engine bay after the fronts were done.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Then it was onto the rears. I only installed springs/adjusters in the rear, however the rear shocks are blown which I believe is causing the "clunk" in the rear.
The shocks will get replaced when I do the rear brakes as I ran out of time last night.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

Buttoned everything back up, put the Rial's on and went for a quick drive. Once the sway bar end links and rear shocks are replaced, the ride shouldn't be terrible.
Height needs adjusted as the front is too low and the rear is too high. These coils pretty much put the frame rails on the ground. A did a little adjusting in the front, but it definitely needs to come up more.

Unfortunately, it was about 1am when I finished up so there aren't any "finished product" pictures..

[LukasKiznis]

Jeep compact

[hagrde36]

Managed to grab a picture before I left work and before it got dark.
The rear needs to be lower and the front needs to be raised for sure.

Untitled by Dylan Draper, on Flickr

[MiniMike21]

Looks good! Excited for this build. Love the 318ti look ����