SOLD: 1991 318is Coupe, 5-speed, 4.10 LSD, slick top, and more for project car or parts

[Boris3]

BMW 1991 318is coupe slick top (for project car/parts)
VIN: WBAAF931XMEE68385

Selling my 1991 318is coupe, BrIllantrot, rare slick top, 5-speed, m42, 4.10 LSD, Red46 skid plate, Stromung catback, sport seats, and more. The front subframe cracked recently on the passenger-side and the motor mount is now resting on steering arm. Radiator fan now rubs on bottom of fan shroud. Needs a new front subframe to be safe to drive beyond driving the car onto a trailer. Body rust and other issues mean it is time for me to move on and put funds into other projects. Best for parts or could be a good repair project for someone with welding skills. Selling the car ‘as is’ for $2,500 obo. 

I’ve owned the car since 2012 as a four-season occasional daily, parked outside in driveway. I am the seventh owner. Car has lived entire life in IL and WI. Estimated mileage at 275k.  The odometer stopped working at approximately 235k and new odo gears didn’t fix it (2015).  Regular oil changes with Castrol GTX 10-40 and Mahle filter kits; radiator fluid changes with BMW coolant (last in July 2023).  

Rust issues include rusted through areas on front floorboards (drivers side repaired but rough), front pinch welds, rear trunk wells (battery side well repaired poorly), frame rails (passenger-side rail repaired with welded sleeve in 2020), and transmission bracket support slots. Additional rust on doors (drivers-side door replaced, Zinnoberrot clear coat peeling), bottom of trunk lid, front valance (repaired poorly), hood is good rust wise but needs a strip and repaint, some rust spots on rear quarter (bubbling near wheel well on driver's side and more extensive on lower rear passenger side). Overall paint is faded except for driver’s fender replaced by PO after minor accident (2007). Front plastic bumper cover is cracked and valance bent due to a low-speed on-ramp spin incident (October 2023) that I expect also weakened the subframe (cracked as noted above, December 24, 2023).   

Engine bay: Original M42 engine runs and pulls well but has some timing chain noise.  Chain, gears, guides, tensioner, water pump replaced (2014; two rear valve cover bolts are loose). Other maintenance includes: Bosch alternator, ground strap and belt (2021); air filter (2021); purge valve (2021); plastic coolant pipe on engine (2018), OFH gasket and oil pressure sensor (2018);  mess under the intake mod (2018), fuel line hoses to fuel rail (2018, 2022); heater core and pipes replaced (2016), radiator and fan clutch (2016) and hoses (2014), engine mounts (2014), intake boot and hoses (2014); plugs, plug wires, loom (2014), lower oil pan (2013), Red46 Sump Armor Skid Plate (2013). All AC components removed and PS pump and lines removed and rack plugged (2013).                                              . 

Transmission/driveline: original G240 transmission, I also have a used spare 240 included (unknown condition); guibo and center support bearing replaced (2016); transmission mounts (2014); small case 4.10 LSD installed (2018), diff whines and exterior is rusty; passenger side axle outside boot is torn. Driver’s axle replaced by PO #6 (2010); clutch and driveshaft replaced by PO #5 (2008-09)

Exhaust:  Stromung catback (2017); used OE downpipe cat assembly (2016), heat shield rusted out, possible pipe/cat leaking, I have a used spare downpipe cat assembly which will be included; exhaust hardware (hangers [driver’s 2023, passenger 2016), manifold to down pipe bolts 3 of 4, new nuts, gasket; catback springs, bolts and nuts (2016); O2 sensor (2014).

Suspension:  Bimmerworld rear shock mounts (2016); Lemfoerder control arms and M3 CABs; front sway bar bushings, brackets, endlinks (2015); Bilstein Sports front and rear (2014); used H&R OE Cabrio Sports Springs (2014); OE subframe bushings (2014)   

Brakes: stock calipers, Textar pads (2022), Zimmerman rotors (2022); driver’s front caliper carrier bracket (2022); replaced main hard brake line to rear and hard line from ABS pump to bias valve with NiCopp (2023); rear T-junction replaced (zip-tied to old), rear trailing arm hard lines, rear inner soft lines, rear passenger outer brake line replaced (2018, DIY w/o dropping subframe, NiCopp); parking brake nonfunctional /parts removed (2013).  Stainless steel brake lines on the car installed by PO (2005-06). Brake pad wear light remains on (sensors removed and wires connected, so short somewhere). 

Other: Ellipsoids with Stern Lighting HIR2 9012 low beam bulbs (2023); Interstate battery (2019); wiper blades (2019); headlight switch (2018); windshield washer plastic-T connector (2018), driver’s side washer nozzle (2018); E36 Z3 antenna mod (2017); new gas tank, fuel pump, hard fuel lines, fuel filter (2016)

Wheels and tires: New General Altimax RT45 195/60/14 on basket weaves (November 2023); old General Altimax Arctic snow tires 185/70/14 on basket weaves (installed 2013, with 2011 build date) 

Interior: sport seats with black vinyl (?) seat covers installed by PO, tear on driver’s side seat cover bottom cushion; Analog clock with e30Love harness (2021); driver’s dome light (2019); Bavarian Auto Hexomats (2014); Panasonic MP3/CD head unit with detachable face, Panasonic speakers (CQ-C1333U) came with car. 

For additional detail do not hesitate to contact me. Pictures coming shortly.  
 

[Boris3]

Exterior pics

[Boris3]

Interior, engine bay, trunk

[Boris3]

Some underside pics

[Boris3]

To continue full disclosure some other things I remembered: rear seat back top next to parcel tray is worn (I think one PO had a dog), turn signal flasher has an occasional freeze issue, brake pad wear sensor light is on even though I have sensors removed and wires connected, rear driver's side seat belt is missing.  

Remembered one more: central locking works only from the trunk

Think that's it.

Ain't old cars grand!

[Boris3]

I've gotten some requests for additional pics: rear trunk wells, diff, passenger axle boot, transmission cross member slot 

 

 

[KaiserRolls]

Must ignore the overwhelming urge to purchase this for an ice racer 

[Boris3]

 

5 hours ago, KaiserRolls said:

Must ignore the overwhelming urge to purchase this for an ice racer 

Believe me the thought has crossed my mind as well! Years ago, I took the car to an Audi ice-driving school in Hutisford, and also tried the ice-autocross the SCCA used to hold at the Mile. Both days were a lot of fun. RWD with a good set of snow tires. Having two race cars though is a no-go for me unfortunately.

[Rekpoint]

On 12/29/2023 at 12:40 AM, KaiserRolls said:

Must ignore the overwhelming urge to purchase this for an ice racer 

I don't think there will be any ice racing this year.

[Boris3]

18 hours ago, Rekpoint said:

I don't think there will be any ice racing this year.

True, weather has not been conducive. On a positive note, that means more time to work on an ice-racer build.

[Boris3]

Car is sold