Elsa the Beater BMW - 1992 318i

Yes, it's named after a Disney princess - it's blue and has moods

I wasn't going to make a build thread for this car because I didn't want it to turn into a project... but you know how that works.

When crawling around under the car I realized that, in terms of rust, this is probably the cleanest 20+ year old BMW in the state of Michigan. Despite having done more than 230000k miles in its life.

Naturally the suspension has some slop after that many miles. If I replace things it's getting upgrades.

Then the internet told me that it might be pretty easy to put a Ford V8 in it and I found swap kits. I've always wanted to stick a Windsor 302 into something small and European.

So, here we are.

For now this will just be an ownership log and a place where I can ask questions when things break. At this point it's just an old slow E36 that I use as a daily driver. In fact, it's my only daily driver car right now so nothing major will happen until I can put some more $$ into the fun car fund. That might take a while.

Here it is just after getting it home. The paint looks much nicer in the picture than it actually is. The clearcoat on the trunk and top is peeling like I do after a bad sunburn.

So far I have: Changed the oil, crawled around underneath it, put the plastic trim piece back on the driver side door, ordered summer tires to replace the Blizzaks that it came with, and tried to fix the driver window that keeps coming off track. I think it just needs new plastic sliders but I'm waiting to order those when I order some other parts.

Things that need to be fixed: That window, vacuum leak(s), a driveline clunk and a couple little things in the interior.

More pics to come.

New rimz, yo.

I wanted summer tires and the easiest way to do that was go up to 16" wheels. Tirerack had steelies for this car on a closeout sale for about $30 apiece. Can't beat that.

I think I dig the functional no-nonsense look.

Continental ExtremeContact DWs. Lots of sidewall here but that's ok, considering the condition of the roads.

I love how good tires transform a car.

Next purchase? Looking forward to your build. Really liked the escort you had.

Nice!

Scottah wrote: Next purchase? Looking forward to your build. Really liked the escort you had.

If you're suggesting I paint the whole thing flat black I don't think that will happen. Something about flat or even satin paint just doesn't work for me. I like the shiny. Also... bird poop

Thanks! The Escort is still kicking around in the family. My younger brother has been using it to get to work and college classes.

I think he means paint the black pieces so they dont look faded. At least thats what I would do.

Ah. That makes more sense now.

More pictures. I love blue interiors.

The biggest interior issue: All the doors are missing the door handle inserts. Maybe I can get them from Pelican or something.

Exterior imperfections:

Bearded.Bird wrote: I think he means paint the black pieces so they dont look faded. At least thats what I would do.

This

Update:

The suspension is due for replacing so time for upgrades! More on that when I decide what to do. See my "Seeking advice..." thread in the main forum.

And...

I've tagged a traffic barrel. I am ashamed. Now to borrow a buffer and add "mirror glass" to the list of parts to order.

BlueInGreen44 wrote: I've tagged a traffic barrel

Looking at the pic and seeing how close to the edges of things you like to get I'm not surprised. Get yourself to an autocross ASAP!

In reply to Junkyard_Dog:

Haha. Yes! As soon as I get the clunky suspension fixed I might hit some Detroit region SCCA events.

Your driveline clunk is likely the guibo.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Your driveline clunk is likely the guibo.

That's kinda what I thought but the last time I peeked underneath everything in that area seemed intact. Sometimes it seems like the noise is coming from towards the back so that's why I'm suspecting worn diff. mounts or something like that. I suppose it could be both

Noise happens when shifting/clutch in and out. Never when in gear. So I suppose it could also be an issue with the clutch. It's a fun process of elimination.

BlueInGreen44 wrote:

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Your driveline clunk is likely the guibo.

That's kinda what I thought but the last time I peeked underneath everything in that area seemed intact. Sometimes it seems like the noise is coming from towards the back so that's why I'm suspecting worn diff. mounts or something like that. I suppose it could be both Noise happens when shifting/clutch in and out. Never when in gear. So I suppose it could also be an issue with the clutch. It's a fun process of elimination.

Nevermind. You were right. I was... less right.

230k miles worth of used up suspension is about to be replaced by some carrots and red curly fries. Tire Rack had a good deal on orange Konis matched with a set of H&R sport springs. I think I got the last set in stock since now they're listed as "Special order" on the website.

Typical speedy (and free) Tire Rack shipping. Now I have to wait for all the mounts and stuff to get here so I can put 'em on the car.

Impatient.

Please tell me your doing all new bushings too right?

In reply to Mad_Ratel:

Yes, eventually when there is more time and budget. I wish I could just stick it in the garage for awhile and do everything at once but this has to happen in steps. Step 1 is to quickly replace the busted struts so I can get to work without fear of something falling off. Step 2 will be a more comprehensive overhaul of bushings, control arms, sway bars etc. with provisions for some adjustability.

The Beater Bimmer is walking the compromise between project car and daily beater right now so nothing is ideal but that's just the way things are for now.

Step 3: Engine swap

Cool!

I always giggle a little (never having worked on a BMW before) at how a worn out part can cause so much issue when it's a part that the majority of cars don't even have.

In reply to tuna55:

Haha, it's true. This is my first BMW so it's been an interesting learning curve. Those unique things sure help it drive nice though..

Hurray! After an all afternoon thrash the new struts and springs are on the car with M3 and Z3 mount reinforcement bits. It's great. The orange Koni/H&R kit is a nice balance of sporty and smooth. It looks good too. Lower, so the wheels fit snugly in the wheel well but it doesn't look slammed at all.

It'll feel even better when I do more bushings, control arms and sway bars.

I'm pleased because I managed to do this all in one day and never had to stop because I broke something or didn't have some part or tool that I didn't think of. Heck, I didn't even draw blood or smash any knuckles. It's so nice to work on a non-rusty car.

Haha. I'll be sore tomorrow though. It's been awhile since I've turned a wrench in anger.

Oh, and after seeing a few tell-tale signs I've come to the somewhat obvious conclusion that this car has been given a cheap repaint at some point in it's life and that's why the clearcoat is peeling so badly. I'm not sure why though. It hasn't ever been in an accident as far as I can tell.

And now... a plot twist: I just bought an old Saturn so Elsa The Non-Rusty BMW can sit warm and cozy somewhere through the winter.

This also means that I can take time to acquire all the suspension parts I want so I can do all that at once. So this project may go dark for a little while. I've been getting into a routine with new job and some other stuff going on so I'm ok with letting the car project simmer for a bit while I focus on other things.

Or, if any of you are interested this is kind of for sale in the $2015 Classifieds section.

So what do you do with a BMW that's too solid to destroy as a winter beater but too ratty and 4-cylindery to be worth dumping a lot of $$ into as a nice dd?

Sell to someone who wants to build another chumpcar, of course.

So, Elsa the Beater Bimmer is no longer with me but I'll see 'er again. Probably painted safety orange and blue doing laps at Gingerman.

Now the old girl can... Let it go and not hold back