1991 BMW 318is

This BMW 318is is the perfect candidate to see if we can make it just as fast as an M3 without breaking the bank.

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1991 BMW 318is

Latest updates

Mar
07
Mar 7, 2024 | BMW | e30 | VW | 318is | GTI | Rabbit GTI
Comparing our 318is to another rad-era icon, the Mk1 Rabbit GTI

Which is the better rad-era buy, a BMW E30 318is or VW Mk1 Rabbit GTI?

Jan
02
Jan 2, 2024 | BMW | engine
How making an engine lighter can produce more power

With our bottom end done, it was time to move into the valvetrain.

Oct
27
Oct 27, 2023 | BMW | e30 | 318is | bmw e30 | Buyer's Guide | BMW 318is
Would your life be better if you had a BMW 318is?

Think an E30 318is would be a fine addition to your collection? Here are a few things you should know first.

Aug
23
Aug 23, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Tackling the Smoky Mountain Tour

We take our BMW on an amazing tour.

Aug
20
Aug 20, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: From Carlisle to VIR to Florida or Bust

We take the car back to VIR and then all the way home to Florida.

Aug
12
Aug 12, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Running Against an M3

We take on an E30 M3 at VIR

Aug
08
Aug 8, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Our Project is Done

But we'll still have some updates.

Aug
05
Aug 5, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Perfecting the Tune

Never leave home without a proper tune.

Aug
01
Aug 1, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing a Functioning Radio

This is a daily driver, after all.

Jul
25
Jul 25, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Tools And Finishing The Trunk

We finally clean the trunk.

Jul
20
Jul 20, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing a UUC Strut Bar

We add a UUC strut bar to stiffen our front chassis even more.

Jul
12
Jul 12, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: New Wheels And Tires

Time for new wheels.

Jul
09
Jul 9, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Finishing the Exterior

We put the finishing touches on the exterior of our BMW 318is.

Jul
06
Jul 6, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Getting the Dents Out

To paint or not to paint? That is the question.

Jul
01
Jul 1, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Actually Repairing The Seats

We decide to repair our Sport seats in Anthracite.

Jun
28
Jun 28, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Figuring Seats Out

We investigate the seating situation in our 318is.

Jun
25
Jun 25, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Cleaning and Repairing the Interior

Our interior was filthy, but it's only original once. So, we set about cleaning it the best we could.

Jun
23
Jun 23, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: A Word About Lubricants

We choose Red Line Synthetic Oil lubricants for our fluids.

Jun
20
Jun 20, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: A Quick Shift Kit We Love

We install a quick shift kit from our friends over at BimmerWorld.

Jun
17
Jun 17, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Replacing the Steering Rack

We upgrade our 318is' now-broken steering rack with one meant for a Z3.

Jun
10
Jun 10, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: First Start

We attempt to start the BMW for the first time.

Jun
06
Jun 6, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Adding a Dash of Beauty

We install our new-to-us dash pad from our friend Al Taylor.

Jun
04
Jun 4, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Our Chassis is Finally Finished!

We finish work on our chassis by installing a new gas tank and undercarriage shields.

Jun
01
Jun 1, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Exhaust Never Sounded Better

We install a complete Supersprint exhaust system on the 318is.

May
29
May 29, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: It's Time for Brakes

We install all-new brake parts on our BMW 318is.

Apr
22
Apr 22, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing Powerflex Bushings

We install the last part of the suspension puzzle, bushings from Powerflex.

Apr
19
Apr 19, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Putting Our Subframes Together and on the Car

We button up both subframes and reinstall them along with the engine/transmission.

Apr
12
Apr 12, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing Ground Control Camber Plates

We install Ground Control camber plates on our '91 BMW 318is

Apr
05
Apr 5, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing a Limited Slip

We install a limited slip in our E30 318is.

Apr
02
Apr 2, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Installing an Eibach Suspension and Koni Dampers

We install Eibach's Pro-Plus Suspension Kit and Koni Sport Dampers.

Feb
18
Feb 18, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Subframe R&R

The first step in upgrading our chassis is to tackle the rear subframe.

Feb
14
Feb 14, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Developing A Plan to Put the Car Back Together

With our engine and clutch upgraded, it was time to develop a plan to start upgrading the chassis

Feb
06
Feb 6, 2019 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Upgrading Engine Management and Clutch

We upgrade our fuel injectors and engine management, and update our flywheel and clutch.

Oct
18
Oct 18, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Building A Stroker

While we had the engine out of our 318is, we decided to take the opportunity to rebuild it for more power and torque–because more is always better, right? And there’s …

Sep
25
Sep 25, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: The M Part’s Connected to the… M Part

Curious about four-cylinder E30 BMW engine codes? So were we.

Aug
20
Aug 20, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Suspension Planning

Boxes start piling up for our 318is.

Jul
28
Jul 28, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Buffing Paint

We save our original paint with the liberal application of a buffer.

Jul
10
Jul 10, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Sourcing Parts

Next up for our project BMW 318is is to find a source for parts.

Jun
13
Jun 13, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Engine Teardown

With the engine out and partially apart we learned a bit more.

Jun
01
Jun 1, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Pulling the Engine

It was now painfully obvious that we would need to pull the engine from the car.

May
24
May 24, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: What's Wrong With the Engine?

After removing the valve cover, we noticed something was missing, something important.

May
16
May 16, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Analyzing the Body

Our project 1991 E30 BMW 318is doesn't run. Here we figure out how original the car's paint and body is.

May
14
May 14, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Cleaning the Car

Our BMW gets a really good scrubbing.

May
11
May 11, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW 318is: Figuring Out What We Bought

Time to drag our 318is out of the pole barn and figure out what we had to work with.

May
11
May 11, 2018 | BMW
Meet Our Latest Project: An E30 BMW 318is

This little E30 BMW was last registered in 2008 and was brought to the yard with some undisclosed engine problems.

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