E30 316/318 advice

[rob0r]

I bought a £600 E36 328i touring last month, if I hadn't I would have loved another IS. On that note... E36s are VERY good as a daily. My 328i is effortless but it's averaging 27-28mpg. They are much more civilised than an E30 anyway. E36 318is go for barely anything, coilovers are £170 too

[DrGonzoPOW]

Yeah i know there area well. To be honest though im looking for a car with a little less miles on, im being a bit picky as it will have to last me a while.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Just seen a nice looking 4 door 318. Going to have a look at that on Thursday morning

[nuke laars]

Just seen a nice looking 4 door 318. Going to have a look at that on Thursday morning

Bear in mind that 'more doors' tend to be less valuable than a coupe in similar spec/condition.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Ay i know. Just after a cheap run around though so not really going for style. Here she is anyways.....850 quid, 103k on the clock. Looks really clean and straight. Engine pulls well and there's tons of history with it. Checked all the usual bad spots and looks solid. Picking it up in the morning !

[rob0r]

E reg... That's either a very early M40 or a very late M10? I heard they made some "facelifts" with M10s. Looks nice!

[nuke laars]

Looks good and straight! I don't have a problem with four doors, definately more practical.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Its just up the road from me and cheap, so im aving it! Think its a late M10 Wizor. Dont know much about the 4 cyls but rekon thats the case

[DrGonzoPOW]

Then again...euro shite parts is saying M40

[e21-Mark]

Looks nice.

Lots of cheap bits about, like lowered springs for £40!

[DrGonzoPOW]

deffo gotter be lowered innit

[e21-Mark]

Without a doubt. -60mm FTW!

[rob0r]

M10 Carb (out of my prefacelift E30 316)


The M40 is much newer looking and has a thinner rocker cover from memory. The rad will have it's expansion tank on the side on an M40 too. M40s are fine if they are looked after, M10s have great retro charm but probably give less MPG.

[DrGonzoPOW]

The dial on the dash has been telling me im doing 50mpg on the motorway!!! I find that hard to believe, made me chuckle.

Pretty sure its an M40 now then. It sounds and runs sweet though. Very impressed with the engine and gearbox, both seem smooth and strong. Only problem i have discovered is that the diff looks to be leaking a bit, possibly around the driveshaft seals as its caked in a fair bit of oil. Best make sure its topped up before i do many miles in it. How big of a job is sorting that out ?

Pretty happy with it anyway, seems to be a bargain so far....touch wood.

[rob0r]

I've not done a seal but getting the diff off and on is a bit of a challenge, you need to be clever with jacks or very strong! The bolts can be a pain to get off, especially the prop bolts (very tight) and the 8mm allen key bolts that hold the driveshafts onto the flange (hammer the allen head to make sure the 8mm allen key bit is all the way in, you do not want one of these rounding off!).