OT: selling my baby (i hope)

[kyleN20]

found a buyer for my e34 and hope to be unloading it this week, and this weekend i plan on looking at this 318is, bill any tips on the 318is's
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/219880794.html
i looked it up and i found a commen fault was profile gaskets, is that the head gasket? iv never heard the term profile gasket.

[angrypancake]

how much are you letting her go for?

[kyleN20]

waiting on an offer, i expect it to be about 4k

[WarrenBrown]

The profile gasket is in the front of the engine sealing a water passage. Pretty much unique to that engine design. Most 318i's profile gasket failed at 80K +/- 10K. The replacement, part was upgraded, I've never heard of the replacement part failing. The 318is with the twin cam motor is probably the most overlooked of the E30 series. I drive the pants off mine, probably have at least 10K on the track, really not that much slower than stock M3s. I've passed my share of M3's in mine.

Warren
88 325iX
91 318is
95 525iT

[Jr ///M5]

Buy the 318!!! At 112k miles it's just now broken in. Chances are the profile gasket has already been changed. It's a crappy way they seperated the cooling chamber from the timing chain valley. Check for leakage around the bottom of the head at the front of the engine by #1 cylinder. Get a mirror and a flashlight to inspect it throughly. When the gasket fails it will either leak coolant into the oil or coolant will leak out from under the head area. After they are changed, it is rare for them to develope another leak, but I have heard of it happening. Pulling the head is the only way to change it. You will probably need new shocks all around, new rear shock mounts, (get the convertible ones) a new mooselip front spoiler (so you can drag it off the parking blocks) Check the coils, and the front steering gear. Squeeze the boots on the steering gear to see if they are hard and full of fluid, which would indicate another $300. Front control arms and last but not least.....the dreaded fuel pump at $150.

It will be probably the most economical, fun to drive car you've ever owned. Once the major stuff is sorted out, parts are really reasonable and they are easy to work on.

Good luck,

Jr
'91 318iS
'91 ///M5
'01 525i

[Jr ///M5]

Warren is the resident profile gasket expert. It was his write-up in the "Joisey" BMWCCA website that guided me through my replacement.

Thanks again Warren!

Jr

[kyleN20]

sounds like a great car, hows that price seem to you? it seemed high compared to others that i had seen for sale, but then again i called on a 318 in OR that seemes like a steal for 3500 but it turned out to be a scam, so im not sure how to price there things, ill take pics when i look at it and check all those things, thanks

[WarrenBrown]

I've been looking for an E30 for a friend for about 4 months here in NJ. The prices are all over the place, from 1500 to 5000+. We are talking a 15 year old car, if that is what you want then you probably are going to have to pay 3000 to 4000 for a nice example, low mileage. Sure you will hear of folks picking them up for a song and spending a weekend fixing something, they are few and far between. If the car is clean, non-smoker, and accident free with original paint, 3800 isn't to far off the mark. My 2 cents.

Warren

[kyleN20]

ill take a look at it and try get the lowest price i can for it if it seems worth it, cash talks, bs walks

[billb]

found a buyer for my e34 and hope to be unloading it this week, and this weekend i plan on looking at this 318is, bill any tips on the 318is's
http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/219880794.html
i looked it up and i found a commen fault was profile gaskets, is that the head gasket? iv never heard the term profile gasket.

Mmmm, alpenweiss II, my favorite color

FYI, I paid $2900 for mine 3.5 years ago, but had to do quite a bit of work on it. It's still not 100% (never will be), but it's as close as I want it to be.

You will also be looking at all timing chain components if the car hasn't been religiously maintained. Other things to expect: cooling system refresh, shifter bushing refresh, guibo and center support bearing, odometer gears, A/C compressor likely (can easily convert to R134 as it is a compatible compressor), coils as Jr mentioned. All front end components, as it is rattle-prone at this mileage.

I have a spare blocking strip to replace the one that's missing in the front view picture below if you end up buying the car.