I bought a $500 318Ti, I apologize for what happens next
 

Yesterday I purchased a 1995 BMW 318Ti for $500. 5-Speed; 230k+ mi; some muffler and power steering issues.

http://i.imgur.com/zkkm0qD.jpg


But first a little bit of background. A few years ago the fine folks on the west coast started a small event called the Gambler 500. It's a two-day roughly 500 mile mostly off-road navigational challenge. This spring was the first ever NY event, and there is a follow up this fall called the Harvest Run.

People show up in very impractical vehicles, from ice cream trucks to minivans. Others of the more sensible type may use lifted 4WD vehicles with big knobby tires.

I've decided the BMW 318Ti is the perfect vehicle for this event. Light weight. Rear-wheel drive. Manual transmission. 22 year old rock-solid reliable German electronics. What's the worst that can happen?

So this is the part where I apologize to all of the 318Ti enthusiasts. "You found one for $500 with a rust-free frame that runs and drives? Fix it up and daily it!" Sorry, but this is going to get a few upgrades:

- Suspension lift
- Larger off-road tires
- Air box snorkel
- Stinger tube bumper and winch
- CB and Ham antennas
- Many others

I have a lot of other projects going on so this one is going to go idle for a few months. But I'm sure I'll stop back in downstream to get yelled at for what I'm doing to this poor car.

It is is my mission to make certain this fantastic car doesn't go out on a whimper.

Lol, don't worry, we have guys here who rally their ti, stance it out, drift it, track it, etc. You won't find many guys complaining about what you are supposed to do. Enjoy the car! Just update once in a while to let us know how it goes! :biggrin:

I'll complain!

But it's your car; enjoy it! It's certainly better than it rusting away in a field somewhere.

And make sure we see videos of this event!

You guys are very accepting. The quickest way to start an argument on a VW forum is to tell them you're lifting a Jetta/Golf. Or tell a Jeep forum you're slamming a Wrangler.

I'll be sure to share status updates when I resume this project!

Keep us posted

Progress picture.

http://i.imgur.com/TAlt96c.jpg

War-Hatch has survived the Gambler 500 rally around the finger lakes.

https://i.imgur.com/Vi361TJ.jpg

Hah! That looks awesome. Show us more!

Some more pictures of War-Hatch (pre-rally) here:
https://imgur.com/a/v4YIH

More misc Gambler 500 photos:
https://imgur.com/a/deFzQ

Using speed and power to escape mud pits:

That is awsome! Looks like there are a few people on this board now rallying/hill-climb and other events, its fun to see the different styles and builds! Fun stuff!