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-   -   New `97 318ti owner (http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34876)

Kingston 12-12-2011 04:43 PM

New `97 318ti owner
 
Hello!

I am preparing to take delivery of a new (to me) 1997 318ti. This will be my wife's car, but I am helping her build it up the way she wants!

My first BMW was a `94 325is. Currently I daily drive an M50-swaped 1988 E30 325, with an E36 steering rack, E36 M3 shifter, 3.73LSD diff, Billstein sports with H&R sport springs. Refreshed bushings all around, etc.

I'm also building an S52 to go into an `86 325e that's my long-term project. Basically just short of a frame-up restoration.

The long and short of it is that my wife decided that she wanted a project of her own. After looking at E38-gen &-series cars for awhile, we found a 318ti owned by a friend. He'd bought it to part out, but it was too clean for that!

She's a base-model 1997 318ti slicktop with an auto. The auto trans will stay, since my wife has some minor nerve damage in her right arm from a surgery many years ago.

It's a Black & Tan right now, but the tan cloth interior will get pulled for a set of Vaders up front, with matching leather rear seat.

Steel wheels with cheesy hubcaps will get pulled in favor of a set of BBS LMs (again, my wife's choice. She's got GREAT taste!).

Anyway, here's a couple of pics of the stable:

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...lbum/318ti.jpg
Yes, there's a dent on the front fender. I think I can square that away myself. The nose piece is dented, too, but I have a new piece coming for that already!

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l..._1_smaller.jpg
Here's Siobhan, my BBS RX-shod, M50-swapped `88 325.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...rting_shot.jpg
And here's Lilo, the long-term project. An `86 Zinno coupe that's got camber plates up front, adjustability built into the back, and Konis all around right now. She's getting an S52 swap once I have Metric Mechanic breathe on the head!

Cheers, guys! Glad to be part of this community!

3.2TI 12-12-2011 04:50 PM

Nice cars...

<-------------------------------Want more pics of projects

Kingston 12-13-2011 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3.2TI (Post 315126)
Nice cars...

<-------------------------------Want more pics of projects

OK...
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...m/S52_home.jpg
The S52 going into Lilo

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...e-Wizard-1.jpg
Lilo's empty engine bay getting cleaned up. I'm going to shave the bay. She won't run A/C or washer fluid reservoir.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...M50_pulled.jpg
The M50 I took OUT of Lilo, then sold to fund the S52...before I got another M50!

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...rst_cleani.jpg
After pulling the carpet. Rusty panel in passenger side rear is cut out.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...erior_mods.jpg
Interior shot of Siobhan

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...os_arrival.jpg
Lilo the day she came home

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...um/318ti_2.jpg
Another shot of the new 318ti!

Kingston 01-31-2012 02:34 AM

Got the 318ti home! Gave her just a quick bath today, used an upholstery cleaner on the interior and ordered a few tiny parts for her (2 hood shocks, a glove box latch and a rubber intake boot to replace a torn one).

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...gels_318ti.jpg

The battery was junk, so that's the next step. I've got 3 projects right now, so initial updates may be kinda slow, sadly... :redface:

cooljess76 01-31-2012 03:30 AM

cool projects! And a late welcome to the forum.

teetime4one 01-31-2012 03:58 AM

nice cars...and also a belated welcome.

zoner 01-31-2012 04:14 AM

Looking forward to watching you build that 325e! :smile:

Canadian 01-31-2012 04:58 AM

Your wife has great taste and to the both of you, welcome to the forum! Did she give it a name yet?

douggla 02-05-2012 03:38 PM

Cool project and nice looking ti.

black98 02-05-2012 04:01 PM

Welcome to the org

If you get rid of the steel rims I would be interested in the hubcaps

Kingston 02-12-2012 01:54 AM

Thanks guys!

The 325e has been trailer-ed to St. Louis to be fitted for a roll cage and get the motor built. I've essentially given ownership of her to our race team (Team BAA, AKA Team Bavarian Alcoholics Anonymous). The team captain, who's also my boss, is also financing the rest of the build. But I do have a guaranteed ride in the Chump Car series!

I Lilo's place, I've bought an Alpineweiss `87 325iS. She'll end up getting the S52, and most likely, my sedan will become my track car!

I will be getting rid of the steel wheels. I'll PM you when the new wheels are on, but it'll still be awhile...

My wife has named the car 'The Orchid." For anyone who watched the show Lost, you may recalled that John Locke was obsessed with a Hatch (so hatchback joke there). I told her I thought she should name her car John Locke. Instead, she decided to name the car after one of the stations on the island, the Orchid.

I did just a few things today. '

First, I replaced the driver's side hood strut as it was completely blown. Nice to not have the hood clobbering me on the head.

Next, I replaced a torn intake boot (the one right after the MAF) with a new one.

Finally, I replaced the glove box handle with a new one, as the existing one was broken and hanging off.

In 2 months, I get a Big Check from my work (sort of a bonus), and then the real fun begins. The M44 comes out and gets all-new gaskets and seals, and timing gear if needed. We want to replace the tan dash with a black one. Then it's the M Tech moldings all-around the car. Then Billstein Sports w/ Eibach ProKit springs. Much to do!!

HellaFlushTI 02-12-2012 02:10 AM

LOVE the projects and belated WELCOME to the org

Kingston 02-12-2012 02:52 AM

Thanks everyon! I forgot, I also purchased new front fenders, since both sides were dented.

Kingston 03-06-2012 03:53 AM

Nice updtae to report: Today I sourced an M52, with ALL accessories, harness, ECU, etc for the 318ti...which will soon be a 328ti :) Couldn't pass it up for $250!

busterwolf18 03-07-2012 12:55 PM

sweet
 
Nice :]


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