So, I finally broke down and bought a VIP ride. It's a Red Auto '96 BMW 318is. I'll have it by the end of the week along with a link to pics for you guys.

If you know anything about me, you know I'm all go, no show. However, this is a work of Bavarian art! I shall do my best to do the BMW community justice with nothing too gawdy.

I'm not going to do anything to the engine until Dante(RWD 420A)is done. The shitty part is that the only company that makes a turbo mani for the M44 is fucking OBX....FML. So I am thinking about supercharging the shit out of it. There are 3 different companies that make a supercharger kit with an Eaton blower, but they're as salty as it gets: $3400.00. That's going to take a lot of justification to the wife...

Congrats. BMW makes some cool cars. High cost of maintenance though. Still, if I ever get my hands on a clean z3... I'll probably end up in jail.


No way to make a custom manifold for a turbo?

I had an e36 318. Not bad, but hideously underpowered.

For 4k I can have around 400Hp/tq with the right tuning. So long as you can do the work yourself, the maintenance isn't bad. An upper gasket set is the same cost as a 420a's. Luckily, I'm a moderately skilled auto technician with access to BMW specialty tools.

It'll be a nice VIP ride for the summer; Something to make people think I have more money that what I actually do.

Right on. If you ever want a hand with that or the 2g, hit me up. I don't know much, but I'm always up for learning something new about cars.

Originally posted by LD25Delta9
Something to make people think I have more money that what I actually do.

Not with a '96... maybe an '06. But most likely no. Debadge it at least.

congrats. bimmers are fun, especially when the traction control is off :) you will enjoy rwd :)

later

Welcome! You have def. purchased a machine that is touchy and picky as a female that wears Christian Louboutin. Also, keep in mind they are just as expensive for repair and upkeep. I don't beat up on mine like a lot of the younger crowd does on many of the forums, but keep in mind she is a beast and will allow you to have a lot of fun! Do NOT follow the factory reccomendations to change oil every 15k. Stick to ever 7,500 and use only BMW approved oil brands. Although repairs are costly at the dealer, u get treated like a VIP. If you have extensive work, they will be sure to make sure you are equiped w/ a vehicle during down time so you dont miss anything you normally would have by staying around the dealership waiting. Otherwise, for oil changes, etc., enjoy the lounge! However, if you want to save a bundle of cash, try to find a certified indy shop. Cost savings are significant! for ex., the dealership wants $1300 to replace front lower control arms/bushings, etc. Indy shop said $600 out the door. In the end, its up to you. Although the dealer is expensive, they will get it right %100 of the time or fix it until they do.

Also, keep in mind that you will soon be refering to your vehicle as a E36 in the BMW world. You can visit a forum that I am certain has a wealth of information (http://www.e36-tech.com/forum/)

I have a E46 and frequest E46Fanatics forum. Again, a great wealth of information.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I will do what I can to assist!

-CMS

Originally posted by cms
Welcome! You have def. purchased a machine that is touchy and picky as a female that wears Christian Louboutin. Also, keep in mind they are just as expensive for repair and upkeep. I don't beat up on mine like a lot of the younger crowd does on many of the forums, but keep in mind she is a beast and will allow you to have a lot of fun! Do NOT follow the factory reccomendations to change oil every 15k. Stick to ever 7,500 and use only BMW approved oil brands. Although repairs are costly at the dealer, u get treated like a VIP. If you have extensive work, they will be sure to make sure you are equiped w/ a vehicle during down time so you dont miss anything you normally would have by staying around the dealership waiting. Otherwise, for oil changes, etc., enjoy the lounge! However, if you want to save a bundle of cash, try to find a certified indy shop. Cost savings are significant! for ex., the dealership wants $1300 to replace front lower control arms/bushings, etc. Indy shop said $600 out the door. In the end, its up to you. Although the dealer is expensive, they will get it right %100 of the time or fix it until they do. Also, keep in mind that you will soon be refering to your vehicle as a E36 in the BMW world. You can visit a forum that I am certain has a wealth of information (http://www.e36-tech.com/forum/) I have a E46 and frequent E46Fanatics forum. Again, a great wealth of information. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will do what I can to assist! -CMS

Thanks for the link and info man. I'm a fairly accomplished mechanic, though, and have a plethora of tools at my disposal and a student discount through Ivy Tech to get 50% off any name brand of tool and I get a discount at our local machine shop, C&P, because one of my instructors is one of their managers, so we get a student discount through them, as well.

Also, I'm very anal retentive when it comes to maintaining my engines, so I'm looking forward to years of enjoyment from some solid German engineering. I hear if you maintain them, they last for....ever. Especially the slant-motors.

Ive purchased an upgraded radiator(cheaper than stock) to combat the heat issues associated with the m42 and also plan on boosting it with built internals in the future. I may go for 15lbs on the Atlanta supercharger kit, but I may also just build a really good turbo system for it. There's plenty of room for a small LtA intercooler setup. Then again, I hear I can throw a 1 or 2JZ in. Who knows what the future may hold. My buddy has a 6 bolt 4g63 sitting in his garage that I may put to work with a Turbo 350...who knows.