Having owned an E30 early on in my motoring career, I am still enchanted by these cars when a good one comes along. While my E30 was a 325is, one of my favorite E30s – M3 aside – is the 318is that was available at the end of the E30 3 series production run. Featuring the new M42 1.8 liter twin cam four cylinder engine, 142 horsepower was on tap in a package that offered less mass at the front end for even better handling. Given that it is Christmas, how timely it is that we feature this red 318is for sale in Nevada with a scant 60,000 miles on the clock.
1991 BMW 318is on eBay
Professionally reconditioned. Won Best-in-Show interior earlier this year. New dash, headliner, and carpet, seats reupholstered. New brakes. Differential changed from 411 to 373. Plenty of zip and great gas mileage. Bilstein shocks.
Not much detail is given by the seller, such as what show this car won an award and if service records and any owner history is available. The asking price of $12,500 is very optimistic for a non M3 four cylinder E30. Realistically, this car might bring $6,000 to $8,000 at a maximum to the right buyer.
-Paul
The E30 318is is considered the poor mans E30 M3 due to the DOHC M42 motor which is closely related to the M3 S14 motor. Prices are starting to rise for these cars since the M42 motor only came in the 91 model year for the E30 (continued for 92 for the conv E30 318i). It’s getting harder to find decent E30 318is like this one since most have been ridden hard and put away wet to dry. Some great deals still exist in the 91 four door E30 318i with the M42 motor. It has the same M42 motor with four door praticality but without the sport seats, basketweave alloys, front and rear spoilers, OBC, etc…
I wish my dad bought me one of these for my first car in high school rather than a 94 protege.
Ive always loved the e30 318is, in fact it’s one of my favorite BMWs. Light, nimble, revvy, simple, classic styling. Not that quick in a straight line, but full of usable power and a ton of fun on back roads. Just like a BMW should be, IMHO.
I’d love to have one and hope to some day. Silver/black, if possible please.