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ONE OWNER RARE BMW 318i sedan MANUAL 5 speed w/all history recs ($18K+) E30

  • Price: Ask a price!
  • Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: BMW
  • Model: 3-Series
  • SubModel: 318I
  • Type: Sedan
  • Year: 1991
  • Mileage: 178,814
  • VIN: WBAAJ9310MEJ01166
  • Color: Red
  • Engine size: M42
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Gray
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Options: CD Player, Sunroof
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1991 BMW 3-Series Description

For sale is a single owner E30 1991 BMW 318i (4-Door) 5-speed manual transmission sedan with the desirable M42 engine which was BMW’s engine used in many vehicles from 1989 to 1996. The engine was produced alongside the M40; however was a higher performance engine. The M42 featured a forged steel crankshaft and welded tubular stainless steel exhaust manifold instead of typical cast-iron. Engine also features a low-maintenance timing chain with self-adjusting hydraulic chain tensioners and hydraulic valve tappets. This car is also a fairly rare mode with 3,063 only ever produced.

The BMW has every single record from the day it drove off the lot which amounts to hundreds of pages, documents, and receipts. Furthermore it comes with all its original paperwork including the instruction manual, service booklet, warranty statement, etc. I am also throwing in a factory repair manual as well which is worth a few hundred dollars. Even the original transit paper license plate from the 90’s is included.

In regards to the car itself --- it is in really good condition considering the fact that it’s 26 years old. It was just entirely wet-sanded, compounded, buffed, and waxed to a tune of close to $500.00. There are several dings (which could likely be resolved via paint-less dent repair); There are also a few scrapes and bruises from parking in the city but; it looks better than 60-70% of newer cars out there especially a few feet away. In regards to rust --- it is VERY solid and was most certainly undercoated in it’s younger ages; however there are two rust spots on the driver’s side rear fender (both of which appear to be surface bubbling) and then there are also two spots in the back (one right below the passenger side rear pumper in the corner and one essentially underneath the car behind the driver’s side rear wheel that is not visible at all). All those who know about these understand that this is as minimal as it gets on an E30 body BMW. There is absolutely zero rust on the door panels/door jambs, etc.

The interior is in pretty darn good shape. The dash does not have any cracks that I see (rare); the seats are in great structural/operational state however, do have some of the typical BMW material rips. The headliner is excellent, the carpeting is really nice. The mats are in pretty darn good shape and were re-dyed. The steering wheel is great. The center dash is really nice as well. The little “trip computer” works on and off --- however, there are guys on e-bay that fix them for $90 dollars. The car also has a new stereo and new speakers. The sunroof works great in both modes of operation. One of the rear window operators do not work (common issue) however, is fairly easily fixed. Car has power locks and a fantastic, cold working AC. There are no lights of any kind on the dash. The odometer works!!! The car has barely been driven since 2013 due to a purchase of a daily driver 135i; and about 1000 miles have been driven collectively since that year.

Tires on the car are essentially brand new. Lights all work. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere. It drives very tight, straight and has good acceleration and braking.

The following are the projects that would make this car 100%:

  • Repair of the few rust spots (~$300-900)

  • Re-upholster the seating bottoms of seats ($200-600)

  • Replace the control arms and brakes while at it (I was also going to do all of struts, shocks, tie rods as well while in there) ($450 for parts; labor is really easy to do yourself). I actually have a full cart assembled on RockAutoParts for this I could send your way.

  • Repair the on-board computer ($90)

  • Install a new heatshield pad under the hood ($100) --- Old one has been carefully removed and the surface has been prepped for the application of the new one.

  • Replace the rear left and the center bumper trim pieces (existing have some cracks in the plastic) (~$100)

  • New battery (existing sometimes dies if the car is not driven for awhile; however is very quick to charge back up) (~$90)

  • Most recently along with the aesthetic work I have replaced both of the badges (OEM BMW badges), the front bumper lip and it's mounting equipment, conducted an oil change, and also replaced the serpentine belt. Additionally, as previously mentioned --- the tires are essentially new and the exhaust was recently replaced as well.


    The Hagerty’s values for this car are as follows:

  • Concours - $21,000

  • Excellent - $15,200

  • Good - $9,400

  • Fair - $3,600

  • Giving an overall average of $9,400.00. I am listing this car well below the average. Keep in mind that with about a $2-3K investment you have close to a $15K valued car.

    Full disclosure:

    Vehicle is sold as is where is. I will help you transport it in a sense of meeting your transport company and helping them get the car on their trailer. I will only sign over the title upon receipt of full agreed upon payment. There is no warranty of any sorts express or implied for this vehicle. The car is a single owner vehicle; however as I purchased it to keep I did register it under my name only to come to a realization that I do not need a 7th project to my already ongoing 6 Porsche projects. With that said --- it will likely show as a two owner car. I have only owned it for a few months and would like for it to go to someone that will appreciate it as much as I do. It has spent most of its life in a garage including under my short ownership. I have pictures of the prior title that I would be happy to share with the purchaser. If you pull up the carfax for the car it does show a minor fender bender and mileage discrepancy. The “fender bender” was due to minor scrape on the driver’s side front fender - which cost a few hundred dollars to repair (only involved paint --- have invoice to provide). The mileage discrepancy was a simple clerical error as the mileage on the car is very accurate. It is registered in Maryland now with an Accurate Mileage Title.

    This is an awesome E30 for a fanatic or, an individual attempting to learn how to drive stick. I would love to keep the car; however I am realizing that with a full pan-off build on my 911; a restoration on my 944 Turbo; many projects on my RS6; a recent boat purchase ---- this is not something I could get to for the next year or so and I would hate for this car to sit.

    I would be happy to provide pictures of anything to anyone interested.

    I would also be happy to share any service records with anyone interested as well.

    I am negotiable in my $6.5K asking price as I would like to get it out of the garage. Please don't waste my time if you're a scammer and have never done any business on e-Bay. If you have Zero transactions on e-Bay please contact me prior to bidding. I am not here to play games and relist this vehicle a number of times due to you "accidentally purchasing" the car. If you purchase, and decide to play games --- I will to the fullest extent pursue you via e-Bay. Please, don't waste yours and my time.

    Thank you,