1991 BMW 3-Series

Coupe

S-14

Manual

WBAAF931XMEE67303

Clear

Gasoline

DescriptionIn building this car my goal was to install the legendary S-14 motor it into the lightest, cleanest and most current E30 chassis available, a 1991 318is, closely replicating the BMW s-14 equipped 320is made only for the Italian and Portuguese markets. The 320is is a 318 e30 with the distinction of having de-stroked s-14 bringing it to 1.9 Liters with the chassis and drive-line identical in all other respects. It was designed to be a sportier version of the 325, allowing it to be sold in Italy at a lower tax rate. The 325 was taxed heavily in these countries due to its 2.5 liter engine. This model from BMW also had some minor exterior cosmetic differences compared to the basic 325 but retained the lighter weight 4 lug suspension components. Having owned both a 318is as well as an e30m3 the idea of a putting a 2.3 liter s-14 into the lighter weight 318 chassis appealed to me as it would yield the best of both. The result is what I now call this 323is. The US M3 weighs in at 2865 pounds, the 1991 318is has a curb weight of only 2601 pounds. So this 323is weighs an astonishing 264 pounds less. It is further lightened with the addition of aluminum control arms and the lightweight Ronal wheels. In addition the s-14 motor in it has seen an increase in output and ability to rev with an exhaust cam, chip, lightweight flywheel and high flow exhaust bringing in to 200+hp. This means that compared with a stock e30m3 with 192hp the power to weight ratio is improved by approximately ~14%. This weight difference combined with the increased engine output, suspension and braking improvements enables this car to outperform in every respect a stock e30m3. When the German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport tested the Italian 320is the closest equivalent to this car with the smaller 2.0 liter engine against the M3 they wrote; "A fourth gear run from 40 to 100 kph took the M3 13.6 seconds but the 320is only took 12.8 seconds."  They finished the article by saying less is indeed more. Now imagine the same car with an even more powerful 2.3 liter s-14 lurking under the hood. But the increased engine output is only half the story. Removing 264 pounds of weight improves every dynamic ability. It stops better than an M3, and changes direction with an amazing nimbleness. And the S-14 motor sits close to the firewall keeping the center of mass inward, thus this cars weight distribution is enhanced even further. Unlike a 24 valve converted e30m3 which destroys the great balance of the car. Utilizing the s-14, in an even lighter chassis improves all of the performance characteristics beyond those found in an e30m3 or a 320is. To gain an appreciation of how dramatically an improvement over an e30m3 this 323IS is, I will refer to when, BMW World Magazine tested the 320is against an EVO2 M3 and came away saying, it's the 320is I'd take home.  An original 320is recently was listed for sale at $35K, An e30m3 in this condition would sell for $40k or more. This is a rare chance to own a rare and equally desirable classic, well sorted, almost perfect at a fraction of the cost. I purchased the 1991 318is in the summer of 2009 with 118k miles on it from an enthusiast in PA as the 3rd owner. The seller described is an all original, always garage kept car. The condition of the car; exterior, interior, and undercarriage all supported this claim with each a 9.5 or better, with all VIN tags in place. The original exhaust showed only minor surface rust. The only other rust on the car was a small section in the rear battery box. The only modification to the car was new Bilstein HD shocks on all four corners and an aftermarket CD player installed in the dash. I kept the car as a fair weather driver until early spring of 2011 putting just a few thousand miles on it and then sold it to a friend. The new owner promptly blew the original m42. I helped him swap in a used replacement motor (against my advice) which lasted less than a year. The car then sat in a state of disrepair for the few years in storage with the 2nd motor having been removed by a shop that determined it to be beyond repair. I had the right of first refusal should my friend ever decide to sell the car. Finally the opportunity presented itself for me to buy it back when my friend relocated from MA to CA for his job. I bought the car back in Jan of 2013 with the intention of creating a car that captured all of the virtues of the 320is with a more powerful 2.3 liter s-14 under the hood as it would have came from the factory. I began looking around for an s-14 motor and found that one in a shop complete with; intake, accessories, harness, ECU and header. The only things missing that I'd need to install it were the AFM / Air Filter Box, Transmission, shifter and driveshaft. I learned and verified that it had relatively low mileage and had been taken from a wrecked M3. In addition the upper end of the motor had prior to the wreck been gone through by a local shop, the authority in US on s-14's and E30M3s. It came with an exhaust cam installed along with an aftermarket chip. I bought the motor sight unseen. Once I had the motor I decided that I would do it correctly in making sure everything was new and addresses to produce a truly unique and pristine car. Since the car had new shocks and the rear suspension was in perfect condition I decided to install performance sway bars front and rear along with billet rear sway bar reinforcements and rebuild the entire front suspension and steering since it would be supporting a higher output motor. Following is a description for the work and parts installed. Engine disassembled down to the long block.Block re-painted using Hirsch two part engine epoxy. Header, water manifold, and external oil pan were ceramic coated All other brackets and components were powder coated or painted M3 Wiring harness was restored using sacrificed connectors and shielding from the 318 TThrottle bodies and linkage restored / replatedNew connecting rod bearings and oil pump installedAlternator, and AC compressor rebuilt / restored New OEM bushings installed; Alternator, AC Compressor, Power Steering PumpNew OEM water pump installed Horizontal and Vertical oil pan baffles installedAll new hoses and clamps New OEM fuel pressure regulatorNew OEM oil cooler and linesRebuilt Power Steering Pump with New OEM linesNew aluminum radiator New OEM expansion tank Front sub frame reinforcement kit installed, sub frame then powder coated New OEM tie rods & boots • New OEM aluminum control arms New OEM solid rubber control arm bushings New Ireland Engineering sway bar kit includes: -Front Adjustable Solid 22mm bar. -Front Adjustable endlinks (includes new OEM u-bracket and Aurora Heim-joints). -Front Urethane Pivot bushings, with new U-clamps and reinforcement plates -Rear Solid 19mm bar.-Rear adjustable endlinks with sliders, Aurora bearings, and weld on reinforcement plates. -Rear Solid Billet Aluminum sway bar mounts with trunk reinforcement plates New OEM / EVO lightweight flywheel (Balanced prior to installation) New Sachs clutch kit (Balanced prior to installation) New OEM throw out bearing New OEM e30m3 shifter assembly and bushingsNew OEM e30m3 motor and transmission mounts New OEM e30m3 transmission cross member Used e30m3 transmission, cleaned and repainted New OEM backup light switch New OEM transmission mounted / flywheel position sensors New Guibo Rebuilt and balanced e3om3 driveshaft Heat shields painted with high temp paint4.10 Limited slip differentialNew VSR1 center section with high flow cats Stromung Cat-back Exhaust system New brake rotors and pads New Stainless steel Brake LinesNew AC lines, dryer, evaporator and expansion valve, r134a compliant Original e30m3 Instrument Cluster with 2500 miles Analog ClockNew Llyods floor mats New M-tech suede steering wheel Rear battery box restored, rear valance modified, front and rear valance refinishedAll fresh Red-Line synthetic fluids Five (5) Ronal Turbo R10 15x7 wheels (4 on car plus spare)Five (5) New BF Goodrich 225x15 Rival Tires (4 on car plus spare)All new OEM BMW hardware used throughout assembly Everything functions as it should; AC, clock, all gauges including oil temp in instrument cluster. The interior and exterior have been professionally detailed. The engine bay, undercarriage, interior, exterior paint and trim, suspension and every other conceivable aspect of this car are all in excellent condition. It runs, drives and handles beautifully, looks fantastic, needs absolutely nothing and is blast to drive. Comes with brand new car cover. Please note the instrument cluster shown in the pictures is the aforementioned cluster from an e30m3. It does however not have the M logo due to the original lens being cracked during worked performed. A replacement lens was ordered from BMW with the correct M logo and is being installed at this time. I will be happy to answer any questions on this car and car be reached at 603-893-7571 I have multiple standing offers of $15,000 on the car from previous listings hence the reserve is set above this amount. This auction may be ended at any time as car is listed elsewhere. On May-13-14 at 19:32:56 PDT, seller added the following information: In response to the question about the wiring harness I also meant to mention that a new harness is no longer available from BMW and a used one is almost impossible to find.On May-19-14 at 06:45:28 PDT, seller added the following information: I have decided to lower the reserve to $15,750. Once the bidding reaches this level a very fortunate individual will have the winning bid. Here is your chance to own a truly unique and collectible BMW, bid with confidence !