Key features
Featuresø
Radio Cassette
Compact disc player
OptionalSound Package Plus
OptionalSound System
OptionalAnti-lock Braking
Automatic Air Con / Climate Control
Cruise Control
OptionalMetallic Paint
Sports pack
OptionalTrip Computer
OptionalCloth Trim
Leather Upholstery
OptionalPower Mirrors
Power Windows
Fog Lights - Front
OptionalPower Sunroof
OptionalAirbag Driver
Airbag - Passenger
Central Locking
Alarm System/Remote Anti Theft
OptionalPower front seats
OptionalSport Seats
OptionalSport Seats - Plus
OptionalSport Seats Adjustable
OptionalPower Steering
Power Steering Plus
Limited Slip Differential
OptionalAlloy Wheels
Specificationsø
Engine type
ELECTRONIC F/INJEngine size
1796 ccEngine litres
1.8LCylinders
INLINE 4Camshaft
DUAL OVERHEAD CAMValves
16Bore / stroke
84x81Power
103 kWPower from
N/A rpmTorque
180 NmTorque from
N/A rpmPower to weight ratio
78.6 kW/tAcceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 sGrears
5Grear type
MANUALDrive
REAR WHEEL DRIVEFuel type
PREMIUM UNLEADED PETROLFuel capacity
65 LE10 compatible
N/AFuel consumption city
N/A L/100kmFuel consumption highway
N/A L/100kmFuel consumption combined
N/A L/100kmFuel average distance
N/A kmFuel maximum distance
N/A kmFuel minimum distance
N/A kmCO2 emission city
N/A g/kmCO2 emission highway
N/A g/kmCO2 emission combined
N/A g/kmEmission standard
N/ATurning circle
10.4 mFront suspension
Rear suspension
Front brakes
DISCRear brakes
DISCFront rim description
7Jx15Rear rim description
7Jx15Front tyre description
N/ARear tyre description
N/ALength
4433 mmWidth
1710 mmHeight
1393 mmWheelbase
2700 mmFront track
1408 mmRear track
1421 mmKerb weight
1310 kgPayload
N/A LGross vehicle mass
1750 kgGross combined mass
N/A kgTowing capacity (braked)
1400 kgTowing capacity (unbraked)
600 kgGround clearance
125 mmANCAP Rating
UnratedAirbags
N/ACountry of origin
GERMANYLaunch year
1990Launch month
07Discontinued
1996Manufacturer
BMWDoors
2Seats
5Body style
2D COUPEDisclaimer
øFeatures and Specifications have been sourced from a third party and may not be exact, precise or correct. Please confirm Features and Specifications with us before making any decisions regarding this vehicle.
Comments
1990 BMW E30 318is Coupe | S54 3.2L | E46 M3 6-Speed | Brintech Documented | Genuine 325is Components | 208rwkWLocated in Kingsgrove, Sydney.
Before comparing this car to a standard E30 318is, it is important to understand what this car is.
This BMW E30 started life as a 318is coupe, but has since been transformed into a serious S54-powered build with an E46 M3 6-speed manual gearbox, Brintech Customs documentation, genuine 325is body and interior components as advised by the owner, upgraded brakes, suspension, cooling, A/C, driveline, wiring, custom cluster and a substantial receipt file.
This vehicle is not being represented as a factory 325is. It is advertised as a 318is due to its original model designation, but it has been extensively developed into something far more serious. The value here is not in the original badge alone — it is in the build, the parts, the presentation, the documentation and the cost of recreating something similar today.
This car appears to go well beyond a basic conversion. The documentation and owner-supplied information indicate S54 engine work, E46 M3 6-speed gearbox, CP forged pistons, high-performance bearing sets, ARP head studs, Schrick S54 camshafts, Schrick DLC coated followers, VANOS/cam timing work, Wilwood brake components, 5-stud conversion, BC coilovers, LSD/rear-end work, cooling and A/C work, custom wiring, short-shifter work and dyno tuning.
One Brintech invoice notes the car being tuned from approximately 182rwkW to 208rwkW.
The current owner advises that the car is fitted with genuine 325is body and interior components, including front and rear bars, boot, side panels, side sills, front seats and rear seats. This is a key part of the car’s appeal. Genuine 325is components are becoming increasingly difficult to source, with many E30s now using replica 325is-style kits and trim.
At the heart of the build is BMW’s iconic S54 3.2-litre naturally aspirated inline-six, best known from the E46 M3. In the lighter E30 chassis, it delivers the kind of high-revving, analogue, naturally aspirated driving experience that modern performance cars rarely replicate.
The Brintech documentation and supporting receipts indicate substantial engine-related work, including CP forged pistons and rings, high-performance main bearing set, high-performance rod bearing set, OEM head gasket, ARP head stud kit, Schrick S54 camshaft set, Schrick DLC coated followers, engine machining, assembly, run-in, VANOS/cam timing work and dyno tuning.
The car is also fitted with a custom instrument cluster suited to the conversion, featuring a 9,000 rpm tachometer and 300 km/h speedometer. The display currently shows approximately 3,593 km, however this is understood to relate to the custom/post-conversion cluster reading rather than original chassis mileage.
For transparency, the kilometres have been listed at approximately 180,000 km based on the understood chassis history and available supporting documentation. The current custom dash display should not be relied upon as original chassis mileage.
The car is supported by extensive historical service records showing long-term maintenance prior to the conversion, along with later documentation relating to the S54 conversion, engine work, gearbox, brakes, suspension, cooling, A/C and supporting mechanical work.
In simple terms, this is not priced as a normal 318is. It is priced as a highly documented S54 E30 build with genuine 325is components, serious mechanical investment and a replacement cost that would likely exceed the asking price by a considerable margin.
1990 BMW E30 318is coupe
Advertised as a 318is due to original model designation
Genuine 325is body and interior components
Genuine 325is front and rear bars advised
Genuine 325is boot advised
Genuine 325is side panels advised
Genuine 325is side sills advised
Genuine 325is front and rear seats advised
S54 3.2L E46 M3 engine conversion
E46 M3 6-speed manual gearbox
Brintech Customs documented work
Brintech E30 conversion packages start from approx. $45,000 before many optional upgrades
Documented dyno tune: approx. 208rwkW
CP forged pistons and rings
High-performance main and rod bearing sets
OEM head gasket
ARP head studs
Schrick S54 camshafts
Schrick DLC coated followers
VANOS/cam timing work documented
Modified S54 wiring/harness work to suit E30
CAE-style short-shifter work documented
Wilwood brake components
5-stud conversion advised
BC coilovers advised
LSD setup advised as 3.73 by owner
Rear-end/driveline work documented in part
Cooling and A/C system work documented
Custom cluster with 9,000 rpm tacho / 300 km/h speedometer
Current cluster display approx. 3,593 km, understood as post-conversion/custom cluster reading
Approx. 180,000 km listed based on understood chassis history
Alpina wheels
Extensive historic service file
Large receipt/documentation file
Presented at our boutique automotive showroom located in Kingsgrove, Sydney, specialising in unique, classic, sports, performance and enthusiast vehicles.
Inspection by appointment. Serious enquiries only.