1998 BMW 318ti w/ S52 Swap

Description

PRICING & SALE OPTIONS:

• $18,000 Firm (Fully Loaded & Resolved): Includes the full S52 swap, genuine Style 24 LTW forged wheels, Euro Bosch glass headlights, and Pioneer/ADS audiophile audio setup. At full asking price, I will resolve the minor CEL/vacuum codes and install the color-matched OEM nose panel and driver mirror prior to delivery.

• $12,000 OBO (Standard Driveline / Track Spec - As-Is): Includes complete S52 engine/chassis setup on clean 17” OEM BMW wheels, standard US headlights, and a basic Bluetooth Alpine headunit with basic coaxial speakers. Lower offers accept the car in its current as-is state for you to finish to your liking.

• TRADES: Open to trades for a manual, low-mileage BMW 228i M-Sport in Estoril Blue (or clean interior spec).

OVERVIEW

Up for sale is my 1998 BMW 318ti M-Sport California Package with a complete S52 3.2L E36 M3 driveline swap. Built as a tribute to the rare factory M3 Compact prototype created by BMW M in Germany.

Combining ~240 hp with a lightweight (~2,800 lbs) chassis and the lively semi-trailing arm rear suspension creates an exceptionally balanced street/track combination that rotates effortlessly. Brought over from California in 2018; 100% rust-free anywhere on the car—no rust on body panels, undercarriage, or floors—and never winter/salt-driven.

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS

• Driveline: 3.2L S52B32 (240hp / 240lb-ft), ZF320 5-speed manual, 2.93 Medium Case LSD w/ welded reinforcement rail, E34 M5 clutch w/ solid flywheel, Supersprint exhaust.

• Suspension & Chassis: E36 M3 Bilstein front sport shocks, E30 M3 Bilstein rear sport shocks, Z3 M rear sway bar/springs, M3 convertible X-brace, Polyurethane bushings throughout.

• Brakes: E36 M3 front brakes, E34 rear calipers on 318ti rotors, stainless brake/clutch lines.

• Exterior/Interior: California canvas folding roof, heated Millpoint leather sport seats, E36 M-Tech aero, Mtech steering wheel.

PROS

• Truly 100% Rust-Free: Zero rust anywhere on the chassis, body, floors, or mounting points.

• Factory Documentation: Includes original window sticker, manuals, receipts, and extra race pads.

• Included Spare Parts: Includes a full spare California roof assembly for spare tracks/motor components.

• Aluminum Valve Cover Included: Comes with an aluminum valve cover ready to be installed to refresh upper-engine gaskets and eliminate minor oil weeping.

• MAF, transmission detent kit (bought two when doing the swap), racing pads, bushings, etc

CONS & DISCLOSURES

• Transmission Cold Synchro: ZF320 5-speed has a minor 3rd gear synchro nibble/grind when shifted aggressively while cold (likely tight tolerances from a detent fix). Disappears completely once slightly warmed up.

• Engine Codes (CEL): Engine runs smooth with zero misfires or smoke, but currently showing vacuum/O2 codes (P0154, P0173, P1188, P1189, P1250). Installing the included aluminum valve cover / checking intake boots should resolve this.

• Gauges: Speedometer reading can be intermittent after sitting still, but operates normally once driven. Tachometer reads fast due to using the factory 4-cylinder gauge cluster (includes an uninstalled digital tach adjuster to calibrate it).

• California Roof: Fully functional canvas roof, but care should be taken not to hold the switch past full closure to keep the track aligned.

• Cosmetic / Wear: Minor dings/scratches consistent with age and garage storage near bicycles. Wear hole on driver's seat bolster. Bridgestone RE11 tires have great tread but are older (replacement recommended before track use).

WHY I'M SELLING

Family lifestyle calls for a modern daily with side airbags to carry the kids. I’ve driven this car fewer than 500 miles in the past 6 years, and it deserves to go to an enthusiast who will actually drive it!

Build history

Up for sale is my custom 1998 BMW 318ti M-Sport California Package with a full S52 E36 M3 driveline swap. Built as a tribute to the rare E36 M3 Compact prototype from Germany, this is the ultimate lightweight (~2,800 lbs), high-performance street/track combo. Ref: https://www.bmw-m.com/en/topics/magazine-article-pool/the-bmw-m3-e36-compact.html

Why I'm Selling:

Family duties call, and I need something safer with full modern airbag coverage to haul my kids around. I’ve driven it fewer than 500 miles in the past 6 years, and it deserves an owner who will actually use it!

The summary of the detailed factory options and upgrades is as follows:

1998 BMW 318ti M-sport California Package with a sliding cloth sunroof

Known Issues:

* Dings/minor scratches all around from general bumps from being stored in my garage with bikes

* Front driver's seat leather has a wear-through hole in the bolster

* Speed reading intermittent

* Not really an issue for me, but Tachometer literally goes to 11 (using factory gauge cluster; I have a digital tach adjuster to make it accurate, but didn't feel like doing it)

* High-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE11 tires are old (coming up on 10 years soon)

* Wrinkle in the nose panel (To be repaired in the next week or two)