<![CDATA[1991 318is M62B44 Build]]>I figured I would start a build thread that got away from my member intro as I will be really pushing to get this done over the next three weeks.

This started off with me wanting to LS swap a E30. I found though that you can get a running 540i for the price of a LS1/T56 so since this is my first real swap having all the parts was important to me.

I start off by buying a 2000 540i with a M62TUB44 and 6 speed behind it. I then learned that these are near impossible to swap so I parted that out and started looking for a pre 99 car.

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I came across a 1991 318is in Indiana with a blown motor for a good price so I bought a truck, drove it down and picked it up. Not 100% as described, but a good clean car with low miles - minimal rust - low miles - etc.

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My garage will never look this clean again

Then the tear down of the E30 and part out of the E39 began. Unfortunately I lost a lot of time this summer by not having garage space.

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After the 2000 E39 was gone my garage had room for the 1998. The E30 is pretty torn down at this point too. I have the motor/trans mounts, but still need the driveshaft shortened. The motor/trans from the E39 will be coming out this weekend. Wiring will be a pain, but since I have the whole car it should be easier.

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And though not BMW related those 275 tires are from my new toy.

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Anyway I will use this thread to keep the build updated. I got a new job recently and have a week off in between my old and new. I will be using that time to get as far as I can on the E30. I thought from the beginning I would build this, sell it and try again with a S62, but depending on how much I like driving the car I will likely keep it, paint it, and do my best to make it look like it just drove off the showroom floor... with a V8...

]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/3141/1991-318is-m62b44-buildRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 05:41:45 GMTWed, 01 Oct 2014 15:01:40 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 23 May 2016 04:47:10 GMT]]>car looks fantastic with those wheels.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/69034https://wibimmers.com/post/69034Mon, 23 May 2016 04:47:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 23 May 2016 00:28:24 GMT]]>It seems like part outs of good condition Brillantrot e30s are not that common. Maybe a few pop up on the forums being parted on the E/W coasts, but again not many compared to the other part outs you see. Don't know why...says the guy with the faded/washed out Brillantrot e30 in need of a rust free similarly faded passenger fender. 😦

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/69022https://wibimmers.com/post/69022Mon, 23 May 2016 00:28:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sun, 22 May 2016 18:52:23 GMT]]>If I find one local I will. The car needs work on the fenders, good, valance, and front bumper. 

Hoping to find a buyer that is ok waiting to find a good Brilliantrot car being parted out if I don't first. The selling point of this car is an already completed M62. It is a no accident car but definitely needs some elbow grease on the body work.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/69014https://wibimmers.com/post/69014Sun, 22 May 2016 18:52:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sun, 22 May 2016 14:26:02 GMT]]>input: get a new front valance. it may not be a deal breaker, but its sure an eye sore for an otherwise straight car.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/69006https://wibimmers.com/post/69006Sun, 22 May 2016 14:26:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 20 May 2016 02:56:26 GMT]]>I'll ask 12k and take 10k. Less if I can keep the good condition interior, coilovers/bbk, Mtech steering wheel, etc. I have spares for almost everything aftermarket.

Any input on asking price?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68904https://wibimmers.com/post/68904Fri, 20 May 2016 02:56:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 20 May 2016 02:52:35 GMT]]>61129d1407472844-new-cosmis-mrii-st-whee

sorry, obligatory response.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68903https://wibimmers.com/post/68903Fri, 20 May 2016 02:52:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 20 May 2016 02:40:55 GMT]]>I can't remember, how much do you think you'd be asking?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68902https://wibimmers.com/post/68902Fri, 20 May 2016 02:40:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 20 May 2016 01:29:47 GMT]]>I need someone to take them. 

Does anyone have a sweet camera?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68901https://wibimmers.com/post/68901Fri, 20 May 2016 01:29:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 20 May 2016 01:03:38 GMT]]>wow looks great! In for smoking tire videos.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68900https://wibimmers.com/post/68900Fri, 20 May 2016 01:03:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 22:21:02 GMT]]>The paint is definitely a 20 footer. I'll do some more cleaning before Saturday, but only so much I can do.

Hopefully it goes to a good home. It is a blast to drive - can't wait to see what another 200hp feels like.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68896https://wibimmers.com/post/68896Thu, 19 May 2016 22:21:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 21:56:55 GMT]]>Great work! Would love to take a ride

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68894https://wibimmers.com/post/68894Thu, 19 May 2016 21:56:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 21:29:45 GMT]]>Looks good. Love the wheels.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68893https://wibimmers.com/post/68893Thu, 19 May 2016 21:29:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 21:25:28 GMT]]>Very good job on the swap. It looks very factory=) 

With a little cleaning it looks like this would be one of the cleanest e30's locally

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68892https://wibimmers.com/post/68892Thu, 19 May 2016 21:25:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 21:05:55 GMT]]>Looks sharp! Get those valve cover caps on 😂

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68890https://wibimmers.com/post/68890Thu, 19 May 2016 21:05:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Thu, 19 May 2016 19:18:27 GMT]]>268423548506473686e91z.jpg

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68889https://wibimmers.com/post/68889Thu, 19 May 2016 19:18:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 09 May 2016 00:41:48 GMT]]>Couple hundred miles on her with no problems other than a small oil leak (I am thinking valve cover gasket). I had a guy from Craigslist who came to buy a part from me offer me cash + his clean E30 vert. I am considering that, but would prefer a straight cash deal. She'll be for sale by Friday - should be interesting. I will definitely miss it, but am really looking forward to being able to focus on the M3 98% (2% on the new SUV).

If it doesn't sell quickly, which I am not expecting it to, I'll be out at the E30 show on the 21st.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68623https://wibimmers.com/post/68623Mon, 09 May 2016 00:41:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sat, 23 Apr 2016 13:08:19 GMT]]>can't wait to see it driving

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68234https://wibimmers.com/post/68234Sat, 23 Apr 2016 13:08:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:00:41 GMT]]>Yeah, not easy to tell unless you had them bolted in the car.

I haven't listed it yet, but this would obviously be an issue. It really affected driving the car.

I let me buddy/future business partner borrow my DSLR to take pictures of the projects he is working on. I'm going to be seeing him this weekend and getting it back so I'll snap some good pictures, get some videos, and get it listed when I get back from vacation in a few weeks. Just sorting out the bugs in the mean time and cleaning up the wiring. I figured any interest party would be turned off by something little that I didn't do the due diligence to diagnose fix now.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68233https://wibimmers.com/post/68233Sat, 23 Apr 2016 01:00:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sat, 23 Apr 2016 00:13:37 GMT]]>Thats the sort of thing I would disclose if i was selling them/knew about it, hope the seller wasnt trying to hide it. Glad you solved the issue though. Is there a buyer for this car?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68231https://wibimmers.com/post/68231Sat, 23 Apr 2016 00:13:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Fri, 22 Apr 2016 23:04:13 GMT]]>Now that the car is running and the exhaust is done I've been focusing on the smaller things.

One of them being the seats. I bought the seats off of here for what I thought was a good price. I later found out why as they had a nice gangsta lean on one side. Did some digging and found this:

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A little wire and boom.

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Not pretty as I had to basically do a bunch of spot welds so I didn't hurt the seat, but its doing its job. I was expecting to find the tab broken not the whole frame.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68228https://wibimmers.com/post/68228Fri, 22 Apr 2016 23:04:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Sun, 17 Apr 2016 17:15:39 GMT]]>Car is all put back together and running like a champ. Coolant is running between 230-235, but apparently that is correct for this motor, they are designed to run hot.

It does have a slow oil leak either at the valve cover gasket or front cover, but I think I am going to leave it as is and let the next owner get acquainted with the car by fixing it. 

Getting some quotes from exhaust shops this week, glamour shots, then she'll be listed.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/68056https://wibimmers.com/post/68056Sun, 17 Apr 2016 17:15:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 11 Apr 2016 03:14:54 GMT]]>I am really digging the houndstooth. Considering swapping them out for the all black M3 ones I have so the M3 gets the houndstooth.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/67864https://wibimmers.com/post/67864Mon, 11 Apr 2016 03:14:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:39:42 GMT]]>Interior looks great!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/67863https://wibimmers.com/post/67863Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:39:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to 1991 318is M62B44 Build on Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:05:58 GMT]]>Something weird is going in with my (non existent) idler. Apparently there were two designs for the M62, but I knew upon install something was wrong with my setup. I have one in the mail that makes more sense, in my head at least.

Interior is getting there good though.

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/67862https://wibimmers.com/post/67862Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:05:58 GMT