ILC's 1991 318 S50 track rat
-
post updated with photo of where the car ended up. It was just a weeeeee bit wet out there
-
The race seat and harness really did their job well. I woke up today with no soreness or pain, just the same mild tension in my shoulders that I had yesterday. I thought for sure once I slept and blood flow slowed down that I'd wake up with sore muscles and/or neck.
-
Good to hear man. Cars can be replaced.
-
Good to hear! If you're going four wheels off, tire walls are a much better end point than concrete or trees.
As you start working on repairs be sure to take your seat out and remove the seat mounts (don't remember if you've got side or bottom) and check the seat and mounts for cracks, bends, other damage. Speaking from experience with post-crash damage this can be hard to see with the seat still in the car.
Also be sure to replace your harnesses with new ones so you can be sure they can do the job next time.
Can't have enough safety gear. You wearing a HANS or other h&n device? If not get one. Should be mandatory in any car with fixed back race seats and a roll bar or cage.
In the bad stuff happens and walking away from it category this is from a recent Trans Am race at Mid Ohio but stupid track reentry happens in DE events. Why a H&N matters:
-
thanks Boris, I'm definitely going to check everything over, wasn't sure on harnesses but as long as the seats and mounts are not damaged, I'm guessing I can re-use the seats and just buy new harnesses then.
I don't have a hans but to be sure, after Saturday I was planning on getting one haha. If you have any recommendations I'm all ears.
The whole time we were sliding I was thinking two things:
- yay we're headed for tire walls and not the guardrail 100 yards further down the track
- go off straight
Jeff Fait was driving behind me in his 335i about 100 yards, unfortunately he didn't have a go-pro running because he got to see the whole thing happen and watch the car go airborne. I would've liked to see footage from outside the car because it was a hell of a ride.
-
Wow! This sucks, but like you said, it could be much worse.
Glad you're alright.
-
just got the word from Big Bear - the E30 is fine. Nothing is bent, and the car was barely even out of alignment. All they could come up with is a cracked mount for the fuel pump, lol.
So, now I am officially on the hunt for new front fenders, a valance, and a driver side door.
Should be back on track first thing next season.
-
Great news that there's no frame damage and all the suspension is intact!
Re the body parts quest: I've had some communication with this seller down in Rockford about the passenger side fender, though he's pretty slow in followup responses and I'm still waiting on promised pics and price detail. Anybody here know the seller?
https://rockford.craigslist.org/pts/5721149272.html
Might get a quicker response if you offer to buy the whole car...and we work out a deal for the passenger fender as a finder's fee.

My guess is the ad fell under the radar since a "BMW 325si" doesn't pop up in an e30 parts search.
-
I'm 20 minutes from Rockford if you need eyes.
-
Those fenders are even pre-faded. What a steal
-
Great news that there's no frame damage and all the suspension is intact!
Re the body parts quest: I've had some communication with this seller down in Rockford about the passenger side fender, though he's pretty slow in followup responses and I'm still waiting on promised pics and price detail. Anybody here know the seller?
https://rockford.craigslist.org/pts/5721149272.html
Might get a quicker response if you offer to buy the whole car...and we work out a deal for the passenger fender as a finder's fee.

My guess is the ad fell under the radar since a "BMW 325si" doesn't pop up in an e30 parts search.
yep, Father Hundley sent that link to me this morning as well - I messaged the guy and said I am interested in a few panels or potentially the whole car depending on price. If the panels are intact and matches my color I would definitely help you out with the passenger fender.
My car is Brilliantrot though so I dunno his looks like it may be Hellrot. I also don't know if 325is parts fit a 318is.
-
Literally the same car besides the motor and trans situation. I would hope you plan to get the new parts painted to match the rest of the car given the paint seemed to be in great shape before your crash.
good to know.
i'm unlikely to bother with much in the way of repainting. It's a track car, and I have the 135i to look pretty. The risk of damage at the track is really too high for me to justify the ridiculous cost of painting so many body panels. To have it done right and match everything you're talking at least 2500 bucks just for the paint and labor. That doesn't include parts.
-
I'm well aware of the cost involved in having a car painted....just figured this car deserved it but I guess not.
again, track car that gets driven 10-15 times a year after being pulled off a trailer. The car (was) clean and definitely deserves a nice paint job, it's just impossible to justify for the extremely limited use of a purpose built track vehicle. I agree, it's a shame, a damn shame even, but I have about 500 other places i could better spend that money right now.
Can somebody please tell me how the FUCK to get this white plug/wire cluster out of the body of the car? I am trying to remove the driver side door and cannot for the life of me get this stupid plug out.
Here's where it's at - all disassembly is done except for the driver door:
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login



