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My To-Do List includes:
1. R&R the heater blower motor and rennovate the heater box while I have it out
2. Replace passenger floor board- a friend will do the welding, I'll do everything else.
3. Replace headliner as well as the windshield/rear window gaskets- I'll definitely farm those jobs out!
4. Replace carpet
5. Fit dash cap over cracked dash(or-if I hit Powerball-get a recovered dash)
6. Recover front seats or replace with 320iS Recaros
7. Recover rear seat and parcel tray and fit new speakers out of sight
8. Replace interior door panels- cleaning and adjusting the window and lock mechanisms while I'm in there.
9. Replace the '80s vintage radio with a period correct Becker or Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo radio- with a hidden iPod input
10. Rebuild pedal box
11. Replace radiator with a more efficient unit and fit the "tropical" fan
12. (If I have any money left)Replace all the chrome upper body trim using stainless fasteners.
My fall-back position will be to take my 318ti, which is kind of a spiritual heir of the 2002, what with it's spunky(especially since I've fitted a TMS/Conforti chip) four cylinder and semi-trailing arm rear suspension.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
It can be done. It's also possible that a cluster from a car with lower mileage was swapped in. A red dot in the mileage display indicates that the odo has been tampered with.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Since last night, my oil temperature gauge has trouble getting to the normal operating temperature (center of the gauge) and moves slightly to the left at times. Is it the thermostat or could something else be happening too?
Thanks in advance!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
What kind of price can I reasonably expect to pay for one ready to drive in decent shape?
Anybody got some leads on nice ones?
-Paul
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
What about the 318ti (and, why didn't you think of it! )?
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
After work I got a ride to the mechanic, he told me the rims weren't in the best shape (I should look for new ones) but he was able to balance the tires very well. I thought the suspension was shot, but he told me everything was tight. The new tires completely transformed my car. I drove home and felt completely comfortable at speeds between 75 & 80. The car tracks straight as an arrow. It is hard to believe the car is 18 years old! It is remarkable.
I'm getting a few goodies for hanukkah for my BMW (everyone is happy as my usual answer is I don't need or want anything short of a new 911): New glove box lock & latch, new Roundels for the front and back, new Roundels for the bottlecap wheels, and I want to learn how to use a claybar.
I'm going to start driving it a few days a week now.
What did I miss about my Prelude? My slick shifting 5 speed manual transmission, my SIRIUS radio (I can't stand radio commercials & there is no substitute for HOWARD), and my Prelude's passing power.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/car+polishing/paint+cleaning+clay/p- aint+clay+%26+speed+shine+kit.do?search=basic&keyword=clay&sortby=newArrivals&pa- ge=1
There's even a video there to show you how.
My brakes squeal too. Personally, I like to think my Porterfields are talking to me - squealing with delight and egging me to brake a little later next time.
-Paul
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I think if you get a 4-cylinder, none of those cars will be more expensive to insure than the other, regardless of configuration.
One example: Our convertible was only $72/yr more to insure than our sedan.. (of course, we aren't 16 yrs old).
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'Tis a challenge!!!!!!
-Paul
There are a bunch of good candidates on Auto Trader, many under $5K; an Acura dealer in IL has a Bright Red 1991 318is. I'd buy it but my wife has limited the Roaburner fleet to five cars and one motorcycle...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Anybody have any input on performance of these 4cyls? I have experience with BMW's I-6 and V8, but not their 4 cylinder. How is acceleration? Longevity? That 318 has about 138k on it, so I have a concern for reliability.
-Paul
The M42/M44 engines produce @140 bhp stock. They develop most of their usable power above 3500 rpm so you have to shift accordingly. An E30 318is will knock out a 0-60 in the mid-nine second range. The E36 sedan and coupe will need a bit less than that. A ti will hit 60 in the low eights. A Conforti chip can be fitted to the 1991-1995 cars and it cuts almost 1/2 second off those times. As for longevity, a well-maintained engine should make 200K with no problem. My ti has almost 115,000 miles and all the engine has needed is a new thermostat, although I did replace the timing chain tensioner as a precaution(an easy and cheap DIY).
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Tomorrow calls for clear skies, so I'm going to use the E30 tomorrow
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Could be just a loose bolt in the linkage. Have you bought the E30 Bentley manual yet? It's a tremendous help...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
It's a clever ad, but most think it is a proposal from an ad agency that was never actually aired...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Thanks!
Not knowing the price, I'd rather buy an '06 CPO convertible.. They are the exact same car, and even if it has 30K miles, you can get a BMW-backed warranty that will last you 3-3.5 years, depending on the in-service date..
regards,
kyfdx
visiting host
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Try this link (you may have to copy & paste in your browser):
http://www.icarkits.com/product_info.php?products_id=96
It's suppose to plug in where a cd changer would go, yielding superior sound quality. I hope this helps!
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Two questions:
1. Has anyone heard of Wahler thermostats? A local shop I called says that it is OEM but doesn't come with a logo - they buy it direct and save some money.
2. When the water pump fails, do the idiot lights come on and flash? I am getting to the 75K mark and since water pump failure is a common issue, I would like to be aware of any signs besides the temperature gauge (it is a reliable indicator but I doubt if my wife will notice this while driving if the engine overheats).
Thanks in advance..
If you are really nervous and if wifey is really oblivious to temperature gauges (as are many people these days male or female) then you might just want to swap it out as a preventative measure. I know others will disagree with this strategy and I understand their objections ("if it ain't broke, don't etc etc")
Here's a quote from Edge Motorworks, a well-known SF Bay Area BMW shop:
"Water Pump Failure
Water pump failure is without a doubt the easiest way to cause extensive and expensive damage to your BMW. The main symptom will be a rapidly overheating motor. What occurs is that the bearing or impeller on the stock pump, breaks, completely disabling the cooling system. If you ever see the temperature gauge on your BMW climb above the 3/4 mark,
TURN THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND CALL A TOW
TRUCK!!
We can't stress this enough. Failure to catch the overheating motor in time can result in a warped head or even more severe engine damage. We recommend changing out the waterpump in six cylinder cars every 60-80k.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
Looks like there's news coming in a few weeks; just FYI from other sources (and "post update" means 3 Series sedans from '02 through the end of the '05 model year):
For many of you on the board with a long history of tail light problems, be sure to save your receipts.
You will be able to get your money back once a recall starts. Better is the fact that BMW might actually stop having us fix our own cars with parts from Radio Shack . . . . Geesh, have they no shame?
It's time to stop with the "homemade" fixes. This is a serious safety defect and BMW knows it. The post below is a cross post--read and heed:
Just a quick update on this problem. Among my circle of friends we have five post-update E46 sedans. Four of them have had tail light, turn signal, brake light failures all caused by BMW's screw up when they updated the tail lights: not enough grounding wire(s). See the BMW service bulletin SI B 63 03 06 on this at the link below:
http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B630306g.htm
Since the ne'er-do-wells at "Screw The Damn Customer" BMW HQ Customer Service (what an oxymoron) have never heard of Ralph Nader, we're giving 'em a little help. The nice folks over in Washington D.C. have these things called Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and EVERYONE selling cars here has to meet them for ten years after a car or truck is built. That means if our lights have design defects (they do), BMW is under potentially criminal liability to fix the things with a safety recall at NO cost.
BMW's service bulletins basically say, "Only fix the cars under warranty; screw everyone else for whatever you can get away with so you can buy a bigger boat." WRONG ANSWER BMW!
The ball is in motion on this; more later. For now, BE SURE TO SAVE ALL YOUR RECEIPTS IF YOU HAD YOUR STEALER RAPE YOU FOR $400 (per side) TO FIX BMW'S LIGHTING SCREW UP.
I expect to see something in a few weeks so hang in there.
Just FYI, but my E46 is almost 8 years old, & I've had no problems with my brake / tail / turn signal lights. Moreover, I've been hanging out at Edmunds since the fall of '98 - more than 10 years ago - & until now, I've heard nothing about "massive problems with the rear light clusters".
Am I unlucky? How do you explain that?
BTW, Volvo's and VW's are well known for short bulb life too (probably poor grounding). Think about it - have you ever seen a VW that had both headlights working at the same time? :P