M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: SEEL318iS on January 02, 2008, 08:34:50 PM

Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: SEEL318iS on January 02, 2008, 08:34:50 PM
Just bought a 318iS yesterday with 183k miles on her.  Love the car. Using her as my new DD as apposed to driving my 350z to work everyday.

The interior of the car is not in pristine condition and the markings on some of the buttons has worn off.  My questions about the buttons are:

1. round button next to the gear shift on the left?
2. rectangular button next to the gear shift on the right?
3. Do I have cruise control?  If so, how do I engage it?
4. Power locks?  How do I use them?  Power windows work great :)

Thanks everyone.  Seems like a very helpful forum!
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: Febi Guibo on January 02, 2008, 11:07:04 PM
round button... you mean the cigarette lighter?

rectangular button on the right, that locks the windows (well, disables the power to the windows)

you probably don't have cruise control

power locks ...all US E30 M42s have them... basically, unlocking one door unlocks the other, and the trunk... tip: use the trunk to lock / unlock your doors to save wear n tear on your door lock actuators
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: D. Clay on January 02, 2008, 11:31:53 PM
I have 1991 318is without power locks. I even checked once when I had the trim panel off of the door and there is no power actuator. Same with trunk and fuel filler door.
I wuz robbed, man!
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: Febi Guibo on January 02, 2008, 11:57:53 PM
you wuz robbed... well, i stand corrected... *almost* everybody in the us has power locks
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: SEEL318iS on January 03, 2008, 08:10:09 AM
Quote from: Febi Guibo;40376
round button... you mean the cigarette lighter?

rectangular button on the right, that locks the windows (well, disables the power to the windows)

you probably don't have cruise control

power locks ...all US E30 M42s have them... basically, unlocking one door unlocks the other, and the trunk... tip: use the trunk to lock / unlock your doors to save wear n tear on your door lock actuators


thanks!  Well the round button just pushes in.  Doesn't look like a cigarette lighter in any car I've ever seen. Maybe the lighter has been pushed in really far and the stem isn't exposed anymore.  I'll have to mess with it today.  Thanks again for the post!
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: gearheadE30 on January 03, 2008, 10:53:16 AM
The stem on these lighters are never exposed. Try pulling up on the ring around the "button" ;)

Febi, I also have a US-spec car without power locks ;). Haledj does as well, iirc.
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: Febi Guibo on January 03, 2008, 11:15:30 AM
Quote from: gearheadE30;40399
Febi, I also have a US-spec car without power locks ;). Haledj does as well, iirc.


oh great, now the torches and pitchforks are coming out! :)
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: SEEL318iS on January 03, 2008, 03:12:58 PM
Thanks guys, answers solved.  Lighter does not work, window lock does.  

Really enjoying this car but I found out it is leaking about a quarter size (in diameter) of oil per night.  Any suggestions?
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: swiss318is on January 03, 2008, 03:43:35 PM
about the leaking... clean the entire engine with brakecleaner, so that the oil cames down. then have a look where it is leaking.
i bet it is the timing chain cover... and probably the oilpan, if you have powersteering check the hoses under pressure!

i got 3 318is e30
NR1: ABS, NO power steering, NO power locks, NO bordcomputer, NO sportseats
NR2: NO ABS, power steering, power locks, bordcomputer, sportseats
NR3: NO ABS, NO power steering, power locks, bordcomputer, sportseats
all eurospec cars.. and all from one owner!
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: SEEL318iS on January 03, 2008, 07:00:22 PM
Quote from: swiss318is;40416
about the leaking... clean the entire engine with brakecleaner, so that the oil cames down. then have a look where it is leaking.
i bet it is the timing chain cover... and probably the oilpan, if you have powersteering check the hoses under pressure!

i got 3 318is e30
NR1: ABS, NO power steering, NO power locks, NO bordcomputer, NO sportseats
NR2: NO ABS, power steering, power locks, bordcomputer, sportseats
NR3: NO ABS, NO power steering, power locks, bordcomputer, sportseats
all eurospec cars.. and all from one owner!



Those were where I was thinking to check 1st for sure.  Thanks

Wow, you've got quite a stable of 318is' .  Crazy!
Title: New owner...buttons question
Post by: haledj on January 04, 2008, 10:22:10 AM
Quote from: gearheadE30;40399

Febi, I also have a US-spec car without power locks ;). Haledj does as well, iirc.



Yep, no power locks here.  The easiest way to check is to look behind the gas cap door and see if there is the hole for the lock bar.