M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: Sean_318is on July 22, 2009, 07:48:29 AM
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Hi there,
My name's Sean, I'm 28 and I have owned my Montreal Blue 1995 E36 318is coupe for just over a week now. I thought I'd tell you how we're getting along!
*Pics* (http://s760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/)
Spec: *All mods carried out by previous owners
318is M42 140bhp - 174k miles
Lowered suspension with front strut brace
Twin upswept DTM stlye rear exhaust
K&N induction kit (needs enclosing and cleaning :rolleyes:)
Grey Leather interior
Sony USB stereo
Blue interior lights
OZ 17 x 8 deep rim wheels (need tyres and refurb)
Aftermarket sport steering wheel (airbag deleted and horn button added on dash)
M3 rear lamps and clear indicators
Good bits
The car drives well and sounds pretty healthy, its comfortable and looks good :)
The body work has very few dings and the paint is good, the interior is in average conditon for its age and the leather could do with a good clean, but there are no major rips or tears. Everything works on the inside, switches & lights, equipment, elec sunroof etc. :) I have a full BMW toolkit and First Aid kit too!
So far I have changed the oil, filter and spark plugs. I haven't looked at the timing parts yet but that's on the list. I did find a new style tensioner in my glove box (?!).
Cosmetically I will be adding clear side repeaters and I have inserted fine black diamond mesh into the bumper grille as it was missing.
Planned mods:
An amp/sub and some decent speakers because frankly the fronts are shockingly tinny and the rears are muddy
Possibly a boot lip spoiler to finish off the rear
M3 GT front bumper finisher
Bad bits
Passenger exterior door handle is not working
The steering gaiters look bad and sound full of water
Left hand rear trailing arm has a new bush but its slipped and knocking on the chassis
Exhaust sheild loose, all the mountings have come loose.
Leaking fluid from the rear hubs/brakes
Thats that for now, I'll try to keep updated
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Hi mate welcome
Sounds like a nice project you have going on:D
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Yes, and that was after I said "I just want something I can get in and drive away..." as my girlfriend keeps reminding me lol!
I think Ive figured out what the grinding noise from the rear axle is, sounds like a wheel bearing as it goes away when I go around corners.
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what's up sean,
"Passenger exterior door handle is not working"
Take the passenger interior door panel off and to see what's missing or broken, because most of the time it's something that could be retrieved from a junkyard. Once the panel is off, lift up on the door handle to see what doesn't look right as far as movement.
"Exhaust sheild loose, all the mountings have come loose".
Just put it up on the lift and replace them with new screws-it won't hurt anything.
"Leaking fluid from the rear hubs/brakes"
If you're not that inclined with brakes sean, you should have a mechanic look at it ASAP--that's bad ju-ju. Good luck
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Hi bud :)
I've had a look and the cast aluminium part from the handle that actuates the latch is sheared. I'll have to get down the scrapyard when I get paid. (I have no idea how it passed our M.O.T. test like that as you need to be able to open the doors from the outside.)
I'll get our workshop to look at the brakes tomorrow, might be leaking shocks they said.
Oh, and the rear trailing arm bush is knocking too!
Cheers :)
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Todays update!
The rear drive shaft seals are leaking and the wheel bearings need replacing, so not too expensive to fix (£75 or so inc labour). The rear brake pads could do with replacing too as the handbrake slips a bit.
My white side repeaters turned up last night, but the left hand wont fit as the hole for the bulb holder is too small :(
PICTURES are up now on ze photobucket :)
http://s760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/
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where did you get the strut from?? i want one
also do yours drink fuel with the k&n on because mine drinks with it on so took it of again
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where did you get the strut from?? i want one
also do yours drink fuel with the k&n on because mine drinks with it on so took it of again
Yes, it seems pretty thirsty! I was thinking of finding an original box (possibly drilling it) and filter as I read they're supposed to be good anyway.
The strut brace came with the car when I bought it. I don't know what make it is :confused:
I cleaned and polished it on Saturday, took all day lol :)
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Dammit! It gets worse! I need a new alternator and that's at least £100! ($170) :(
I'm getting 12.9v when the engines ruinning with heaters, lights, radio etc on. Crap.
And... My mechanics say that the rear wheel bearing will take about 5 hours and might not even get done... £115 labour at least. :(
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Ok, new for this week, i've found the heater doesn't heat...
EDIT: It does heat, just I realised it only blows cold from the front vents
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OK, my wheel bearing will be fixed on monday along with the suspension bush for under £100! :) Now to get a door handle...
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Yes! Wheel bearing a bush repaired. £75 :) I've driven it and it feels great now! Only problem now is I want to go for a drive on some twisty back roads!
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That's not a problem, that's my weekend priority.
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That's not a problem, that's my weekend priority.
hehe yeah true, but I've spent all the money for petrol fixing it lol
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Yeah-I can see the euro's you're dishing out to get her fixed, that's the one thing about living in Germany, the exchange rate from us dollar to euro--it's crazy expensive to have stuff done to your ride. I think the rate of today is 68~ fennings to the dollar.
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Yeah your losing 30 odd % :( Same with sterling.
Petrol is about 1.09 per litre locally, so about $1.79/L or E1.29/L.
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Update:- I've now replaced the leaky cam cover gasket :) Hopefully it wont leak any more, but when I change seals I tend to make things worse!
I'll re-tighten the bolts tonight and check for leaks.
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Well the top isn't leaking anymore, but I can see a leak from the bottom somewhere. gonna check the timing gasket and sump. Payday next week, then I can get a door handle :) and I can start on the fun stuff like start buttons, spoilers and bodywork!
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Recieved my K&N Filter cleaning kit on 21/08 :) Fast delivery from a seller on eBay!
I cleaned and re-oiled the filter and the difference is noticable, better throttle response and more growl.
Next I need a new alternator because it just isn't properly charging the battery! After 1-2 days parked its drained.
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Recieved my K&N Filter cleaning kit on 21/08 :) Fast delivery from a seller on eBay!
I cleaned and re-oiled the filter and the difference is noticable, better throttle response and more growl.
Next I need a new alternator because it just isn't properly charging the battery! After 1-2 days parked its drained.
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New alternator fitted, everythings fine for now :) A bit more power in the engine it seems
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Better voltage, better spark. ;)
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:) I've now got some nice footwell lighting courtesy of 2 Blue LED strip lamps wired into the clock feed.
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This months updates, I've tinted the front indicator lenses to match the dark headlamps and I'm in the process of painting and fitting lower headlamp eyelids/brows :)
(http://www.m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=82&pictureid=515)
(http://cdn2.ioffer.com/img/item/111/466/997/SHlX.jpg)
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Ordered a new cam cover breather hose today, the old one feels like jelly and is all blocked up £18.60 trade price
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The LH door handle arrived last week, £27 from eBay. I fitted it on Saturday and I'm now enjoying the novelty of opening the passenger door from the outside! :P
Breather hose also replaced and headlamp eyebrows painted and fitted. :)
Yesterday I replaced the front speakers (well, they were missing when I bought the car!) with some 5.25" Pioneer units. Much fuller sound now.
http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/bmweyelids.jpg (http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/bmweyelids.jpg)
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So far these past two months or so:
Replaced front passenger window and rear drivers side window after smashing to get into the car, after it locked the keys in it twice! £100 :(
Replaced the spark plugs and so far cured the misfire around 2500 rpm. Free plugs ;)
Now my drivers window has decided its not going to work properly (no drop down/auto up) when I open the door and the remote central locking is on the fritz! yay!
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(spam)
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My new donor car, tho its a 320I
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/DSC00603.jpg)
(http://http:/i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/DSC00604.jpg)
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/DSC00605.jpg)
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/DSC00606.jpg)
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"It'll polish out" ;)
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I've found a silver bonnet from the local breakers, £50 :)
... ...
But it's for a saloon :( It won't fit, no heater grille space
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Today I'm swapping the silver saloon bonnet for a black coupe item for the 320i. Should look interesting hehehe. Shame I can't afford the headlamps and front grille too, then it would be finished by next week....
and here it is:
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/DSC00612.jpg)
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looks pretty good!
i also have a few sets of 5 1/4 speakers if your interested...
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Seems a bit tight for that rad fan, eh? You must have needed a really thin wrench/spanner.
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Seems a bit tight for that rad fan, eh? You must have needed a really thin wrench/spanner.
LOL :) I had to strip the front off first to get to the fan! I got a new one for £10 :)
looks pretty good!
i also have a few sets of 5 1/4 speakers if your interested...
Thanks for the offer but I don't really need any :)
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i just read that you already got some lol
GOOD LUCK with it
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Thanks, I'm going to nick the door lock from it for my iS. I'll be bolting the bonnet on today during my lunch break :)
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Here's todays efforts, not bad for an hour!
Slam panel fitted with bonnet:
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/320I%20Repair%20log/320_front2.jpg)
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/320I%20Repair%20log/320front_1.jpg)
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Tinted Rear Lamps:
Had a go with the rear lamps this weekend, I'll fit them to my car to see what they look like.
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/320I%20Repair%20log/DSC00616.jpg)
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13/02/10 - My 318 gets an Engine flush and oil and filter change (5w/30) with oil system protector :) Then the next day I drove it 250 miles on motorway and twisty bits just for fun :) hmmm redlined it a couple of times too.
Seems to run better now. Got a pretty bad oil leak from the timing cover area though, and before I changed the oil it had white gunk on the filler cap and dipstick :S
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White gunk on the oil cap and dipstick is scary stuff dude.....
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Yeah I know :( , I'm thinking about changing the head gasket & timing chain etc later on this year.
I've planned two holidays this year (Sardinia and Arizona/Nevada) so my funds are already commited.
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Ordered a replacement RH door latch from ebay 2 days ago (£15) which arrived this morning :) Hopefully it will fix the central locking/window closure problem. Any other suggestions welcome! The remote CL no longer works and the window doesn't pop up into the seal when I shut the door...
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So, fitted the door latch, didn't fix the window problem - it's activated by the pin switch in in the striker. Also the latch was wired different from mine, even though it was from the same year car! It worked but didn't lock from the inside when I pushed the nob down.
In the process I broke the door handle at the usual place, the crappy aluminium snaps the actuating rod off :(
Anyone swap a latch for a handle and key? :S
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New washer bottle for the 320 on the way, eBay £5.49 :)
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Yay, been offered a complete M42 for £70 ($110) about an hours drive away! Cams are knackered but otherwise ok apparently.
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I'm paying the owner for the 320i this week as the registration documents have arrived. I've taken nearly all the 16" wheels off it and there's about 1-2 good tyres out of 5... >:s
Another note, buying parts for my cars became difficult as eBay has been blocked on our intranet. Bastards! Now I have to do it at home on our very dodgy wireless connection. Ah well!
Things to do:
Buy 320i and finish repairs.
Car £120
Headlamps £40
Grille panel £?
Swap wheels: 4/5
Radiator repairs: some kind of sealer hopefully! Small leak.
Fit fan
Tidy it up and sell it hopefully! Use funds on my 318is :)
My 318is:
Replace RH door handle
Replace RH door striker
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Update for April :)
I've obtained a complete front slam/grille panel and headlamps for £50 from a local guy, in red. The 320i has been moved to my father's house for storage - £20
I'm painting the grill panel gloss black to match the bonnet.
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I had the rear shock mounts on my iS changed at work today. They had to remove the shocks and put them in a vice to get the top nuts off! No wonder I couldn't loosen them on Wednesday. :( I gave up on that pretty quick...
Should be no annoying rattling from the back now :)
Sadly I reversed it into a lampost last week and dented the boot lid :( In my defense it was dark, the post was black and I was very stressed! I felt guilty so I polished it on Wednesday.
The front panel for the 320i is going to be sprayed at the local college where my sister works. She's buying the car from me when its all back together.
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So it turns out the rattling noise wasnt the rear shock mounts! :( There goes £65... at least I know they're new. Meh.
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Ok news on the 320I front:
(http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx246/sean_E36318is/Personal/590e869d.jpg)
Looking good hehe
Just a couple of small issues to clear up then it should be ready
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what was the knocking noise, loose muffler or driveshaft from all the power she's putting out?
i've heard of people getting noise from the rear shock mounts just because they skipped replacing the 2 paper gaskets :-/
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I think its going to be a trailing arm bush. Power, haha! lol :)
I'll find out when it gets tested next month.
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This month, the iS passed the MOT :) No problems, advised on the strut brace, rear indicator bulb, slight play in steering rack, perishing front brake hoses. I've had the hoses replaced. While the wheels were off I noticed the right hand front drop link bush is frayed... maybe next month fore that!
I finally bit the bullet and bought a brand new BMW door handle, £70 but it was the correct part, has some warranty and 2 keys. Sorted!
I chucked the carpet mats in the washing machine and they came up really nice, thy're actually a light beige colour! Also removed the seats and gave the leather a scrub with warm soapy water so they look good too.
Next I need to replace the dented boot lid and get some tyres for my 16" wheels.
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Hey can you put up a pic of the door handle and the section of the door I goes into ( from the outside )? I was thinking of putting e36 handles on my e30, but I haven't gotten a chance to goto the u-pull it yard to look at it. I know that it's not a direct fit. Just need to get an idea of how much fab work I'll need to do.
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Yeah I'll see what I can do :) The Lock barrel is in the handle part rather than the door.