 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  10-19-2013, 05:52 AM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norfolk Posts: 20 |  Norfolk Newbie
Now that I have the new to me 318ti home, I figured I'd make an introduction. If you count the new MINI Coopers, then this is my third BMW.
I will try for pictures in the morning, but it is a '96 318ti California 5sp. It's a solid car but I am not certain that it was well cared for. With the exception of a leak somewhere around the Cali top (previous owner's best guess) and a driver's seat with a wicked 'gangsta' lean, most of everything else seems small. It did make a 70 mile trip home with out issue, followed by a 5 minute trip to Wally world for some grease for the windows that ended with a check engine light. :/
Right now the plan is to fix both windows this weekend, unless I need parts, and work on tracking down the water leak and a replacement driver side seat. I was told that the seat is missing a bolt, but my searches haven't found any issues with bolts falling out, only broken seat frames. My experience has been that once the seat frame breaks and is re-welded, it is only a matter of time until it breaks again. So I will look for a replacement, preferably not of the after market variety.
Once those are addressed, I am planning on going through the car and getting the water stains removed, if possible, and making it a dependable driver. February is the goal, which should be do-able.
I have a little bit of a mechanical background. I've learned a bit from my father who is a dealership tech, and has been since before I was born. I've learned a bit more on my own through my own tinkering and from online enthusiast forums such as this one. The Navy has even taught me a little seeing as how my rate is Machinist Mate, but my job rarely has me performing work of a mechanical nature. |  |  | | 10-19-2013, 05:59 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,275 |
Cool __________________ 
Sean
1995 Active | | | | | 10-19-2013, 06:06 AM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seattle Posts: 513 |
Welcome, although I am new here too.
FYI, that "gangsta" lean is desired in certain parts of the country so I'd double check that Norfolk wasn't one of those areas before you fix.
Often times a glock-9 will straighten things out. If drastic, attempt to fix with an automatic shotgun....(dont shoot, just place underneath the seat) | | | | | 10-19-2013, 08:18 AM | #4 | | Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 45 |
Welcome! | | | | | 10-20-2013, 12:25 AM | #5 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norfolk Posts: 20 |
I pulled to codes this morning and got a code for an O2 sensor. l also snapped a couple photos of the car as it sits now:    I am fairly certain that she will clean up well. | | | | | 10-20-2013, 03:15 PM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 |
Quote: Originally Posted by J_E  I pulled to codes this morning and got a code for an O2 sensor. | I would clear the code and see if the code pops up again before replacing it. Welcome to our little community. __________________ ...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
| | | | | 10-26-2013, 11:53 PM | #7 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norfolk Posts: 20 |
I forgot to write the code down, but it came back in before I got to the parts house. I asked hem to pull the code which was the same one I had had, bank 1 sensor 2. I thought it was the after cat sensor, but I let them convince me that is was one of 2 pre cat sensors.  Instead of changing it tomorrow, I will be waiting a couple days for the right one to get here since B1S2 is a post cat sensor. I also got my windows fixed. My door cards are a different story, and I will probably need a passenger side window regulator in the near future. I also got the parts that, I think, will get the leaks in my top sealed up. Today I noticed a badge on my car that seemed out of place:  I am pretty sure that this car just has the California package on it I am guessing this is just a badge that someone stuck on for an extra 5hp or so. Just thought that I'd finish with a pic of my recently cleaned 135i:  | | | | | 10-27-2013, 05:47 PM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: norcal - 94590 Posts: 3,186 |
Quote: Originally Posted by J_E Today I noticed a badge on my car that seemed out of place: I am pretty sure that this car just has the California package on it I am guessing this is just a badge that someone stuck on for an extra 5hp or so. | Well considering that "M Edition" badge is from a Miata, I am afraid that it deducts 5hp...  Welcome to the .org! __________________ James 95 active w/leather interior and sport interior conversion, Vaders, full M-Tech exterior conversion. Now m50 swapped* Eibach sway bars, D2 Coilovers, Depo's w/AE's, blacked-out sides and grills, LeatherZ console and door armrests, 1 series starter button mod, and custom finished Style 5's <--- in this color! Named "Roddy":  *M50 6 cyl. swap with fan delete, S50 cams and chip, AFE stage 2 intake, M3 clutch and 11.5 lb Fidanza flywheel, 3.15LSD, battery relocated to rear and complete custom exhaust. Sweet!  97 318ti sport, Alaska Blue, Contours, coilovers, Dove Vaders and custom black/grey interior named "Max" 95 318ti Active in Cosmos, S50 swap in progress... named "Pit" SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | | | 10-27-2013, 08:19 PM | #9 | | Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Norfolk Posts: 20 |
Quote: Originally Posted by wolferj Well considering that "M Edition" badge is from a Miata, I am afraid that it deducts 5hp... Welcome to the .org! |  Then it definitely has to come off. Wait....It has Mazda parts on it, and Mazda parts are JDM. Right? That means that it's JDM and has at least an extra 10hp!!  | | | | |
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | |
 Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
|
Linear Mode
