Santorini Blue 328i Sport

[les3002]

Sounds like your fob has lost sync with your alarm, pretty common with the E36. A quick google should throw up the procedure to sort it. Ours seems to do this every 6 months or so, considering just fitting a new alarm system.

[sc4589]

It's a st alarm anyway, replace it with a Toad AI606. Costs about £200 fully fitted...

[matt132]

Does the toad work with the central locking? I'm not fussed about the alarm really, just tiresome unlocking with the key. I will try to reprogramme the fob but its not easy with the alarm blaring at the time.

[sc4589]

matt132 said:

Does the toad work with the central locking? I'm not fussed about the alarm really, just tiresome unlocking with the key. I will try to reprogramme the fob but its not easy with the alarm blaring at the time.

Yes it does.

[jaybarts]

FELIX_5 said:

Hi Matt,

I've just picked up an almost identical car! Mine's a 1998 S Reg, it has the rear boot spoiler, and silver leather with blue piping, but is in the same Santorini blue!

Your car was a big driving force in me looking for a 328i Sport, so couldn't believe my luck when I found one in the same colour!!

So here's my brothers car, I took it for a spin tonight... Might have to buy one now.

[carinaman]

Nice looking car.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Lovely!

[matt132]

Fantastic! Love the spoiler.

[V8mate]

matt132 said:

Also sourced an LSD:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

There is a place in Bexleyheath do refurbs called JW Transmissions. I know there are a few Kent/London members on here, if anyone has experience with them (good or bad) let me know.

I sent a 3.0 LSD to the crusher about a month ago. Spent a weekend dismantling my old track car and just couldn't undo the bolts with only an axle stand's amount of headroom

[FELIX_5]

matt132 said:

Fantastic! Love the spoiler.

Thanks mate, will start my own thread promise!

Edited by FELIX_5 on Monday 23 September 19:21

[matt132]

Gutting about the diff - they go for good money too.

Felix, where are you mate? I'm in Kent if you ever fancy meeting and going for a spin.

Payday has been and I think the wheels are next on the agenda. suggestions are welcome - I've tried Lepsons and Inspraytions before. Lepsons are just too expensive and Inspraytions rushed them as the powdercoat was still soft when I got the car back. For this reason I am after a cheap set to roll around on while they are being done, they can then double up as winter wheels. If anyone knows of a cheapo set (no matter how scabby) let me know. Close to Kent as possible!

[FELIX_5]

I'm up in Bourne, Lincs but would be well up for a meet and a spin sometime.

Do you ever go to any of the Sunday services?

[LanceRS]

Nice car, what's the mileage? Good to see one in such good condition without lots of tasteless mods. Slightly envious, I've got one in Avus blue which is now on 160k. it's not quite a shed but not as clean as your's any more. I've put 94k of those on it and still love it. enjoy your's and don't be in too much of hurry to sell it.

[Moycie]

matt132 said:

Gutting about the diff - they go for good money too.

Felix, where are you mate? I'm in Kent if you ever fancy meeting and going for a spin.

Payday has been and I think the wheels are next on the agenda. suggestions are welcome - I've tried Lepsons and Inspraytions before. Lepsons are just too expensive and Inspraytions rushed them as the powdercoat was still soft when I got the car back. For this reason I am after a cheap set to roll around on while they are being done, they can then double up as winter wheels. If anyone knows of a cheapo set (no matter how scabby) let me know. Close to Kent as possible!

Matt,
Try calling these guys - http://www.premierwheelrepairs.com/ - they are very helpful. I spoke to them about my Griff alloys (similar style split rims, but I kept them polished in the end)....but when I buy back my 328 from my brother (I hope!), I would get the wheels done with these guys.
Hopefully I will get it back in the new year. Following your post with great interest!

[Paul S4]

sc4589 said:

Yes it does.

Could I ask if this Toad alarm is suitable for a 'cabby' ; I have a nice 1997 328 auto drophead, the original alarm does not work, and I am considering getting something simple fitted. I do have a slight issue with the central locking ; when locking the car with the key via the drivers side, the passenger door sometimes does not lock. But it works fine from the passenger door with the key. Presumably the car came originally with some sort of immobiliser ? ( I bought the car early this year from my uncle who only used it in the summer with the roof down..and he would not have used an alarm anyway !)

[sc4589]

Paul S4 said:

sc4589 said:

Yes it does.

Could I ask if this Toad alarm is suitable for a 'cabby' ; I have a nice 1997 328 auto drophead, the original alarm does not work, and I am considering getting something simple fitted. I do have a slight issue with the central locking ; when locking the car with the key via the drivers side, the passenger door sometimes does not lock. But it works fine from the passenger door with the key. Presumably the car came originally with some sort of immobiliser ? ( I bought the car early this year from my uncle who only used it in the summer with the roof down..and he would not have used an alarm anyway !)

A very good friend of mine runs a Cobra alarm in his E36 'vert, but he's not very fond of it. It does have total closure though, including the roof..! The issue you're describing doesn't sound like an alarm issue, more something to do with the actuator- they can go sometimes. Fairly easy change, but 'involved'. The car does have an immobiliser fitted as standard. If you're after a decent alarm, I'd recommend either the Toad (very good) or a Clifford system... both come highly rated by E36 owners.

[chockymonster]

matt132 said:

There is a place in Bexleyheath do refurbs called JW Transmissions. I know there are a few Kent/London members on here, if anyone has experience with them (good or bad) let me know.

Used them in the past, they rebuilt the box on my alfa 75. Good guys. My Dad used to run a garage over in Bexleyheath and used them all the time for transmission work.

[sierra1off]

For quality wheel refurbishment try Paintit in Billericay.

Their quality far better than Spit and Polish or Lepsoms

I have used JW engineering in the past, but in dispute with them at moment as they reset a diff for me , now its whining and they recommend I buy a new set of gears ??????????

Edited by sierra1off on Friday 27th September 19:06

[matt132]

I'm quite new to Pistonheads but I am looking at going to a service if possible - I work a lot of weekends which is an issue.

Milage is 141k and runs perfectly. No mechanical complaints - apart from creaking rear top mounts, impossible to cure it seems!! I'm not ready to sell yet, if I do get itchy feet I may just lock it away and use it as a weekend car.

Thanks for the refurb ideas, I'll look into them, still need to source another set but there are plenty around.

Auto closure sounds good, I think I may just go with an aftermarket solution. What's the deal, are there Toad fitters country wide or is it approved garages that fit them?

I put the diff into JW and asked them to have a look at it - they said it looked fine and left it dry so I could put my own oil in. No complaints about them, helpful chaps - diff is perfectly quiet and locks up nicely.

No new photos as its minging at the moment - here's one from a while ago


IMG_6409 by matt_13289, on Flickr

[LanceRS]

There should be TOAD.fitters nationwide, GAP security used to have a mobile service, don't know if they still do. Personally I would avoid CLIFFORD, I know too many people that have had problems with them over the years.
Hope to see you and the car at a Service, I too work most weekends so I have only managed to get to the Astom Martin one so far, it was well worth it though.
This is a picture of mine, not as individual but still unusual.