Swoxy's 318iA Convertible

[Swoxy]

Thanks for all the compliments, guys.

soad said:

Nice nice. Heater on, roof down

Always

Fun Bus said:

Great work Swoxy, love it. Even if it is a 318 auto it looks great and those wheels on the E36, whether it be coupe/conv./saloon/touring look great.

In fact, I'd like to see the car - are you a BMW car club member? If not, IM me.

I'm not a member, isn't it quite expensive to join?

ambuletz said:

when I was little there was this guy opposite my primary school that owned one. met green, with cream leather. he'd leave the top down on sunny days. Always wanted one!

During my last year at primary school, a kid's Dad had a brand new 328i Sport, the one with the M-Tech body kit and BBS wheels. I used to stare at it every morning and occasionally I still see him driving it! Maybe I should make him an offer?

I also repaired the glove-box, and replaced some missing interior plastics, strangely all pertaining to the seatbelts ...

[Fun Bus]

Swoxy said:

Fun Bus said:

In fact, I'd like to see the car - are you a BMW car club member? If not, IM me.

I'm not a member, isn't it quite expensive to join?

I've just renewed my membership and it was £35 for the year. The first year is more - £42 I think. Membership includes a glossy monthly magazine and discount with BMW main dealers amongst other companies.

[aka_kerrly]

Good work! Althought one point, the E36 Cabriolet/M3/Touring in particular are NOT CHAV, a 316i in black with black windows and lexus lights is a CHAV caqr not any of the others.

Your car looks a million times better compared to when you first got it.

dave

[Swoxy]

It's been off the road since September, since I've been studying, however I've finished so I got it back on the road last Monday.

I bought a breathable cover from Cover-Zone, which did a great job ...



I was pleased the rear windscreen folded correctly after ten months ...



However, the rest of it wasn't looking it's best ...



I got to work on the roof again with the same Autoglym stuff well as the Wet n Dry vacuum cleaner (left side before, right side after) ...





So, this is how it looks ...

[Dr G]

Looks good, that

[mojjo1]

Lovely car Chief! Made me laugh seeing the snapped spade piccy!

[2thumbs]

Just in time for the sunshine Your car is looking lovely as ever. I tried the same roof cleaner as you but the results were not as good as yours. Maybe I didn't scrub hard enough!

[Max M4X WW]

I didn't see this thread first time round, so great job cleaning it up etc!

I drove one of these a while back when I was looking at getting a 323/328 cab, but found a 318i Auto locally so took it for a drive as I'd not been in one before. It didn't feel TOO bad really. Just a nice cruiser!

[Swoxy]

I've been busy, so this isn't a very interesting update, it's, erm, a puncture repair ...







Needless to say, if you need tyres in North East London, my mate Greg at The Tyre Place is your man.

Edited by Swoxy on Wednesday 27th July 01:01

[Mr Dave]

Nice. I like it.

[Swoxy]

I serviced it. I was going to buy a Draper service indicator reset tool but then I realised how it worked and decided not to waste £20 and use a piece of wire instead. Our £5 ramps came in very handy ...







I had the horrible mix of recent Chinese and ancient German tyres the car came with replaced with 2 x Continental ContiSportContact on the front, and 2 x ContiPremiumContact on the rear. Now's it's like driving a completely different car; it feels smoother, sharper and much more agile. I wish I did so when I got the car a couple of years ago ...



I also had to tow my brother's Polo, which the 1.8 and slushbox handled remarkably well ...

Edited by Swoxy on Friday 20th January 14:37

[NateWM]

Try not to do too much towing with that car. The boxes can overheat quite easily.

[NateWM]

Try not to do too much towing with that car. The boxes can overheat quite easily.

[anonymous-user]

Nice car

[Swoxy]

NateWM said:

Try not to do too much towing with that car. The boxes can overheat quite easily.

Thanks for the advice, I'll bear it in mind. It was only a couple of miles at under 10 mph.

[PumpkinSteve]

You did a lovely job cleaning that up.

[DanielJames]

Great thread and write up

[mig25_foxbat2003]

You've inspired me to do that to my carpet in the next couple of months! Great work!

[Swoxy]

I went to The Tyre Place yesterday for diagnostics as my ABS and ASC lights are illuminated (and have been for the last month) ...





It returned the following codes:

• 71 - Pump Motor
• 76 - Speed Sensor, Signal Interference
• 78 - Vehicle Power > 18v
• C9 - Oxygen Sensor Control, Control Stop

We cleared the faults and checked it again, this time it only returned '71 - Pump Motor' - the guys at The Tyre Place believes that this means that I need to change the ABS/ASC pump, does that sound right?

[BorkFactor]

That car looks fantastic now, what a transformation!

Good work