Swoxy's 318iA Convertible
Discussion
I've always liked the E36 convertible, being around 10 when the M3 was launched, long before it became chav, I wanted one like this ...
Early in '04, my I was helping my Dad's wife look for a convertible to replace her Micra.
Initially, she wanted a W208 CLK, however, only coupes were in budget, so we diverted our search to 3-Series. She was looking to spend around £13k, which, at the time, meant an early, basic E46 or a late, well specced E36.
Eventually, she found a '99 318iA in Auto Trader which she liked, and she bought it ...
I was 17, too young to care what was under the bonnet (or in the transmission tunnel); I loved it and she promised to offer me first refusal before selling it.
Late in '09, she decided to replace it with W209 CLK, so I sold my trusty '01 Fabia 1.9 SDI and it was mine.
However, although it was in good mechanical condition, it was in terrible cosmetic condition. It'd been serviced by Sytner Chigwell and Highams Park Motor Company, but no-one had looked after the interior or exterior.
I had the rear windscreen replaced by Scothall Stirling Corner, as it'd split.
I was going to replace the carpet mats, as they were filthy ...
I couldn't find a good quality set that was affordable, so I tried cleaning them by hand with Rug Doctor Hi-Traffic Pre-Treatment, Kirkland Super Concentrated Laundry Detergent, a stiff brush and a pressure washer, and was astonished at the result ...
Spurred on by my success, I decided to clean the carpet, so I removed the seats and found patches of dirt under them ...
I borrowed a Wickes Wet n Dry Vacuum Cleaner so I could dry it properly ...
I cleaned the driver's side first ...
Again, I was astonished at the result ...
As the seats were removed, I replaced the broken Bowden cable which prevented the front passenger's seat from tilting forward. It was very inconvenient that rear passengers had to enter from the driver's side, especially for the one who had to clamber across to the passenger's side, in addition to me having to get out every time! ...
Also, I revitalised the seats with Turtle Wax Platinum Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and swapped the the driver's and passenger's seat backs around, to ensure the bolsters wear evenly ...
I couldn't swap the driver's seat passenger's seat bases around, is it possible to do so?
Meanwhile, we tried to remove a hedge from our driveway, and broke a new spade attempting to dig out the root ...
No need to fear, 115 bhp was there. We pulled it out in no time, although I didn't realise the root would catapult out of the ground and fly forward violently, missing the windscreen by inches ...
Next, I got to work on the hood. My Dad's wife used to get it cleaned at a hand car wash, who pressure washed it, leaving it saturated with water which didn't dry properly, and subsequently became mouldy ...
Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaner was my weapon of choice ...
What came out was disgusting, and smelt like a stagnant pond ...
It look a few hours, but it was worth it ...
I repaired the under-tray ...
I don't think this applies to my car (0-60 mph in over 13 secs) but, erm, the old one was peeling off ...
So, now, coming up to a year later, this is how it looks ...
Early in '04, my I was helping my Dad's wife look for a convertible to replace her Micra.
Initially, she wanted a W208 CLK, however, only coupes were in budget, so we diverted our search to 3-Series. She was looking to spend around £13k, which, at the time, meant an early, basic E46 or a late, well specced E36.
Eventually, she found a '99 318iA in Auto Trader which she liked, and she bought it ...
I was 17, too young to care what was under the bonnet (or in the transmission tunnel); I loved it and she promised to offer me first refusal before selling it.
Late in '09, she decided to replace it with W209 CLK, so I sold my trusty '01 Fabia 1.9 SDI and it was mine.
However, although it was in good mechanical condition, it was in terrible cosmetic condition. It'd been serviced by Sytner Chigwell and Highams Park Motor Company, but no-one had looked after the interior or exterior.
I had the rear windscreen replaced by Scothall Stirling Corner, as it'd split.
I was going to replace the carpet mats, as they were filthy ...
I couldn't find a good quality set that was affordable, so I tried cleaning them by hand with Rug Doctor Hi-Traffic Pre-Treatment, Kirkland Super Concentrated Laundry Detergent, a stiff brush and a pressure washer, and was astonished at the result ...
Spurred on by my success, I decided to clean the carpet, so I removed the seats and found patches of dirt under them ...
I borrowed a Wickes Wet n Dry Vacuum Cleaner so I could dry it properly ...
I cleaned the driver's side first ...
Again, I was astonished at the result ...
As the seats were removed, I replaced the broken Bowden cable which prevented the front passenger's seat from tilting forward. It was very inconvenient that rear passengers had to enter from the driver's side, especially for the one who had to clamber across to the passenger's side, in addition to me having to get out every time! ...
Also, I revitalised the seats with Turtle Wax Platinum Leather Cleaner and Conditioner and swapped the the driver's and passenger's seat backs around, to ensure the bolsters wear evenly ...
I couldn't swap the driver's seat passenger's seat bases around, is it possible to do so?
Meanwhile, we tried to remove a hedge from our driveway, and broke a new spade attempting to dig out the root ...
No need to fear, 115 bhp was there. We pulled it out in no time, although I didn't realise the root would catapult out of the ground and fly forward violently, missing the windscreen by inches ...
Next, I got to work on the hood. My Dad's wife used to get it cleaned at a hand car wash, who pressure washed it, leaving it saturated with water which didn't dry properly, and subsequently became mouldy ...
Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaner was my weapon of choice ...
What came out was disgusting, and smelt like a stagnant pond ...
It look a few hours, but it was worth it ...
I repaired the under-tray ...
I don't think this applies to my car (0-60 mph in over 13 secs) but, erm, the old one was peeling off ...
So, now, coming up to a year later, this is how it looks ...
Edited by Swoxy on Saturday 4th June 16:14
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.
In fact, I'd like to see the car - are you a BMW car club member? If not, IM me.
disco!!!! said:
Nice work on the car man but don't you mean 318iS no?
BMW never did an iS convertible. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff