Swoxy's 318iA Convertible

Swoxy's 318iA Convertible

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Discussion

Swoxy

Original Poster:

2,797 posts

209 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
quotequote all
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 ...













Edited by Swoxy on Saturday 4th June 16:14

disco!!!!

716 posts

185 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
quotequote all
Nice work on the car man but don't you mean 318iS no?

ApexJimi

24,820 posts

242 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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I'll be honest and say that the car ain't my bag, but well done on a great job bringing her back up to scratch - looks brilliant!

y282

20,566 posts

171 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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lovely, dead straight and clean. the only way to have an e36 these days.

dead jealous of that boot fitted stop light that the convertibles have.

kwakus

267 posts

173 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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Car looks lovely. What a difference a bit of elbow grease makes - well done.

J.R.B.

319 posts

191 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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Looks great. I think these are ageing really well. I had a convertible M3 in pretty much the same colour scheme as the photos you posted at the top of the page. Great car.

soad

32,806 posts

175 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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Nice nice. Heater on, roof down biggrin

jw golf mk4

4,826 posts

162 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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nice motor! great job restoring the interior mate clap

Edited by jw golf mk4 on Sunday 12th December 13:24

DarkBlakk

3,891 posts

175 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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disco!!!! said:
Nice work on the car man but don't you mean 318iS no?
I think he put A to refer to the gearbox. smile

Nice looking car, always thought these looked great with the top down. Just a pity that it's auto..

Fun Bus

17,911 posts

217 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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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.

disco!!!! said:
Nice work on the car man but don't you mean 318iS no?
BMW never did an iS convertible.

PaulG40

2,381 posts

224 months

Sunday 12th December 2010
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Nice beemer!

ambuletz

10,678 posts

180 months

Monday 13th December 2010
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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!

shalmaneser

5,927 posts

194 months

Monday 13th December 2010
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It may only be a 1.8 auto but it looks so much better for the attention it's received! Nice work!

disco!!!!

716 posts

185 months

Monday 13th December 2010
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DarkBlakk said:
disco!!!! said:
Nice work on the car man but don't you mean 318iS no?
I think he put A to refer to the gearbox. smile
fiddlesticks that is a good point

spaceship

867 posts

174 months

Monday 13th December 2010
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What a transformation. Great job.

Looks really good.

Neil G60

692 posts

223 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
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shalmaneser said:
It may only be a 1.8 auto but it looks so much better for the attention it's received! Nice work!
+1

J B L

4,199 posts

214 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
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Auto's all you need for a bit of convertible posing. Good work on the carpets!

djt100

1,734 posts

184 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
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You want to come and cleam my car for me smile, top work fella

mig25_foxbat2003

5,426 posts

210 months

Tuesday 14th December 2010
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Can't believe how good a job you did with those cleaning products!

I had the opportunity to buy a 328 cabby with a claimed 77k for £2k in February last year. Due to some LCA-related shudder and questionable provenance, I passed it up and bought an E46 318 saloon instead. Stupid move rolleyes

AyBee

10,521 posts

201 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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Wow, great job on the cleaning...never seen such a big change from a few relatively simple jobs!