Thinking of getting rid ....

[mrzigazaga]

Hi peeps.. Dont think that im giving up cos im not.. giving up is for cowards.. Im just regretting buying this car, Especially as ive been looking at what i could of bought, I know,would of, should of, could of, But in reality i did rush in a bit and didnt realise how involved you have to be with them... Ive seen some well kept beautifull looking 350i for around 3K and initially i did want a V8..I owned a V6 3.0 toyota camry viennta and that was quick..But the thing with me is i will kill myself in a V6 but a V8.. Aint nobody gonna mess wit dat st dog... In other words i would be sitting there with a silly grin all over my chevy chase.. no what i mean..instead of being,, Manically depressed,a suicidal skitzso,quadraphenic,psychotic,optomistic christian idiot...

[Henry Harris]

Hi Mark, I know how you are feeling. I bought mine feeling that it was AOK. It has turned out to be a proverbial Curate's egg. Wedges have in my experience always been an engineer's car, requiring tinkering or TLC. I ended on the slippery slope of a complete rebuild mainly because previous owners, all eleven of them, had not really looked after the car and it had deteriorated anyway, including the chassis. Also, I originally chose the wrong people to look after it. Now I am using some engineers who treat each car as a project not merely something to fix.
BTW the only real difference is that mine has an Edlebrock carburettor and manifold.
I suppose at the end of the day it is your decision to balance money against a need to drive one. I use mine as my only everyday car.

[1 Finger Bandit]

Sell it, break it , move on.... buy a bigger one

There is a wealth of knowledge on here for buying these machines and as I think you are finding out that not all bargains are bargains...

The last 350i I bought and subsequently broke up looked ok from the outside and run but the chassis was completely shot especially in the places you couldn't see like the seat belt supports and the tops on the rear turrets

I know your long term aim is to put a bigger engine in your car but personally I would really look at whether what you have the right basis for this in the first place. I don't want to sound like its all doom and gloom but it is possible to spend considerably more money than going out and buying something more suitable for your needs.

Shaun

[mrzigazaga]

Cheers henry and fingerbandit... I agree with everything you have to say.. Like henry the intention was an everyday car.. I know i bought it as a driving summer project and its sat there for a month now outside my house.. no garage..I did only pay 1450 after the guy gave me some money back..The only thing ive established now is that the timing is well out when its hot..Im givin another try if i can loosen the dizzy as its stuck..(bolt nearly out)..The fact that i was going to replace engine was purely the cost... i know people who build custom hot rods for 10k and sold one for 1600... i mist out big time.. ford pop 5.3.. ZZ top style..Iwas trying to be realistic and go for a 3.5 v8 rover engine as they come rebuilt with gearbox for 3-3500.bench tested as well 12mnth warranty.. I believe that engine goes into my car without too many issues..cheers.

[1 Finger Bandit]

I would still sit in a dark room and consider your options...

I personally would not even contemplate for one minute spending 3k on shoe-horning a V8 into a 280. Too many issues for my liking... including the naff brakes which you may want to upgrade.

Personally I would look around for a reasonable priced 350 or 400 that has been owned by an enthusiast

[mrzigazaga]

Thats what i was saying also mate.. If the car was good in the first place and has had someone look after it and do all the ness.. The thing with mine is its had 13 owners and i dont think that any one of em looked after it so ive ended up with a restoration project.. I might just stick it on classified with alls its issues and try to scrape back some cash... Finish me harley.. sell that.. put monies together (around 3.5k)and get something else,, there was a couple on car and classic site that looked nice..

Edited by mrzigazaga on Tuesday 31st August 15:07

[grahamw48]

You should be able to get a very nice 350 for that money...especially at the end of summer, and you'll have better brakes, PAS on later models, better A-frame rear suspension, not much difference on mpg, and that fabulous V8 soundtrack.

Probably the best value secondhand sports car on the market, and one of the cheapest to insure.

Ref. your 280:

If it was me I'd just get a mobile mechanic round, and he'll probably have it running in 5 minutes...for what ...50 quid ?
Make it a lot easier to sell, and probably get the money back on the price.

Edited by grahamw48 on Tuesday 31st August 23:36

[mrzigazaga]

Cheers graham.. The firing order is definately wrong and its doing my head in, There is a No1 printed on the cap... Call me a dumbass but because im so not sure if i tried it and it backfired in the air chamber or if it was the backfire that scared the neighbours and un seated the exhaust even more the other day or if it was one of the times i tried before i found the loose coil neg lead,, ive had to go back over it all again.. Ive studied pictures that ive found of the same car.. although the dizzy looks like it needs retarding when refering to pics im not sure if theyve had unleaded conv.. in which case it would look different..It is so doing my head in.. im gonna give it one last try tom.. if no joy a mobile mech would be a good solution.. I did call out the rac but they didnt have a clue..even though the guy knew ford engines really well?.. I will kick myself,punch myself and probably smash something over me own head if i try it tom and it works..I still think long term maybe get rid once going.. might get a little more for it.. cheers..

[Grady]

Mr Z - With all due respect, this has not gone well for you. I doubt you would really be happy with a V-8 and all those issues either. I guess I'm lucky, while I lust after a V-8, my V-6 has been pretty reliable. But I've had cars that were a PITA and sometimes it's better to just move on and get a "better" car. Good luck! Grady

[mrzigazaga]

Thanks grady.. My thoughts exactly, I lost so much heart in this car..

[dixiebabes]

I know where there is a nice 350 V8 for sale if its the right price.

[mrzigazaga]

Cheers dixiebabes.. i have been looking.. still trying to get the ole pig going though... Can anyone tell me (280i only owners please)if they have a blue screw down dizzy cap and is there a No1 stamped on it(on top)if so what lead goes in there is it 4.. many tanks,,