My new toy--328is

[86911TLCAB]

Bought for USAFA son in 2008 from Karl (who bought from Fritz)...Son passed to his brother in 2013 and brother just passed back to me...I have been patiently waiting for this car to return...got a few issues to deal with but soon to be my new DD...Found a buyer for the E30...sad to see it go, but looking forward to driving the E36.

[onboost]

Excellent driver Tito!
The E36 cars are very confy and capable for the daily grind! And they won't break ya either. Good choice.

[cmartin]

Good score. I've put a ton of miles on e36's, would like to find another one.

[Patrick3000]

Nice get, that car was my DD until your son decided to go to the academy.

[catron1]

Looks good tito!

[vascott99]

Congrtats!! Let me know when you need a hand on things...I would LOVE to learn.....

Cheers

[86911TLCAB]

Car has 190k on it and I suspect not too much work done on the car in the last 50k miles. Problems when received:
1.Leaking coolant and I suspect bad thermostat and clogged radiator--replaced all and working (pulled water pump and seemed ok so put it back in. Still needs a fan clutch (maybe)
2. driver door handle not working-replaced and fixed lubed all window parts...works like new (thanks you youtube)
3. AC/Heater blower not working...traced it to a bad final stage unit. replaced (working great)
4. replaced spark plugs and valve cover gaskets. cleared check engine light (code was 1188 and hasn't returned).
5. balanced front wheels
6. replaced hood shocks


Still to do (though car is running and now my DD):
inside cleaning and falling headliner, replace front shocks (rears seem fine); tie rod ends, repair both seats which don't recline, get a decent bmw e36 carpet set, fix the passenger side window also and remove the window tint on all windows. E30 delivery to buyer on Thursday...

have been sourcing parts from FCP euro...they have a lifetime warranty for everything including wear items. Anyone ever have any issues with their return policy?

[arob]

The Spec3 guys order from http://www.bimmerparts.com/

Nice get - you'll enjoy. :)

[Richard Curtis]

Tito... if the headliner is one of those glued-on things, I've had experience in doing that on four or five German Fords (Merkurs). Not that difficult. Let me know if I can help.

[86911TLCAB]

Thanks...

Richard, what is falling is the fabric off of the headliner. I will pull the entire thing down. have seen some 3m top end adhesive which should work for this...shouldn't be too hard...thanks for the offer...if I need any help...will ask your assistance.

[cmartin]

Not a terrible job. I took the last one to a local upholstery shop and they replaced the material for ~$120.

[Richard Curtis]

$120 = smoking hot deal, IMO.

Tito: 3M makes several contact adhesives. In my experience, not all will work well. I no longer have a can of it, but recall it was advertised as a "Super Adhesive". I bought it at an auto trim shop. Another recommended is Scotch brand "Super 77 Multi-Purpose Adhesive."

[86911TLCAB]

will give it a shot eventually, even though I keep thinking a handful of well placed thumb tacks might do just as good....and I might start with them until I get around to that part of this effort...smile.

[Trak Ratt]

I never had any luck gluing headliners back up. Problem always seemed the foam liner. Once it starts to deteriorate there isn't a stable surface to glue to.

[cmartin]

good point

In a previous e36 I tried the 3M stuff while in the car. Wasnt horrible but there were a few wrinkles and fingerprints. Gloves dont seem to help with this job, somehow some way odds are you'll get some dirt on the headliner. If you dont care about looks I would have a go with spray adhesive. As mentioned skip the cheaper stuff, I used the ~$18/can stuff and it held. Also one of those times where the instructions are important. :)

[86911TLCAB]

thanks for the advice...

we will see what happens...always other options if this one fails...

[Richard Curtis]

TR: I always removed the entire headliner (a cardboard-like thing on which the fabric was glued). Then scraped off all the old adhesive. Then sprayed the contact adhesive and after 10 minutes of set-up time applied the fabric. This last step is the tricky part where you need a second pair of hands.

Yes, the correct adhesive was about $18/can as I now recall, and you will need 2 cans.

[Lupin..the..3rd]

Not a terrible job. I took the last one to a local upholstery shop and they replaced the material for ~$120.
x2, I've had to replace a few headliners over the years, and I've never paid more than ~$150 for a professional job at an automotive upholstery shop. Joe's Upholstery in Frederick, MD does excellent quality work and the price is right. You could even consider a WYIT upgrade, like alcantara or other nice material.

[Fritz]

Let me know when you're ready to sell my car back to me! Preferably after you get all the repairs done. ;) That was the first car I bought off the lot new. It replaced my first 944.

[86911TLCAB]

I think this one is a keeper. It is the first BMW I ever drove and what led me to buy the e30 for myself. I knew eventually the boys would not have the patience to keep an older car and would be unwilling to take the time and energy to fix the things that might happen. Knowing that it is all original and never been in an accident etc (presuming you never had an accident)...I think the car is going to be mine for quite some time...so don't hold your breath...smile...but if I do decide to move into an M3...will let you have first dibs..

[Patrick3000]

Let me know when you're ready to sell my car back to me! Preferably after you get all the repairs done. ;) That was the first car I bought off the lot new. It replaced my first 944.

X2 Just hurry up already and finish the repairs 😀

[Fritz]

All I can ask for is first dibs. :) I can understand wanting to keep it for quite a while. They are a blast.

You're correct, I never had an accident in it. But, a Vassar girl did have a little accident in the passenger seat one evening. ;)


I think this one is a keeper. It is the first BMW I ever drove and what led me to buy the e30 for myself. I knew eventually the boys would not have the patience to keep an older car and would be unwilling to take the time and energy to fix the things that might happen. Knowing that it is all original and never been in an accident etc (presuming you never had an accident)...I think the car is going to be mine for quite some time...so don't hold your breath...smile...but if I do decide to move into an M3...will let you have first dibs..

[86911TLCAB]

Fritz, Karl, either of you recall replacing the front and rear shocks/struts during your ownership?

[HoodPin]

Fritz, Karl, either of you recall replacing the front and rear shocks/struts during your ownership?


49592

[Patrick3000]

Fritz, Karl, either of you recall replacing the front and rear shocks/struts during your ownership?

Negative

[86911TLCAB]

Alright: finished the headliner including the sunroof section. Changed color to black. Wasn't as bad as I thought. 15 bucks for headliner material from Hancock fabrics and 30 bucks for two cans of adhesive.
Replaced the gears in both seats so they now recline.
Cleaned the interior petty good and am starting to put back together.

Next are both tie rod ends and to get shocks and put the rest of the interior back together. But has to wait to next weekend as am in nyc.

Looking for just a stock set up for shocks. Anyone have any experience with a decent set? Not looking for a stiff m3 ride, so looking for something comfortable for street use.

Almost done. Car feels good. E30 sold. Will put up a few pictures of interior next week.
Thanks for all the advice and assist.

[HTanz]

Congratulations Tito on your new toy! I just wrote an article about the E36!

Read Here: http://www.rightfootdown.com/thoughts/add-an-e36-to-the-mix/

I still haven't purchased my E30/E36 yet but leaning towards the E36.

All the best and Happy New Year,
Mike

[86911TLCAB]

Mike, nice write up. Happy new year to you also..

[Handlebar]

Congratulations Tito on your new toy! I just wrote an article about the E36!

Read Here: http://www.rightfootdown.com/thoughts/add-an-e36-to-the-mix/

I still haven't purchased my E30/E36 yet but leaning towards the E36.

All the best and Happy New Year,
Mike

Great write-up, Mike.

I am mulling over the idea of getting another car to wrench on, and had considered a Miata, but the 328is is a great alternative- and it is not a Miata.

[86911TLCAB]

short update a few pics of my interior work:

Finished the interior (headliner, back shelf and all four corner pieces), fxed the sagging glove box, cleaned up the car and put back all the pieces. coolant systems seems to be holding fine and car is driving well. Passed emissions (never doubted it would) and will get to DMV and officially transfer to my name sometime this week or next. rubber all looks fine, all bushings seem to be ok and shocks are wearing but will survive another year. so for now, this car is a driver.

[Dr K]

Nice work, Tito. Looks great!

[86911TLCAB]

Thanks Pete...surprised myself actually. cant really see it well, but the black headliner material looks good and the grey pieces offset it quite well. once my kid sees this he might ask for the car back...

[HughA44s]

Tito,

Nice - Oh wait a minute not another project as my M3 suffers the same issue. Thanks for the info and will take this on in the near future.

[86911TLCAB]

hancock fabrics...find a day when they are having a 50 percent discount sale...used about 2.5-3 total yards of headliner material and for the top used the more expensive spray on glue...for the sides and back I used the lesser expensive 3m stuff as if it comes up again I can redo easily. One thing I noted is that except for in a few spots the orig material was not folded over the back and glued onto the back. that would have likely prevented it from coming down all over the place. so I did just that and make sure i glued it onto the back also...will see what happens.

[HughA44s]

My headliner is fine - its the A, B, and C piller stuff that is coming lose. Also the back speaker panel is now a light shade of gray. From the CARFAX it appears the car spent some time in the central valley of cali which explains the sun damage. Thanks again.

[86911TLCAB]

Those are easy to do...the one thing may be finding material that is a match to the headliner...since I did all mine it was easy...if the existing material is usable...glue it all back on...

for now...car repairs all complete...car is registered and running fine...

now to get this garage mess cleaned up before I start in on the 911 torsion bar bushings and what looks like a leaking rear main seal in the daughters e36...