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vapb400
09-06-2006, 01:21 AM
Hey guys glad to be here, this seems like a great forum. I am 17 years old and just picked up my first real car (before I was driving Mommy's old van :tongue: ). I just picked up a 1996 318ti off of craigslist from a private dealer last week. Its a black california package and it looks great. It has 82,000 miles and I bought it for $4,500. So if anybody sees me around the Washington DC area (northern virginia) give me a honk.

I have done a fairly extensive cleaning of the interior, the interior was pretty close to disgusting. The guy had dogs and kids and there were Coke colored stains all over the back seat, on a lot of the passenger seat and all over the floors. I borrowed a neighbors carpet cleaner that shoots water down into it while sucking it up at the same time. That combined with a spray can of Spot Shot removed every single stain. I gave it some time to dry and I am going to hit the spots I missed tomorrow, it looks a million times better. There was some gross sticky gunk in some areas that I have cleaned out but I have noticed 30+ ants in the week that I have had the car. I am going to place 3-4 ant traps all over the car and hopefully take them all out. It still needs to go under a little more vacuuming and some tooth brush crevice cleaning.

The exterior is in pretty good condition, there are some minor scratches and paint blemishes but nothing major. I will be waxing it and extensively washing it sometime this week. The left front fog light delete cover is missing, I'm going to order one from BavAuto tonight.

It seems to be in great mechanical condition so far.

There are however a couple problems.
3 of the 6 bulbs on the 3rd brake light are out. Does anybody know the bulb size or have a link as to what I am looking for? I'd really appreciate it
The rear cubby behind the driver side rear wheel is leaking or not draining or something. There is about 1/2" of water in there after 2 days of sitting through the remnants of the hurricane and 2hrs of driving through heavy rain. The previous owner mentioned the problem and said the dealer would fix it for $200 or so. Does that seem like a fair price? or is it a stupidly easy fix that I could do myself?
The Check Engine light is on. The previous owner said that it has been on consistantly for about 2 years. He had the O2 sensor replaced and the mechanic said that it was probably the wiring. I am going to take it to Autozone for a free code reading and see if I can get some further info.
The trapazoidal piece of headliner that has the california roof button kept falling down. I attacked it with a hot glue gun after some failed attempts with velcro. So far it is holding great.

That is about it, I am absolutely loving the car so far and look forward to frequenting these boards. Thank you in advance for any advice or guidance you may be able to offer.

Sorry for the long winded post ;)

Pics coming as soon as I do some exterior detailing :)

PS. Was anybody here on 66 West @ 7:15 or so this morning. I saw a nice tinted/lowered blue TI on my way to school.

CirrusSR22
09-06-2006, 04:29 AM
Welcome to the club!


There are however a couple problems.
3 of the 6 bulbs on the 3rd brake light are out. Does anybody know the bulb size or have a link as to what I am looking for?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CG83&mospid=47506&btnr=63_0298&hg=63&fg=25

From the Sylvania webite:
"High mount stop light
7506
7506LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp"

I've got them at local parts stores (AutoZone, Checker, NAPA, etc.) It should be easy to find.


The rear cubby behind the driver side rear wheel is leaking or not draining or something. There is about 1/2" of water in there after 2 days of sitting through the remnants of the hurricane and 2hrs of driving through heavy rain. The previous owner mentioned the problem and said the dealer would fix it for $200 or so. Does that seem like a fair price? or is it a stupidly easy fix that I could do myself?

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12235&highlight=california



The Check Engine light is on. The previous owner said that it has been on consistantly for about 2 years. He had the O2 sensor replaced and the mechanic said that it was probably the wiring. I am going to take it to Autozone for a free code reading and see if I can get some further info.


Good call. Those free scans are the best automotive deal out there.


The trapazoidal piece of headliner that has the california roof button kept falling down. I attacked it with a hot glue gun after some failed attempts with velcro. So far it is holding great.

Saggy headliners are a common E36 problem unfortunately. I need to redo my reupholstry job, since I didn't do it very well the first time :(

323tiRocketeer
09-06-2006, 04:57 AM
Hiya, as well. I'm new to the site. I've only had my car for a few months 1998 ti w/ california top. I've had the same problem w/ the headliner. I'll be replacing it all nxt wk. If theres anyone that could provide some helpful sites/advice on modifications, please do!
I've had a hard time finding out about engine swaps for ti's. Also, I got offered a M3 with 40,000 miles on it for 4k, is that right? I'm thinking M3, but is there anything better? or would I have to add turbo with that?
If anyone could help me out w/ that I'd greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks, Ralfiee

drkblu318ti
09-06-2006, 05:17 AM
Congrads to both of you! I just got my second one last week, 96 Cali top....


As for that M3 damn... wheres this car? what year? and condition.. that sounds like a freakin steal to me!

m3outtanowhere
09-06-2006, 05:21 AM
Hey peopleBE VERY CAREFUL. I have been researching and a lot of people have been screwed into buying cars that were flooded in Hurricane Katrina! These cars are cheap, will definately still run, and sometimes cannot be spotted! Unless stolen and not reported, or sold 3rd party (likely) CARFAX will not have records. These cars are turningup all the way in Canada! So be careful to look for evidance of water damage. ie. dirt lines, mold, rust, "WATER FILLED AREAS", uneven fading, and extremely squeaky parts!

It has happened to almost a thousand people!

vapb400
09-06-2006, 08:39 PM
Thanks guys

My uncle cautioned me about the influx of flood damaged cars. According to carfax it has been here its whole life, and he has maintenance records showing it in VA so i'm not worried

pnosker
09-06-2006, 09:13 PM
Welcome! I'm 17 too with my first "real" car... I had a 1987 Dodge Aries before this one. Got mine for 6300 before taxes for a 1998 with 92300 miles on it (Active with leather seats + sunroof). If you're anything like me, you'll enjoy this car a ton. It's interesting seeing all the people that go to my school stare at my car and go "whoa, he's driving a BMW." Especially if they're in a new Accord that costed 2x what mine did.

Become a supporter, $10 via paypal, and get a 318ti.org sticker. With everyone putting them on, we can all know when we see each other's cars.

trackfiend
09-14-2006, 03:44 AM
vap


Congrats on the new ride. I just got my 96 Cali. week before last. These are really cool little cars. Welcome to the forum, these guys are really helpful and are genuine enthusiasts here.

bmwracerchick
09-14-2006, 03:52 AM
welcome to your new obssession lol

Congrats and welcome to the forum, post up some pictures when you can, its always nice seeing cali top ti's! There just isnt many of them.

vapb400
09-19-2006, 10:13 PM
Whoo whoo just got my pcv valve and hose replaced. The rough idle and check engine light are gone.

Washed it and took some pics.
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1521.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1521.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1520.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1520.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1507.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1507.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1506.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1506.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1504.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1504.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1503.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1503.jpg)

vapb400
09-19-2006, 10:15 PM
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1519.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1519.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1518.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1518.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1517.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1517.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1516.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1516.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1514.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1514.jpg)
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/th_100_1511.jpg (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l297/vapb400/100_1511.jpg)

I will donate once i get a credit card added to my paypal

pnosker
09-19-2006, 10:19 PM
nice! I like your wheels!

vapb400
09-19-2006, 10:21 PM
thanks man
what part of central nj are you from? I will be taking this up to jamesburg/monroe/marlboro this weekend.

SDKmann
09-19-2006, 10:29 PM
Very nice. Im also 17 but Ive had my ti since the day I got my license (ah, the memories!). It looks like you got a pretty good deal, especially since it only has 82,000 miles!
323tiRocketeer- Im pretty sure that the car that this guy is trying to sell you is totaled, possibly twice. There is no such thing as a $4k M3 in good condition.

vapb400
09-19-2006, 10:37 PM
Very cool, a year in a mini van wasnt the greatest, but i'm kinda glad I made it through it, I murdered its bumpers when I was learning to drive.

I am definitely happy with the purchase so far, craigslist for the win!