318ti.org forum - 1997 California roof parts 318ti

Located in La Quinta California. This is an Oregon titled car with tags good through 12/2019. Did a 30 mile run up to a 50th HS reunion back at the end of October. The next day it ran poorly and within 6 miles I pulled into a parking lot and had it taken back to the house on a flatbed. It had water dripping from below the water pump and smelled hot, though the temp gauge indicated normal. Compression check shows 60,0,0,60. I'm not going to do an engine swap away from my garage and tools - reality: at 69 I'm not eager to do that anyway.

Before driving the car down from Oregon I installed a good used electric sunroof motor, so it has a fully functioning electric California roof. Had a body shop clean up and paint minor dings. I also purchased new control arms and Febi/Bilstein German mounts with bushings - about $275 through AutohausAZ. Those were for when I decided to refresh the front end, which never happened, so they are new and unopened except for one mount box. Have 2 new Mann oil filters.

Windows go up and down, wipers flap, AC worked, manual trans worked, lights ditto. Black interior, some awful stereo head with an amp and a big heavy sub-whooper box taking up space in the back. Cloth headliner droops in back when the sunroof is open. Tires are aged and should be changed.

This deserves a motor swap of whatever size - and a great time to do the control arms then.

Clean title in hand, no desire to strip and ship bits. $1200 takes it all away.