New ti in Detroit
 

Hi all - Picked up a DASC supercharged '98 318ti M-Tech in Ohio last weekend. Car had a few things I wanted to get taken care of (missing radiator mount, tear in intake boot, little cosmetic issues) so it's at the dealer for it's first few weeks in Michigan while we wait for spring to finally show up. Two bigger issues that I'd appreciate any wisdom on are 1) timing case cover oil leak that I am hoping isn't actually coming from the head and 2) ASC+T light on and currently running around without traction control. Spent so much time looking for the car that I haven't had much leftover to search through the forum for answers but any help appreciated.

Looking forward to getting some pictures up ASAP as the car should look real good cleaned up. Originally wanted to auto / rally cross with this car but the more I look at it the more I think it's too damn nice!

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks BMW_Hatchback! And yes, I know, to search is to know... Will get on that

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like a sweet ti. Bluebimma and I are around Toledo area as well.

A few shots while in the shop...
 

Hi all, snapped a few shots while getting serviced on Saturday. These things are so solid / interesting underneath. Spent a bunch of time with the taillights out trying to figure out what was what. Seems like there are five spots for bulbs but only four in there and I can't even figure out what the fourth is (bulbs were burnt out). I see brake lights, turn signals, reverse spots and the fourth I'd guess are rear fogs? Anyways. Love finding these kinds of little easter eggs.

Pics attached so we can do a little before and after. Car is going to clean up real real well. Dirty now but still worth a look.

nice looking ti, I love the red millpoint interior

on the taillights, the outside sockets are brake light and parking lights, the middle are just parking lights and the inside are rear foglights which aren't wired up on US-spec cars

Beautiful ti, it's going to look really nice! (already does)

Keep us updated with the progress :cool:

nice lookin ride diggin the rear spoiler!

Looks pretty solid, hard to tell in the photos but is it a slick top?

And welcome.

Not a slick top, unfortunately. Digging the sunroof though now that the weather is better.

The car has been out a lot the last two weekends with the good weather as I try to figure out what to fix / change first. Changed all fluids and cleaned / replaced a few parts in the intake and it's running 10x better than before but still has a little hiccup every now and again at WOT. Looks like it's leaking power steering fluid. I've got a real dead spot on center and am thinking I might try out the z3 steering rack swap while tackling the power steering leak. Probably could use a new clutch but that might have to wait as it works just fine for now...

Quick update, noticed I was leaking some fluid earlier in the week and looks like I've got to refresh my power steering. Evidence below...

Got the car up in the air and started making a list of parts to clean things up. Ordered a new reservoir, hoses, and clamps and am looking at a new Z3 steering rack while we're down there (http://detroitaxle.com/shop/1992-199...ck-and-pinion/). Also looks like my passenger side fender liner is cracked and my rear hatch bounces from time to time so we're going to replace those.

While we had the car up in the air, we found out where the exhaust rattle was coming from. Cat is shot w/ bits and pieces rattling around inside. Thinking of replacing the full exhaust but am having trouble finding info on the best options. Part of me wants to just go Ebay header + get some mid-pipe / catback fitted at an exhaust shop for as little $$$ as possible, other side of me wants to do it right with Stromung or Bosal. Any ideas? This Bosal 283 171 caught my eye (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bosal-283-17...f1a40d&vxp=mtr) but it doesn't really solve my catalytic converter issue.

Anyways, always fun ordering parts but looks like I have some homework to do.

Wow.

It's been a long road since the last update but drove the car Saturday and just couldn't keep it to myself ...

http://www.318ti.org/forum/picture.p...pictureid=2487

Car was once a DASC supercharged 98 318ti, since converted to an S52 powered frankenhatch. Will need to put together a full build thread once we figure out the last few issues (mushy brake pedal, too low clutch engagement, etc etc) but for now it is a good day to have the Ti back ... and with more torque than ever ...

:cool:

Special thanks to J!m Leach, BimmerBum, and any other forum users (BlueBimma, BMW_Hatchback, Wolferj) that I've hunted down for random bits of swap related info ... It takes a village to build an M3 Compact!