318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Garage > Lounge

Notices

Lounge Temporary forum until new sections are suggested.

.
» Recent Threads
M50+manual swap bastard...
03-01-2024 10:00 PM
Last post by Andy318
Yesterday 02:34 PM
3 Replies, 46,181 Views
Cali Top owners: How...
07-14-2014 04:29 PM
Last post by Trusted-1
03-15-2024 02:37 AM
2 Replies, 43,404 Views
FOR SALE: 82k mile 1995...
03-15-2024 01:24 AM
Last post by di318
03-15-2024 01:24 AM
0 Replies, 38,935 Views
BMW E36 Compact rear...
03-13-2024 12:56 PM
Last post by BMW Welsh rally
03-13-2024 12:56 PM
0 Replies, 49,882 Views
WTB: 318ti with...
04-20-2022 08:57 AM
Last post by di318
03-10-2024 08:08 PM
21 Replies, 246,031 Views
The 318ti OBD-II engine...
10-19-2006 06:48 PM
Last post by Cybersid13
03-09-2024 02:12 PM
209 Replies, 678,916 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-29-2019, 03:41 PM   #1
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default Repair vs. Replace? Replace with WHAT though?

Greetings!

I've been lucky enough to have a trustworthy mechanic as long as I've owned my 318ti. He has owned several 318ti's and loves them so I just followed his suggestions regarding maintenance and everything has gone pretty well.

But now we're battling oil leaks. He's dealt with most of the easy/typical leaks, but it looks like it's going to be one of the big/expensive ones now. It's one of those situations where if you fix "this," it's cheaper in the long run to go ahead and replace "that" while you've done all the work to access "this" and it would only be a little more work to access "that." So, a rough guesstimate of $2500-3000 to replace the 3 major seals and the car isn't worth that.

He suggested that I start shopping for another car due to the cost of repairs vs. the value of the car. There are a variety of factors to weigh, but one of the major factor that makes me lean towards repairing the car is that I just don't know of another car that I'd like.

So... any suggestions on a replacement for the 318ti?

Also... I just saw the notice that this site is closing. Maybe that's a sign that it's time for me to sell the 318ti?

Sad times. *sigh*
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2019, 09:48 PM   #2
spidertri
Senior Member
 
spidertri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Posts: 3,877
Vehicles
iTrader: (9)
Default

I saw the notice today too, can't believe the org will be gone. The traffic has definitely slowed and a lot of the old timers haven't signed on in a long time, it happens I guess.

Yeah, there aren't many cars out there like the ti. Certainly there are some cool hatchbacks these days but they aren't rear wheel drive and they are certainly more complicated.

I just picked up a 128i, not a hatch but it's a fun small bmw. Relatively "simple" since it's a manual, rwd, 6 cyl. The N52 has tons of sensors and stuff that may go wrong but the new sport seats are comfy and it has some newer creature comforts.

If you still enjoy the ti and don't see other options out there, then fix it and keep driving it.
__________________
~Dave~

98 328ti Morea Grun slicktop
11 128i space gray slicktop
13 JGC WK2 Deep Cherry

Search | RealOEM
spidertri is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2019, 10:04 PM   #3
FunElan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dodging potholes in SoCal
Posts: 454
iTrader: (1)
Default

At the end of the day, we're here for emotional reasons, not logical ones. We love these cars and "normal" people don't understand why we don't get a new one. I've spent way more dough on my TI than I should've because I know that the experiences I have in it can't exactly be replicated in a modern car. You see the world through a different lens in an older car (literally, because the windshield is technically a lens).

That being said, if it's just oil, just keep topping it up. Be diligent about it. Unless it's raining oil under there, that's not a huge deal, it's just a little inconvenient. My '68 2002 has been dripping oil for probably 30 years, and it still chugs along. Newer cars with oil leaks will not last as long as ours, since they were built to a different standard.

I'm also very bummed about the news. Wondering if there's a way we could save it, or at least all of the info here.
__________________
'96 318ti California Edition- Montreal blue
'68 1600-2-Caribe blue
FunElan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2019, 02:51 PM   #4
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Coincidentally the reason I have the 318ti is that my previous car (1989 Honda Civic Si, which generally fits the same description as my 381ti) developed an oil leak and I "just kept topping it off." Obviously I sometimes I let it get too low on oil because eventually a cam shaft broke. I repaired that, but it spurred me to look for another car.

One other issue with the Honda that pushed me towards a different car was that it finally developed a bad spot in the paint and a hole in the drivers seat. The last time I washed the 318ti, I noticed the clear coat coming off at nearly the same spot as it did on the Honda.

The 318ti also has a bit of rust behind the rear wheels which isn't going to get any better on its own.

So this sort of stuff makes me think "replace."

But I still like the 318ti. It suits me. It runs well. Its issues are "a known quantity." I've got a trustworthy and affordable mechanic and would need to find someone else trustworthy if I changed cars.

These things make me think "repair."

@FunElan... you're exactly right... it's a decision between emotion (repair) and logic (replace). LOL I know my mechanic understands that given how many 318ti's he's owned. :-D

So, I'm still struggling to decide which route to take. I'm also afraid that if I change cars, it'll trigger a "mid-life crisis" purchase of something like a BMW Z3 or a Honda S2000. LOL

Anyway... blah blah blah... back to work I go.
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-16-2019, 04:53 PM   #5
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

I've decided to repair. Now it's just a matter of who to have do the work. I was chatting with my regular mechanic yesterday and finally got him to admit that he didn't really want to deal with it if he could avoid it, which I 100% understand. LOL So, I have his blessing to get some estimates and I suspect if they're too high, he'll be willing to do the work.

The best part of repairing is that I avoid the temptation to buy a Honda S2000 or a BMW Z3. *chuckle*
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2019, 12:05 AM   #6
FunElan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Dodging potholes in SoCal
Posts: 454
iTrader: (1)
Default

Glad to hear it! There's nothing like a TI. Did 300+ miles yesterday in mine down highway 1 in CA and got 30.5 mpg. Smiled the whole time. A Z3 could do that too but can't haul all your stuff in the back!
__________________
'96 318ti California Edition- Montreal blue
'68 1600-2-Caribe blue
FunElan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 12:52 AM   #7
J!m
Moderator
 
J!m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Bouncing off the rev limiter in CT!
Posts: 3,156
Vehicles
iTrader: (1)
Default

Here an idea for you:

Get another engine, either 1.9, or perhaps an upgrade is in order (hint, hint)...

Sort it all out and then do a swap one weekend. Then there’s no pressure and you do it how you want it done and... then it’s done!
__________________
"Speed's just a question of money. How fast you 'wanna go?"

Order Swap Manuals Here => http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12912

WolferJ- gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
J!m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 04:26 AM   #8
Estii
Senior Member
 
Estii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: California
Posts: 215
iTrader: (0)
Default

I once faced this dilema too. Swap to S52, or get a whole new car? I even had an itemized list of everything needed for the swap. It finaly came down to this. Even after swaping to a more powerful engine, ur still left with a 20+ year old car with issues like window regs and heating issues. I decided to switch to a porsche 911 996.2 turbo. Solved both problems, got a car 3x more powerful, much MUCH better reliability. I still love BMW, its among my top 3 manufacturers. But theres a point when somthing must be done.
Estii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 03:04 PM   #9
EtherD5
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Middle TN
Posts: 45
iTrader: (0)
Default

Yeah, Estii, but that’s far from apples to apples.
EtherD5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 04:41 PM   #10
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by J!m View Post
Here an idea for you:
Get another engine, either 1.9, or perhaps an upgrade is in order (hint, hint)...
Nah, I like that this car isn't "fast." It's far better for me to not have a fast car. *chuckle* Besides we all know that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slowly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by J!m View Post
Here an idea for you:
Sort it all out and then do a swap one weekend. Then there’s no pressure and you do it how you want it done and... then it’s done!
I have neither the place & tools to do an engine swap, nor the skills.

If I were going to do any sort of engine swap... I've always wanted a Metric Mechanic motor just 'cause it'd still be a 4-cylinder.
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 05:06 PM   #11
Estii
Senior Member
 
Estii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: California
Posts: 215
iTrader: (0)
Default

Have you seen the price of metric engines? Its a pretty massive investment, and thats just the engine. Other components will need to be upgraded to handle that engine too. They are beasts though!
Estii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 06:47 PM   #12
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Estii View Post
Have you seen the price of metric engines? Its a pretty massive investment, and thats just the engine. Other components will need to be upgraded to handle that engine too. They are beasts though!
I haven't looked at prices for those in years, and they were out of my budget then. It's definitely just a fantasy sort of idea. If you're going to dream, dream big. Right?
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 11:52 PM   #13
Estii
Senior Member
 
Estii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: California
Posts: 215
iTrader: (0)
Default

Metric engines are more of a wet dream
Estii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2019, 04:45 AM   #14
BRADESTAR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 513
Vehicles
iTrader: (0)
Default

A 996 is close to 20 year's old now too. Sounds like you shelled out for the turbo, so don't have the ims issue. But I'd bet dollar's to donuts that maintenance is a lot cheaper for our lowly 4's. Not to mention the initial investment being 7x's more.

...I won't speak of interior's btw..those in glass house's...

But come on, bouncing off the rev limiter coming back from the grocery store. What's better than that?
BRADESTAR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2019, 12:14 PM   #15
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Estii View Post
Metric engines are more of a wet dream
Exactly! LMAO
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Repair or replace rear trailing arm? Paul56 Suspension 6 09-25-2016 03:48 PM
How to repair and refinish BMW Vader seats in 1,479 easy steps... wolferj-RIP Leather/Vinyl Care 32 10-19-2015 01:22 AM
Weld or replace? Velcro Exhausts 3 08-12-2014 06:44 PM
Just found it, list of parts for M3 clutch swap!!! maverick Transmission 3 05-15-2011 03:32 PM
Repair or Replace chris318 Exterior 1 03-06-2010 02:35 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:46 AM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 136.43 k/161.06 k (15.29%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.