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Old 10-22-2005, 03:12 PM   #1
bruizer37
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Default Looking at a 96 with California top.

I'm looking at a 1996 318ti with an automatic. It has 110,000 on and it has the California top, which makes it very appealing to me. The top is showing some wear. Has anyone had to replace the top and/or know the approx. cost of repair? Anything specific to check before I make a decision on the car?
Thank you for any help you can give me.
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Old 10-22-2005, 03:19 PM   #2
cali-ti
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i had a problem (leak) with my top under warranty and never since. if you're worried about it, ask them to take it to a car wash while you're looking at it and make sure it doesn't leak. before that, open it and close it a few times, listen for any clicking or slipping of the motor (this seems to be the usual failure with the top - gears in the motor break). frankly, i would hate to know the cost of replacing the top, lol. what kind of wear did you notice?
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1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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Old 10-22-2005, 04:04 PM   #3
bruizer37
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The top is showing wear on the folds, hope that makes sense. Also I noticed a very small hole, about an eighth of an inch. Not sure if this can be repaired or if we are talking top replacement. I drove the car in the rain and did not notice any leaks, just some wind noise. I've got a miata so wind noise is no big deal to. Need to check out the weather sealing from what I've been reading. This site has so much information.....it's excellent.
Thanks,
Kevin
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Old 10-22-2005, 04:22 PM   #4
cali-ti
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if you do get the car and want to recondition the seals, this stuff is supposed to be "the thing": http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/sh...inszt_pg10.htm
__________________
1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray

acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts




2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel
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