Buying a ti - Cali. Ed. - what options to look for?

[McFly]

Hi folks - I've made a few other posts regarding some member's 6-cylinder ti's for sale - I'm still considering my options. I've looked at buying a bone stock non-modified 318ti from Joe Q. Public.

From what I've gathered (using the search feature), '98+ California Editions had the wind visor to help reduce noise or something? Is that something I can buy for a '96 or '97 California Edition?

Keep in mind - I most certainly WILL be modding the 318ti, including probably a 6-cylinder engine swap (not sure if I want a 328, 330, or M3 engine), with hopefully a 6-speed manual transmission (correct me if the 6-spd is a stupid idea).

So I guess I'm looking for features in a 318ti that can't be modified, or are just too great OEM factory to want to change (i.e. I want probably cruise control, heated leather seats if poss., etc).

So besides cruise, heated leather seats, sunroof OR California sunroof, and my personal color preference - what should I look for? I'm guessing the 6-speed transmission would go in easier if the stock tranny was 5-speed. I'm not opposed to buying it with an automatic, as that might broaden my search for the right 318ti.

I hate to sound like a newbie, but it's been a while since I've owned a car. I've owned Jeeps (lifted with giant tires) for the past 3-4 years.

- sidenote -
I live in Indiana, where no one gives two ****s about emissions. So I personally don't care about OBDI or OBDII or smog or catalytic converters or any of that crap.

[McFly]

Found a '97 BMW 318ti with the California Roof on AutoTrader.com - it's only $4000, 86k miles, manual, BLACK (my fav. color for cars, all my Jeeps were black), leather seats (don't know if they're heated or not), and it's only 3 hours away from here.

I have about $13,000 cash for a good project, and if this car is only $4000 (MAYBE I could negotiate some here, but it seems like a steal), I imagine I could squeeze a 6-cyl engine in, some new tires/wheels, window tint, and call it a day!

So is this the "active" package because it has the 10-spoke wheels? Also I do note the antenna rearing it's ugly head.

[McFly]

Also, what the heck are those two knobs on the dash for? No clue.

Any do any 318ti's have buttons on the steering wheel? I've heard that the steering wheel doesn't tilt or telescope either.

I'm 6'2", average build, 190lbs, will I fit alright in a ti?

Not trying to question or doubt your cars or anything, because I'm planning on buying one, and just don't want to be surprised when I pick one up.

[1996 328ti]

There is a retrofit for the popup screen. I don't recall if anyone has had one installed.
Two knobs on the dash? Could me lights and fog lights.
An Active did not have fog lights standard though.
I don't see putting a 6 speed in a stock ti. There really is no need
No late model ti, nor any E36 had tilt steering although you can install it.
6 cylinders don't need to be squeezed. It's the same chassis as other E36s.
Not sure what you mean by can't be modified. You can do anything to the ti that you can do to any other BMW. Options can be installed for a price although BMWs don't come prewired.

[GREX1969]

Originally Posted by McFly

Also, what the heck are those two knobs on the dash for? No clue.

Any do any 318ti's have buttons on the steering wheel? I've heard that the steering wheel doesn't tilt or telescope either.

I'm 6'2", average build, 190lbs, will I fit alright in a ti?

Knobs are for driving lights. One does side lights and main beam the other front and rear fog lights.
Steering wheel is fixed (no tilt or anything) - right pain if you ask me.
You should fit in fine, the sports seats raise up and down and in a million positions.
As with mods I don't really know, it's way too expensive over here to get insurance and pass emissions if you mess with the standard setup.

That black one looks stunning

[twomato]

For that price and the condition of the photo with the e46 wheels, go for it.

[cali-ti]

i posted the instructions for installing the cali roof wind screen that i obtained from bmw. check the forums to find it. if possible, i would go for one that already has it.

EDIT: i believe almost if not ALL of the heated seat kits in the WORLD are gone so you'd either need to get one with it or find another source of heated seats if you got one w/o them already installed.

[96cali]

Make sure it's actually leather- the ti's were offered with vinyl interiors that, believe it or not, some people assume is leather especially if they are not the first owner. The real clue is wrinkles- at 86k she's bound to have a few.

$4000 is a great deal. The roofs sometimes leak a bit at the front corners, but it's an easy fix. Chris at www.understeer.com installed the slipstream kit to his wifes '97 cali top. Think it was a major Bi-otch. I have a '96 w/o the deflector and I ride up to 45-50mph then put the top forward.

[McFly]

So things I CAN change by myself or with the help of a local shop (I'm guessing):

Add heat to the seats if they're really leather
Install front fog lights or find a nice aftermarket bumper with fog light holes
Install a tilt steering wheel (I saw the write-up - doesn't look too bad)
Maybe put in a power antenna in lieu of the fixed rear antenna?


So I can be safe and cool driving with a '96-'97 California Edition under 45-50mph without any problems? I wouldn't plan on going highway speeds (70mph) with that huge roof open. I can check to make sure it's leather, not vinyl. And also, I meant putting a 6-speed in when I install a M3 or similar engine, not to just the stock 318ti.

Any other suggestions what options I should covet and look for specifically?

[96cali]

One that's very useful and probably hard to install is the traction control ASC+T. It brakes the wheels when they lose traction. The seat heaters are probably difficult but not impossible. I've heard there are no more OEM fog light kits available either but that's heresay. The one thing that's impossible to add on it already has- the cali roof.

Have you seen the white sport FS in Toledo?

[aceyx]

you'd be much easier off just swapping seats with the heating element than trying to add it.

the factory fogs swap right into the stock bumper. however, these kits take FOREVER to get, and it's a royal pain.

you can do an antenna delete if you don't listen to the radio much. there is actually a secondary antenna built in to the rear glass defroster that gets pretty good reception. you'll just have to disconnect the wire at the split (wrong length for radio frequency).

[McFly]

Okay well forget about the antenna... that doesn't bug me much - I just have seen two BMWs driving around town with them like broken and dangling off (E36).

Forget leather seats or heated seats - I remembered there's an upholstery shop here in town that owes me a favor and they deal with KatSkinz (sp?) leather and such - they can hook me up with either new seats or re-upholstered seats and window tinting.

Are you sure I can't get a Cali top installed? When I had my Jeep Cherokee, I was looking at installing a 3' x 5.5' ragtop sunroof in it - and our local Ziebart installed power moonroofs and such.
http://store.streetbeatcustoms.com/sunconkit.html

So now I guess my only stipulations on a 318ti would be the ASC+T... does anyone know what years/models this came on?

The more and more I read about these cars and such, looks like I could have them repainted, sunroof installed, any bumpers/sideskirts I want, replace the carpet, replace the seats, headliner, engine/trans, tilt steering wheel.

So what do y'all say - just find the cheapest ti I can as long as it has the traction assistance stuff? And replace/repaint what I want? Hell, that $4000 ti I posted above is looking more and more attractive simply because it already has the sunroof and is already black (my preffered color).

[96cali]

Originally Posted by McFly

Are you sure I can't get a Cali top installed? When I had my Jeep Cherokee, I was looking at installing a 3' x 5.5' ragtop sunroof in it - and our local Ziebart installed power moonroofs and such.
http://store.streetbeatcustoms.com/sunconkit.html

Never seen that before. Very interesting. I guess the obvious advantage would be possibly more integrated looking OEM.

The ASC+T was '96-'99 I believe. And yes, that black one looks very good for the price.