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View Poll Results: What will fail first? (What should I fix first)
Engine 6 11.76%
Cooling 38 74.51%
Steering 4 7.84%
Suspension 10 19.61%
Transmission/Differential 3 5.88%
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Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 10-23-2010, 07:45 AM   #16
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If you are on a tight budget I recommend the Monroes at PepBoys.

Full set of rear shocks and front struts ran $150, all of the parts are made in Europe (Belgium and Spain if I recall) and the front struts actually have slightly thicker piston rods than the stock Sachs-Boge units. I took pictures if anyone doubts!

There was some pushback at the parts counter but eventually somebody over the age of 45 agreed to put through the special order at the prices the website quoted.

As for the ride, it feels just slightly better damped than before I swapped the 143k mile originals out so I am not claiming a low-priced miracle took place.
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Old 10-25-2010, 07:45 PM   #17
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If you are on a tight budget I recommend the Monroes at PepBoys.

Full set of rear shocks and front struts ran $150, all of the parts are made in Europe (Belgium and Spain if I recall) and the front struts actually have slightly thicker piston rods than the stock Sachs-Boge units. I took pictures if anyone doubts!

There was some pushback at the parts counter but eventually somebody over the age of 45 agreed to put through the special order at the prices the website quoted.

As for the ride, it feels just slightly better damped than before I swapped the 143k mile originals out so I am not claiming a low-priced miracle took place.
Strange coincidence. I actually got the sports spring just because of the Monroe "sports" shocks and struts at pepboys. Then when i went to purchase last week they would not sell at the advertised price.

I have a an open Case# with their corporate HQ for Bait-And-Switch. The manager refused to honor the price and then offered a 318Is shock at double.

I emailed the western manager this morning and waiting for a reply.
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Old 10-26-2010, 08:20 AM   #18
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Feel free to let them know their San Carlos branch store honored the advertised web price with no hassles back in July if it helps your cause.
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Old 10-27-2010, 05:34 AM   #19
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Feel free to let them know their San Carlos branch store honored the advertised web price with no hassles back in July if it helps your cause.
After your post it occurred to me that I should try a different store. I did today and the manager did the right thing by "honoring" the internet price. Now with the Monroe buy4 get 1 free promotion, total cost for new struts/shocks will cost $125. Yes, I am very happy about this.

Even factoring in the added cost of swapping standard springs for sports springs I will save over 1/2 price and end up with a better suspension.

By the way, I got 34mpg last fill up. I wish the gear box had a 6th gear.
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Old 10-27-2010, 04:48 PM   #20
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You may already be planning for this but I would definitely get new bump stops and rear shock mounts for when the other parts arrive. Pelican parts has prices for those that are hard to beat.

I am guessing that the front strut mounts will also be suspect but since they are more expensive it's harder to rationalize replacing them until you can at least get a look at them.
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Old 10-27-2010, 10:55 PM   #21
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Kiponator, thanks for advice.
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Old 11-11-2010, 06:17 PM   #22
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New struts, shocks and used sport springs are installed. Old units were completely blown out, the front offered minimal dampening and rear did nothing.

The difference between standard and sports spring is only height. The coil diameter and wire diameter are the same. I expect the spring constant to be the same between standard and sport models. The additional k factor from the thicker sport swaybars may require stiffer dampening.

Alignment seems good still and will wait to adjust after i install a reman steering rack. 33.2 MPG.

Last edited by SSpeedracer; 12-16-2010 at 07:09 AM.
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Old 12-16-2010, 07:01 AM   #23
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Funny, new struts and now I can feel the wheels out of balance or out of round. Steel rims have history. According to original owner, at least one of them was pounded out after curb and pothole damage. All tires are same make/model but each bought serperate and with different wear. In short the rims/tires need to go.

So I picked up a used set of style 47's for $125. Probably could have got them for less but didn't feel like bartering down any further. Tires soon. By the way, I had to fight every instinct to get larger rims. I love the low cost 205/60R15 option and don't want to lose the gas mileage I've been getting.

Noticed a slight oil leak somewhere behind the exhaust manifold. Searched this bitchin' website and found a post related to leak, poor idle, and worn out PCV. Just finished swapping the PCV and Idle is already improved. Crossing my fingers that this takes care of leak also.

327,000 miles and got 33.8mpg last fill up.
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Old 12-16-2010, 08:04 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by familytruckster View Post
It's easier than changing the plugs on the camaro.

I've owned two 3rd gen. Camaros and everyone always used to talk about how difficult plug changes were, but I never found it that difficult at all. Sure, you have to do it from underneath the car, but it really wasn't that difficult once you were down there.
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Old 03-10-2011, 10:40 PM   #25
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#1 and #3 spark plug cylinders were leaking oil. Swapped all gaskets per DIY on this site minus moving the air cleaner (thanks). New plugs, oil and filter. Idle is smooth as butter now.

Followed up with new exhaust hangers, primary O2 sensor, gear shift gaskets/seals, transmission output seal and stupid little overpriced light bulb for the HVAC controls. Got the OEM plastic "euro" style 5sp shift knob.

331,200 miles and 33+mpg driving 75mph on highway.

PS
Engine has consistently seen ONLY Castrol 10W-30 and carbon build up was insignificant. I rarely used Castrol before, but I will never use anything else now.
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Old 03-13-2011, 05:24 AM   #26
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New hatch latch. Closes smooth without bouncing. The plastic hook for the spring had broken off of the old one.
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Old 04-22-2011, 05:08 PM   #27
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My 1998 318ti turned 333,333 miles today! (pictures will be posted soon) To celebrate I got the ti a new front windshield (19" crack through old) and window tint all around. Car is looking sharp, even get compliments followed with disbelief that it has so many miles on it.

Last month I found a couple of loose timing chain cover fasteners (left side) and I was barely able to get a wrench in there to tighten without disassembling the cooling system. I figured I would be revisiting the chain cover with new seals to take care of an oil leak, BUT to my surprise the leak is completely gone! Car has held tight for over a month now! I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THOSE FASTENERS GOT LOOSE. So loose that I could visually see it. But now they are tight and nothing leaking. AMAZING, leak free at 333K miles after a valve cover gasket!

I didn't like the excessive negative camber on the rear tires, so I swapped the rear sport springs back to standard springs. Camber looks better and mileage went up ~1-2 MPG. FYI The Monroe shocks behave much better with the standard springs even though they are listed being compatible with sport springs.

Last edited by SSpeedracer; 04-22-2011 at 05:20 PM.
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Old 04-22-2011, 05:28 PM   #28
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To celebrate I got the ti a new front windshield (19" crack through old) and window tint all around.
Be careful, cops in So. Cal. have been cracking down HARD (gotta get revenue somehow, right?) on all sorts of violations- window tint included. It's now a $178 fine and no longer a fix it ticket (CVC 26708). I got pulled over in my truck about a month ago for tint, but was let go when the officer got an emergency call as he was coming up to my window, and then about a week ago, I was pulling out of a car wash in the ti (which has pretty dark side window tint) when a cop looked at me as he was going by, then pulled over about a half block up and waited for me to exit. Fortunately, it was a neighborhood I was quite familiar with and I pulled out and turned right before I got to where the cop was parked and was able to evade him.
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Old 04-23-2011, 06:33 AM   #29
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Old 04-23-2011, 08:02 AM   #30
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Sweet!
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