[uucdigest] Saturday, June 14 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6463
_________________________________________________________________ | | Search the ARCHIVES: | http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] | | Visit Richard Nott's Ultimate BMW Database: | http://www.bmwdatabase.com | | For all available Digest commands including unsubscribe/subscribe, | visit the BMW UUC Digest page: http://www.uucdigest.com | | Send SUBMISSIONS to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Complaints? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you must. | Technical Problems? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] |__________________________________________________________________ In this BMW UUC Digest: RE: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e Re: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e Re: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e RE: [uuc] Re: Clay Bar?? [uuc] used BMW option opinions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 11:36:07 -0500 From: "John Bunda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e > Not if you look in the right places. And I have never seen a E30iC for > five figures, unless 1. its a euro M3 conv. 2. an idiot is selling it > 3. > It has a few pounds of blow in the spare tire. Mike, if I may respectfully quibble with your statement. In my experience, five figures is not out of line for a clean, fully sorted, low mileage late 91-93 325ic (with body-colored bumpers), at least here in Texas. I looked long and hard for my '92 black 5-spd w/71K miles last year. And while I didn't pay five figures, it was close - and after looking at many cars in the 3-8k price range, I would have paid five figures for the right car, because it's too easy to get there, regardless of your starting point, by the time you take care of deferred maintenance. I started out thinking along the same lines you are, but I can't tell you how many cars I looked at whose owners were selling because the car needed a known $3k+ worth of work immediately (usually top and upholstery), and they just didn't want to put cash into the car. It seems that many cabrio owners were not enthusiasts per se, and didn't worry much about upkeep and/or protecting their cars from the sun. Some "nice" cars had poorly installed aftermarket tops and junkyard vinyl seats. Lots of these cars look great from 10 feet away, but living with them would be another story. After looking at the numbers, my $10k car was a far better deal than most of the $6-7k cars I found. In my experience - 100k+ miles 87-90 cars needing attention can be bought at the prices you are talking about. But having just gone through the E30 cabrio search, I can tell you that it's a little more complicated than first meets the eye. Are there bargains lurking out there? Of course - but I will tell you I wouldn't sell my car for less than $12k - worth it? Who knows? Am I an idiot? Your call! ;-) John '90 M3 '92 325ic ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 12:58:48 -0400 From: Michael Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e Like I said, if you look in the right places. Plus, i dont take into account what it would cost to have a shop fix a car back to good condition, as I do all that myself and know what parts cost. I personally would rather buy the $3k car, replace everything myself so I know it is done right and the parts are new for the starting period I own the car. thinking to myself I shoudl restore iCs and sell them in texas. Mike - ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Bunda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 12:36 PM Subject: RE: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e > > Not if you look in the right places. And I have never seen a E30iC for > > five figures, unless 1. its a euro M3 conv. 2. an idiot is selling it > > 3. > > It has a few pounds of blow in the spare tire. > > Mike, if I may respectfully quibble with your statement. In my experience, > five figures is not out of line for a clean, fully sorted, low mileage late > 91-93 325ic (with body-colored bumpers), at least here in Texas. I looked > long and hard for my '92 black 5-spd w/71K miles last year. And while I > didn't pay five figures, it was close - and after looking at many cars in > the 3-8k price range, I would have paid five figures for the right car, > because it's too easy to get there, regardless of your starting point, by > the time you take care of deferred maintenance. > > I started out thinking along the same lines you are, but I can't tell you > how many cars I looked at whose owners were selling because the car needed > a known $3k+ worth of work immediately (usually top and upholstery), and > they just didn't want to put cash into the car. It seems that many cabrio > owners were not enthusiasts per se, and didn't worry much about upkeep > and/or protecting their cars from the sun. Some "nice" cars had poorly > installed aftermarket tops and junkyard vinyl seats. Lots of these cars > look great from 10 feet away, but living with them would be another story. > After looking at the numbers, my $10k car was a far better deal than most > of the $6-7k cars I found. > > In my experience - 100k+ miles 87-90 cars needing attention can be bought > at the prices you are talking about. But having just gone through the E30 > cabrio search, I can tell you that it's a little more complicated than > first meets the eye. Are there bargains lurking out there? Of course - > but I will tell you I wouldn't sell my car for less than $12k - worth it? > Who knows? Am I an idiot? Your call! ;-) > > John > '90 M3 > '92 325ic > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 13:39:27 -0400 From: Michael Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e basically the inside story is the first person Inside with cash, gets car, lol. Mike - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sam Drake" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 12:28 PM Subject: RE: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e > I am currently in Florence, Al moving back to Lawrenceburg, Ky where my son > lives; next week. Where is your roommates car? Any where with in driving > range of these two places. You hit the nail on the head as I was thinking > all along if my son wants this vintage BMW he should just go find one he > wants. I have been thinking also that I may want to upgrade to a nice 325iC. > My wife has watched me working the 318i into a reliable car and enjoys the > way it drives but every time we see a nice convertible her eyes really light > up. I think if I got into one of those I could eat my cake and have it to. > I would have a fun car that I didn't mind putting real money into and also > get my truck back. She wont accept the BMW as her car until I do something > with the drivers seat; its a disaster. My plan has been to replace the seat > after I had the car up to snuff mechanically. I have reached that point > almost, (needs shocks and new paint) and am about ready to spring for the > final push; seat, paint, shocks, and radio. > > Perhaps I would rather put the money into a newer 3 series convertible. > > PS: I just noticed on another post that there may be an inside story about > your roomates car; that' OK.:) > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Michael Lawrence > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 2:25 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e > > > I think the big question is > > How Much for this car? > > Going from an I to an E is a backwards step, and I am sure they did it since > people tend to give away E motors vs $500-750 for an I motor. > > Also, what condition is the top, how long ago was it replaced etc? A new > top and seals can be had for about $700-800, so keep that in mind. > > It is not hard to find a good used325iC for $2500-3500. > > My roommate is selling a great running 5spd 89 model with the later small > bumpers, great paint etc, just needs top & seat covers for $2990. > > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sam Drake" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 1:38 PM > Subject: RE: [uuc] 87 325i swap to 325e > > > > > > I have been enjoying a 1985 318i for the past few years and doing my own > > work with much help reading this board I might add. My 25 year old son who > > lives nearby has witnessed my fun and wants a similar car. he has found a > > 1987 325i convertible (that's a 325iC; right?) that has had a 325e engine > > and tranny from a wrecked car swapped in, the owner says the car runs > really > > well, doesn't burn oil or drip, but that it surge idles. We have gone > over > > a lot of other stuff about suspension, seats, speedometer, etc and we > accept > > the situation as it is. > > > > I'm thinking that the surge idle is the idle control module which could be > > replaced easily enough but perhaps it could be evidence of a bastardized > > match up of engine and ECU and other components. Would the car ever run if > > the correct ECU module is not there? Are there other questions I need to > ask > > related to swap issues. > > > > Also he mentions using the solid drive line out of the 325e instead of > > keeping the flexible coupling. I don't have any idea of what to make of > > that. I am only familiar with the flex coupling set up. > > > > I would appreciate any specific facts or your opinions about the 325i to > > 325e engine and tranny swap. How do I make sure it is done right and also > is > > it even advisable. I prefer 325i but 325e is OK and that is not my > concern, > > just the issues about the swap. I basically avoid those things like the > > plague because one thing seems to lead to another but know that it is as > > good as one's knowledge about what one is doing. There is a good way to > do > > it I am sure. But there also might be a way of just throwing something > > together that runs in the short haul so it can be dumped on someone else. > > > > My son needs this as transportation in a 2 car family. His wife drives the > > new car while he drives the old wreck (fun :) )car. he can't afford a > > disaster decision. It has to run most of the time except for timeout to do > > projects like replacing broken stuff. > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 07:24:56 -0700 From: Brad Houser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Re: Clay Bar?? Zaino products are availabe from their own web site. Here is a link to the clay bar: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Cod e=Z-18&Category_Code=Zaino Very well worth the price and the effort. Brad Houser > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Scott > & Charlotte Miller > Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 9:43 PM > To: UUC Digest > Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [uuc] Re: Clay Bar?? > > > Manuel, Steve Albrecht, who posts here often, likes the Zaino > Brothers clay bars, and his car looks real purdy. I'm not > sure where to get it, but I'd start by trying carcareonline.com. > > I've hung out in a few different types of bars, but I've > never been in a clay bar. <rimshot> > > Scott Miller > GGC BMW CCA > > >Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003 15:57:42 -0700 (PDT) > >From: Mr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: [uuc] Clay Bar?? > > > >Greetings all! > > > >I just wanted to get some feed back on a good clay bar > >kit. There is a Mothers "California Gold" kit at Pep > >Boys and was wondering if any of you have used it with > >good results on a black car. If not, Can you > >recommend a good clay kit?? Thanks!! > > > >Manuel Paredes > >95 325i lots o mods > >L.A. BMWCCA > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 14 Jun 2003 12:28:21 -0700 From: "Polands" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] used BMW option opinions Ok, we went by the dealer this morning, sort of thinking about replacing the wife's '92 Integra. She loves to drive as much as I do, has to have a stick, appreciates sport package, not completely concerned about having the biggest motor. So to ease into the discussion we told him we're thinking frugal... we were shown a '98 323i Silver 2dr 5spd sport package, CD changer, sunroof, leather, computer, (and a back seat dog mat). 50,000 miles. Extremely clean great condition. $18,900. Then he mentioned 1.9% money on 2000 or newer CPO's. So we looked at a 2000 323iT 5spd, sport package, CD player, leather, no sunroof or computer. 36,000 miles, new condition, $26,450. Maybe doesn't feel quite as nimble, but still very tight, better braking than my E28 535is with 750front brakes. For a weekend and trip car (she walks to work), the e36 would be completely adequate, the only downsides I see are that I won't want to ever sit in the backseat due to headroom, and the obvious resale differential. Salesman says there is no difference in the motor except perhaps vanos on the '00. The low interest makes the payments very close. Given that my feeling is that the better retained value and the ability to ditch the '83 Volvo 245 Garden Utility Hauler make the newer car well worth the difference in principal. Either one will fill the need. We would probably keep the '00 for at least 6 years, probably a couple of years less with the '98, and keeping an eye on depreciation. What do you all think about the cost difference, maintenance etc. between these two cars. Steve Poland Portland, OR ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6463 *************************** | | In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. |________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | | Autoscope-Motorsports - http://www.autoscope-motorsports.com | |==================================================== | | Koala MotorSport . BMW technical information, special tool sales/rental | http://www.koalamotorsport.com | |==================================================== | | Taylor BMW - http://www.taylorbmw.com - Doc Bimmer! | |==================================================== | Turner Motorsport Inc . 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