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I'm looking to buy a car to work on just as a hobby. I don't have have much training as a mechanic but have done minimal things on cars and have some friends who are mechanics and more then willing to help out. I was just wondering if there were any books/websites/ even videos that could help me with minor tips and procedures on how to handle it? I would really like a BMW, preferably an E36 coupe. I have a budget of €6/700, give or take.
6-700 should pick you up a 318is mtech with no nct needing a few small bits lovely car to work on most jobs are simple enough on it parts are cheap as theres e36's for breaking everywere even new parts are not too expensive its well documented online too with thousands of diy guides you can even download the bentley manual free a very usefull tool for the home mechanic
Main things to look for ,make sure the car is good mechanical condition pulls well through all gears doesnt overheat leave it running throughout the viewing check for any major rust around the sills were the jack goes pop the circular plastic cover off and look inside
Check around the rear archs for rust also if youbcan get one thats mechanically sound with a good strong body thats all you need a good base to work from
Interiors can be changed easily ,suspension will need a refresh as even the youngest is 15 year old now but thats all part of the fun with a project car :)
As Gar said, the bentley manual is a good guide. After that just look at a few of the project threads (Super4 and EndaC come to mind when looking for something detailed)
Ah Gar it's no fun for the rest of us when you nail it in one reply!:P:P:P
Im sure I left plenty out that was just a quick guide :-D
Cheers for the replies chaps.
Aside from the usual things, being engine and gearbox, I should look for rust and overheating (head gasket?) on the E36.
Will be minimum of 14yrs old so good bet there will be rust, its just a matter of how much ;) (arches/boot handle/sills/jacking points) alsocheck the window seals particularly the rear ones
Excellent advice. I'll remember this when viewing. Also, I don't think I will get a 318is, I looked on Donedeal and there were none in my budget.
Much of what I could think of would be along the lines of what the other lads said with rust being one of the major points. Rust on the body and also on the steel brake lines can be expensive fixes, the brake lines will be an NCT fail.
On the coupe it's worth checking that the windows pop down when the door is opened and go back up when the door is closed. If they don't the problem is the micro switch in the door strike and solved by a trip to the dealer for a €50 part.
With the M44 engine a lot of poor running can be traced back to vacuum leaks and can be simple enough fixes. Also the coolant system on these cars can be due for a refresh so worth adding into the budget
+1 on the cooling system, make that project 1 and get it out of the way. To be honest they are easy enough cars to work and the good thing about them is 99.9% of the problems you might encounter with any task or any faults have been documented online somewhere weather it's in DIY guide or has been asked on a forum somewhere which can be found with a bit of googling.
Cheers once again chaps. Is there anything in particular to the 316i that I should look for?
Yes look past it and continue your search for the 318is :DQuote:
Originally Posted by stevenbrandist
+1 316 is pants and will rob your soulQuote:
Originally Posted by Gar
an extra 300cc never killed anyone
Although if your not pushed about the engine a 316 is fine but the difference between it and the 318is is miles apart
Haha, I see. Not many of them in my budget though.Quote:
Yes look past it and continue your search for the 318is Big Grin
http://www.adverts.ie/3200544
Engine size isn't an issue, although I would imagine the likes of the 325 etc won't come in under my budget. Also, Galway is a a bit far but I will keep that car linked above in mind.
Was just an example take your time and just keep watching they do come up ,be prepared to travel to get the right car though it pays off as most others wont travel its a small country and the drive back is usually fun :)
I think your on the right track stick to 318is 323 and early 325's they do come up cheap as not many want the tax that comes with the 6 cylinders ,personally id avoid the 316
I seen this on donedeal few rubbish bits on it like wheels and lights but it is a project car so its a given plus its cheap great colour too
Sorry I cant post the link but the asking is 550
A quick selection for you off DD. It's also worth checking gumtree and adverts.ie Keep in mind prices are not set in stone as well ;)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e36-318is-coupe/5503041
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-325i-welded-diff/5400021
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318-convertible/5328882
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e36-318is/5193770
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318is-coupe/5487573
If I were you. It would be this:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318is/5470612
Off the top of my head issues to look out for are (as it's a project decide how severe you want to get)
Oil leaks from sump gasket, timing chain profile gasket and rocker cover gasket.
Air leaks from several areas check all hoses for signs of perishing.
Steering racks leak and creak. Check the boots either side.
Power steering pumps will go.
Exhaust manifolds will crack and also exhausts are prone to rot at the back box and just before it. The manifold also tends to be seized where it joins to the exhaust.
Reverse switches mounted to the gear box fail making the reverse lights stop working.
Brake lights have a tendency to stop working and start working. This can be a combination of wiring bending and breaking and the left hand side of the boot door or moisture getting in to the cluster due to bad gaskets around the cluster.
ABS pumps and sensors will fail. Airbag lights can be an issues especially if the seats have been changed from the original.
Sunroof motors are a common fail point.
Window regulators will give over time.
A suspension refresh will be required on most unless recently done. This can range from a few bushes to everything including shocks and wishbones. Generally it will be the left side of the car that gets the hammering.
They rust around the front window, arches, jack points, surface rust along the edges of the doors and bonnets, depending on whether its an english car or Irish car the degree of rust can differ. Best to go Irish.
Boot door locks can be an issue and break needed to be welded.
Brake light switches commonly go.
Motors for mirrors go as will the windscreen washer pump.
Head gaskets can go but if this is the case the car has been dogged as they can take a good bit of abuse if you look after them.
I could go on.
But to be honest if you have the time and are putting the effort in you'll be rewarded. Rear wheel drive, nicely powered, a range of good, stylish and practical mods are available to set it apart from others out there. A well made, well put together car that will look the part and also be fun to drive.
Wealth of experience out there and on here, much love is to be had in Ireland for these cars and parts are abundant. They are currently on the bounce depending to who you listen to and prices IMO are due to go up. Potential future classic.
The 6 cylinders are not to be ruled out and are also a great car if a little different in the driving experience. Best bet is to try get a drive out of a few good examples to get an idea of what is possible. This should hopefully light your fire.
And best of all you get to chat shit to all of us other e36 eejits, get and give advice, take pics, build threads etc etc.
GO GET AN IS. ;)
Brilliant stuff, Venom. Thanks a lot.
I do like this one. It has a lot going for it; the colour, interior, m tec kit etc. The only thing I would question so far is whether or not the alloys are reps, although if they were it would not bother me too much.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bm...pe/5503041
Not something I would consider really. Welded diff, damaged quarter panel, yellow rear plates, missing trim etc. Its clearly had a hard life in recent times. However, I would wonder if it could be fixed up and turned into a nice and respectable 325i.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bm...ff/5400021
I would love this, although I couldn't imagine it has not sold yet after 34 days. And if it hasn't, I would question why.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bm...le/5328882
A nice car, and its nice to see the low mileage too. The alloys really do stand out as reps, I think. I will keep this one on the list too as I like the colour.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bm...is/5193770
Like the 325, there are some telltale signs that it may have had a hard life. The odd alloys and exhaust stand out. While they can be replaced, I just think I could get a better car.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318is-coupe/5487573
I have been looking at this car myself. It does tick the boxes for me. Leather interior is nice too.Quote:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-318is/5470612
As I have already mentioned, I am no mechanic. I am most likely going to have a mechanic, or mechanically minded person come and look at a car with me.
Cheers once again for the comment, Venom.
Moe than welcome.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevenbrandist
Little update. My neighbor has a 1996 Fiat Cinquecento sport 1.1 that has been off the road since 2010. I can 'take it off his hands' for very little. I like the Cinquecento, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them? It seems like the perfect kind of project car for me.
If you want to start from scratch i have a e36 318is coupe shell for sale soon enough for cheap money ;) :D
But good luck with what ever you go for, would like to do such a project as well just to learn more about fixing cars etc. :) But the funds don't allow it :(
Stretch or budget to 1200 I've a 2002 BMW 316 se model there needs a timing chain
Haha, many thanks for the offer but I'm not ready to take on something like that just yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by BluhBluh
Thanks for the offer but an E46 isn't the kind of car I want.Quote:
Originally Posted by cambo
pobm3 has one for 700€ pm him
Genuine lad to deal with.