iDrive, One of the worst automotive concepts in recent history.

[Night Wolf]

About the iDrive, I've heard it stinks, but I've never used it or know what it is...

but while browsing one of the Bimmer sites, I saw this in someones signature, got quite a laugh out of it...

[Cadillacboy]

I think this is Jesda's job lol

[DaveSmed]

Early 318i, one of the lightest E30s ever produced. How light? Try that they came with solid rotors on the front.

Unfortunately, that model most likely will have a clock instead of the 13 button. Fortunately, its a surprisingly easy retrofit, and you will still have the MPG gauge. Same with the brakes, all of the 325 stuff (vented front rotors, and rear disk) bolts on. Same with the 325 suspension, (rides a bit higher stock, but who stays stock these days? theres more spring rate options should you decide the car needs to handle even better and needs an altitude adjustment.) And so on. BTW, that color is called Bronzitbeige-metallic. That spoiler is not factory, and if it was designed specifically for the E30, sometimes that stuff is worth serious money.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Originally Posted by Night Wolf

About the iDrive, I've heard it stinks, but I've never used it or know what it is...

but while browsing one of the Bimmer sites, I saw this in someones signature, got quite a laugh out of it...

That is freaking awesome. Thank you for posting that Rick. If I had a BMW, I would make that my signature on here.

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by DaveSmed

Early 318i, one of the lightest E30s ever produced. How light? Try that they came with solid rotors on the front.

Unfortunately, that model most likely will have a clock instead of the 13 button. Fortunately, its a surprisingly easy retrofit, and you will still have the MPG gauge. Same with the brakes, all of the 325 stuff (vented front rotors, and rear disk) bolts on. Same with the 325 suspension, (rides a bit higher stock, but who stays stock these days? theres more spring rate options should you decide the car needs to handle even better and needs an altitude adjustment.) And so on. BTW, that color is called Bronzitbeige-metallic. That spoiler is not factory, and if it was designed specifically for the E30, sometimes that stuff is worth serious money.

I heard they were the lightest, but then only due to the actual weight of the engine, which means, chassis wise, they all weigh the same.

I don't like the look of the spoiler, but when I was browsing BMW forums in a picture thread, somebodies car had the same spoiler and they said it was a factory spoiler.... so I figured that one was too, but I guess not.

I was reading that the OBC thing can be swapped in, I'd probably end up doing it, but who knows when.

Anyway.... no call back today.... actually, I was going to call back but slept alot later then I wanted to.... apparently its at the kids fathers used car lot, so I can only get ahold of them like 9-5, but they don't know anything about it and the kid is out of state or something, hes the one that was supposed to call me.

I'll call them tomorrow again... But, if this dosn't work out, then thats fine, I'd like to hold out for a post facelift 325i convertible, This just seemed like a good deal, if it drives good.

[Night Wolf]

Alright, update on the B-M-Dubya....

So I called today, talked to the father. It's at a used car dealer, the father is trying to sell it (privately, not thru the dealer) for the son who lives in FL. He said his son had it for about a year but got a new truck.

He said it runs and drives fine "it'll do 80 down the highway", said that the engine is real strong. He said the A/C dosn't work, it's there, but not working... honestly, not a big deal to me. I asked about the mechanics of the car and stuff, he said no issues there. He said one of the power windows dosn't work, from what I hear, thats common on these cars, can just be switch or something. He said the tires should be replaced, just old and stuff.... which, while tires are expensive, new tires never hurt.

So durring all this, mileage was unknown until now, I told myself under 200k and I'll be happy... cause it seems like these cars don't stop. He said it has 185k on it, It's high, but pretty much inline, if not on the low end from what I've seen.

he said when he went out to look at it that the shifter is jammed... said somebody took it out yesterday and now he can move the shifter thru the gears but not into reverse... I dunno, maybe its like VW where you gotta push the shifter down or something, he said he is having the mechanic look at it.

So I asked about rust, he said only rust is on the passenger side of the fender on the bottom, the underbody of the car is clean... he is getting the VIN and will call me back with it, I wanna run an Autocheck.... if it was a Northern car and ends up having rust in places underneath, thats gonna be a red flag... if Southern car and little rust, that'll be good.

He said they have a u-haul at their dealer and will rent me a tow dolly he said he thinks it'll be under $100, but he'll have to check. I'd rather not drive a 24 year old car I just bought without going over first ~3hrs home with nobody following me etc.... though the Caddy isn't in all that great shape either, I don't doubt it would make the trip. I could drive the Town Car there with my friend, and have him follow me back.... but, I'd hate to bother someone else for a large part of the day, and the cost of renting the tow dolly vs paying for gas on 2 cars etc.... basically, if the Caddy can manage to get back in one piece towing that thing, it'll be good. That is a light car, so between the dolly and car it's gotta be under 3,000lbs.... not very hilly, and I'd be in no rush... I think it could do it.

I asked him if he would take $500 for it... I'd hate to make an offer over the phone, especially without seeing the car first, but it is 3hrs each way to drive... he says he'll have to call his son, but that won't be until after 5PM tonight, which means I woudln't actually get the car until tomorrow.

So...... if a couple more things line up, and I do end up looking at it and there are no crazy surprises, it looks like I'll be getting it.... I'm excited about it.

Now I gotta go back and finish trying to remove the head on the Isuzu, There are 10 head bolts, I have to use my 2 foot long 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 1/2" - 3/8" adapter and a long 3/8" extension... problem is, they are internal hex, metric, only 10mm, only thing Sears has is 3/8" drive. They are really tough to break loose (hence the 2 foot breaker bar) But I manged to break 9 of the head bolts loose, working from the edges to the center.... the 10th one is being stubbern, it broke that 3/8" drive 10mm hex socket.... I brought it back and got a new one.... first try on that bolt and the socket shattered. The guy at Sears says I'll keep breaking these things all day if I keep doing that, I ask him if they've got anything bigger or stronger.... he says no... I ask where I can go to get something else, he says he dunno.... so this is no help... Sears is supposed to have this stuff, I don't know where else to go... the Mac and Matco guys only come by work in their trucks certain times and none are there today (atleast now) So I've got a new socket, and I want to get that last bolt broke loose, but I know if I break this socket again that'll be it for now.. the guy was getting mad at me for breaking them.... even tho its lifetime warantee, and the next nearest Sears is alot further away (this one is literaly 3mins from my house in the mall 2 streets over)

Ah... fun fun.... working on cars on my days off from working on airplanes.... sometimes I get the vibe that all I ever do in life is just work on stuff and fix things..... life is good tho

[Jesda]

Man, those old Bimmers are insanely easy to work on too. You'll really enjoy it.

[Night Wolf]

Yeah, everything I've been reading has been pretty good.... yeah it's not the exact model or year I'd want, but oh well... none of that really matters... heck in the least case it would just be a gas saver work car... and somehow I think if it all works out, I'll really enjoy it... I don't see a reason not to.

Oh yeah, the guy confirmed the interior is "brown" I think it's the tan/black two tone, which is really cool, I like that... the all black interior looks sweet on Cadillacs and Lincolns, but in the smaller German car it just makes the car look tiny and sterile....

<---- very excited about the whole thing

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Never thought I'd see Rick in a German Car.


Welcome.

[Cadillacboy]

I think I will be in a German too aside from Mercedes lol

I love Q7's

[Night Wolf]

Originally Posted by I~LUV~Caddys8792

Never thought I'd see Rick in a German Car.


Welcome.

lol, I'm not there yet.... if you start to feel a cool draft don't worry about holding the door open

[Night Wolf]

Well I guess that was a way to kill 8hrs.

So I drove the Caddy there.... and back... pretty much planning on towing it home.

Well, I didn't get it. The thing was a hack job and appeared to be beat on.... besides the various rust/rot while looking in places, all the wires were pulled out and hanging from the dash, stereo yanked out, some cheapo speakers thrown in the rear deck, the interior was a mess, things flat out missing, aftermarket shifter and the shifter was really loose, missing boot and stuff, it went into the gears fine, even reverse, which on BMW you gotta push further (and harder), like going into a further 1st gear. It had the sports interior, cloth.... but it was a mess and a wreck, glove box was barely hanging by a sting that tied it shut and it was crooked. Both right tires were flat, the rear tires, and especially the right rear were conviently bald, I mean no visable tread at all.... hmmm wonder what that could be? Key was in it but battery was pretty much dead. has some aftermarket fart can muffler thing, that spoiler was totally out of place etc....

I spent about 3mins looking at it, as soon as I saw it I knew I was gonna pass..... that thing was a total hack job. So I came right back.

Oh well, probably better I didn't get another car right now anyway.... however, my eye is now out for a 325i convertible... I'd like to get one of those, I'm just not in a rush. I did like the overall design and layout of the car... looks like it would be a fun little car to drive.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

That's a bummer Rick, I really wanted that to work out. But now you know why there aren't any pics of the interior.

[gary88]

Typical German POS, can't even keep itself in mint condition after 20 years

I keed I keed

[DaveSmed]

Yuck, sounds nasty. Bummer it didn't work out, but I think the six cyl is worth holding out for anyway. (unless its a late model 318, they are actually pretty sharp)