robertw

Hi I am having trouble with my 1990 E36 325i it has an intermittent fault in the starter system it won't start at odd times no power to the starer motor

plenty of power all the dash lights light up just no juice to the starter if left for 20 minutes it will start ok, I think the relay needs a clean

But I can't find it it is not in the fuse box anyone know where it is?

On 11/9/2017 at 7:00 PM, M3AN said:

Well, I'm not convinced you're in a better place than you were. You'll need to call a vehicle certifier and find out what else is required (if anything). There's no "new seat belt" you can get that will be different to your current one other than a race harness. And if you need to get a race harness to get a cert then that's hardly ideal for daily use.

Keep in mind most cars on our roads were never fitted with an airbag in the first place. A cert is really a great length and expense to go to to solve the problem you have. As I said, it will cost you at least $400.

I have talked to the certifier in Taupo and got what I need to do, Changing the seat belt makes sense it's 27 years old, their way of thinking is

you are removing one safety feature and upgrading another one I'm good with that the old seat belt is getting slow ,

If a new BMW steering wheel was available it would cost more than the car is worth, the control module is unavailable as a new part 

second hand ones are as old as mine it's not worth it, Besides there is a pile of new sports wheels I can buy,

The Regulations say that if a car comes fitted with an airbag it has to have one to get a WOF no grey area,

Later year E36's are easier to get replacement steering wheels the one in mine was only installed for a short time,

I have found all the bits I need should be sorted by next weekend all going well.  

I have already bought a Momo steering wheel for $60, Andrew's may fry it's self in 6 months and I am back to were I am now,

And I want to do it legally the WOF places around here know the car so just swapping the wheel won't float. 

Hi guys,

A follow on from the Airbag fail, To get certified as a non airbag car the requirement is to fit a new seatbelt, anyone know of a good supplier

of seatbelts non race setup and not too outrageously expensive.

Cheers

Robert.,

Yeah I have all that info from the LVV website, I will have a chat with the place I get my WOF from see want they will accept,

Thanks Guys 

Thanks I have the whole document saved, I will ring around there is a certifier in Taupo he could be more helpful,

I though it was sorted my Auto electrician though he had scored a steering wheel turn out it was the wrong one not a happy chap

Cheers

On 10/12/2017 at 3:14 PM, Gabe79 said:

It’ll certainly be cheaper to get a new steering wheel, but worse case and you really like the car... you can decommission the airbag and get a lvvt cert for it. 

I have been looking into removing the airbag and getting it certified seems like the best way to fix the problem, I have the info from LVV but it doesn't

make sense, have you gone through the process? The closest certifier doesn't know much about it,

Cheers

Robert. 

The control board for this one is in the steering wheel with the airbag mine is toast, are the Msport wheels hard to find?

I have been looking for a few weeks and can only find them off shore at silly prices,

I would be interested in yours if it is working ok,

Cheers

Robert. 

my theory on the lean is that the cars are lefthand drive design and when the drivers weight is added  

to the lefthand seat the car levels out,

How does that sound.

Robert. 

On 10/13/2017 at 3:45 PM, aja540i said:

Pretty sure I have one, will have a look and get a photo.

I have this one,

$60 if you want it.

Yes that's the one do you know if the control module is still ok? I have been to the local Auto electrician he located a steering wheel when it arrived it is the wrong one, have been thinking about getting the car certified to operate with out an Airbag has anyone done this and how much hassle is it?

I have a 1990 325I with the Airbag circuit board in the steering wheel which has fried it's self,

Any one know how to fix it or have a second hand steering wheel with a working Airbag there is nothing else wrong with the car

would hate to have to sell it for parts,

Robert. 

no ,I have seen some oz new models imported into nz and sold as nz new .

they got the e36 before nz did

they started building e36 models ifrom nov 1989

That's right it has Australia on the ownership papers as counrty of origin, it was first registered August 1991

sold by Fairfield motors or is it Fairview motors Hamilton to a chap in Taupo

Currently my 89 E30 is sitting at 290,000km's.

Be intresting to see what everyone elses car is on and how old they are...

1990 E36 NZ new 141.000

gt's good but make a bit of extra road noise due to the sizewall construction(rather thick)

toyos good bang for buck

hankook h105/k105 could be a option not as good as the toyo but hey you get what ya pay for

Thanks for the replys guys,

You really have to shop around for prices on tyres these days, asked for quotes

from three tyre shops just asked for 205/60 x15 no particular brand got three replys

only tyre they had in common was the Dunlop DZ101 the prices were $149 $157 $177

any body have these on their car I like the look of them, how about Bridgestone re001

Adernalin been trying to find a shop that stocks them no replys so far.

Cheers

Robert.

Seasons geetings to all,

I got a new WOF this week needed new ball joints, tyres passed but the fronts are 2mm & 3mm

not my favorite amount of rubber need a couple of 205 60 x15" replacements in the $150 - $180

range car is a E36 325i what do you recomend

Robert.

It wont be there Sunday as this Sunday is an open day under pacecar for those invited by Hampton Downs

I think you will find targa is there on Monday.

Some of us are meeting at the Bombay hills before we go, link to thread

Thanks, will try and make it, do you know what the format is number of laps?

I will be in Tokoroa Sat/ Sun it might be eazier to go to Taupo.

Robert.

Hi guys

Anyone know the time the Targa rally will be at Hampton Downs this weekend

the Targa website only says that it be there on Sunday.

Cheere

Robert.

They are a pretty decent tyre I went trough two sets of 205 45 x16" on my Primera very grippy in the wet

tread life is ok, that price is fair my last set cost $173 each fitted and balanced.

Thanks Glenn,

Stuck out West until next week will book it in when I get home

Robert.

Hi Guys,

My 325i overheated a little last night not to serious no warning from OBC just straight to redline

then dropped back to 3/4 mark, got where I was going waited for it to cool down topped radiator

and drove home OK, checked this morning no sign of leak ran up to normal temp in about 10mins

and stopped at the 1/2 mark, fan spinning OK

I have only had the car a couple of months, gave her an oil change a month ago, topped the radiator

a couple of times when the OBC has indecated low coolant only need small amount 250ml or so,

Car had been hanging around dealers for the last two years only clocked up 5000k in that time,

so unlikely to have had any services in that time, plan on giving cooling system a flush,

Question! what do you think I should do as well as flushing?

Car has 136k on the clock, would the water pump have been changed by how I understand the

orginals plastic implers go early on, is it worth putting a new pump in on the off chance.

Cheers

Robert.

shouldnt you be finding out how much insurance would cost first before buying the car? what are you going to do if its excessive? drive around like lots of fools without cover?

to some outfit that is hard to deal with, was with Fintel like see if there is a better company

Hi Guys, Picking up my new ride Saturday need a good Insurance company if there is such a thing.

Robert.

Hi Guys, Picking up my new ride Saturday need a good Insurance company if there is such a thing.

Robert.

Welcome mate,

Good luck with the search.

Thanks Quailboy and the rest of you Bimmer nuts, Great site I think I will be spending a lot of time here,

May have found a 325 just waiting for the insurance to cough up, wil post pic when it happens

Cheers

Robert

Hi Guys I don't have a BMW yet, My Primera got nicked last monday , waiting on insurance to see what I can afford

would like a E36 325 manual any colour but white or yellow,

Robert