gjm

An indicator flashing at double speed normally indicates (Lol) a bulb out. But what if the indicator is flashing at double speed, but all bulbs are lighting? What could cause that? It's only happening on the right turn - left is fine following a bulb replacement - and it sometimes returns to normal flash speed. ?

Complete fluke. When I was working in Manukau/Papatoetoe, one of the car firms opened a yard opposite our office. I'd been over and spoken to Mike, the manager - just kicking tyres, talking about BMWs and Mercedes. No interest in buying. That was months ago. The quite literally the afternoon we sold the 318ti, he called asking if I knew anyone who would be interested in a 2-door BMW he had in his garage. It had been his daughter's car, but she'd been on OE (5 times, from what I gather!) and having come back to NZ, got a job with a company car. He wanted the space in the garage for a kitchen refurb, somewhere to put stuff. So we pottered up to have a look, liked it enough to make an offer, and came away with it. He said he'd posted it on Facebook but just got a lot of random mess-around people calling and PM'ing, so he gave up on that.

Coolant flush completed. Engine hot, heater controls on hot, pop the expansion tank cap, release the bleed screw (next to the expansion tank cap. Now, where's the rad drain plug...? Actually - that's a great question. Where is it??? I know where it should be but there's nothing there. (Not easy to find any =way because of the position of the oil cooler, but all the same.) OK - pop the hoses off the engine, stick a hose pipe (gently) into the expansion tank, and wait until water coming out of the engine runs clear. Of course, this means the engine is now full of water, so reconnect the bottom hose, and slowly pour coolant into the expansion tank. Once it runs green from the engine, replace last hose and check everything over. Start car, wait, and... Heater blows hot air. Seems unlikely to be an airlock. ? Result. Unfortunately, the previous owner had a boyfriend who was a 'mechanic'. He's removed the cabin filter housing (and the rubbers, the plastic engine trim, and carefully put it all in a box in the boot. Such a shame he didn't think to include the special torx-head screws that are used when fitting... ? Plan for tomorrow is to pull the wheels, see what they actually are, check the suspension... Oh - paint is Graugruen metallic. Some small dents, some scratches (especially on the boot where something has been slid across it). Nice colour.

Quick update having done some research... The car is a Singapore import. Not sure if it was originally sold through Opera Autotechnik, but they fitted a rebranded Kerscher exhaust, lowered the suspension, fitted a decent quality bodykit (although the sills require some attention), and 18" rims - 225/40-18 on the front, 235-40/18 at the rear. Only fault showing was 115, the coolant temperature sensor. This has been replaced. It has a BMS46 Hybrid ECU, from a BMW / Siemens joint development.

A previous owner would like you to believe it's an S3 which used an engine based on the M52TUB28 and produced 265bhp. 20" rims are far too big on an E46. And, of course, this one is missing the chin spoiler, the mirrors are wrong...

Most kit regardless of price could be fitted, but cheap suspension is a waste of time. Height adjustable suspension will require certification regardless of source or price, but cheap parts will wear fast, ride badly, and probably not give any sort of long term solution. Cheap adjustable suspension is useful for one thing - lowering (and looks). And there are certification rules around how low is legal. The certification you get will detail this, and the police will check to ensure you are using the car within those limits. IMO, more trouble than it can possibly be worth.

You're not helping... ?

ISTA... Rheingold? What size is the application you're using? I've got the files, but struggle with them being over 200GB compressed!

Sorry - no pics at present. The drive and aim recently has been to prepare and sell some cars - we have too many. Even I have to admit that, especially given our circumstances. And so, I was overjoyed when the 318ti sold very recently. One down... Hopefully I can build some momentum and sell another car. Or two. Or... Well, I was asked if I would be interested in a 318Ci. Hmm... N42 engine woes. But the offer was there, not voiced in a "how much can I get for this' kind of way, but as a 'I need to get this out of the garage because we're refurbishing the house and need somewhere to put kitchen units and appliances while the builders work' way. So I ran some details and found that this car has a M43TU engine. It has been messed with, it does need work. It has been standing for a while, the tyres were soft (but not flat) and I don't much like the wheels. The exhaust isn't stock, and part of it has fallen off. It has a bodykit which hasn't been fitted particularly well, or perhaps it's coming adrift. We'll see. Glass sunroof, leather interior (with some mildew), electric seats, multifunction steering wheel. Stuff and things. I'm really not sure this was a good idea.

Bought a May 2001 318Ci...

Now well over $17k. Edit: $17520. ? Quite honestly, I think that's way over a reasonable price and I hope the very low feedback scores aren't indicative of problems coming along for the seller. Take the '1' off the front and that's about where i saw it.

Probably! Lol

I'll sort some pics tomorrow. And dream of a price. (And divide that by about 10... )

I have one. It was painted Dephingrau by a previous owner - I was going to spend some time and effort cleaning it up.

Fingers crossed for you. It's been a while since my redundancy and perhaps it is a reflection on what I went through in the previous years, but I am only now starting to relax. That is a good thing! And it has given us an opportunity to take a step back and review what we have done, and what we would like to do.

I empathise. And afterwards, I learned that I received my marching orders before the company employing me received notification of the cancellation of the contract that paid my wages...

It certainly is that. Regularly seeing 15-16km per litre tank-to-tank, although that is on reasonable runs. 30km+ each way. Rock solid reliable, too.

I plan for the 318i sedan (manual, leather) to soon be available at a lower price than previously adertised...

SOLD! To someone from here...

I just pull over to the side of the road...

1998 318Ti automatic, import from Japan in 2006. Sunroof, factory MotorSports suspension, sports seats. 193xxx kms, regularly serviced, 6 months WoF, (passed today - fitted a new balljoint before the inspection), rego 'til 16/9/2018. Recently replaced the cam position sensor. Cheap car; economic, reliable and fun motoring. Runs beautifully, handles well, 16" alloys and tyres with ~6mm tread. Paint has usual red paint issues - some lacquer starting to lift, some discolouration. Small dent on leading edge of front offside wheelarch courtesy of a little old lady in a supermarket carpark. Great for a learner or just for a runabout. $1400. Located in Te Kauwhata, just off SH1, halfway between Hamilton and Manukau.

One other thing to consider - what use are you going to give it? If you plan on weekend use, the average kms/year will soon come down again.

You're right. ? I'd got confused with the Hewland box in some E9x models. S55 is based on the N55... Oil consumption issues caused by duff PCV. Engine vibration caused by failing fuel injectors around 80,000km. Replace injectors to sort. Key thing is to ensure you use good quality fuel and oil. If that's done, you're gold. It's fairly high for a 4-year old car, but no real mileage if the use has been continual long runs and servicing has been adhered to (which it sounds as though it might). Certainly mileage is against it in terms of value, but not necessarily reliability.

Is it an E- or F-series? V8 engine, or twin turbo 6? You mention DCT so I suspect it is a V8. It's a solid car., and the S65 is a good engine. How high is ''high kms'? If it has been correctly maintained it should be fine: well looked-after high mileage vehicles are rarely an issue (with some notable exceptions). That said, I don't own one and haven't driven one. I'd like to!