New guy with a 199k mile 318IS

[loeryder]

Well I needed a commuter car and was able to pick up a 94 318iS for $1200.

It's gonna need some work but I think it is pretty solid and will definitely get better mpg than my 6.0L AWD Silverado (~10mpg).

The stereo is probably worth more than the car and it has a spare set of chrome M3 replica wheels he tossed in. So that sealed the deal.

Mechanical Stuff that I know it needs:
pass side foglight broken lens
Drivers side outer door handle does not work
blower motor makes hella noises
Check Engine light is on - prev owner doesnt know why...

Asthetic stuff it needs to satisfy my ocd:
Drivers side mirror glass
Leather shifter boot
Leather E-Brake boot
E-brake handle and button


Hopefully there are some how-to guides to help me get started.
I already D/L the bentley manuals and I do all of my own wrenching.
Cars I work on regularly, 05 Silverado SS, 99 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS (herz), 92 GMC Typhoon #2407.

Hopefully this bimmer isn't going to be a basketcase and I can look forward to many commuter miles at 30+ mpg.

[Teh Prof]

You ought to have some sort of celebration when it hits 200K. Pull over and have a cigar.

[drz]

Welcome

Sounds like you got a decent deal. None of the stuff you mention should be much trouble. The code for the Check Engine light can be read at any Autozone, and everything else you should be able to do yourself, especially since you are used to working on cars.

Browse around the E36 section. You will find a lot of good knowledeg tehre. If you cannot find it, feel free to post a question.

[saltshaker185]

Welcome to the werkz! sounds like youve got a little bit of work on your hands but deffiently nothing big... you can check the e36 forum for DIY's and tutorials... feel free to post anything you want on the site... its kinda like a family here...

[loeryder]

Yeah, this will definitely be the highest mileage vehicle I have ever owned.
200k is A LOT of miles.

I am picking it up here in teh next hour or so.

I called 3 local autozones and all 3 told me the 94 is OBD-1 and they can't read it. All they can do is OBD2.
Looks like I might be trying the paperclip to ground pin 7 trick to get my codes.

Look forward to reading some of the technical posts and possibly contributing as I bust my own knuckles learning to do $hit the hard way.

I'll post pics over the weekend once I get her washed and waxed.

Laters,

[Ivan]

id never sell my car for that cheap. that guy was nuts. ive seen ones like mine sell for 4 or 5k on ebay

[saltshaker185]

Originally Posted by loeryder

Yeah, this will definitely be the highest mileage vehicle I have ever owned.
200k is A LOT of miles.

I am picking it up here in teh next hour or so.

I called 3 local autozones and all 3 told me the 94 is OBD-1 and they can't read it. All they can do is OBD2.
Looks like I might be trying the paperclip to ground pin 7 trick to get my codes.

Look forward to reading some of the technical posts and possibly contributing as I bust my own knuckles learning to do $hit the hard way.

I'll post pics over the weekend once I get her washed and waxed.

Laters,

since your obd 1 you can get the fault codes by doing the pedal trick... look around online and you will find it... if yuo cant pm about it and ill find a link for you... its free and easy.