So... I bought...

[Chapel]

Nice buy Jared! Besides the driver side seat the interior is in really great shape, how many miles on the car?
Mike

180k

I spoke to my interior guy and he told me he won't do the repair because it wouldn't be permanent

[ATL_Av8r]

UUC bushings,
http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/uuc/articles/main.htm

Too harsh for a DD. Ask my spine how I know

[Chapel]

Too harsh for a DD. Ask my spine how I know

clutch bushings?

[PoorHouse]

180k

I spoke to my interior guy and he told me he won't do the repair because it wouldn't be permanent

Meaning you won't keep the car or the repair won't last?


Don't see how replacing the bolster upholstery would be a problem.

Had this done on my old FJ60, shop replaced torn section at factory seams, impossible to tell it
was done. Cost about $125.

[ATL_Av8r]

clutch bushings?

Oh. Thought he meant chassis bushings

[Chapel]

Meaning you won't keep the car or the repair won't last?


Don't see how replacing the bolster upholstery would be a problem.

Had this done on my old FJ60, shop replaced torn section at factory seams, impossible to tell it
was done. Cost about $125.

I think he was saying patching the holes wouldn't hold.. I'd have to have the bolster removed and reskinned

[PoorHouse]

I think he was saying patching the holes wouldn't hold.. I'd have to have the bolster removed and reskinned

Agree


Still should't be to many $$.

[just4play]

contrats!, i miss my old bmw

[Chapel]

Agree


Still should't be to many $$.

problem is finding a good bolster.

[danny_16v]

Congrats Chapel! I expect to see you over at bimmerforums now!

I think it may be easier just to find another seat and just swap the lower portion over...

But if there's anyone who may be able to make an upholstery kit pretty good here on the east coast, it's kevin chin at creative customs. He's here in Atlanta

http://www.creativeoptions.info/

[PoorHouse]

problem is finding a good bolster.

Shop should be able to make one that would be a close match.

[Super Sedan]

Congrats Chapel! I expect to see you over at bimmerforums now!

I think it may be easier just to find another seat and just swap the lower portion over...

But if there's anyone who may be able to make an upholstery kit pretty good here on the east coast, it's kevin chin at creative customs. He's here in Atlanta

http://www.creativeoptions.info/

I can vouch for Kevin's work. He is the best.

OP, just give up on the current seats and find a set of beige vaders

[danny_16v]

Chapel,

what are the plans for this one?

[Chapel]

I can vouch for Kevin's work. He is the best.

OP, just give up on the current seats and find a set of beige vaders

Vaders are so uncomfortable

[Jrod511]

My guy could patch that hole but he would recommend against it, because it would look like a patch on an otherwise ratty seat. Best method would be to recover the thigh bolster, fill and airbrush the leg bolster and side bolsters to blend.

Don't screw around with these over the internet reupholstery kits. The quality may be good but they are a major, major pain in the ass. You don't have the tools, time, or patience; trust me, BTDT. Do you have a slightly urban area around you? Find a small shop in an urban area; have the car with you to show them.

I would estimate no more than $200 max to have the seat looking tip top.

[OOOO-A3]

clutch bushings?

Oh. Thought he meant chassis bushings

Yeah, I was referring to the shifting issues.

I think he was saying patching the holes wouldn't hold.. I'd have to have the bolster removed and reskinned

Why not have both the bolsters done in alcantara that's a close match to the leather color? That way you won't have to worry about matching the leather texture exactly, and it'll look fresher.

[BltByKrmn]

Do you have a slightly urban area around you? Find a small shop in an urban area; have the car with you to show them.

I see what you did here.

[Chapel]

[GLIRyder]

Front tires are mounted backwards of rotation.

If you just swap the front two wheels, you should be fine

[_a2coupe2a_]

Nice addition man. If you need help with that bolster lmk, im sure we could make you a new one or walk you through some diy repair to hold you over.

[Bluegrape2]

Awesome score I have a 93 325I around same mileage. Things to look over:
-Strut mounts
-Guibo bushings
-Rear subframe bushings
-cooling system-rad endtank "necks"/waterpump

From what I have gathered the cooling systems need to be well looked after every sixty thousand or so. If you hear any THUDS or Bumps when sliding into gear while stopped check rear trans mounts/guibo mounts.

What I love about my early E36 that I'm sure you will too:

-Raced my buddies VR SLC from a roll...spanked him in the top end ...which was a surprise to me I thoght he would beat me for sure.
-like mentioned the motor is a absolute gem, insanely smooth, awesome throttle response...sure the vanos is not as mechanic bliss sounding as VTACK or say MIVEC even but it works and these motors have the same vibration at 7K RPM as they do at 1K RPM
-Chasis dynamics- awesome, I added a auto car LSD to my 5-speed from a M car and after that it was the perfect DD, soft ride but begs to pushed harder and harder down your favorite country road
-Coming from my GTI VR car felt crazy balanced and I quickly learned that these cars also hangle great in the rain.... I actually came to love rainy days and driving with the long peddle ever soooo more over time.
-They are great cars...at low speed steering feels heavy and kinda slow but once you get moving the whole package morphs into such a great overall driving feel

My only gripe is I wish it had more storage space on the inside and I went through two window regs in about two years...But yours in several years more fresh so you should not have to worry about that for a while. Got mine with 140K Currently at 210+ going strong no problems!!!!


Report back with wet parking lot drift vids

[speedworks1]

Nice pickup!. The interior guy Joe in revere can take care of that seat under $200.00.

[Chapel]

where/who/number?

[Giovanni]

nice car, congrats !

[Jerico007]

I like it. A lot!

Me too...nice purchase!

[geofftii2002]

Hey, WATCH OUT!! SOME CRAZY LOOKING THUG IS STEALING YOUR LICENSE PLATE!

[Chapel]

According to some people in chat, I'm the black kid in the back...

[speedworks1]

where/who/number?

used to be www.all-nu.com


I just looked him up and looks like he is retired now.

[Chapel]

used to be www.all-nu.com


I just looked him up and looks like he is retired now.

bugger.

[geofftii2002]

bugger.

I don't know if my (former) leather guy gets up your way but I will dig up his number if you like. It probably depends on how deep your are into Mass, but he may get up there. Most of those guys cover CT, MA, NY etc.

His name is Lonnie... and that's about all my fuzzy memory can handle. I have to dig up his business card but I'll PM you the info.

[Chapel]

After two weeks of ownership, I've identified some other issues:
Yesterday while backing up slowly, I noticed a very low howl coming from the car... not sure what that is. Maybe a hung ebrake... maybe a wheel bearing?
I get a clunk sometimes when engaging first gear from a stop
The rear end is sky high as seen in the first few photos
the OBC display is dead (11-button)
Very occasionally I catch a whiff of oil but it goes away immediately... I know the previous owner just did the valve cover gasket.
Sometimes when coming to a stop I get a little brake squeal
the door hinges are VERY stiff and you really have to either slam the door or push it thoroughly. This is on all 4 doors.

I'm waiting for my mechanic to get back from training to give it an inspection.

[patrickvr6]

Yesterday while backing up slowly, I noticed a very low howl coming from the car... not sure what that is. Maybe a hung ebrake... maybe a wheel bearing?
I get a clunk sometimes when engaging first gear from a stop

This could be the guibo joint or\and the drive-shaft support bearing.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech.../E36-Guibo.htm

[Arju]

Hmm...

[Chapel]

This could be the guibo joint or\and the drive-shaft support bearing.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech.../E36-Guibo.htm

I'm hoping so too... that would be great if it were the guibo. I think I've even got one in the basement

that would explain both the clunk and the howl.

[urogolf]

Can you use a good "INNER" bolster from a passenger seat?
I bet that'd be easier than finding a good drivers outer..

come on! you were a mk1/mk2 guy weren't you? where's your ingentuity!? lol