View Full Version : New member, new car, new to BMWs


sharkwits
12-20-2008, 09:19 PM
Hi folks. I made the drive to Bavarian Autosport a few weeks ago, and was encouraged to join the local section of Bimmerforums by one of the salesmen.

Long story short, a crazy woman rear-ended my stopped Porsche 944 in October, and she totaled it. There are more 944s in my family, and I really like them, but they are expensive to maintain ($250 water pumps, $500 clutch kits) and I didn't find any decent, affordable 16 valve ones for sale locally.

So I searched on eBay for all BMWs in a 100 mile radius, and came up with a 90k mile 328is. I didn't think I could pass it up, so I called up the seller, test drove it, made an offer, and took it home. The woman's insurance covered all of it and a little more, so I did well. It's Boston Green/tan. I would post pictures, but can't, being a new member.

It came with glass E-codes without angel eyes, the BSW speaker upgrade with an Alpine deck, sport package, heated seats, the full on-board computer, and the seller threw in his Bentley manual. So far, I've added almost new 16" Nokian snow tires and E46 steelies off of Craigslist, and BMW rubber floormats.

I'm pretty well set up to work on German cars, so I've already changed the engine, trans, and differential oils. On the radar for maintenance, I see small power steering and valve cover leaks, the back rotors are probably original, and I plan to overhaul the cooling system after Christmas, just for peace of mind.

Any upgrades I do will be focused on handling, since onramps are not as much fun as in the 944.

CivetaDei
12-20-2008, 09:24 PM
:wavey
welcome
i just bought my first bmw too a few months ago and i couldnt be happier even though its only a 318......:shifty

TopasBlau46
12-20-2008, 10:59 PM
944 to a 328is?

greenleaf
12-20-2008, 11:21 PM
944 to a 328is?

roundel is always an upgrade :alright

///M3Augy
12-20-2008, 11:52 PM
Welcome buddy.:)

ESMcBlurM3
12-21-2008, 10:57 AM
welcome!

pennpen
12-21-2008, 12:41 PM
welcome

if you want email me the pics at ricky102215@gmail.com and ill post em

Binjammin
12-21-2008, 04:00 PM
Hi folks. I made the drive to Bavarian Autosport a few weeks ago, and was encouraged to join the local section of Bimmerforums by one of the salesmen.

Long story short, a crazy woman rear-ended my stopped Porsche 944 in October, and she totaled it. There are more 944s in my family, and I really like them, but they are expensive to maintain ($250 water pumps, $500 clutch kits) and I didn't find any decent, affordable 16 valve ones for sale locally.

So I searched on eBay for all BMWs in a 100 mile radius, and came up with a 90k mile 328is. I didn't think I could pass it up, so I called up the seller, test drove it, made an offer, and took it home. The woman's insurance covered all of it and a little more, so I did well. It's Boston Green/tan. I would post pictures, but can't, being a new member.

It came with glass E-codes without angel eyes, the BSW speaker upgrade with an Alpine deck, sport package, heated seats, the full on-board computer, and the seller threw in his Bentley manual. So far, I've added almost new 16" Nokian snow tires and E46 steelies off of Craigslist, and BMW rubber floormats.

I'm pretty well set up to work on German cars, so I've already changed the engine, trans, and differential oils. On the radar for maintenance, I see small power steering and valve cover leaks, the back rotors are probably original, and I plan to overhaul the cooling system after Christmas, just for peace of mind.

Any upgrades I do will be focused on handling, since onramps are not as much fun as in the 944.

Sounds like you're on the right path. Welcome! Where in CT are you?

sharkwits
12-21-2008, 07:56 PM
944 to a 328is?

The E36 makes more sense as an only car, and I'm a college student...friends grumbled as they got into the fishbowl backseats. My brother has a 944 S2 (3 liter 16 valve, turbo suspension and brakes), so I can always drive that when I "need" to. I like them both.

Penpen, I emailed you. Thanks.

Binjamin, I'm in Putnam...3 minutes from RI, 10 minutes from Mass.

FredK
12-21-2008, 08:21 PM
The 2.5L 16v 944 is a FAST car. It is a little pricey to maintain, and I don't particularly like the 944 styling, but it is definitely no slouch.

Congrats on the new BMW. The nice thing about a non-M E36 is the brakes are very cheap to replace. You can probably do the rears for around $120 or so including pads.

Arctic330i
12-21-2008, 09:12 PM
welcome, where in ct you at?

greenleaf
12-21-2008, 11:16 PM
Binjamin, I'm in Putnam...3 minutes from RI, 10 minutes from Mass.

ewww, Pondscum. :shifty

sharkwits
12-22-2008, 02:12 AM
It's not the greatest place, I'll give you that.

greenleaf
12-22-2008, 02:32 AM
one taste of the water will tell you that :rofl:

i'm from the town south of you :D

Arctic330i
12-22-2008, 02:38 AM
oh Putnam, didn't see your response. I'm from CT originally, mostly spent my time in Branford.

pennpen
12-23-2008, 09:03 AM
ok here's the pics (you only paid 2k for it?)
http://i22.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/19/a8/0cb6_12.JPG
http://i15.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/19/a8/0da1_12.JPG
http://i21.ebayimg.com/07/i/001/19/a8/1283_12.JPG
http://i10.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/19/a8/10b6_12.JPG