OCD about my "new" 318ti

[tinawina]

Hello all!

Ok - my car ownership history goes something like this: First car purchased in 1983: 1963 VW Beetle. Then there was an '82 Toyota Tercel. Next an '87 Honda Civic. Next - 1988 Ford Festiva. I held onto these for anywhere from 2 to 8 years. Well, My little Festy hasn't been feeling well and my mechanic basically said - it's time...

The last 3 months I spent looking at the Toyota Echo, Ford Focus ZX3, Hyundai Elantra GT, VWs, and more. I was only underwhelmed by the driving experience and by the looks of any of these cars. And then, randomly, up pops a 1995 BMW 318ti during a less than enthusiastic search for a manual Ford Focus on craigslist.com.

Red.

5-speed stick.

Cleeeean.

I needed only about 40 seconds worth of test driving to fall in love. LOVE. I LOVE THIS CAR! I love it even after talking some pretty awful used car salesmen down from $6000 to $4800 + $700 tax, title, whatever else only to have my mechanic -- a BMW nut -- tell me that while it's a beauty, it needs $1500 worth of work. The good news? As he put it - I haven't even DRIVEN the car yet! I need tie rods and a ball joint and brakes and calipers and belts and tension somethings and a tune up and all kinds of stuff. I pick it up tomorrow. I can't wait!

I will post a pic soon enough - I didn't have time to take a snap! I was rolllllin'!

So I am posting all of this to say, it is so true: once you drive a BMW, you will never go back. I can't imagine driving anything else. If you are considering one - test drive. Just test drive. Really!

I do have a couple of questions. I want to get car seat covers b/c i have 2 dogs in my life and I don't need them messing up the ride. Any ideas about where to get good ones - much appreciated.

I also am wondering about the alarm system and the cd-changer. Should I stick with the factory stuff? Which I'd have to find somewhere... Or at this point in time, am I better off going with a non-BMW brand?

I'm sure more questions will pop up as I get to know the car. I just wanted really to intro myself, and suggest to anyone considering a BMW that s/he is on the right track!

TinaWina

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

first of all welcome to the board, for the stereo when i got my 318is i had my dad call BMW and ask how much a BMW CD player would cost and they said $700 so instead we decided to go somewhere else, you can easily get

this Alpine for $200 and even get some really sweet speakers for less of a price as getting a BMW official unit, and the display is pretty cool, as for car seats and any parts check www.bavauto.com they have a lot of stuff and is a great company that most of us here know and respect. Well congrats on the buy and welcome to the board.

 

[codex57]

aboard!

 

[///M SPEED]

Welcome aboard the forums Tinawina! You will love this site as much as you love your new BMW. You will find a lot of knowledgeable people with a lot of useful info here. Remember no question is to dumb and never hesitate to ask. Your are correct that once you drive a BMW you will always own one. I know I love nine.....

Welcome aboard again. Happy driving

P.S. You will have to stop driving for just a sec. to TAKE SOME PICS!!!

[driving2]

 

[deepbluesea]

I hope you are correct in there being no question too dumb to ask because I have a dumb question. I have a factory installed radio and I cannot figure out how to adjust the bass. The owner's manual refers me to the instructions that are supplied with the radio, but I do not have those instructions. Adjusting the bass was one of the first things the previous driver showd me when I bought the car, but I was too giddy to pay attention.

P.S. I have had my car for two months, and I LOVE it. I love the look of it , the smell of it, and the thirll I get when I drive it.

 

[Heine]

Congratulations!The 318ti is a super fun car.
To adjust bass you may have a button Prog(program),which will showw bass,treble,balance,etc...
BMW factory cd players can be bought new & used off ebay-Make sure you know which changers are compatable with your unit(very specific).
Have fun & post pics.It sounds like you did well.

 

[Murray BMF]

Welcome aboard!

 

[selavia]

Check ebay for BMW stock stuff. I got a practically new alpine / BMW head unit for my car for under 70 shipped. I prefer the stock look, so if you share that preference, try ebay; only thing is you have to continually look on ebay.

And regarding what your mechanic said, I couldn't agree more. When I test drove my 318Is I thought it handled like a dream, then when the control arms, bushings, tie rods where done, I was amazed at how the car took turns. She spoiled me for all other cars....and I used to be a Supra junkie.

Have fun and good luck!!!

Sean