LukeD
Member
Registered: 23rd Jan 07
Location: Shropshire
User status: Offline
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Viewing a BMW 323i Convertible tomorrow and not a clue on what specifically to look for/ask. Belts on them?
Obviously know the basics on what to check but any extra tips on what to check with these would be great!
First timer to anything non FWD! 
Cheers 
[Edited on 26-09-2011 by LukeD]
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Corsa_Sport21
Member
Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
User status: Offline
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E36 or E46??
Chain driven.
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Chris C
Member
Registered: 2nd Jan 05
Location: Hemel Hempstead
User status: Offline
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Isn't there a problem with rear subrames on higher mileage cars ?? And rear springs snap
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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Need to know what year
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LukeD
Member
Registered: 23rd Jan 07
Location: Shropshire
User status: Offline
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 jeez that would help!
E36 1996
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daymoon
Premium Member
Registered: 1st Aug 08
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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E36 seems to be a popular thing on here atm
Check roof doesn't leak, rear springs, rear subframe bushes, engine mounts are oil filled i think, so check those too
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sand-eel
Member
Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
User status: Offline
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There is an aux belt for the water pump, powersteering and alternator and if you have aircon another seperate one IIRC.
Rear springs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check the viscous fan rotates freely with a bit of resistance, doesn't move = fucked moves far too easily = fucked.
Make sure the heater works whilst IDLING, if it doesn't it has air in it (bastard to bleed) heater valve is fucked/clogged or matrix is clogged.
Check front wishbone bushes, if they look worn but you can't physically move the wishbone thus thinking they are fine...they will be fucked.
If you drive it and the rear feels weird like a loose feeling like it won't settle the rear trailing arm bushes are fucked.
Press down on the front wings to see if the shocks are ok and if you hear a clicking sound the outer wishbone ball joint is fucked.
Do the usual checking to see if electrical things work as there are loads of relays that may be broken...if the battery voltage is low, weird things happen because of all the different relays.
check the jacking rubbers are still under the sills.
If the steering wheel squeeks whilst turning it, it could be the slip ring is buggered BUT its usually a spring on the steering rack where it goes through the bulkhead that needs oil/grease as the sound travels up the rack into the steering wheel (slip rings are expensive so could get money off if it sqeeks 
Make sure there are no powersteering or gearbox leaks, powersteering can be cured with jubilee clips as the bmw ones are shit.
Make sure if you have the digital climate control or on board computer all the screen pixels work.
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LukeD
Member
Registered: 23rd Jan 07
Location: Shropshire
User status: Offline
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Excellent! thanks for that. appreciate it!
Yeah noticed there popular at the moment. follower
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Mike GSi
Member
Registered: 3rd Jan 07
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Drives:Astra VXR
User status: Offline
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Also have a look at the rear diff for leaks, check the battery compartment in the boot for water, some leak and end up rotting. Look closely in the gap where the rear bumper meets the rear arch for rust.
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daymoon
Premium Member
Registered: 1st Aug 08
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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was gonna say check seal on rear window and side windows 
[Edited on 27-09-2011 by daymoon]
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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A pillar can leak. Cheap fix though.
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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yay, people are buying older cars and getting much more for their money  
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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Everyone except you it seems, Jim.
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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nice one from the guy in a chav wagon
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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Do you feel you're getting your money's worth? That's quite a poor comeback, Jim. I was told you're quite a funny guy too.
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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yes, yes i do.
5yrs ago when i bought the corrado for £4k, i didn't see myself getting anything else with all the toys, the coolness and the power.
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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What about now in present times where it's not seen the light of day in a while?
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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it will be fine, next year it will be my daily driver again.
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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I look forward to it.
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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so do i, missing it and fed up not being able to chase other cars to show them how crap at driving they are
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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I can't wait for someone to blow you out in their remapped MSPORT. whitter45
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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if the local GTR or M3 beats me, i then rely on mpg figures and beat them, because i'm a pistonhead
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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What about things that are faster and have better mpg?
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3CorsaMeal
Member
Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline
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Cost them loads to buy and probably a pay as go car on finance.
Plus they probably don't have an electronically adjustable spoiler
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
User status: Offline
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Not always loads to buy I don't have an adjustable spoiler though 
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