Newb check-in from Tempe - United Bimmer Community

**MasterAnubis** · 08-23-2012, 01:48 PM

Hey, all!
I'm a newb to Bimmers. I actually didn't even think it was spelled that way. Anyway, I just picked up my 96 328I and a freind sent me this way. I got this car as a hold over for my wife and I 'till we save up for a van. Eventually it was to end up with my stepson.

It's not perfect but it's in good overall shape. The pictures make it look really good though.

I'm expecting to get a good few years out of it yet. It's goint to be wierd getting used to such a small car too. I'm an old Ford kind of guy so I knew there'd be some adjustment.

And to the pics...

.

DEATH2000 · 09-03-2012, 09:14 PM

Welcome to United Bimmer!

I have a similiar car so hopefully i can be of help should you have any issues. Its looks like its in great shape so far. Did you get a maintenance/service history with it?

And what is the car in the background?

**MasterAnubis** · 09-05-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEATH2000

Welcome to United Bimmer!

I have a similiar car so hopefully i can be of help should you have any issues. Its looks like its in great shape so far. Did you get a maintenance/service history with it?

And what is the car in the background?

Thanks!

No, I didn't get anything as far as official maintenance/service history. I did get a story and the visual evidence to back it up. One thing that I found funny was I didn't notice a coolant leak. He said "There's some extra coolant for when it gets low." .What? I checked it out and it was just a cracked radiator drain plug. I swapped that out and low and behold... no leak. Imagine that.

I did come to find out that the aux fan isn't working. It looks like it's not getting power but the fuse is good. I need to investigate further but the relays work perfectly.

In general, I still think it was a good buy at $2300. I'm hoping I can keep it in good repair for a few years to come.

In the background is my '68 Ford Galaxie XL. It was a city of Phoenix police car. Not a patrol car but some sort of detective car. It's my daily driver 'till I can get my motor back into my Talladega.

-Shawn

DEATH2000 · 09-05-2012, 08:39 PM

Glad you got the "leak fixed". Check the actual fan itself.

A Galaxie and a Talladega? Thats impressive.

**MasterAnubis** · 09-05-2012, 11:05 PM

My troubleshooting skills must be rusty.

I did the same checks I did the other day and came up with the results I expected this time. Yes, my fan is bad.

I pulled it and I'm ordering a new one.

**MasterAnubis** · 09-07-2012, 01:49 PM

Oh, ya.
Here was my trunk wiring that I found based on some troubleshooting of my license plate lights.

I cut the sections out and put in new wires.

It seems that everyone will have this problem with the E36s so if anyone hasn't looked at there wiring, don't hold off doing so.

DEATH2000 · 09-07-2012, 09:50 PM

Yikes. Ya the wiring back their is known for that. It wasnt really properly made to handle the stress of opening and closing all the time.

**chopper21** · 11-12-2012, 05:19 PM

hello mate, welcome to the forum!