off topic: spring break!!

[dgraypost79]

Can't think of a better way to spend spring break than with my car..
LIST:
1. wash, detail, and find out how well this plastx really works. I have never heard of it before but all I use is meguiars, so it should work fine. Lots of videos on YT proving it efectiveness.

2. replace gaskets in the engine block, and clean the bay.:thumbdwn: NOT looking foward to that...

3. fix a few rust spots from this winter.:(

4. flush power steering and refill(of course)..

5. maybe order some clear corners and smoked sidemarkers. possibly m3 sideskirts. I decided to get side skirts before the bumper because they are rusted pretty bad (this winter was brutal)... I thought that would make a huge difference. Then over the summer get the m3 front bumper, and maybe just a diffuser on the rear bumper.

Questions:
1. The lights on the OBC in the center consol are really dim and I cant see them unless the sun is shining in on it. So I cant see the time or temp. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks guys for helping me out.
Anyone else who is going to be on spring break have a good time.

[Adam318is]

To answer your question...

The backlight bulbs are burnt out. Had the same problem. Luckily, this a very cheap (and easy) fix. You probably have a MID (Multi-information display) and not a "true" OBC, which should only require two of these: Part # 62 13 1 383 311.

Take that part number to a BMW dealership (since it's counter-productive to order them from Bavarian Auto to pay shipping on such cheap, tiny bulbs), take the MID out with the latch located beneath it, and on the back there should be two bulbs recessed which you must remove with a small flathead screwdriver. Take the old ones out, throw the new ones in, and viola! The bulbs shouldn't be any more than $7 total or so.

[dgraypost79]

Thats great to know bro thanks....

[Adam318is]

No problem...good to see some fellow 318's. Not many of 'em out there. Gas mileage for the win! :)

[AJ Gure]

No problem...good to see some fellow 318's. Not many of 'em out there. Gas mileage for the win! :)

here in alberta canada it's the other way around gas mileage for the loss big time loss, V8's ftw

[bimmerbarbie]

Here in the south we don't care about gas anyway, if it goes fast we like it. Spend all our money on performance parts then leave it sitting in the yard as a display of prowess because we ran out of money for gas. Nice collection of yard ornaments!


OP, Plast-X is really easy to use as long as you follow the directions. Use it after you wash the car but before you wax it, so you'll be sure to get any residue off (that's just how I do mine, and it works well that way). Try some Zymol cleaner wax and Turtle Wax Synthetic Ice Polish if you want to try something new, they're great!! Have a fun spring break and show us some pictures when you're done!

[Adam318is]

Amber, I know what you speak of, I lived 9 long years of my life in North Carolina :eeps: (Charlotte, then Wilmington). Many a riced out fart-can-exhaust Civic left outside like an abandoned child (an ugly child, too) :)

[bimmerbarbie]

Oh yeah, driving through here is great. All the POS's on the road and they brag about what they have sitting at home. You ask them why they aren't driving THAT then, and they give you some BS answer. What kills me is the brand new Escalades sittin on 24s all shiny and clean... parked for months outside of a FEMA trailer. And they yell about having to give the FEMA trailer back cause they don't want to actually pay for their own place.


**Disclaimer** Not all people in FEMA trailers are like this. These dirtbags are the exception, not the rule (sometimes). I used it as an example.

[Adam318is]

Hahahaha. How far is Gulfcoast from Gulfport? Back in my touring band days we played a show at some hole-in-the-wall in Gulfport called Kirk's Bazaar. Depressing place post-Katrina, but a great show nonetheless. We even had some kids buy us food and a hotel room for the night!

Albuquerque is very reminiscent of the south in that sense. New Mexico is a very poor state so you have a lot of nice cars and some really sh$%tty neighborhoods. The rims out-valuing the cost of the entire car is also very common :D

[bimmerbarbie]

In my case, the Gulfcoast IS Gulfport! :lmao: I know Kirk's Bazaar.... um, it has character? That's the nicest way I can put it. The casino's clubs are the only place here that's even worth trying anymore, even the pool halls are smarmy now. :dunno:

The layout of this area is strange... you'll have low-rent housing a block away from the Antebellum style mansions on the beach, and it makes it so you're never really sure where you'll be safe to park. Pre-Katrina it was no where near as bad, but now I'm so paranoid I lock my car even when I'm standing three feet from it. Better safe than sorry.

[Adam318is]

Yeah, the giant thrift store across the street from Kirk's was the happening place. You couldn't place a piece of dental floss in there if you wanted to. I didn't know people actually LIVED there, I'm glad I discovered one! :rofl:

Speaking of the OBC/MID, now that I have mine working and can see the temperature the ambient temp. gauge is so out of f*%^ing whack it'll say 83 degrees when it's 50. It seems to adjust itself more correctly when the car has been driven for a while...or maybe it's because I've been too lazy to shove it back in the brake duct and just store it in the headlight housing :)

[E36 Phantom]

Here in the south we don't care about gas anyway, if it goes fast we like it. Spend all our money on performance parts then leave it sitting in the yard as a display of prowess because we ran out of money for gas. Nice collection of yard ornaments!
:bustingup


Speaking of the OBC/MID, now that I have mine working and can see the temperature the ambient temp. gauge is so out of f*%^ing whack it'll say 83 degrees when it's 50. It seems to adjust itself more correctly when the car has been driven for a while...or maybe it's because I've been too lazy to shove it back in the brake duct and just store it in the headlight housing :)
Uh, I think you answered your own question. If the problem persists when you put it back in the right place, just grab a new temp sensor.

[dgraypost79]

No problem...good to see some fellow 318's. Not many of 'em out there. Gas mileage for the win! :)

That is very true i got 302000 miles on mine and it still gets around 25-27 mpg..
on the power side they arent too bad the other day i spun the tires pretty good on accident, and no it wasnt wet or icy, lol. I love this forum..

[bimmerbarbie]

Yeah, the giant thrift store across the street from Kirk's was the happening place. You couldn't place a piece of dental floss in there if you wanted to. I didn't know people actually LIVED there, I'm glad I discovered one! :rofl:

Speaking of the OBC/MID, now that I have mine working and can see the temperature the ambient temp. gauge is so out of f*%^ing whack it'll say 83 degrees when it's 50. It seems to adjust itself more correctly when the car has been driven for a while...or maybe it's because I've been too lazy to shove it back in the brake duct and just store it in the headlight housing :)

Shh!! I'm trying to keep it quiet. :eeps:

It can be nice in some areas.... I suppose I shouldn't act like it's completely awful. We do have very nice interstates that lead out in multiple directions.


:rofl: Agree with Chad again, think you did answer yourself. But what's life without a little adventure? Consider it a guessing game as to the real temperature... until you decide to fix it.

:D

[E36 Phantom]

We do have very nice interstates that lead out in multiple directions.
This is the best thing about the South, folks - you heard it here first. They have interstates to take you in almost any direction away from the South, any of which would be better than actually remaining in the South. :p
Agree with Chad again





:bigpimp:

[bimmerbarbie]

:p Have you ever driven here? The interstates really are quite nice.

If you think it's bad here, don't ever even think of going to northern Mississppi... I was informed today that this area is "progressive". I laughed until I realized they were serious and then and there vowed never to travel up north in this state. Yes, Chad, I know, you'd never want to come to Mississippi anyway, you don't even need to say it.

I'm going to have to stop agreeing with you, that's getting repetitive.

[E36 Phantom]

:p Have you ever driven here? The interstates really are quite nice.

If you think it's bad here, don't ever even think of going to northern Mississppi... I was informed today that this area is "progressive". I laughed until I realized they were serious and then and there vowed never to travel up north in this state. Yes, Chad, I know, you'd never want to come to Mississippi anyway, you don't even need to say it.

I'm going to have to stop agreeing with you, that's getting repetitive.
:bustingup :bustingup :bustingup

Not.....possibly......real.........oh my gosh, can't catch breath.

I don't know that I have anything to say to that. The farthest South I've ventured would be East Texas and S.Carolina/Virginia. I figured that was bad enough, why tempt fate and let things get worse by going farther in? :rofl:

And yeah, it's getting old having everyone always agreeing with me. It's hard being so f*cking awesome.












:bigpimp:

[e30e]

If you think it's bad here, don't ever even think of going to northern Mississppi... I was informed today that this area is "progressive". .


Progressive like in-door plumbing, electricity, and black people can read/vote..............Yep change has happened.

[E36 Phantom]

:bustingup


<3 <3 <3 e30e.

[B/\/\W]

Here in the south we don't care about gas anyway, if it goes fast we like it.

This is my attitude also, however, the remaining entire population of the UK that is not me is ANALLY RETENTIVE about fuel mileage. Small-minded losers with their 1.25 to 2.0 litre cars. :thumbdwn:

I just have 1.8l at the moment as that was all I could afford while at university and I still have the car.

[E36 Phantom]

This is my attitude also, however, the remaining entire population of the UK that is not me is ANALLY RETENTIVE about fuel mileage. Small-minded losers with their 1.25 to 2.0 litre cars. :thumbdwn:

I just have 1.8l at the moment as that was all I could afford while at university and I still have the car.
:bustingup Says the 318 owner.....:p

My Jag gets about 11-12 MPG city. Is that a problem? :rofl:
Average over the life of the car since I've had it (roughly 6500ish mi IIRC) is around 15. Always in sport mode, and driven like the toy it is. :D

[bimmerbarbie]

:bustingup :bustingup :bustingup

Not.....possibly......real.........oh my gosh, can't catch breath.

I don't know that I have anything to say to that. The farthest South I've ventured would be East Texas and S.Carolina/Virginia. I figured that was bad enough, why tempt fate and let things get worse by going farther in? :rofl:

And yeah, it's getting old having everyone always agreeing with me. It's hard being so f*cking awesome.

:bigpimp:

How do you and your ego fit in the same room???????

Progressive like in-door plumbing, electricity, and black people can read/vote..............Yep change has happened.

What is this "electricity" you speak of? :confused: Dang new fangled contraptions you yanks think up. Keep talking about it, and I have yet to hear an explanation that makes sense. :loco:

[E36 Phantom]

How do you and your ego fit in the same room???????

I have the master bedroom.

Double doors help me fit my head through.




........but it is a tight squeeze sometimes.



:p

[bimmerbarbie]

Bet automatic doors get really confused when you approach. Open for your ego, start to close, then open again halfway through when you actually get there.

[E36 Phantom]

:bustingup

That just might end up being my new sig quote......:rofl:

[bimmerbarbie]

I thought it was pretty awesome, too. I'm even funnier than usual tonight. I was thinking of putting that and the Grammar Nazi pipe quote in my sig too. Damn I'm good.

[E36 Phantom]

You can't quote yourself in your sig. Talk about egotistical..... :tsk:

[bimmerbarbie]

Sure I can. I'm perfection, remember?

Where did our E36 chat sticky go? Maybe Andy got on and infected it.

[E36 Phantom]

:bustingup


If you're perfection, the rest of us might as well kill ourselves.

I was wondering that too. The chat room is still up, got to E46 and copy the link, just put in E36 instead of E46 and it comes up. I'll go head in there after I make a new "Who's in Live Chat" thread.

[bboyvek]

Sure I can. I'm perfection, remember?

Where did our E36 chat sticky go? Maybe Andy got on and infected it.

:lmao:

yeah vhv is one of those electronically transmitted diseases

[E36 Phantom]

VHV!!!

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Sounds so official! Nice one Bboy.

[bimmerbarbie]

Even though it means I'm breaking my New Year's resolution and agreeing with Chadwick......

:D

..... Yep, good one Bboy. It will be the new name for it. :thumbup: