Faults:
Almost everything (that's a little harsh)
Rear disks/pads replaced.
Rear handbrake shoes and fitting kit.
Rear shocks/springs/top mounts.
Rear axle mount and trailing arm bushes.
Diff rebuilt.
Rear wheel bearings changed.
Front disks/pads replaced.
Front shocks/springs/top mounts.
Front wishbones and all bushes.
Track rod ends.
Cambelt and tensioner.
Serviced.
Brake pipes.
Rear tyres.
More rear tyres.
Lock set.
Windscreen wiper relay (s) x 4.
Fog light.
I've replaced all of the above during the first year of ownership.
General Comments:
What can I say, I keep throwing money at this car and it keeps absorbing it and still refusing to be fully fixed. Yesterday I loved it, today I loathe it, and so it goes on like that day in, day out. Fortunateley I have a friend at a local garage who helps keep the costs down, other than that it would have gone a long time ago.
I keep it because it goes so very very sideways, but at 4 turns lock to lock, and the estate body it often gets out of shape! Not where near as easy to drive sideways as a Mk2 Escort for example. but much cheaper now.
They're fast once you get them wound up, but woefully torque-less low down.
Over engineered and harder to work on than other cars of their era. Just try getting to the cambelt.
I truly want to love this car, but it keeps disgracing itself with it's thousands of niggles.
A couple of questions though, do they all turn over for ages before starting?
Does anyones intermittent wipe work?
Does anyone have silent tappets? (I've done mine twice and they still aren't!)
It's a real shame that there's a generation growing up now who will never know how glorious it feels to go sideways on a wet roundabout.
26th Nov 2007, 12:47
Being the very proud owner of three BMW's, I feel I must say how much much I love my 1990 318i BAUR motor-sport convertible. It is burgundy in colour and in fab condition. It is without a doubt my pride and joy. A joy to drive and a real head turner and totally reliable. If you get chance to buy a good one, do so; YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Viv Barbery Devon uk.