Got the e36!

stupenal · 05-10-2002, 08:27 AM

So, I finally bought my first car (my current car, an 89 camry, was handed down to me from my sister, who got it from my mom). Anyways, I've been working for 9 months to save up enough money to buy my car (I really wanted a 944 for the longest time, only to learn I couldnt really afford the maintenance).

Some info about my car:

1992 BMW 325i Blk/blk
150k miles (purrs like a champ though!) with recent radiator/h20pump change
5spd with leather MOMO shift knob
rear spoiler
kenwood sound system (10 cd, amp)
2 12" Bazooka boosters
Babied by a chinese UCLA PhD student

A few questions regarding the car.

1. How do i lock the doors!?!??! I looked in the manual, and it shows this thing that looks like the temp adjustment, but I can't find it!
2. Does the car come with an alarm? There's a little red light in front of the shifter, but I dunno how to activate and deactivate
3. How can i get more keys? I was given only the master key

The rear tires are almost gone. Any recommendations? Right now, they're 'charger' tires, or whatever. Thanks for all your input!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Sucks to be given only the master key - same thing happened to me. Really good locksmiths can dupe the key - otherwise the dealer will charge you $40, and require you to leave your left kidney as a deposit.

Doors are locked using the remote control alarm (doesn't sound like you got one with the car, another $140 there), or you can simply press down on the lock button, and all the locks (incl. the trunk) should lock.

Dude, you have the same car as me (well almost, I have a 318is with a stick and a 1993 325is with an auto - wifey car). Is it an sedan or coupe?

As for tires, I'm not really a tire expert. It all depends upon what you're going to be using the car for. Sounds like daily driver. What are your weather conditions like in the winter (i.e. we don't buy snow tires here in LA...)

-Wayne

jenmcd · 05-10-2002, 01:57 PM

Ja, buying a $ 40.00 key stinks. The 96 328 we own has central locking - lock/unlock any door or the trunk and everything locks/unlocks.

What size tires do you run? Lots of opions on tires out there. We just installed some Bridgestone S-03's Last set were Pirelli P 7000's. The 914 has Dunlop A-2 Sports.

Keith

jenmcd · 05-10-2002, 02:01 PM

Ja, buying a $ 40.00 key stinks. The 96 328 we own has central locking - lock/unlock any door or the trunk and everything locks/unlocks.

The red light is just for show I believe. Our has the same thing. From what I understand, BWM's are hard to steal.

What size tires do you run? Lots of opinions on tires out there. We just installed some Bridgestone S-03's Last set were Pirelli P 7000's. The 914 has Dunlop A-2 Sports.

Keith

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

My 318is doesn't have an alarm, and doesn't have the red light. The 325is has an alarm, and the red light. The remote key entry system may have been an option? I'm not 100% sure...

-Wayne

Nabeel · 05-10-2002, 10:01 PM

Congrats on the purchase. I came very close to getting an E36 a while back, before I got my 944. Great car. Sorry I couldn't be of any help regarding the questions.

stupenal · 05-11-2002, 12:34 AM

So, I asked some fellow e36 and e46 owners at school how to lock the doors (lots of rich parents who spoil their kids in my area) and they told me that the only way to lock it when leaving the car is to manually put the key in the hole and turn. I'm used to pushing a button in my Japanese sedans that locks the doors and you just slam em shut and go get food or whatever.

Wayne - its a 325i, so its a 4 door. iS denotes 2 doors, i think. I always thought that the S meant it had more options, yet it just refers to the car being a 2 door.

As for weather conditions, I live in Palos Verdes Estates, really close to Redondo. I'd say about a 20 min easy drive along pch and I'm in redondo. Maybe we can hold a e30/36/46 meet somewhere. I have TONS of friends who are in love with this line of car.

Jen, I don't think i can afford Bridgestone SO-3's. I'm pretty much broke from spending my money on the car purchase. I'm not even sure I should spend $10 to get an air freshner to get rid of the slight smokers smell.

Thanks for all the help. I'm going to try and get some pictures taken this weekend after i wax her down. I'll post a link soon.

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Very cool. My house is very close to Redondo high school (just down the block)...

-Wayne

canyonlands · 05-19-2002, 11:34 PM

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/kumho/ku_712.jsp

Ask any autocross racer. These tires perform well against everything in their class. If that doesn't impress you, look at the treadwear rating. If that doesn't impress you, look at the price! You won't see this happen in the tire world very often. If you can't find them locally, order them from "the rack" and have a local tire shop mount them. Should cost you about $30-$40 total for the work and there will still be plenty of cash left over in comparison to other performance tires.

Oh, and congrats on the new car!

Cheers,

Ron

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Most good tire shops will match TireRacks' prices. Although Tire Rack seems like a great place, I can't imaging buying tires, having them shipped, and then lugging them to a tire shop who is resentful that you didn't buy the tires from them! Then these are the guys that you trust to remove the old tires and put the new ones on your $1000 rims...

Always seemed risky to me...

-Wayne