Little things

[JF1980]

Well, I have replaced the radiator and it all 'seems' ok. I'm a bit bothered that the new radiator may go the same way if there is an underlying problem (one suggestion on e36coupe was a cracked head or head gasket, letting pressure in to the coolant system which would cause that kind of damage), the BMW service desk guy I spoke to said it was probably just a weak radiator, or it had just done it's time after 4 years/100K.

Fitted my new headlight lenses, looks much better than the old stone battered ones, not a bad touchup for £30, so easy too, it was more difficult getting the indicator out!

The oil light is bothering me. The it came on last Thursday evening, fair enough, I checked the oil and it was at the minimum level. I think it was close to that when I brought it as the guy was very careful with it and from what I remember keeping it at max is not always the best thing for the car. Anyway, I added about 1L which took it to just over half way between the marks. All fine. The radiator went on Sunday, so took all of that out and put the new one in on monday. I checked the area around the sump bolt and also the filter, no oil leakage at all.

Today the yellow oil light came on, not while driving but when I had finished my journey and stopped the engine. Now I did notice the car was on a slight slope with the front of the car up a little. I checked the oil again (on level ground) and it does not seem to have gone down. It did this yesterday too, in pretty much the same situation, e.g when I had switched off the engine. I guess the pressure would drop when the engine stops, but the light does not come on everytime I stop the engine, or at all when driving (except previously when it needed a top up) so I need to monitor it I guess. Any ideas? Exhaust is not smokey, no mayo in the cooling system (which I have just had to pieces so I had a good look at it).


So just a few little questions that I thought would be faster to put in a list:

Can I get replacement lenses/glass for my fogs or would the whole unit need to be replaced.

How much would I be looking at to respray my front bumper and would it match the rest of the car 100% on colour?

Can I swap the drivers and passenger seats? Meaning just the actual seat, not all of the adjustable mounting.

Anyone know a place that can repair an alloy scuff, or even better somewhere that would have an MV Spoke 8Jx18 alloy for not a lot of money?

How about a place that can restitch leather seats (just a small bit where the stitching needs to be replaced)?

[paulm3]

front bumper would be about 100--200£ depending on area & quality...

fogs.. i think u can replace just the glass (if the inside bit isnt dirty) or u might as well replace the lot.

swapping seats is a bit gay.. cos all switches / seat movers wouldnt be right etc... so dont.

restitch leather... yeah u can, find a good/recomended place in your area

[BigFas]

Can I get replacement lenses/glass for my fogs or would the whole unit need to be replaced.

No. Comes as a complete unit.

How much would I be looking at to respray my front bumper and would it match the rest of the car 100% on colour?

£150 will get you a pukka spray job. Where are you based? If anywhere near Berkshire, I have a bodyshop that will give you a perfect colour match. Unfortunately, with a spray job, you get what you pay for

Can I swap the drivers and passenger seats? Meaning just the actual seat, not all of the adjustable mounting.

Isn't the adjustable mounting on the seat itself? If everything can be taken apart, then yes, the seats can be swapped.

Anyone know a place that can repair an alloy scuff, or even better somewhere that would have an MV Spoke 8Jx18 alloy for not a lot of money?

Single MV alloys come up on ebay and other classifieds all the time. Alternatively, someone like a dentmaster will do the job for about £50 / rim and they come to you. Problem with them is that the quality of the finish is completely dependant on the individual that carries out the work. It's a franchise and completely varies from person to person

How about a place that can restitch leather seats (just a small bit where the stitching needs to be replaced)?

Where are you based? There's a company called D Class that I can get you the contact of, they're based in Surrey, and can undertake this work and if it's a small job, probably do it while you wait

[JF1980]

front bumper would be about 100--200£ depending on area & quality...

Not too bad, something to keep in mind. It isn't too bad, but I notice the stonechips etc when cleaning it :)



fogs.. i think u can replace just the glass (if the inside bit isnt dirty) or u might as well replace the lot.
The insides are fine, the glass is just a bit tired after lot's of motorway miles, the same as the the headlamp plastic.


swapping seats is a bit gay.. cos all switches / seat movers wouldnt be right etc... so dont.
Well I guess I didn't explain very well. I would not want to move the whole seat unit (movers etc), just the actual 'seat' parts, I am guessing the seat units will dissassemble and the actual seat can be removed from the mover assembley? I guess I will have more idea once I have ordered the parts system and service manuals from ebay. I'm just waiting to see if a cheaper seller comes up, I don't want to pay £15 for a few CDR's! lol


restitch leather... yeah u can, find a good/recomended place in your area
Great, it's only a tiny bit up on the shoulder, if I have it done soon then it should not spread.

It would be great to hear if anyone can recommend companies in the London/Kent area.

Just been out for a drive and I had a feel of the main hose which goes from the block to the top of the radiator, it's quite firm, the best way I could describe it is like a slightly underinflated bicycle tyre. This was at normal op temp with the engine still running. I would like to hear what kind of pressure other people have in their cooling system?

[JF1980]

Thanks BigFas, I am based in the South London suburbs, around Bromley/Croydon.

[petef]

Hi JF1980

I notice you've replaced your headlamp glass\plastic did you buy these from BMW for £30.00 as this is something I am wanting to do as mine are stonechipped.

Cheers

Pete :D

[JF1980]

Cool, another 320 owner :)

I got them from Euro Car Parts, they are the genuine Bosch parts (they actually fit, unlike ECP's radiators!) and were £15 each! Really makes the car look fresh for not a lot of money.

[petef]

That's great news. I've got a EuroCar parts not from me think I'll pop in and pick some up. 320's rule :) Although still wish I had an M3. Lol.

Are they easy to fit ?

Cheers mate

Pete

[JF1980]

Very easy, pop out the indicator, take the black rubber seal off of the top of the headlight, then pull out the body colour insert under the light. Then there are 3 clips on the top of the light, 3 on the bottom and one on the centre side. Easy as 123 :)

[petef]

Cheers for the install guide will give it a go later.

Pete:)

[gringosteve]

Cheers for the install guide will give it a go later.

Pete:)
I tried this and struggled to get the bottom colour coded bit off [hmm

I have the headlight washers though..which made it more tricky i think

[JF1980]

Yeah I can imagine it would. The only tricky part on that bottom was getting the last clip off, on the wing, without snapping the plastic clip or bending the metal blade.

[Afif]

on my saloon i dont actually have to fully take off the colour coded bit or the indicator :). (found this out by accident since i managed to break one of my indicator clips so the indicator wont come out anymore [crackmeup so i was forced to improvise).

[petef]

Just picked a couple up. They charged me £19.95 each +vat :( Oh well.

Gonna have fun later.

Cheers

Pete:)

[benny boy]

your oil problem could be one of the sensors maybe a oil pressure sensor i know volvos have them dont know about bmw i would think they should

[JF1980]

I'm not hearing much on the cooling system pressure front? Anyone fancy giving their top radiator pipe a squeeze next time they finish a journey (with the engine still running)?? Please... need peace of mind, lol.

[JF1980]

Just picked a couple up. They charged me £19.95 each +vat :( Oh well.

Gonna have fun later.

Cheers

Pete:)

Was that from ECP? Weird I paid £14.99+VAT.

How did it go, have you fitted them yet? Difference is amazing isn't it!

[petef]

Hi JF1980

Just fitted em definately worth it they have made the front end look totally different :) Well pleased the lights now look brand new, getting an MTech II front bumper and side skirts fitted the weekend so should look even better next week ;) .

I looked on the ECP website and they are listed at £19.95 +VAT maybe they made a mistake on yours (lucky git) :D

Cheers

Pete

[JF1980]

Mmmmmm sport bumper :) I would love to fit the sport kit (front+rear bumpres plus skirts I guess?) but I think it would cost quite a bit of money?

[petef]

You can pick the front bumper up fairly cheaply on ebay although if you look for one make sure it's got the fogs as they are about £50.00 each from bmw, the side skirts aren't to bad to buy from BM at £50.00 each +VAT and Im not putting the rear bumper on at the moment as it's not that much different to the one Ive got. Then it's just painting and fitting.

Cheers

Pete:)