Driza bone inside and the car has been so well looked after (no evidence it ever got into the wrong hands before me) I'm hopeful it won't be too difficult to sort out. I have another spares car, so after the three fuses have been checked, I can start swapping components. Some helpful vids on youtube as well.

 

Well, she's almost finished. I think the clear lenses look better than the orange. Not a mod I would normally do but allowed myself as they were an original manufacturer option. Also got a pair of colour coded mirrors which look better than the standard ones with black baseplates. Sports seats now repaired, cleaned, fed and fitted and all the little jobs done. Just some touching in of paint to do and a service and she can take her place as a twice a week drive. I like the pillarless look with the hardtop on and it transforms the car in terms of refinement.

[attachment=87387:323i int.jpg]
[attachment=87386:323i fin.jpg]

 

Got the soft top working then?

 

Soft top always worked on the original car, it was the donor car with the non-operational roof. Turned out that roof was new so it will probably end up on another car.

 

Update time.

I now have 73K miles on the car - it is used alternately with my 350Z, STR and a couple of other old cars so the mileage is never going to be high.

No problems to report and nothing essential to do. I had the oil and filter done at ATS, which is a route I increasing go down with old cars nowadays. Surprisingly for a 2.5 litre engine it takes about 6.5 litres of oil on a change. ATS use a top quality Shell oil and the cost was £58 + pence. Just not worth the time and mess in doing it myself to save £20 or so when I can sit in a warm waiting room with a coffee and magazine for half an hour . National offer the same service but I wasn't as keen on their oil.

The rear brake discs look a bit scabby so I might do those if we get a nice day soon. Reasonable quality items from ECP should mean the job should be about £80. I'll change the brake fluid at the same time. The only other thing I might do is flush the heater matrix. It's an uncomplicated non-aircon system and I don't think it gets quite as hot as it should, as quickly as it should. I'll replace the coolant at the same time.

Getting quite a rare sight now, these E36s. The rusty E46 seems to be the council estate weapon of choice now. This has been one of my better buys. I even like it with the hardtop on.

 

Thats cheap. I couldnt find anywhere i trusted to do the M oil for sub £200. The oil cost me £90 i think, takes 8l.

It took me an hour with a one off cost of £30 for a large capacity drain pan and £5 for the filter,

The simplicity of old motors like my S appeals to me more as i age

 

£136 for your car at ATS.

I've heard all the stories about not trusting cars with ATS etc but my view is that an oil and filter change is one of the easiest jobs you can do on a car and if you'd let them change a tyre or exhaust, why not oil an filter change?. Not only that, in most places, you can see them working on your car.

Obviously quality can vary from branch to branch.

 

that's cheap but i'd want the correct oil

i say cheap and i mean that's about right.. the oil is currently £70 on ECP

an indy quoting me £200 is having a laugh

maybe they used this rather pricey black stuff

 

ATS use Shell Helix.

 

Another one of mine for sale shortly.

Now just under 74K miles and has never missed a beat.

New MOT (only needing new rear pads - did the discs at the same time) and no advisories.

Add to my recently disposed of list of R129, 350Z, XJS and MGB could see me down to 5 cars and if negotiations are successful with my Boxster S - 4!!!

What do we think? £3K? I sold the 350Z for £5.5K to the first viewer. This is a bit harder to price - so many dogs still around. This being v low mileage, good history and a shedload of spares thrown in must make it stand out a bit.