The Neurosis Continues.. Found another Car, help. <pics> --

[smonkbmw]

why the fascination with 318s? i see your in FL so the vert part makes sense, but i dont get why it needs to be a 4cyl.

[lespaul]

Gas.. My other car is an SUV for work, so the mileage is great.. The 318 isn't fast, but reving it high is fun, and keeps me satisfied.

why the fascination with 318s? i see your in FL so the vert part makes sense, but i dont get why it needs to be a 4cyl.

[TDE30]

Be content with what you've got. It (the blue one) sounds like a pretty decent car for what you'll likely use it for. There's no need to second guess and look for other possibilities. You will shortly realize that the time and wasted effort needed to sell a car and buy another is going to seem pretty unnecessary to rid yourself of a car that is pretty nice to start with.

Just my opinion, though.

[DMF]

Looks so much better in blue its not even funny.

[Julien]

keep the blue cabrio and put used leather seats in it. also, get a $500 top and try to put it in yourself.

[lespaul]

I don't think a single person has replied with "go with the bronze one". What's up with that? The blue one is such a better color, almost worth doing what you all say, and fix up one bit at a time. Blue is so much better..

Looks so much better in blue its not even funny.

[lespaul]

Well.. I've heard people saying that it took them the span of a 3 day weekend to put the top on. ouch! I did find a reputable place that would do it for $1000.

keep the blue cabrio and put used leather seats in it. also, get a $500 top and try to put it in yourself.

[Lair]

I don't think a single person has replied with "go with the bronze one". What's up with that? The blue one is such a better color, almost worth doing what you all say, and fix up one bit at a time. Blue is so much better..

Bronzit has a tainted legacy on R3V.

[twothrees]

Bronzit is the "taint".

[E30 Cabrio]

Since the 318 isn't your only car, you have the luxury of not having to drive it and can afford to have some "down time" to fix it up. Even better if you have a garage for it.

Maybe when the winter comes, you can buy a top and DIY

It would save you money and be a great learning experience, although it may be frustrating and difficult, you'll have the satisfaction of doing it yourself and saving money.

As mentioned, seats can be found for a decent price, but the M3/Cabrio style sport seats are tougher to find but if you're patient, you'll eventually find a set.

You might even be able to have the front seat repaired if it's just the seat bolster where they have the usual wear and tear.

I would keep the Blue Cabby and spend the extra money on fixing her up where needed.

BTW, what size are those wheels and are they Alpina Kopi's?

They look nice. I would keep them.

Blacking out the chrome trim would look good on that car as well.

Either way, keep the Blue one so we don't have to read about you wanting it back a month from now. J/K - the Blue one is beautiful and is the better choice IMO and in everyone else's.

[Ray McCooney]

New car lease/purchase.

Outside observation/opinion; you sound a bit too controlling for the reality of a 16+ year old automotive venture. If you decide to stay in this land:

Blue>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bronzit anything.



Best of luck to you with whatever path you choose.

[lespaul]

Thanks so much, VERY helpful feeback, from all of you..

Since the 318 isn't your only car, you have the luxury of not having to drive it and can afford to have some "down time" to fix it up. Even better if you have a garage for it.

Maybe when the winter comes, you can buy a top and DIY

It would save you money and be a great learning experience, although it may be frustrating and difficult, you'll have the satisfaction of doing it yourself and saving money.

As mentioned, seats can be found for a decent price, but the M3/Cabrio style sport seats are tougher to find but if you're patient, you'll eventually find a set.

You might even be able to have the front seat repaired if it's just the seat bolster where they have the usual wear and tear.

I would keep the Blue Cabby and spend the extra money on fixing her up where needed.

BTW, what size are those wheels and are they Alpina Kopi's?

They look nice. I would keep them.

Blacking out the chrome trim would look good on that car as well.

Either way, keep the Blue one so we don't have to read about you wanting it back a month from now. J/K - the Blue one is beautiful and is the better choice IMO and in everyone else's.

[VacMan]

I'll say it again and maybe it will click with you. Save the money you'd spend on a soft top and buy yourself a hardtop. It will make your car a million times more enjoyable to drive on a regular basis, and if you get a hoist you can have it on and off in 2 minutes. I was debating selling my cabrio until I got my hardtop; now I'll never sell it.

[lespaul]

Looking into it right now. :)

I'll say it again and maybe it will click with you. Save the money you'd spend on a soft top and buy yourself a hardtop. It will make your car a million times more enjoyable to drive on a regular basis, and if you get a hoist you can have it on and off in 2 minutes. I was debating selling my cabrio until I got my hardtop; now I'll never sell it.

[Lair]

What's the weight difference between the hardtop and the complete soft top assembly?

It would be a simple matter to remove a manual soft top frame and leave it off the car while running the hardtop.

What is it? Three or four bolts on each side?