Another Touring import from Europe

[bmw325_num99]

I don't have an e30 touring, just a 325e.

We did take the e39 touring to Vintagefest but it wasn't in the show.

Ahh, I gotcha!

[bmw325_num99]

Weekend update on my touring project:

On Friday I got a letter from the IL DMV. I could tell the envelope did not contain license plates and my heart sank further when the letter began with "we have not been able to issue you a title for the car with VIN: xxxx....". Luckily, the only problem was that the DMV branch I went to forgot to have me fill out the Antique Vehicle Plates disclaimer saying that I can only drive the car with certain restrictions. Even better news was that I saw a DMV-stamped note on the title application saying "OK for title" so it is looking good.

I got two keys made and after trying Home Depot and Lowe's, the little Do-It-Best hardware shop was the only one that had keys for old BMWs.

I took it out for some more errands and after 3-4 stops over the span of an hour, I noticed it was getting tougher and tougher to get into 2nd gear. I started skipping it and going into third and took it home to take a look.

I figured I would start by bleeding the clutch system. It was about time. The reservoir had a layer of scum/sediment on the bottom so I turkey-baster-ed the fluid out, took off the reservoir and cleaned it out with brake cleaner.

Then, on ramps, I tried bleeding the slave cylinder and nothing would come out. I took the bleeder screw all the way out and I can see the bleeder hole was completely blocked with more gunk and shards of something. No amount of sewing needle or coat hanger work would clear it out and the seal on the front of the slave cylinder was ruined anyway. Luckily, TrentW had one for me so I did not have to wait to order a new one. After a thorough flush, an additional brake system fluid flush the car is driving as normal again. I even cleaned out the garage while I was out there!

I snuck in a few gratuitous shots of the wiper blades I rigged up too. I love that headlamp wash/wipe system.

[leegf]

How is it driving RHD? Did it take awhile to adjust, or were you able to get used to it right away?

[bmw325_num99]

How is it driving RHD? Did it take awhile to adjust, or were you able to get used to it right away?

Its not as off-putting as I was afraid it would be. The biggest concious adjustment I had to make was on the interstate drive home. "Hug the white line/shoulder" I kept telling myself in my head. A couple times, over the span of several miles, my wife caught me slowly migrating to the left. I still have to keep concious of this even on city streets but luckily I can and do and the narrowness of the e30 helps! The first few days were a little weird but after 7-8 separate drives in this car I would say the top annoyances that remain are:

1) 9/10 times I still reach to the left for the seatbelt when I get in the car
2) When I am making a right at a light/stop, I remind myself to keep my side close to the curb lest I go into oncoming traffic! I havent even had a close call yet but I do have to think about it
3) Drive thrus, although rare for me, are/will be a problem
4) To me, I find it unappealing when I rev the engine and my side of the car goes down. I am used to the torque of the engine lifting me up in a LHD drive but since I am now on the right hand side, its lame to me that I seem to sink lower with a rev. I know this is a weird thing to notice.
5) My garage was designed to squeeze in a 3rd car despite it only being a 2.5 car garage. Now that the spot is taken by a rhd car i don't have enough room to use the drivers door so i crawl across the interior and exit on the left side. I knew this would be an annoyance before i bought the car but oh well.

Left turns at stoplights are not a problem like I thought they would be. If there is a larger vehicle(as most are) in front of me then, yes, I cannot see oncoming cars and turn left at the same time they do. At worst, I wait for an extra opening to turn left to make sure I can see clearly.

Shifting with my left hand was fairly easy to get used to but it helps that I had about 500 miles of driving rental cars in the UK beforehand.

With my sunroof open on Saturday, people could clearly see the driver driving on the "wrong" side of the car. It was fun to see about 5 double-takes and one guy even reversed up the intersection a little to make sure his eyes werent deceiving him.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have questions.

[leegf]

Awesome, thanks for sharing such detailed feedback. Short of taking the plunge myself, that's about as close as I can get to visualizing the RHD driving experience.

[bmw325_num99]

My license plates and mostly complete registration card came in the mail today. I hope this means my title is coming soon and that the car is legally registered in the eyes of the IL DMV.

I got new roundels for the hood and hatch since the old ones were worn out.

I painted the rear lower valence black like it should be. Now the rest of the paint around it looks even crappier but that's progress.

I am hosting a little e30/BMW-centered meet this Sunday in Chicago if anyone cares to stop by.

Lastly, I met up with my friend in his 2002 on Easter for some impromptu photos. I hope y'all enjoy.

[getouth]

Nice!

[bmw325_num99]

I organized a small meet for e30 people on the Chicago lakefront last weekend. Here are some pics from on the way to the event, the event and on the way back. Locations were Dearborn Park, Montrose Harbor and Lower Wacker Drive.

[leegf]

Is that your car I see on ebay? Selling so soon?

[bmw325_num99]

Is that your car I see on ebay? Selling so soon?

Yeah, that is mine. I thought I would put it on ebay and see what people offer me for it. I would prefer a 2.5 litre, honestly. We will see what happens!

[E30 Wagen]

Dang, if it was LHD I would consider taking a trip down for a look.

[Old city bimmer]

its not that hard to convert over to LHD. hardest part is changing the dash.

[bmw325_num99]

A buyer says he is coming in tonight to buy it tomorrow. We will see...

[lukeADE335i]

4) To me, I find it unappealing when I rev the engine and my side of the car goes down. I am used to the torque of the engine lifting me up in a LHD drive but since I am now on the right hand side, its lame to me that I seem to sink lower with a rev. I know this is a weird thing to notice.

Great looking touring! We missed out on them down here too - you could ship it down to me :)

I find this comment really interesting since our cars are RHD in Australia. The car squatting under power and dropping on the driver's side makes the car feel more planted to me as it's putting the power down and I find that reassuring.

I'd imagine that I'd find LHD unsettling - the idea of the drivers seat lifting under power would feel a bit like when you take an off camber corner at speed and the balance feels odd.

[bmw325_num99]

Great looking touring! We missed out on them down here too - you could ship it down to me :)

I find this comment really interesting since our cars are RHD in Australia. The car squatting under power and dropping on the driver's side makes the car feel more planted to me as it's putting the power down and I find that reassuring.

I'd imagine that I'd find LHD unsettling - the idea of the drivers seat lifting under power would feel a bit like when you take an off camber corner at speed and the balance feels odd.

Your comment is also interesting. I never thought of that. Just goes to show: people like what they are used to. The cornering feeling also applies to me in a RHD. Well said.