Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

A couple of updates!

Cracked Console Repair

Since I bought this car over 4 years ago the center console has been rattling and squeaky. Despite having the center console out many times (to include swapping the dash), I've never bothered to fix it. A couple of weeks ago I was driving to work early in the morning and I finally had enough. I ordered some JB Weld Plastic Bonder, used some junk in my tool box, and now it's solid as a rock.

The cracked mounting tab didn't allow the parking brake console to seat, causing many rattles and squeaks.

20200513_144809 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I used a cable holder as a filler piece.

20200513_145003 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

And then I bonded it in. The JB Weld Plastic Bonder works great. It's a bit ugly underneath, but you can't see it from the top and it's VERY solid.

20200515_145108 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Heater Valve, Heater Core Replacement

While I was repairing the center console, I noticed the joint between the heater core and heater valve was weeping. Not dripping. There was barely any liquid on the joint, but it was there nonetheless. Originally I thought about just replacing the o-rings, but my heat has always been a little odd. To get hot air I'd have to turn the dial to full hot. It was either full cold or full hot, not much of a transition between the two. So I decided to replace the valve and heater core while I was in there.

Original equipment:

20200520_151506 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20200520_151137 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Disconnect firewall hoses:

20200521_101836 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Remove heater core and drain any additional coolant in the lines. I had a plastic tarp underneath to catch any coolant that I missed, but I got lucky and not a drop hit the tarp.

20200521_103933 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Old and new pieces. Notice the different design of the heater valve.

20200521_123643 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

The heater valve top actually rotates so you can fit it correctly (it's larger). Then you hand tighten the nut to lock it down per the single page of instructions:

20200521_123632 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

New foam around the new heater core:

20200521_125713 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

New heater valve in place. O-rings lubed. I removed the piece of yellow tape before putting it together (it was a sticker from the original coolant pipe).

20200521_130053 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I took the time to vacuum all the crap out of the heater core's home:

20200521_130457 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Mostly back together:

20200521_135811 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

I left it all apart and went for a drive to check for leaks. No leaks in the interior, but there was some weeping from one of the hoses in the engine bay. I tightened it and may replace it later. The heat works great now. I get a nice gradual transition from cold to hot.

Big thanks to my kids for being on flashlight duty as I knocked this out!

[D.Martijn]

I think I saw your question in freeride53 's thread. I didn't see a response though. I'd love to know as well!

I fit in the E30 reasonably well. Almost better than my F31. I just wish the steering wheel telescoped as my seat is nearly all the way back, but arms are extended more than I'd like reaching for the steering wheel. I'm sure you have it worse than me with the extra height.

Regardless, these cars are just so fun to drive the "fitment issues" don't bother me much.

dmanb2b , if your horn doesn't work, you'll need to extend the telescoping rod. I have very little fabrication skills, but you might be able to swap out the existing rod for a longer one so it makes contact with the horn ring on the back of the steering wheel.

Yeah, just had a look. I've sent him a pm before but that didn't result in a reply either.
My parents have an F31 as well, I have no problems with fitting inside that one. Although it's like I'm driving a sofa (seating position and feel) compared to the mk7 GTI/E30 hahaha.
Yeah, I feel like I need to sit closer to the wheel to have a decent reach for my arms but then my knees sit way up and are hitting the steering wheel making it almost impossible to turn the wheel.

[mike.bmw]

I know there is a build thread where someone mentioned spacing the steering wheel away from the dash but unfortunately they didn't respond to my question..
I'm 2m04 or 6'8" so I'm having the same problem..

I think I saw your question in freeride53 's thread. I didn't see a response though. I'd love to know as well!

I fit in the E30 reasonably well. Almost better than my F31. I just wish the steering wheel telescoped as my seat is nearly all the way back, but arms are extended more than I'd like reaching for the steering wheel. I'm sure you have it worse than me with the extra height.

Regardless, these cars are just so fun to drive the "fitment issues" don't bother me much.

dmanb2b , if your horn doesn't work, you'll need to extend the telescoping rod. I have very little fabrication skills, but you might be able to swap out the existing rod for a longer one so it makes contact with the horn ring on the back of the steering wheel.

[D.Martijn]

Hey! Hope all is well with you too.

The Sport Wheel sits the same distance away from the stalks as the 385mm MT2. The center of the Sport Wheel looks a bit more concave than an MT2 wheel, but the spacing and distance from the stalks are the same. The Sport Wheel measure 385mm across.

I haven't bent my stalks. It's a tad close, but doesn't really bother me. For reference, I'm 6'5" and can easily palm a basketball, so it's not like I have tiny hands. If I were to wear gloves at a track day, I'd likely hit the stalks every time as there isn't much clearance now. Also, if this was a 370mm wheel I'd likely have issues with my knuckles hitting the stalks, but I don't have that issue with the 385m wheel.

If someone comes up with a cool spacer solution to extend the wheel towards the driver, I'd be all for it as that would be a more comfortable driving position for me.

I have a few updates coming, but I figured I'd stack them up as opposed to posting lots of smaller updates.

I know there is a build thread where someone mentioned spacing the steering wheel away from the dash but unfortunately they didn't respond to my question..
I'm 2m04 or 6'8" so I'm having the same problem..

[dmanb2b]

Hey! Hope all is well with you too.

The Sport Wheel sits the same distance away from the stalks as the 385mm MT2. The center of the Sport Wheel looks a bit more concave than an MT2 wheel, but the spacing and distance from the stalks are the same. The Sport Wheel measure 385mm across.

I haven't bent my stalks. It's a tad close, but doesn't really bother me. For reference, I'm 6'5" and can easily palm a basketball, so it's not like I have tiny hands. If I were to wear gloves at a track day, I'd likely hit the stalks every time as there isn't much clearance now. Also, if this was a 370mm wheel I'd likely have issues with my knuckles hitting the stalks, but I don't have that issue with the 385m wheel.

If someone comes up with a cool spacer solution to extend the wheel towards the driver, I'd be all for it as that would be a more comfortable driving position for me.

I have a few updates coming, but I figured I'd stack them up as opposed to posting lots of smaller updates.

Thanks as always! My 370mm is currently installed with the additional spacer under the wheel, which must be why my horn doesn't work. I'm 5'11 and the wheel sits perfectly for me. I don't mind the gap between steering column. but not having a functional horn is a deal breaker for me, especially with all the testing and driving. I may try it out and see if I can adjust my seating position some to compensate and then bend the stalks or replace them with non-airbag stalks.

[mike.bmw]

Mike, hope all is well. Quick question for you...Did you end up adjusting the stalks or does the MT2 sit lower than your new wheel, so no adjustment needed? Thanks

Hey! Hope all is well with you too.

The Sport Wheel sits the same distance away from the stalks as the 385mm MT2. The center of the Sport Wheel looks a bit more concave than an MT2 wheel, but the spacing and distance from the stalks are the same. The Sport Wheel measure 385mm across.

I haven't bent my stalks. It's a tad close, but doesn't really bother me. For reference, I'm 6'5" and can easily palm a basketball, so it's not like I have tiny hands. If I were to wear gloves at a track day, I'd likely hit the stalks every time as there isn't much clearance now. Also, if this was a 370mm wheel I'd likely have issues with my knuckles hitting the stalks, but I don't have that issue with the 385m wheel.

If someone comes up with a cool spacer solution to extend the wheel towards the driver, I'd be all for it as that would be a more comfortable driving position for me.

I have a few updates coming, but I figured I'd stack them up as opposed to posting lots of smaller updates.

[dmanb2b]

Sport Steering Wheel Install - 4th time's a charm

Wow. A steering wheel finally worked out.

Picture time.



DSC_0503 copy by mike.bevels, on Flickr

Mike, hope all is well. Quick question for you...Did you end up adjusting the stalks or does the MT2 sit lower than your new wheel, so no adjustment needed? Thanks

[dmanb2b]

I really may have to get a new shift boot now. :)

Looks great Mike! Crappy photo below, but I like how the mrain fabric looks. Ended up doing my shift boot and e-brake boot

[mike.bmw]

Inexcusable....

jk love the update

:-)

Oh hey nice steering wheel, those grips are sweet.

Thanks, I've really been enjoying this revamped sport wheel. Given the steering wheel and shifter are two of the main "touch points" on a car, I feel like I should have upgraded these a long time ago. They certainly add to the enjoyment of driving the car.

In other news, my first issue as co-editor of der Bayerische (dB) has been released. The dB team is awesome and I really appreciate them bringing me up to speed. I still have a lot to learn. While this is all volunteer work and does take a good chunk of time, I've really enjoyed it and look forward to many more issues. This issue also includes two articles written by me. Check out the issue here: https://db.nccbmwcca.org/2020/2020_0506.pdf

[moziller]

Oh hey nice steering wheel, those grips are sweet.

[2mAn]

Please excuse the dirty tool cabinet...

Inexcusable....

jk love the update

[mike.bmw]

Nice choice, Mike. I've replaced all the bushings in the ECS kit while everything is out and you are right, you would have to remove the driveshaft at least it seems. I'm hoping it tightens everything up appropriately! I'll be curious to see your choice of shift knob upgrade as I could use one as well.

Thanks! I decided to go with a ZHP knob (see below).

Looking great Mike! I love the wheel and the cupholder. Did you make the cupholder or buy it somewhere?

Regarding the shifter, I for one am a fan of the stock shift knob, but maybe you'll find one that changes my mind. When I bought my car it came with a mystery "short shifter" in a box of parts. It looks a lot like that one, so I'm wondering if maybe that's what I have...

I found the cup holder on FaceBook marketplace of all places. The person that makes them is a R3V member and sells them out of the classifieds. I just happened to get a slightly used one locally. As mentioned above, I opted for a ZHP knob -- review below!

That short shifter is a very nice addition to the car! I think it's one of the better and easier upgrades you can do to make driving even more enjoyable!
+1 on replacing the shift knob :)

Agreed! I took the family out for another drive this evening with the new ZHP knob installed. Replacing the shifter this time around would probably take less than 20 minutes, but the first time through I got hung up on a couple small things. Regardless, it's an easy upgrade as you said.

ZHP Shift Knob

It really didn't take long to figure out which shift knob to get. In addition to friends urging me to get the ZHP knob, a simple google search will yield pages of results with people stating how amazing this knob is.

I ordered the knob on ebay yesterday (from a local-ish dealership's ebay store). It arrived today. I had my daughter install it. She almost hit herself in the face during the install, which was a little comical. :)

The ZHP knob is nearly 1" shorter and slightly heavier than the stock knob. The leather feels great. I love the look of it. Combined with the Z3 1.9 shifter, new shifter ball bushing, and new nylon yellow washers, the shifting feels REALLY nice. I really may have to get a new shift boot now. :)

Please excuse the dirty tool cabinet...

20200502_182400 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20200502_182403 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

20200502_182751 by mike.bevels, on Flickr

[D.Martijn]

That short shifter is a very nice addition to the car! I think it's one of the better and easier upgrades you can do to make driving even more enjoyable!
+1 on replacing the shift knob :)

[Nate37]

Looking great Mike! I love the wheel and the cupholder. Did you make the cupholder or buy it somewhere?

Regarding the shifter, I for one am a fan of the stock shift knob, but maybe you'll find one that changes my mind. When I bought my car it came with a mystery "short shifter" in a box of parts. It looks a lot like that one, so I'm wondering if maybe that's what I have...

[G FORCE]

Nice choice, Mike. I've replaced all the bushings in the ECS kit while everything is out and you are right, you would have to remove the driveshaft at least it seems. I'm hoping it tightens everything up appropriately! I'll be curious to see your choice of shift knob upgrade as I could use one as well.