1996 BMW 318ti - The quest for the practical/fun daily driver

I got vehicle ramps as a wedding present so of course I had to try them out. Crawled around under the rear end of the car and noticed interesting marks near the middle of the axle shafts. Looks like they've been rubbing on something? That would explain the noise I hear if I take a sharp low speed turn on a slope.

Driver side:

Passenger side:

Not sure what they could be contacting though. Could worn bushings be letting things flex so the axle comes in contact with the sway bar?

I put some bright pink paint on the wear marks so maybe I'll be able to see wear it rubs.

It keeps blowing that fuse, #46, the one for some of the gauges, the clock, and (according the internet) brake light(s). Some posts on a bmw forum have led me to believe that burnt bulbs in the high mount brake light could be causing a short and blowing the fuse. We'll see. Now I get to go diagnose an electrical problem in an old German car.

...which I suppose is better than diagnosing an electrical problem in a new German car.

Is the fuse "legend" in German? Post a pic!

Do you have a schematic? If so, bring it to the race. I can help you put together a diagnostic strategy.

I did find that the brake lights look like this

So that's a starting point.

Ugh... I think the throwout bearing is starting to rattle a tiny bit.

Edit: or maybe not. Maybe it's just the clutch pedal squeaking.

Also, I've made a decision that will forever alter the destiny of the human race.

Not really... Here's the story: After a fun weekend crewing for Logdog's Chumpcar team at PIRC (the second time I've been at a race with them, they're great to hang out with) I've made a decision. I have found my calling and it's name is budget endurance racing. I am going to start saving my car budget $$ for safety gear and entry fees rather than spending it on fun daily driver project cars.

With that in mind I am probably going to sell the 318ti and replace it with something cheaper to own. Parts for the Saturn and Escort I had cost at least half what parts cost for the BMW. I love the car but an extra $50 here and there adds up pretty fast. Also, a crappy econo-box won't be tempting me to buy fancy suspension and lightweight flywheels

So... It's a great car and I've loved owning and driving it but I'm at the point where I can either put money into a cool project car or save it to go racing with a team. Maybe someday I'll be able to do both but for now look for an ad in the $20xx Classifieds section of the forum soon.

I get it.

A weekend of racing now and then makes up for driving crap every day. It may sound cooler to say "I drive a xyz" to work, but that racing stuff makes the boring ride in to work totally bearable.

Two days ago we took the BMW for a final adventure. The weather was perfect for a spirited drive through the country and a trip to a local cider mill. Nothing beats fresh apple cider and warm donuts in October. Took the long way home and look who we found! That was my Escort, once upon a time.

Today the BMW got loaded onto a trailer to take the trip to its new home in Ohio. I was a little sad.

Now I have a small pile of $$ to do fun stuff with

I'm not sure the surge brakes on that uhaul trailer worked... but I made it home without any issues.

I'll start a new thread when I have a plan/progress.

Thanks again.

Glad you made it back ok, enjoy the car!

Well, you had some fun with this one for a bit and then sold it off for a small pile of cash to do something else fun for a bit. Sounds like a win/win to me!

Please post in extraordinary detail about your next adventure.

The next adventure starts here

(The truck not the kids. Those belong to the neighbor)