Bought A Used 1997 BMW 318i

[sevenspeed]

Hi guys, new to the community here. I recently bought a 1997 BMW 318i convertible with 69,205 miles. The car has been sitting for a while, hasn't been tagged since 2013 and the last service records that I found was in 2014. (There was a service sticker on the windshield and I called and asked. Next oil change was due at 69,500) I had a pre-purchase inspection performed by a BMW specialist and they recommend the following repairs: belt tensioner, idler pulley, all shocks and struts, control arms and bushings, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, power steering hose leak, windshield (it is cracked) and A/C control unit. I had the serpentine and A/C belt replaced as soon as I bought it since I bought it out of my town and didn't want to risk it snapping on the way back. Drove it back to my town and it thankfully hasn't overheated since the two weeks I've been driving it around town. I recently replaced the accelerator cable and grommet, had an oil change done, put on new hood shocks and had the tires replaced (they were from 2007!) and I will be replacing the control arms and bushings either tomorrow or next weekend. It isn't my daily driver, I have a 2015 Ford Focus ST.

With all of that being said would there be anything you guys recommend replacing or checking with a car this old and that has been sitting that long? This is my first BMW and important so this is fairly new to me. Would love hearing some feedback and some wisdom!

[shogun]

A good checklist is always the inspection II, here a copy. You can do (most) DIY

BMW INSPECTION II SERVICE SCHEDULE – Check List

VEHICLE RAISED ON HOIST:- Engine at operating Temperature
Remove Engine shield.
Drain engine oil and replace oil filter and sump plug washer.
Check transmission for leaks including coolant line of final drive.
Drain Automatic Transmission oil
Refill automatic transmission
Change manual transmission oil all models (except E36[M40,M42,M50]E34[M40,M50,M60]and E31[M70] engines which are to be changed every second inspII service).
Replace rear axle oil (E38 Every 2nd inspection II).
Replace oil in transfer box and front axle final drive (4WD).
Check clutch driven plate for wear, every 2nd Inspection II.
Renew main fuel filter: Petrol engines every 2nd Inspection II.
Check P.A.S system for leaks.
Check radiator bottom hose for leaks.
Check driveshaft gaiters for leaks.
Check Steering for freedom from play.
Check condition of track rod and front axle ball joints.
Check steering box for leaks, check UJs couplings and flexible gaiters.
Check all connections and lines on braking system for leaks, damage and correct position including
handbrake cables and bleed nipple covers.
Check Fuel pipes, tank and connections for leaks, damage and position.
Check condition, position and mounting of exhaust system
Inspect underside of body for corrosion/underseal damage etc (every 2 years except E30).
Refit engine shield.

LOWER VEHICLE TO HALF-WAY POSITION
Remove road wheels.
Remove brake pads/linings, clean and check for wear.
Check wheel cylinders and dust seals for leaks.
Check brake disc/drum surface.
Check handbrake lever travel, movement of handbrake cables and adjustment.
Check on rear disc brake models, handbrake lining wear.
Grease wheel centring spigots for alloy wheels.
Check shock absorbers for leaks.
Check torque of wheel air deflector E34/M5 1st inspection II only.
Refit road wheels.
Check condition of tyres if uneven wear recommend wheel alignment check.
VEHICLE ON GROUND
Inspect bodywork for corrosion, stone chips, damage or contamination (every 2 years except E30).
Check fluid level concentration of screen wash reservoir.
Refill engine oil.
Refill automatic transmission oil.
Remove spark plugs.
Check and adjust valve clearances. Replace rocker cover gasket.
Renew spark plugs.
Lubricate door mechanism hinges.
Replace Micro-filter and active carbon filter (if applicable) in heating/air con system.
Replace air recirculation filter: Every 2nd inspection II (if applicable).
E31 only: Clean intake-air separator in front of intake air silencer.
Renew air intake filter.
Check P.A.S hose clips for tightness & P.A.S fluid level.
Check brake system connections including ABS for tightness and positioning.
Lubricate throttle linkages and gate mechanisms on Carburettor models.
Check clutch hose connections for tightness and positioning.
Check clutch fluid level.
Check brake fluid level (renew fluid every 2 years, 750i annually).
Check battery acid level.
Carry out battery condition check, use battery test report.
Check condition/tightness coolant hoses.
Check tension/condition of all V belts (except M70 engine).
Replace all V belts E34/M5 only (S38 engine).
Check coolant level and consentration (renew every 3 years)(M3/M5 every 2 years).
Self levelling suspension: check fluid level.
Check spare wheel condition.
Check wheel stud torque and tyre pressures.
Check intensive cleaner level.
Check correct operation of lambda probe.
Replace fire extinguisher cartridge annually.
E36 M3 only: Renew throttle valve potentiometer.
ADDITIONAL ITEM EVERY 36000 MILES OR 3 YEARS
Replace toothed cambelt M20 & M40 engines.
ENGINE TEST
Cars with distributor; check the dwell angle and adjust ignition timing if necessary.
Call up information on defects stored in diagnosis system.
Check EML safety path circuit.
Check idle speed except on vehicles with idle speed control.
Check CO reading (except catalyst version).
CHECK OPERATION OF LIGHTS WITH ASSISTANT
FRONT
Side lights.
Dipped beam.
Main beam.
Headlight flasher.
Foglights/Driving lights.
Indicators and side repeaters.
Hazard warning flashers.
Parking lights.
Check beam settings.
REAR
Side lights
Number plate light.
Brake lights.
Reversing lights.
Fog lights.
Indicators.
Hazard warning flashers.
Boot interior lamp.
INTERIOR
Interior and reading lights.
Ashtray lights.
Glovebox light.
Panel lights including dimmer.
Clock light.
Switches and heater control lighting.
Check all warning lights including Active check control.
Check operation of heater/vent controls and blower.
Check operation of door mirrors.
Check horn all segments.
Check operation of sunroof.
Check operation of convertable roof. (Mmmmm).
Check condition, operation of seat belts.
Check wipers, blades, jet aim on windscreen and headlight washer systems.
Check engine compartment light.
Check door, bonnet & boot locks and striker plates adjustment and lubrication.
ROAD TEST
Check engine operation.
Check clutch operation.
Check transmission operation including EH gearbox.
Check steering operation.
Check steering wheel alignment.
Check foot brake operation.
Check handbrake balance-on cars fitted with rear discs: bed in handbrake.
Check wheel balance.
Check propshaft balance.
Check speedometer operation.
Check distance and trip recorder operation.
Check engine revolution counter operation.
Check temperature gauge operation.
Check fuel gauge operation.
Check fuel consumption gauge operation.
Check heater/air conditioning operation.
Check on-board computer operation including head-up display.
Check for wind noise, rattles etc.
FINAL ITEMS
Check ATF level
Activate Service interval indicator
Ensure handbook service record is completed.
Comments
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Also get a Bentley Publishers service manual for the E36, good for the DIYer, better than the original workshop manual where too often is mentioned use special tool #xy and refer to special instruction,,,

There is also this tech info on the web https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/

[Jacksone30]

Holy shit!
I was gonna say change the cabin filter!
What a list !!!!

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[Jacksone30]

Holy shit!
I was gonna say change the cabin filter!
What a list !!!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Oh a 318 - my 97 is a 328ic - damm thing flies !
But my 89 e30 was almost just as fast with the 4 banger.
Good luck and welcome to the forum !
Tim

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[sevenspeed]

Thanks I really appreciate it!
I already bought the service manual since I figured I would be doing most of the work.
Thanks for the link as well.

[Eric93se]

Run a bottle of injector cleaner over the next 3 tanks of gas.

[sevenspeed]

Run a bottle of injector cleaner over the next 3 tanks of gas.

Any particular brand that you would recommend?

[Eric93se]

I've been using Royal purple they have a couple different fuel system cleaners, use the atomizer. But use a different brand each tank, to get a little diversity with the cleaning chemicals.