Another NCT maintenance query.

eternal

Basically have the exhaust 'blowing' and the garage says that the part for the BMW 318i 1995 SA import is not available and therefore he needs to weld it. He says it's a major job ans quoted me 250 euros alone for that piece of work.
The headlamps have water in them and condensation which need to be cleaned and removed and I need new types all of which comes to 450 euros. Is this reasonable? I can't see why those parts aren't available? There must be loads of BMW 318is around. Please don't attack me and say I expect it to be done for nothing because I genuinely don't mind paying but this is before the test and I have no idea what I will fail on and could end up spending a lot of money on a car that is now quite old.
Can someone please advise me this? I can hear the exhaust at the front of the car making noise alright.

colm_mcm

I'd be going onto a bmw forum and finding out part numbers for the exhaust part.
You may be able to get spurious headlights from the likes of micksgarage, or genuine used ones from a scrapyard. Again you'd need to check that your South African model would have the same lights as an Irish/uk model.

Its a lot of dough to put into a 20 year old car. I know all cars need to be maintained of course.

A second opinion on the exhaust would be no harm either.

dieselbug

eternal wrote: »

Basically have the exhaust 'blowing' and the garage says that the part for the BMW 318i 1995 SA import is not available and therefore he needs to weld it. He says it's a major job ans quoted me 250 euros alone for that piece of work.
The headlamps have water in them and condensation which need to be cleaned and removed and I need new types all of which comes to 450 euros. Is this reasonable? I can't see why those parts aren't available? There must be loads of BMW 318is around. Please don't attack me and say I expect it to be done for nothing because I genuinely don't mind paying but this is before the test and I have no idea what I will fail on and could end up spending a lot of money on a car that is now quite old.
Can someone please advise me this? I can hear the exhaust at the front of the car making noise alright.

Why dont you you go through the test before doing any work on it.
This way, after the test you will know exactly where you stand as regards what needs to be done. Then you can decide whether to go ahead or not.

A retest will only cost about e27.00 . Cheapest safety check available.

Also a second opinion on the work and cost wont do any harm.

Toyotafanboi

i would also be of the assumption that it should be easy to pick up used parts for this car. maybe your mechanic just doesn't want to look? without knowing the intricate details the quote sounds a little high. €700 is bordering on what a 95 318is is worth, although i appreciate it is probably worth multiples of that to you as an owner.

which park of the exhaust is damaged?

it looks like micks garage has headlamps for €75 each http://www.micksgarage.com/search.aspx?fffDepartment=Headlamps&fffMake=bmw&fffBasemodel=bmw%203-series&fffModelDescription=3%20coupe%201992%20to%201999&ffftd_car=318%20is&fffBHP=140

eternal

He is only cleaning the headlamps and not replacing them. I have thought about just going for the test alright but I don't know if the exhaust will ruin the engine, he didn't specify.

Charlie19

dieselbug wrote: »

Why dont you you go through the test before doing any work on it.
This way, after the test you will know exactly where you stand as regards what needs to be done. Then you can decide whether to go ahead or .

That's the way I work around the nct since it came in.

bazz26

There should be no shortage of spare parts for the BMW E36. The only thing I can think of is that because the car is an import from South Africa there might be some differences in parts used.

dieselbug

They wont test emissions on a leaking exhaust as it wont give accurate results.

What do you mean by "new types at 450"

Charlie19

eternal wrote: »

He is only cleaning the headlamps and not replacing them. I have thought about just going for the test alright but I don't know if the exhaust will ruin the engine, he didn't specify.

Don't laugh but toothpaste works great on headlights.
Place in tallaght does them for around €30 each.

colm_mcm

How much is he charging you to clean headlights?

Irishcrx

Put it through the test, that way you will know exactly what you need instead of fixing things and then having it fail on something else, trust me it's much easier to put it through and then deal with it.

For the exhaust , if you do need part second hand parts are readily available for that car, do some digging. I guarantee you summerhill spares will have them not once have I called there looking for a part and they didnt have it and my car is rare compared to a BMW.

Also on the exhaust , if you do have to buy new ....don't...look at getting aftermarket made to spec, you can have it made completely to OM spec for half the cost Icetronix done a fantastic job for me a few weeks ago and saved me a fortune.

Your mechanic will do whats easiest for him , he won't look for parts he'll go off the shelf but if you do it and give them to him they will just fit it, that;s how it goes..

eternal

It's got no catalytic converter. Maybe I should just get the exhaust fixed and chance the rest even though I believe him when he says they are strict on condensation etc.

eternal

colm_mcm wrote: »

How much is he charging you to clean headlights?

90 euros.

Irishcrx

eternal wrote: »

90 euros.

Jesus ****, take the headlights out yourself and give them a clean it'll take 20 minute max...they are strict on it though, while your at it replace the seals to stop it happening again, they cost about a tenner..

eternal

Irishcrx wrote: »

Jesus ****, take the headlights out yourself and give them a clean it'll take 20 minute max...they are strict on it though, while your at it replace the seals to stop it happening again, they cost about a tenner..

There's water in the back ones, he says he had to drill to get it out. I know I sound like a complete fool here saying this but I don't have a clue about car maintainance.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

i think owning an old car or a classic car and having to know about car maintenance go hand in hand , if you really want to keep it .
else you are going to pump money into other peoples hands .

( money you could spend on a younger car. )

if it was me i'd start learning or get rid of it- its going to suck you dry otherwise

biko

eternal wrote: »

There's water in the back ones, he says he had to drill to get it out.

I'm confused. Is the condensation in the headlamps or in the rear lights?
If it is the fronts, just remove the dust covers and drive with the lights on. Old BMWs are notorious for headlamp condensation and this will help.

I've removed water from rear lamps by taking the bulb out and sucking the water out with a piece of tubing, then used a hairdryer to get them completely dry.

eternal

biko wrote: »

I'm confused. Is the condensation in the headlamps or in the rear lights?
If it is the fronts, just remove the dust covers and drive with the lights on. Old BMWs are notorious for headlamp condensation and this will help.

I've removed water from rear lamps by taking the bulb out and sucking the water out with a piece of tubing, then used a hairdryer to get them completely dry.

Water in the rear ones and condensation in the front ones.

eternal

I'm going to someone else and once the rain stops here, I'll have a bang off cleaning the headlamps. It can't be that hard. I have a feeling I'll be quoted less and hopefully considering I've put money into it before it might not be a bad fail. Expect me back looking for advice on buying a newer car if that's not the case.

eternal

There's no way I can get at those headlamps I don't even have a screwdriver. I'll have to find someone who can do it cheaper.

cletus

Have you a neighbour or friend who could loan you the tools

eternal

cletus wrote: »

Have you a neighbour or friend who could loan you the tools

I borrowed a pliers and it's the wrong tool. I don't think I'm able to do it myself, I've arthritis in my hands. I'll just have to pay a garage. Fck being a woman with no man to help.

dieselbug

Fck being a woman with no man to help.[/QUOTE]

Now now, count to ten.

If you post your location someone will point you in the direction of mechanic or garage that will give you second opinion and an estimate of what the likely cost will be.

eternal

I'm in Cork City. Thanks

toyotaavensis

eternal I think you should give ardfallen motorcare a shout - they are near musgraves not far from the kinsale road roundabout. They are BMW specialists. If you want a cheaper alternative PM me and I can give you the numbers of two good lads around the city.

eternal

Sorry to post again. It's the exhaust manifold. Does anyone know where I'd get a part for this? Micksgarage doesn't have it. Scrap yards?

toyotaavensis

eternal wrote: »

Sorry to post again. It's the exhaust manifold. Does anyone know where I'd get a part for this? Micksgarage doesn't have it. Scrap yards?

Yea try partfinders website