DaveH

Here's a quick picture I took of it today.

Thanks for all the welcomes. I've finally got my new car :) I decided not to get a coupe in the end, started looking at saloons as they are generally more practical, and they look great. Stretched my budget just a little and found myself a 52 plate saloon in silver with only 64k on the clock. It has the all black cloth interior, most of the toys (cruise, auto climate control, parking sensors, trip computer etc) and it is in very good condition. Slight bubbling on the rear arches but only superficial (I'll get that sorted soon). Completely original, FBMWSH, all new tires, disks and pads, recent inspection 2 with all suggested jobs done. I'll post pictures at some point but I absolutely love it! Drove 200 miles to see it, and 200 miles back after the purchase. I love cruise control! So comfortable, smooth, quiet... And having driven a mini for two years all the things you guys take for granted in your BMWs seem so amazing to me :wub:

I'm not so sure, I've been doing a lot of reading around, it would appear that if you have the right engine (N42) all you need to do is add the right steering wheel and wire in three cables. Check here, here and for how to's and here for the BMW dealership manual.However, the M43 engine (earlier engine I believe) requires extra parts, as suggested here, and the parts can be found here. So this requires a lot more work and money, but it can be done successfully. So in conclusion to my own question, it appears the answer is yes but check what engine you have first as you might want to think twice before trying it on an M43! Hope this helps someone out. Edit: Also, it would appear the N42 was put in the 2001-04 318's, and the car in question is a 2004 318 so it looks like it could be a simple job, however in 2004 this engine was changed for the N46. It appears to be a very similar engine but I haven't found out for sure if the retrofit is the same or not yet.

I'm considering an E46 that is in the family, it doesn't have cruise control which is something I really want. I was wondering, is it possible to purchase a second hand steering wheel and loom (and potentially some sort of CC box) from a higher spec E46 and put it in mine? Has anyone else done this? Is it plug and play? Cheers!

I hope so! Should be enough for a decent low mileage 36 or hopefully a good deal on a 46. Then again, if I bring that budget down a little I might even be able to insure it to! Oxford, Brasenose College.

Cheers.

Cheers Without an MOT I won't get much over £1k for the mini, it still could do with a new front end and a respray, but here's a quick list of what I remember doing to it: -All professionally welded from bulkhead back by mini specialist (cut out and replace, NOT weld over! ~£1k) -New head gasket (and all other gaskets around) -Full service (new plugs, leads, oil, filters etc etc) -New rear subframe and suspension fitted with all new bushes and bolts -All front bushes replaced along with tracking rods, steering gaiter etc -New windscreen wipers, washer nozzles etc -New exhaust from the manifold back to the decat pipe - existing back box is fine -Almost new tires all round, new studs and wheel nuts where required (perfectionist side shining through!) Then once I've done the gearbox (it's half out already) there'll be -New gearbox fitted, clutch replaced if required -Engine cleaned up, gaskets replaced, pipes and hoses checked and replaced, electrics overhauled It has MOT and tax until April or May (can't remember off the top of my head) next year already, the advisories I received have all been seen to (blowing exhaust, sub frame corrosion) except scuttle panel bubbled with rust. There really is so little left to do to make this mint that selling it as spares just doesn't make any sense! I'd like to think I can get around £2k for it once the gearbox is sorted as coopers in mint condition go for £3.5k+, plus it has all the nice extras a late cooper came with - mahogany dash, half leather interior, fuel injection, alarm and immobiliser etc

Hey, I'm looking for either an E36 or 46, and a 316 or 318. Needs to be well looked after with no/minimal rust and lots of MOT and tax. Must be largely unmolested! I like to keep things OEM. I'm in South Wales but willing to travel for a good car. Let me know what you've got! Oh, I'd prefer it was a coupe but I'm willing to look at other options.

Hi, I'm Dave. I'm 22 and I'm at Oxford studying for a masters in Engineering with one year to go. My current (and second) car is a classic mini. Great fun to drive and dirt cheap to insure but I've had enough of crossing my fingers every time I turn the key. I currently have a fuel pump electric issue that results in me switching it on manually in the boot before I can drive anywhere! Plus the other day the gearbox died so the engine is ready to come out and I'm looking for a new box to stick in before giving it a nice thorough service throughout and moving on. Plus my parents are always worried I'll crash and my girlfriend thinks I should 'get a proper car', then she won't have to drive us when my car doesn't work! So current plans are to have a thorough look over the engine and electrics and replace anything that doesn't look too good, fix the fuel pump electric issues and generally do all those little jobs I haven't got around to doing (replacing speedo cable, fuel gauge sender etc etc. When it's ready to sell it'll be the best I've ever had it! And considering I've spent well over £4k it does seem like a shame to get rid now, but I'm very keen to get a BMW and I can't afford to keep both! (Unfortunately) I'm looking for either an E36 or E46, 318 or 316, coupe, manual, decent mileage, unmodified and in good nick. Not sure what my schedule is as a lot depends on the fixing and subsequent sale of my mini but I'm starting to get impatient already!