Redemption

Redemption

 Originally written September 2015

Sometimes to achieve success you need to know when to go to the experts for advice. As you read in the last newsletter, my e36 was the source of stress and frustration. The convertible top failed and with numerous attempts to rectify the situation, it was to no avail. I threw in the towel and forced the 320i out into the weather while the topless convertible got the garage until I could come up with a solution. The one silver lining to this was since the e21 was already outside I wound up driving that car more in one month than I probably did most of last year. There was nothing to move out of the way, just hop in, turn the key and drive.  The e36, a different story.

 

I received several emails from club members after my article was published who were kind enough to give me some advice to repair the top. This is why this club is so wonderful. Its members are willing to reach out to each other and offer advice and a helping hand. I appreciated each and every one of you who contacted me. Unfortunately, the issues were beyond a simple synchronization of the motors. There was something else lurking in the depths of the convertible hell I was in.  It was time I contacted an expert, Don at Mr. M Car in Farmingdale, NJ.

When I dropped the car off to Don and Dwayne I explained what was happening and what I had done. I also gave them a small list of other items that needed attention as well.  Within a day or so they had diagnosed the source of the anguish. The passenger convertible boot latch that contains the micro switch was faulty. It was not reading the position of the boot so it was not allowing the system to synchronize.  Finally, success!  A convertible that converts. The top still had some quirks like the tension straps were weak but it goes up and down.

I was told I had to watch the edge of the convertible top and the boot lid because if you didn’t make sure the rear of the top was fully up, they would meet, which would cause the boot lift bar to pop off the motor again. This happened twice to me. The main cause of this was the clip to hold everything in place was not the correct one. A trip to Circle BMW’s parts counter solved that issue with a brand new OEM piece. I got really good at accessing the top motor by now so it only took a matter of minutes to install the proper clip thus resulting in worry free topless driving.

Since the love was lost with all the problems, I was determined to sell the car.  It left a bad taste in my mouth. I had owned it for 6+ months at this time and only drove it 100 miles. I was almost mad I traded my e38 for this thing. I loved that 740IL.  I was ready to put the 323i on the chopping block but then something happened. I started to drive it.  True to any BMW, it was a great driving machine. With 95% of its issues taken care of I was happily cruising around town with the top down, and wind in my hair. The car was starting to grow on me. The strange thing is for whatever reason I just never had an appreciation for the e36’s. Maybe because most of the ones I had seen on the market were driven hard and put away wet. Well this one made me change my tune a bit. It is a lot of car for the little money you spend. A great bang for the buck if you will.

Any day that was sunny and I didn’t need my truck for business I was topless and loving every minute of it. It became my fair weather daily driver. This e36 was a pretty nice car. My wife even drove it to work and got lots of compliments on it. Maybe I am going to keep this thing?

But reality set in. I am now going into business for myself brokering European, classic and specialty vehicles. I am also providing local, national and worldwide vehicle transportation. Some of the extra toys have to go to raise the needed funds for startup capital.  I drove the e36 cabrio to Bimmerfest at Raceway Park and put a for sale sign on it.  I had a lot of interest but no real buyers. Next was internet marketing. This is where my talents and experience come into play. In a matter of 6 days I had this car sold to someone who was giving it to their girlfriend’s daughter as a first car. I have to say two months ago, I wouldn’t have cared too much but when I delivered it to their home, I was a little sad that I had sold it. With the rollercoaster of emotions this car gave me it was certainly a journey. I am happy that it wound up with a new home, in better condition than when I first got it. More importantly, it helped me get one step closer to starting my business.

 

 

The small sacrifices I make now will return long term gains. But once things get rolling I can put my eye out for the next acquirement. Maybe an e46 M3, or an e28 M5, or another e30 convertible or better yet that e30 Touring I’ve been searching European listings for.  But at least this e36 redeemed itself which in turn opened my eyes to one of the best bargains in the BMW market

 

~ JT Burkard ~

Comments and suggestions welcome

The Droptop Disgruntlement

The Droptop Disgruntlement

 

Originally Written June 2015

 

Frustration. It comes in many ways. It’s sifting through thousands of lines of code to find that one </> you forgot to place to close out the command. A musician with writer’s block on the verge of finishing that Grammy winning song but being distracted by the neighbors TV that only has one volume, FULL. Perhaps it’s waiting on Tech support for 1 and four quarter minutes then being transferred to someone who actually speaks English only to get disconnected. Maybe you are trying to teach an old cat new tricks but they just sleep instead. Yes, life is full of frustration.  What frustrates me? My e36 convertible top that is being as compliant as a 5 year old in the cereal aisle when mommy says no but they are tempted by tiny colored marshmallows and plastic toys wrapped in clear plastic. That my Bimmerfile friends is the ultimate irritation.

As you may remember from our last issue I magically turned my e38 into an e36 323i convertible. Don’t ask how I did it; it’s a well guarded trade secret. As you will soon find out, I may have regret and disappointment with my decision. I knew the car had some needs. The blower motor was not functioning and there are some front end parts that are not as tight as they used to be. Plus the ABS and Airbag light was on, covered up by electrical tape as if that will fool anyone. But the car was fairly clean and it did run well so I was willing to do some work in exchange for topless fun in the sun.

About a month ago the plastic trim piece that goes across the top by the windshield started to hang. I investigated and it appeared it was just a couple zip ties holding it in place, at least that’s what  used to be there. It was starting to get dark but I figured it shouldn’t take long and it will be a quick fix.  Famous last words right? My wife offered a hand in the backyard mechanicry. The trim piece was a little more difficult to hold in place than I thought but Sandy did what she could to help keep it aligned. After several increasingly annoying tries, I was able to get everything back to where it should be. Next was to operate the top to make sure everything is ok. Halfway back, the zip ties break free and trim piece pops off again. I didn’t know why or how but all those minutes fiddling were all in vain. For a temporary repair, I got regular wire ties just to hold the trim roughly in place so I can put the top back in place.

In another 30 seconds, I would be done for the night... but not the way I thought. Murphy’s Law, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.  As the rear of the top is lifting to allow the convertible boot to come down, they both catch and next thing I hear is a loud metallic POP! That can’t be good.  But the top was still moving so I figured maybe it was just caught and its fine now.  Wrong sir, WRONG! Now everything is operating out of sequence. The boot is trying to go up as the top is trying to go down.  This really can’t be good.

At this point the wind is out of my sails and the convertible top is stuck in limbo. Much like a pair of sneakers hanging from the power lines, destined to be perpetually suspended in air.  I was done for the evening. The sunlight is now replaced by the luminous glow from the spotlights over the garage door. Now the decision what to do with the car as rain was expected in the morning? With only a one car garage and the e21 resting comfortably inside, I had to make the unfortunate choice to pull that one out and bring the e36 in since the malfunctioning top would not be ideal for the impending inclement weather.

I had about as much motivation to find out what happened as a pirate walking the plank. We both said the same thing too - ARGH!!!!! Jump ahead to just two weeks ago, I pull the emergency release located under the rear seat on the driver’s side to free the two electric motors and operate the top manually. I then remove the trunk trim to reveal the motors. I quickly find that the convertible boot rod that connects to the motor had popped off so that explains the banging noise. As I try to reinstall it, I find the bracket coming off the top motor had bent. With a small pry bar and a mallet I was able to straighten the bent metal into the proper position. I managed to get the bar back into the post. The clip was missing so Sandy, my trusty mechanics assistant, suggested it might be under the trunk mat. Sure enough, there is was. Now there is a proper sequencing procedure that I’ve done once before several years ago with another 323i cabriolet at my dealership with a similar issue. I would have to wait to finish the job properly until I find the instructions again.

That day was today. I found the link on my work computer to the sequence and after getting home from work, I was ready to finally get this car together.

Step 1 - Pull the release and disengage the motors.

Step 2 – Manually retract the top and close the boot cover.

Step 3 – Reengage the motors.

Step 4 – Key off press the top up button, Turn the key to the accessory. Wait 12 seconds the convertible boot locks then within 10 seconds the top will close on its own. Everything will be in sync.

That’s what the instructions said.  I have done this several times. Each time I can hear motors working but the boot cover only locked and would not lift to allow the top to close. I double, no make that triple check the motors to make sure they are engaged and everything seems to be as the instructions state, except the darn thing isn’t doing what they say it’s supposed to be doing. All I have is a flashing red light on the top button and a permanent convertible. I am throwing in the towel and need to seek professional help. Probably in more ways than one, but that’s for another story.

Frustration, it’s the killer of motivation. It’s the source of stress. It stems from failure, causing hindrance in the completion of projects. Its birthplace is not within the depths of Hell, but resides in the boot well of the e36 convertible top.

~ JT Burkard ~

Comments and suggestions welcome

Out with the old, in with the slightly not that old

Out with the old, in with the slightly not that old

 

Originally written March 2015

 So today it happened. 4 years of luxurious use and comfort has gone away. It was a trip to a dealer auction that turned into a 4 year love affair that eventually had to end. It started with a used old gal that needed someone to turn her into a princess again.  I accepted that challenge with a nod of my head. Countless money and time and she became a lady again, not quite a princess as she’s still a little wrinkled but not as disheveled. I’m not talking about some uptown heiress turned homeless woman, I’m referring to my 1996 740il.

 

 

 The road to the sale was a long one.  A couple months ago I half assed listing the car for sale to raise a little extra capital for a business venture I am looking into. I didn’t push selling it because I loved my e38 but a few weeks ago I gave it another whirl, this time with the real intention of selling. I did the same with our boat. Even though I do this for a living, when it’s my own personal vehicles, I grow attached. It becomes harder to sell them but sometimes, that day is inevitable.

 Trying to get a qualified buyer was the first hurdle. If you’ve ever tried selling a car on Craigslist, you understand the pain. Once you get past teenagers trying to exchange old Playstations, X-Boxes, Atari 2600’s and a rusted BMX bicycle, then you have the section of “buyers” who are waiting for money from a lawsuit, tax return, borrow from family, loan sharks, or impending bank robberies. They want to come and see the car, test drive it and negotiate, even though they can’t afford a pack of gum. Then you have the scammer who sends a message “still for sale?” which I reply yes, and they get into a long drawn out story how they are on an oil barge or ship or some other BS story and they will send a driver after they send you a bogus check and just wire the extra money to their shipping company. Not a chance. Your money disappears into the abyss into some Nigerian internet thief’s hands or perhaps someone taking residence at the Principality of Sealand for the purpose of ripping people off - Google that for some fun.

 Next hurdle is the “buyer” who emails a low ball offer without ever talking to me, emailing questions, or knowing anything else about the car except for the small amount of info listed in my ad.  Those are just price shoppers and I just delete the emails without ever responding. In my experience 100% of those people will never actually buy the car, just web shopping. Probably for those who are in the previous category of tire kickers.

 Finally you get the small number of real buyers. Those with money or a qualified trade. People who will actually send an email with some cognitive skill, an actual name and a phone number, and a good handle of language. Even better, an actual phone call!  How 1990’s of them.  I had offers of an e46, an e30 ix, an e21 (which was a very tempting possibility), then something that piqued my interest enough because the buyer was local. The vehicle offered for trade? An e36 Convertible.  In Schwarz (Black) with Leder Soft (Beige) Interior, 111,000 miles, and decent condition, at least by what the pictures showed.

 

 

 The buyer/trader stopped by my dealership on Tuesday to show me his car. It was bitterly cold so I had to make the inspection quick. The paint was nice, the interior was good, convertible sound. All seemed well.  Since I didn’t have mine, we scheduled the next day for test drives.  Wednesday I drive the e38 into work. The battery was week and barely taking a charge so I called Advanced Auto Parts to see if I can exchange the one I had purchased 4 years prior for a new one since it was prorated after 36 months and up to 84 months.  They no longer prorate their batteries! Even though it clearly states that on the receipt, they won’t honor it. That was very unfortunate but that’s a complaint for another article. I bit the bullet and bought the new battery so I was ready to go.

 My buyer shows up, we take a couple test drives. First my e38 then his e36. We tour Bricktown to get the feel of each other’s cars. He seemed impressed with the way the M62 just had smooth power and the 7 had a fantastic ride quality. His car was less luxurious but the handling was much sportier yet still comfortable to use daily.  Upon arriving back at my shop, we do the exchange. I’ve never had an e36 and even though the weather has been less than ideal for top down driving, Spring is coming and what better way to welcome the warm weather than with topless cruising… The car, not me. Trust me no one wants to see that.

 I’m a full 24 hours into the transaction but I think I made a good decision. I am not sure if I will be keeping the e36 or placing it up for sale for the initial purpose of business capital. I have to do a couple repairs to it first like the blower motor and front end work. Once those are taken care and drive it a little bit I will make my final decision. Time will only tell. As for the Principality of Sealand I hear for only £29.99 you can become a Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness.

Lord JT, savior of BMW’s has a nice ring to it

 

JT Burkard

Comments and suggestions are welcome