"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
07/07/2017 at 11:39 • Filed to: Springsteen, Friday, Convertible
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"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
07/07/2017 at 11:39 • Filed to: Springsteen, Friday, Convertible | 4
| 13 |
The top went up after this, with rain on the way
Driving to work with the top down, in a stick shift, RWD car is always good. As an added bonus, it took me 1/2 the usual time, and Born to Run came on the radio as I merged onto the tollway. Even the little bit of rain on the way felt good.
Chariotoflove
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 11:58 |
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Awesome! See, these are the moments I wanted a convertible to create. Except for Springsteen, that could be me. *sigh*
awmaster10
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 12:03 |
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Tenth avenue freeze out is one of my favorite songs ever. Bruce is good driving music.
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WilliamsSW
> awmaster10
07/07/2017 at 12:07 |
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I spent a LOT of my teenage years driving and listening to the Boss - it was right when Born in the USA came out, so that album and Born to Run got a lot of airtime. Great stuff.
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WilliamsSW
> Chariotoflove
07/07/2017 at 12:08 |
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Yeah, but you’ve got a hell of a lot more POWAAHHHH than I do! :)
Party-vi
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 12:13 |
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325Cic with sport package?
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WilliamsSW
> Party-vi
07/07/2017 at 12:14 |
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Almost! It’s a 323 — 2000 MY, M52 engine.
Tripper
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 12:52 |
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I see that you’re missing one of those little flaps that are on either side of the rear deck... I’ve replaced the one of the left 3 times!
If you care to drop $100 on a little piece of plastic, see below. I’m not sure that it includes the spring and guide pin or not.
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-103028-51437022397-genuine-bmw-part/
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WilliamsSW
> Tripper
07/07/2017 at 12:55 |
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It’s actually there - it just doesn’t extend any more, and hasn’t for years. I can pull it up and seat it manually, but I never do. Presumably it’s the spring that’s gone, but admittedly I’ve never cared enough to look into it—
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Tripper
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 13:04 |
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Oh lucky you! Mine has been eaten by the folding mechanism each time. The spring and guide pin are far cheaper although I’m not sure of the part number.
I’m nuts, and have replaced any plastic piece that has become even kind of damaged/scratched/faded. I’ve got to have over 1k in plastic at this point lol. I’ve replaced: The console, the cup holders, the glasses tray, the ash tray, passenger side door handle (that one was expensive), that stupid flap x3, rear ash tray, rear roundel, rear badge, front roundel, and side marker lights. I have not yet replaced the fender badges, because they’re a sticker and they want $50!!
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WilliamsSW
> Tripper
07/07/2017 at 13:10 |
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Mine is in a bit of a weird place, looks wise. From a distance, it looks great, and of course no rust. However, I had it in the city for 8 years, and it just got *covered* in dents and dings on every panel, I believe- - including a large dent in the middle of the hood from a rock/brick or some damn thing.
During that time, I stopped babying it - I still keep it mechanically perfect, but it would take way more $ than the car is worth to get the cosmetics right. If it were an M car like yours, I’d probably do it, but on a 323? Nah.
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Tripper
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 13:21 |
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Yea bodywork is crazy expensive, and good body work is even worse! That is the main reason that I haven’t replaced the front bumper (which is all scratched up near the bottom). That and I’m against repainting unless it’s the whole car (bare metal style) or a single part that can be removed. I’ve got a couple of tiny chips that I have hit with touch up, but the rest is 100%.
Most of the plastic I have replaced inside was really scratched up when I bought it. I’m guessing whomever owned it first wore a lot of jewelry. I did most of that stuff within the first year of ownership and have just tried to maintain over the past 10.
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WilliamsSW
> Tripper
07/07/2017 at 13:37 |
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Yeah, see, and if I was going to paint, it would have to be the entire car, because every panel has damage, plus I’d be worried about mismatches. And, I’d want it done right - so, down to bare metal.
I’m a little afraid of opening Pandora’s box on a car that isn’t worth much anyways.
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Tripper
> WilliamsSW
07/07/2017 at 14:00 |
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Yea painting the whole car is crazy unless its a complete restoration. even then it is soooo expensive