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RE: <E36> 318ti "GROARING" noise in A/C

Vida,

> >> I have a '95 318ti with the same problem:
> >Thank goodness! :)  
> you are never alone on a listserv :-)

I guess the saying "misery loves company" is true then, especially among
BMW owners. :)

> >I thought I must be the only 318ti owner out there who's having this
> >problem, but apparently not ... you're the third person so far who's
> >reported this problem on the '95 318ti.
> 
> who is the other person?  I think it's 'first year' troubles - the 318ti
> is a new model (for us North Americans, at least) and there are always
> little glitches. 

I waited until early '96 before buying my new '95 318ti hoping that it
would have less problems than the initial run (it's an 8/95 production) 
but apparently there are still some "first year" glitches.

> On the good news front, and that's VERY good news, apparently the value
> of the 1995 318ti has jumped UP in the past year, as the '96-es are
> priced higher than last year.  Still the 318ti is priced way lower than
> the other 318's and that might also cause the slower depreciation. 
> Is it the same case in the States? (not that you are thinking of selling
> your pride and joy!!)  I was told about the higher resale value of my
> car at the collision place (some drunk scratched my bumper, I was having
> it fixed) and the owner of the repair shop said that a used 318ti now
> fetches more than I have paid for mine, new!! 

There are two listing for a '95 318ti (an Active and a Sport package) over
the weekend's Washington Post and both cars were advertised for over
US$19K.  The "introductory" US$19,900 price for the base 318ti that was
offered for the '95 models were just that -- an introductory price, since
the '96 318ti base models now start at US$20,560.  

As for selling my "pride and joy", I admit I do get envious when I see a
328i on the road ... <hanging head in shame> but I can assure you it's
only a momentary illusion.  I love my 318ti. :)

> >Do you have the bulletin number?  If it's okay with you, I plan to show
> >your email to the service advisor when I bring the car in; I'd have a
> >better case if I can reference bulletin numbers. etc. :)
> 
> I will call my dealer tomorrow and share the number with you.  I am sure
> that your dealer will know about this problem (how many GROARING
> bulletins are there, anyway? :-) but just in case he is not cooperative,
> I will help you. 

Thanks!  The service advisor has confirmed that it's the "purge valve" but
just in case, it would be great to have the bulletin number to make sure
that we're (the dealer and I) are on the same wavelength.

> [to the digesters] anyone else? let's talk!! has this been fixed to your
> satisfaction?  when did you notice this?  was it because the car was
> left out in the sun?  I have been taking my car to the beach on
> afternoons, perhaps that's what caused it to come unglued (not that it's
> an excuse!) 

Mine hasn't happened yet, but I wished that black panel wouldn't get so
easily smudged with fingerprints. :)

Regards,

 Tay Systems Research            David Tay (BMW CCA #130574 '95 318ti)
 3554 Chain Bridge Road, #100  tsr@domain.elided CompuServe: 74213,2471
 Fairfax, VA 22030-2709, USA      Tel. 703/760-9022 - Fax 703/893-1154