JohnM575

Hi all,

I have just purchased a 94 E36 325i 4 door manual and was after some information and wisdom from those in the know. I am looking at doing a few cheap mods to start off to improve the car.

I have narrowed it down to the following:

Z3/Z3M Short shift kit - Current stock setup is very sloppy and lacks precision whilst changing gears. Which would be the better option - the Z3 or Z3M kit?Z3M too notchy?

Stiffer springs - While I understand to do the suspension properly you should really do springs/dampners all at once, I don't have the budget so looking at a short term fix to stiffen up the car slightly a give it a little drop without raising the eyebrows of police/vtnz. I have heard Jamex springs are not too flash, so wondering what alternatives there are that are readily avaliable in NZ? H&R/Blistein?

K&N Filter - Really worth doing? I'm not expecting a hp gain that is even really noticeable...or is it?

If you could share any other mods that you believe are worthwhile that would be greatly appreciated!

A C36 does have more "pedigree" than a 540i.. I think tidy ones will be worth something one day, as they are the first production AMG

x3.

Our family owns a 96 C36, thus have done a few miles in it , and struggle to see how the C36 is a much worse value for money car compared to the 540i.Whilst it is an AMG , its intention was never to tackle the likes of the E36 M3 or M5 (which many people believe it was meant to), as Apex said , its purpose was to be a tourer with the options such as full electric seats , Bose sound system , Sat Nav, only avaliable in auto e.t.c .

Try selling a 540i now or even in 5-10 years compared to a C36 and one would note there would be a significant resale value difference between the two.

Silver Star Farm (Wayne & Christine van der Star)

76 Waitakere Road, Waitakere, Auckland

Phone: 025 942 068, Res: 810 8102, Fax: 810 8201

Dismantling and wrecking of Mercedes

My family have gone through 3xW124 Wagons and always had top quality second hand spares readily avaliable and stock a lot of modern stuff as well so I'm sure they will be able to do you a good deal for the parts you are after.

Hi there,

Since August 05 up until October this year our family has only clocked up 8,000km in our 96 750il.Would the lack of use and lowering of the charge of the battery have something to do with a significant amount of the pixels dying out in the air conditioning temperature display and in the tacho readout where there is a digital display of time/mpg/average speed etc.And how easily can this problem be fixed?Costly?

We have had to recharge the battery a few times due to its lack of use as sometimes it would only get used once every 4-5 months and had a feeling this might have caused the problem , but if not , opinions would be great!

Thats why I posted the link in the first place. These are rare cars, that are very underrated in NZ. Less than $11k is an absolute steal. A C43 would be awesome too, but like the C36 they are something that seldom come up for sale.

Have you got some pics / more info on your one?

Pics will come tomorrow when I pull the camera out

Info?Its as stated a 1996 C36 , at purchase had done 86k , now down 116k.Have had for around 4 years now and we have never had a problem with it.The car is stock minus the catalytic converter being removed.Sits on the standard 17" AMG monoblocks but am in the process of per swaying the old man to buy a set of the 18" Monoblocks , which give it a real tough look.With the car only clocking up 30k in the past 4 years it has had no problems at all apart from the central locking key packing in once , which immobilized the car but wasn't too much of a hassle as it happened at home and the guys from EC Mercedez came out as sorted it out pronto (highly recommended Mercedes specialists) .

Welcome buddy, buy my 325

Trademe?

whoever has the cash should definitely front up and grab it.We have a 1996 C36 and from my driving experience are definitely the best packaged performance saloon of their age, a heap of stopping power (brakes of S600 Coupe), solid gearbox(again out of the S600 Coupe), wicked sounding and performing engine and impressive handling for a sedan.The 94's do have a uglier interior but all things aside , your still getting a very cheap performance sedan!

Hi all,

Joined up here as I have a few mates who are signed up here who are Bimmersport members and is also a good source of info/tips with all things BMW.I am on the lookout for a E30-E36 325i Manual or possible conversion car and as the old MB 300TE isn't quite doing it for me anymore

John