volcanoblack

I have looked on the forums and used all the VIN decoders to find out what options are installed from the factory on my 1993 325i. Are there option codes printed on a sticker on the car somewhere - like Audi does? Question remains - do all 325i come with a limited slip differential? This is not listed anywhere on the VIN decoders. How do I tell? Here is what I know so far:    Type code    CB32       Type    325I (EUR)       Dev. series    E36 (4)       Line    3       Body type    LIMOUSINE       Steering    RL       Door count    4       Engine    M50       Cubical capacity    2.50       Power    141 Kw       Transmision    HECK       Gearbox    MECH       Colour    GRANITSILBER METALLIC (237)       Upholstery    SILBERGRAU LEDER (0483)       Prod. date    1993-05-27       Order Options    No.    Description    199    EQUIPMENT FOR LEADED FUEL    411    WINDOW LIFTS, ELECTRIC    498    HEADRESTS IN REAR, MECHANIC. ADJUSTABLE    530    AIR CONDITIONING    548    SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING    564    INTERIOR LIGHT PACKAGE    687    RADIO PREPARATION    806    NEW ZEALAND EXECUTION    818    MAIN BATTERY SWITCH    850    ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT    925    SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE Thanks

New Calendar? I see no events. Using Firefox or IE. The calendar (or how you access it) does not look like the sticky. I am logged in. Used to see the events listed as indicated in the sticky - not anymore. Anyone working on this?

Haven Motors in Nelson (03) 548 8880 corner of Haven and Vickerman Street It's a Mazda-Nissan-VW dealer too.

M-Spec, Thanks for the link to the BMWedia web page. It looks like that could become a very good resource if more people were to post DIY articles. However, some of the pages are full of nonsense. Here is a link: http://www.bmwedia.com/wiki/E36 Anyone else get the same results? Thanks Glenn for the contact of Euro-Italian, I have emailed them about the mounts. Cheers, VB

Hi All, I will need to install new rear shocks shortly on my '93 325i sedan (E36) and have a couple of questions. 1. After looking at the Chilton manual from the sticky on this thread I am a bit confused. Do I need to remove the single upper nut on the shock to drop it out as described in the first text, or as in the photo, remove the two mounting bracket bolts and drop the whole unit out then remove the shock from the mount? http://www.chiltonlibrary.com/content/imag...es/90968p07.pdf 2. If I am going to be working in the area, should I just replace the whole mount even if it has no visible cracks or apparent wear? 3. If I should replace the mount, which aftermarket mount is better, the UUC Meyle (http://www.bimmerzone.com/UUC_RSM.htm) or the JT Designs (http://jtdesigns.stores.yahoo.net/rearshocmoun.html)? I am all for the cheaper one if it is just as good - this being a mostly street vehicle. How often do we need to replace the shocks and mounts anyway? Anywhere to buy these in New Zealand? 4. I have a factory 10 CD changer in the trunk and it looks like I will have to just work under it - nothing goes up through the trunk does it? Except the reinforcing plate and nuts of course. Thanks to all for any replies. VB

Ray, Might you have a lower front X-brace for an E36 (1993 325i)? Thanks, Mica

I asked the trademe seller what brand and where are these rotors made - the response - unbranded and direct from China. As Glenn (and probably others) have mentioned in one of my posts regarding brake rotors, the cheap Chinese rotors are not up to the quality of Genuine BMW parts or Brembo and should be avoided.

Hi again, Has anyone tried the D1 Racing brand of rotors. There is a set on trademe for my E36. Just wanted to know if anyone has them. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=227339946 I would only buy if the price were much lower. Thanks.

Glenn, when you (and others) say OEM you are meaning from the BMW dealer, correct? Can we standardize on the terminology, since as I understand it, OEM does not necessarily mean from the dealer. When using the term OEM don't a lot of aftermarket manufacturers mean made to original equipment manufacturer specifications? Not that the specific part that they are selling is the same part they make and sell to BMW? Glenn, would you consider the brakes are better because of the slotting or because they are Brembo? cheers

So I gather from the few posts here (and in other threads) that plain Brembo rotors are as good as the Genuine BMW, but not better. Same for the opinions about Zimmerman. Brembo rotors are $130 - $135 per rotor + shipping (from various sources) and Genuine BMW from the dealer are $120 with no shipping (for my E36). So I guess the recommendation would be to use Genuine BMW rotors. Am I interpreting this correctly?

Tried Massive brakes and they only have 300mm x 31mm two-piece rotors for the 4-lug e30. Anyone else know of 300 x 22 floating or two piece rotors?

Thanks for this resource, can you tell me what all the codes (1A, 1B etc.) are for?

Thanks for the reference E30-323ti, I'll contact them. Glenn, I am going to do open track days at Ruapuna and simply wanted a bit cooler brakes and a bit better stopping power by using the larger rotors. I will need to put on new rotors at an upcoming WOF and the E46 300x22 rotor is an easy bolt on. I also drive the Takaka Hill about once a month and work the brakes hard on the 10km downhill on each side. All I want is a bit more peace of mind by having cooler brakes and was trying to stay on the most economical side of doing things. (please no comments about my driving - I do not go over the speed limit, and I do not cross the centre line) From what I can find out online, the stock E46 (328) rotor is about 2 lbs heavier than the E36 I have. I was hoping to keep the unsprung weight down when doing this upgrade. If I can't find all the pieces at a reasonable price, I'll probably just go to the dealer and buy stock BMW rotors and pads. Glenn, I like your Porsche calipers - I had a set of Boxster calipers for my '93 Audi Quattro V8 with custom made brackets (when living in the US). How are yours mounted? Is anyone making brackets for this application? Cheers

Hi All, Is there a lightweight floating or 2-piece rotor available anywhere for the E46 (328) in size 300mm x 22mm? I am upgrading from the E36 to E46 rotors and would like to save the extra weight gained by using the bigger E46 rotor. I have searched most of the places and can find nothing like this. Thanks.

Does anyone know a good source for buying Bilstein shocks - I need a set for the rear of my car. 1993 325i (E36) last 7 digits of VIN: FA73929 Thanks.

Are TRW discs any good? Looking at a set on trademe - are these considered OEM? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=216000623 I am happy to buy from the dealer - if there is a difference in quality - but OEM is OEM yes? Seems that most thread poster suggest either OEM or the real BMW discs - are these the same thing? Thanks for clarifying.

H&R front OE sport springs (lower car only 25mm) for E36 - 1993 325i Not sure of part number, could be 50424-55 Or name of company that sells H&R in New Zealand for reasonable prices. Thanks.

Hi all, Where is the best place to buy - quality&price - E46 328 rotors (300mmx22mm) for the front. Plain - no drilled Slotted might be okay. Also need front shocks - same question - quality/price - but for an E36 325i 1993 (front needed, all 4 might buy) Thanks to all. I am on South Island.

I am looking to buy a pair of front brake caliper carriers for a 328 E46. This will allow me to use the 328 rotors on my E36 325i. Thanks - also include price for shipping to Golden Bay. You can email me directly at: irnstrw@yahoo.com Cheers.

Euro E36 M3 floating rotors are 315x28mm.

Now that I know that E46 rotors and carriers for the 328 will fit with my E36 calipers I am looking for a floating rotor in that size (300x22) to keep the weight down since it is bigger than the E36 rotor. I would prefer not to add the extra 2 or so pounds if I can avoid it. Anyone know of a lightweight E46 rotor source? TurnerMotorsports only has the bigger Euro M3 floating rotors. Thanks for your help - I am searching all the internet sources for BMW performance parts I can find - with no luck yet. Cheers.

I am from Golden Bay. Thanks for the replies. I have been contemplating a chip or a cold air intake to get a bit more power. I also met a person who does ecu remapping in Nelson and he said he could do everything the chips do and for less. Still looking for more performance, along with a lowered suspension at some point. I have Motorsport DS1 17" wheels and am seriously thinking about using the E46 (328) front disks and carriers along with my stock calipers when I need to replace the discs for a WOF. cheers

Okay guys, you've had your laughs. I may have not gotten the correct ecu description. But thought I would ask here - maybe someone knew of a Motorsport ecu for the 325 (not an M3 ecu) and could tell me what to look for when checking out this extra ecu that is available. My co-worker has had BMW's in the past and he thought the ecu (whatever model it is) would work in my '93 325i. He mentioned either M-Sport or Motorsport. Any serious responses or information would be appreciated. I do not see him everyday and I will ask him for more specifics the next time I see him. Thanks all, even you jokers - I do like a good laugh too.

Does anyone have any experience in swapping out the stock ECU in an E36 325i for the Motorsport ECU from an M3? A co-worker just mentioned they had a spare motorsport ecu. Any ideas what the results would be? Thanks.

The 18" wheels and Champiro's were on the car when I bought it and you are right, they did not work well at all. I believe the suspension is still stock although I have not had a chance to look closely. I have only had the car for a couple of months.