e36 328I

[moktar 7]

lets say... more than 6k but less than 10k

[moktar 7]

Anybody know what the lever on the drivers seat in between the handbrake and seat. it definatly moves but dosent seem to change anything?

[moktar 7]

just ordered my B/S decals My rear quarter window's are feeling a lill naked!

[3 SERIES 93]

lets say... more than 6k but less than 10k

Dam, a good buy then

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Hints .... If you hop out of the car and have left the windows down you can close the windows from the drivers door lock by turning the key anticlockwise for about 2 -3 seconds and hold it in that position. Any windows left open will close.

Is that only for coupe's or would it work on sedans etc.? Really good fact.

[Yuen 16]

it is call me a noob if needs be but i thought that the motorsport had no woodgrain and m-sport wheel and knob?

im not very clued up on the e36 quite yet but im getting there.. slowly.

Knob is the same on Motorsports and non-Motorsports AFAIK... could be wrong, not many manual examples around. Woodgrain likely to be an option. You can tell a Motorsport by it being slightly lower, having the M bodykit and Motorsport wheels, and it should have thicker sway bars. Most, like yours, have the black M interior from the M3 and have sports seats with extendable knee bolsters, like yours.

Thanks, im quite sure i stacked them up the right way but now ya got me second guessing myself but i mite just replace it once i get sick of george FM (if that is possible).

by the way im Miles

Have a Clarion mp3 headunit for sale with CD changer that I can let go for a fair price if you like - was out of my old E36 so plugs right in. The display can match the BMW orange

Does it have Traction Control? I can't see the button, it would be the first 328 I have seen without it.

Cheers

Grant

Good point Grant, I see later ones had them, but I've seen 1995-1996 328s without it. They were Japanese imports, not sure if that makes a difference.

Anybody know what the lever on the drivers seat in between the handbrake and seat. it definatly moves but dosent seem to change anything?

I know what you mean - it's a black plastic handle right? Wondered that about my old car as well. If you find out let me know!

[Yuen 16]

Hi Yuen, great car - would look even better with my old M Sport wheels on it if you still have them.

The CD players are very reliable - simple check is are the CD's in the correct way up

after that the chance of repair is marginal as they are now quite old but you can pick working ones uip for $60 to $200 depending on condition

Not my car Ron! I wish Miles' car would surely look good with the M wheels though (I still have them).

Is that only for coupe's or would it work on sedans etc.? Really good fact.

Have only tested it on a 1996 323i coupe but I'm fairly sure it's made possible by a module that was in the later cars. Tested on a 1992 320i sedan, didn't work.

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Have only tested it on a 1996 323i coupe but I'm fairly sure it's made possible by a module that was in the later cars. Tested on a 1992 320i sedan, didn't work.

Cheers Yuen, will give it a go on the 540 and see if it works.

[Yuen 16]

Cheers Yuen, will give it a go on the 540 and see if it works.

Hey Nick, the E39 has a remote correct? If so try this and see if it works - from Bimmerforums:

- Holding the unlock button on your KEY will roll your windows down.

- Holding the lock button on your KEY will do nothing. BMW will not activate this feature due to liability concerns. (this is in US, apparently it is activated for Europe)

- Holding your key in the unlock position in your key hole will roll down the windows.

- Holding the key in the lock position in your key hole will roll the windows up.

And apparently holding the trunk release button will activate the alarm - panic mode.

Edited January 25, 2008 by Yuen

[kiwi535 538]

Cheers Yuen, will give it a go on the 540 and see if it works.

the 540 should have it,my 1990 535 has!(roll up windows and close sunroof).You guys should read the manul,there is probably heaps of stuff you dont know about!

[moktar 7]

Knob is the same on Motorsports and non-Motorsports AFAIK... could be wrong, not many manual examples around. Woodgrain likely to be an option. You can tell a Motorsport by it being slightly lower, having the M bodykit and Motorsport wheels, and it should have thicker sway bars. Most, like yours, have the black M interior from the M3 and have sports seats with extendable knee bolsters, like yours.

Have a Clarion mp3 headunit for sale with CD changer that I can let go for a fair price if you like - was out of my old E36 so plugs right in. The display can match the BMW orange

Good point Grant, I see later ones had them, but I've seen 1995-1996 328s without it. They were Japanese imports, not sure if that makes a difference.

I know what you mean - it's a black plastic handle right? Wondered that about my old car as well. If you find out let me know!

thanks it would be good to keep everything as close to original as possible ill PM you about the cd player in the near future Yeun.

As for that black plastic handle probley just a bit of over-engineering that the germans chucked in beacuse it dosent do jack!

im going to see my dad's mate who has been a BMW man his whole life so im sure he will give me the full run down on everything this weekend.

Also the window trick with the key works on the windows but not the sun-roof could be a wiring issue. not too fussed about it anyway.

Midnight Express and bimmersport decals to be applied next week!

3-step maguires, and full service today. Going to engine flush, cooling system flush all liqu-moly products.

I read in the manual that the engine should NOT be warmed up at idle speed. so this means i just get in and drive at low rpm until she warms up?

Thanks everyone you have all been a great help!

[325jones 0]

Hey all,

As of tuesday i have become the new and very proud owner of a 1995 e36 328I manual.

i am the third owner and the last onwer was a lady who had owned for 8.5 years during this lenghty ownership nobody had sat in the back seats

i had been looking for a m325i E30 but the E36 was very very convincing.

In the future i will be adding midnight express and lowering foreshore nothing too extreme want to keep the ride nice and smooth.

the only fault i have come across is that i cant get the radio to cd function there is a stacker and i can hear it shuffling through the disc's but.... nothing.

im not too clued up on the e36 so any tips and or hints would be much appreicated.

Great stuff u found a manual!!!!! i got a manual 325 e36 they a lot of fun

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Hey Nick, the E39 has a remote correct? If so try this and see if it works - from Bimmerforums:

- Holding the unlock button on your KEY will roll your windows down.

- Holding the lock button on your KEY will do nothing. BMW will not activate this feature due to liability concerns. (this is in US, apparently it is activated for Europe)

- Holding your key in the unlock position in your key hole will roll down the windows.

- Holding the key in the lock position in your key hole will roll the windows up.

And apparently holding the trunk release button will activate the alarm - panic mode.

the 540 should have it,my 1990 535 has!(roll up windows and close sunroof).You guys should read the manul,there is probably heaps of stuff you dont know about!

Cheers guys

[Yuen 16]

Midnight Express and bimmersport decals to be applied next week!

I read in the manual that the engine should NOT be warmed up at idle speed. so this means i just get in and drive at low rpm until she warms up?

Nice, it's going to look good!

Yeah I've heard about that as well, people argue that BMW put that in because of emissions reasons - they say to drive it immediately so the car warms up faster and produces less emissions. I would think that letting it warm up by idling would be easiest on the engine etc though, but it's not something I'd worry about.

[moktar 7]

yeah it was just a thought.

[Mark 178]

Hints .... If you hop out of the car and have left the windows down you can close the windows from the drivers door lock by turning the key anticlockwise for about 2 -3 seconds and hold it in that position. Any windows left open will close.

This works on my 94 325i.... it always impresses the ladies.

[3 SERIES 93]

Hints .... If you hop out of the car and have left the windows down you can close the windows from the drivers door lock by turning the key anticlockwise for about 2 -3 seconds and hold it in that position. Any windows left open will close.

Brilliant! Just tried it on my e36 318is and works Ya learn something new every day!

[moktar 7]

This works on my 94 325i.... it always impresses the ladies.

Sweet im looking foward to showing it off...

[bretta 0]

Hi

The remote lock/key lock feature of the windows works on my '97 323 sedan - I'll give the unlock a go too to see if tha works.

The middle lever on the side of the seat on my car is for seat angle, the front is fixed and the rear part raises and lowers - but if it is already at its lowest and you're sitting in it, then you may have to give it a hand to raise it.

Cheers

Brett

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Hey Nick, the E39 has a remote correct? If so try this and see if it works - from Bimmerforums:

- Holding the unlock button on your KEY will roll your windows down.

- Holding the lock button on your KEY will do nothing. BMW will not activate this feature due to liability concerns. (this is in US, apparently it is activated for Europe)

- Holding your key in the unlock position in your key hole will roll down the windows.

- Holding the key in the lock position in your key hole will roll the windows up.

And apparently holding the trunk release button will activate the alarm - panic mode.

Tested and it works!

[moktar 7]

Just a little update.

Since my last post i have:

Have just finished the meguires mission 3-step process.

Added twin chrome tipped Exhaust

Put a slight tint to front corners sides and rears. (rears look like crap with all the sunlight beaming on them)

Put a M3 lip on

pics:

[Foohey 0]

Have only tested it on a 1996 323i coupe but I'm fairly sure it's made possible by a module that was in the later cars. Tested on a 1992 320i sedan, didn't work.

works on my 95 320i sedan.. must have somthing to do with the year its made

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Very nice mate! IMO the front lip really improves the look of any e36.

[Foohey 0]

for a new E36 owner (and any old ones) this might be of some use

Model History

May 1991: Launch of E36 318i, 320i and 325i Sedans. Longer, wider and higher than previous E30 with multi-link IRS on all models. Base 318i has earlier belt-driven 83kW single overhead cam (SOHC) M40 four-cylinder engine and drum rear brakes. Both 320i (110kW) and 325i (141kW) have rear disc brakes and require Premium unleaded (PULP) for their chain-driven twin overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve M50 six-cylinder engines. Five-speed manual, four-speed auto (318i), five-speed auto (320i,325i). ABS standard on 325i only.

April 1992: Launch of E36 318is and 325i Coupes. Carryover 318is two-door sedan from previous series discontinued. New 318is Coupe features 103kW belt-driven DOHC 16-valve M42 four, disc brakes all round and ABS. ABS now standard on all models. Driver airbag optional on 318i and 320i, standard on 325i.

June 1993: Auto 318is Coupe released.

November 1993: Driver airbag standard on all models. Body colour bumpers and leather now standard on 320i and 325i.

February 1994: Base 318i gains new 85kW chain-driven SOHC M43 engine.

May 1994: Passenger airbag optional on all models.

October 1994: Twin airbags now standard on all 3 series models. Electric windows standard on 318i. Sports option packs which include 16-inch alloys and certain M-Technic bits are offered on 318is and 325i Coupes.

February 1995: Launch of 316i Compact hatch. Features 75kW 1.6 version of the chain- driven SOHC M43 engine and basic E30 semi-trailing arm rear suspension. Special 318i Signature Edition marks the first South African-built entry models.

March 1995: Security upgrade with EWSII immobiliser, free-wheeling locks and dead lock function on all models.

June 1995: Launch of 328i. It replaces 325i with lighter, more frugal alloy block 2.8-litre M52 engine with VANOS variable valve timing, DOHC, 142kW and big torque increase. 10-spoke alloys and onboard computer standard on 328i.

November 1995: Climate control fitted to all models except 316i Compact.

January 1996: Launch of 323i. It replaces 320i with a smaller 2.5-litre 125kW version of the 328i's M52 in-line six-cylinder engine.

April 1996: All 318i models gain body coloured bumpers and mirrors. New 318i Limited adds leather trim, walnut cabin highlights and alloys.

May 1996: Launch of 318ti and 318ti Sport Compact. Both share Z3's 1.9 chain-driven DOHC M44 103kW engine. The 316i Hatch now has front electric windows, body coloured bumpers and mirrors.

June 1996: The 318is two-door Coupe is given the Z3's M44 1.9 engine.

January 1997: Facelift with new grille and launch of new 318is Sedan. The 328i Sedan/Coupe range is replaced by new 328i Executive and Highline in both body styles with extra equipment. The 318i now has remote central locking standard, the 323i gets leather door trim and extra equipment, the 318is Coupe is upgraded with sport seats and body coloured door handles and mirrors. A new 318is sedan sourced from South Africa is launched with the 318is Coupe's M44 engine and equipment.

July 1997: The 318i Limited is replaced by the South African built 318i Executive with leather trim, rear head restraints, wood highlights for dash and gear lever.

January 1998: 316i, 318ti and 318ti Sport gain extra features including larger fuel tank, remote locking and stability and traction control. Contour extra value pack adds more features to 316i and 318ti Compact. A new 318is Sport Coupe comes with 16-inch alloys, M steering wheel, body kit and other extras. Both 323i models gain ventilated rear disc brakes. Both 328i Coupe models get front side airbags.

July 1998: Most models gain front side airbags as standard including the Compact.

August 1998: Next generation E46 announced but E36 Coupe models continue into 1999, E36 Compact models into 2001.

Note: E36 Convertible and M3 models followed separate evolutions.

Checkpoints

Engine

>> Six-cylinder water pumps are a failure point and need immediate attention if they leak.

>> Early six-cylinder engines suffered from cracked plastic thermostat housings. If owner missed warning signs and engine overheated, a failed head gasket can reveal engine block stud problems as the area around the stud can crack and lose tension. A compression test is therefore a must on these models.

>> Examples that have done only short trips with skipped oil changes are also causing catastrophic engine failure as the oil ways sludge-up and starve the engine of oil. Any engine that takes more than a split second to reach full oil pressure after a cold start needs to be checked out. Rattly hydraulic lifters are also an important early warning. All BMW engines need high quality engine oil that meets minimum BMW requirements.

>> Check for the usual cooling system and head gasket deterioration if the coolant history is dodgy. Coolant must meet BMW specifications.

>> Make sure that maintenance records have covered time requirements as well as distance as overdue coolant and hydraulic fluid changes can wreak havoc in the extra aluminium componentry compared to everyday cars.

>> Early fours must have their timing belts changed by the factory schedule or risk serious damage. Engine seals and other parts may need replacement at the same time.

>> Underbonnet heat is now hardening plastics and seals on early cars for cracked or split hoses and plastics and generating leaky seals and gaskets. Drivebelts and radiators are also reaching replacement age.

Running Gear

>> There should be no major transmission problems except for wear and tear and lack of servicing.

>> Rubber tail shaft couplings, rear wheel bearings and seals are routine replacement items.

>> Dampers in early models were already soft and can now be tired.

>> Check for expensive master cylinder and 318i rear wheel cylinder failure if fluid changes are not up to date.

>> Brake discs are a routine replacement item up to $100 each for genuine parts or half that for aftermarket bits but watch the quality.

>> Tyres should meet the minimum legal requirements on the tyre placard.

>> Check the rubber boots on all suspension and driveline parts for leaks and splits.

>> Early examples are reaching the point where steering and key front and rear suspension joints and bushes need replacement. This wear can be accelerated when oversize wheels and tyres are fitted.

>> On cars with modified suspension, check tyre wear patterns carefully. Watch out for cars that don't track straight on a flat surface.

>> Check for underbody damage including cracked alloy suspension components and engine and transmission casings especially if it has run over a kerb or hit something underneath.

>> Check all alloy wheels for cracks and kerb-gouging.

Interior

>> Electronic sensor failure for the airbags and seat belts can be expensive so don't ignore the dash warning lights.

>> All electronics and accessories need to be carefully checked.

>> The sunroof's runners and electrics can give trouble. If its drain tubes inside the A-pillars are blocked, this feeds water into the firewall where it drowns the engine computer.

>> The door trim clips can pull out of the trim and can be fiddly to replace. A factory floor mat that is too short can cause a hole in the heelpad under the driver's foot which is expensive and fiddly to repair.

>> Dash and seats do not deteriorate like the previous E30 but check for cracks and trim wear anyway. Some cloth trim patterns for this series are already unavailable and wear in one seat may require a total retrim in an alternative fabric.

Exterior

>> Paint quality is good and most dull cars can be rejuvenated.

>> BMW panel gaps and paint consistency are usually outstanding so anything that doesn't look perfect, usually isn't. Cut and shuts which patch together several wrecks were common when early values were high.

>> The grey plastic sills, mirrors and bumpers on early cars are often colour-coded by owners and need to be checked for colour match and paint adhesion.

>> The rubber corner trim on the front and rear screens perishes easily but it is a cosmetic item and shouldn't cause leaks if the screen's bonding is still intact.

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Hey, I don't think this is the best place to put all that info considering its a showroom thread. My thoughts

Edited May 26, 2008 by Nick021