E36 328i Touring. When it breaks, upgrade it...
Discussion
vsonix said:
I'm glad to see you also have your cat employed to check for defects!
He thought something was wrong, and I was like, "you have cat to be kitten me right meow". But it was just a red herring. 
Manta- thank you! She's having a bush refresh (tehe!
) in the near-ish future, along with new lower arms.Oh, and I appear to have just bought an LSD...
Found the guide we used
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/bmw-oem-parts-d...
The ghetto method of removing the bushes works well, though a blow torch / Stanley blade works just as well (we did this)
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/bmw-oem-parts-d...
The ghetto method of removing the bushes works well, though a blow torch / Stanley blade works just as well (we did this
)Edited by Sf_Manta on Saturday 9th March 14:49
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/S65-AMG/BMW...
On the analogue clock....
I am considering getting one after seeing your post !
And was it easy to wire up? presumably you found a permanent live feed to connect the clock to ?
Would there be any way the clock would fit above the OBC ie put the OBC on the bottom, then the clock/tray above it?
Apologies for all the questions...but it looks really good on your car !
On the analogue clock....
I am considering getting one after seeing your post !
And was it easy to wire up? presumably you found a permanent live feed to connect the clock to ?
Would there be any way the clock would fit above the OBC ie put the OBC on the bottom, then the clock/tray above it?
Apologies for all the questions...but it looks really good on your car !
Paul S4 said:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a345/S65-AMG/BMW...
On the analogue clock....
I am considering getting one after seeing your post !
And was it easy to wire up? presumably you found a permanent live feed to connect the clock to ?
Would there be any way the clock would fit above the OBC ie put the OBC on the bottom, then the clock/tray above it?
Apologies for all the questions...but it looks really good on your car !
It's an odd one! The clock is meant to be where the OBC is. I used the positive & earth from the cigarette lighter, and hacked into the ASC button for illumination. However- the clock is smaller than the storage cubby on the bottom part. You need to cut the cubby free from the heated seats/ASC/cigarette lighter area, but leave the very bottom lip on, or it'll not fit. I then bound the clock unit with electrical tape to 'bulk it up', so it created a tight snap-in seal. I have been considering swapping them round!On the analogue clock....
I am considering getting one after seeing your post !
And was it easy to wire up? presumably you found a permanent live feed to connect the clock to ?
Would there be any way the clock would fit above the OBC ie put the OBC on the bottom, then the clock/tray above it?
Apologies for all the questions...but it looks really good on your car !
Manta- thanks! Be good to do when the diff goes on! This car will be like Trigger's broom soon...
Little bit of progress before next week, when all hell will be breaking loose!
First up, wheels. The black finish was s
t anyway, and I have a few little bits that need sorting out on the wheels. Purchased an Oakey Paint & Varnish Remover drill-mounted sanding disc, and a super-aggressive one, this is how we're doing so far...
Kittychops joins in the fun again. He's quite a useful cat.
The drill-mounted demon thing.
Two whole wheels and some of a centre cap done. This thing utterly rips up manky paint, and also leaves a beautiful finish- some 400/800/1200 emery paper will help me most of the rest of the way.
Haven't worked out what I'm doing with the black centre areas yet, but as the lips/centre nuts are going highly polished and the centre parts are going Mercury Grey (old Peugeot paint colour), I'm not sure it'll matter so much. Either way- love the look. It has unearthed a problem- the pleb who owned them before me sort of neglected to mention that I have 3 RC041s and one RC042. Arse. Now I'm in searching for either a '42 or a '41, any help?!!
Now, what else have I been up to... oh yes...
That'll be some painting, then.
next week my buddy should have these all sorted out in time for me... front bumper, front strips, side strips (MTech upgrade too, woo!) and rear strips all going to be silver. As far as I know, you don't see many colour-coded E36s... so this'll be a welcome change. The new bumper's awesome too- just a standard prefacelift one, but with some hench lip added on- anyone know what it is?
Apart from that, I've got an LSD coming next week too (standard 328i Sport one, like my revs as they are!) and a remap in the near-ish future. Then we're on to fitting the AC Schnitzer M3 suspension I picked up for a song off eBay, a couple of braces, then she's pretty much sorted mechanically... until I get bored and decide to drop a V8 in there.
Fitted these...
And a couple of gratuitous shots now she's back on '32s.
She's now also got a trip to the Nurburgring to train up for in August, so I've got plenty to get done by then- ideally I want her mapped, LSD'd, re-suspended, rebushed and re-lower-armed by that time. Once that's done, she's ready. LSD will be end of this month, as mentioned... remap will probably be May... going to get the suspension, bushes and lower arms done at the same time (not sure if I can handle that, I'm good with spanners but not good enough).
First up, wheels. The black finish was s
t anyway, and I have a few little bits that need sorting out on the wheels. Purchased an Oakey Paint & Varnish Remover drill-mounted sanding disc, and a super-aggressive one, this is how we're doing so far...
Kittychops joins in the fun again. He's quite a useful cat.
The drill-mounted demon thing.
Two whole wheels and some of a centre cap done. This thing utterly rips up manky paint, and also leaves a beautiful finish- some 400/800/1200 emery paper will help me most of the rest of the way.
Haven't worked out what I'm doing with the black centre areas yet, but as the lips/centre nuts are going highly polished and the centre parts are going Mercury Grey (old Peugeot paint colour), I'm not sure it'll matter so much. Either way- love the look. It has unearthed a problem- the pleb who owned them before me sort of neglected to mention that I have 3 RC041s and one RC042. Arse. Now I'm in searching for either a '42 or a '41, any help?!!
Now, what else have I been up to... oh yes...
That'll be some painting, then.
next week my buddy should have these all sorted out in time for me... front bumper, front strips, side strips (MTech upgrade too, woo!) and rear strips all going to be silver. As far as I know, you don't see many colour-coded E36s... so this'll be a welcome change. The new bumper's awesome too- just a standard prefacelift one, but with some hench lip added on- anyone know what it is?Apart from that, I've got an LSD coming next week too (standard 328i Sport one, like my revs as they are!) and a remap in the near-ish future. Then we're on to fitting the AC Schnitzer M3 suspension I picked up for a song off eBay, a couple of braces, then she's pretty much sorted mechanically... until I get bored and decide to drop a V8 in there.
Fitted these...
And a couple of gratuitous shots now she's back on '32s.
She's now also got a trip to the Nurburgring to train up for in August, so I've got plenty to get done by then- ideally I want her mapped, LSD'd, re-suspended, rebushed and re-lower-armed by that time. Once that's done, she's ready. LSD will be end of this month, as mentioned... remap will probably be May... going to get the suspension, bushes and lower arms done at the same time (not sure if I can handle that, I'm good with spanners but not good enough).
Picked up something tonight, courtesy of iiyama (Ian)...
Yet again, quietly approved by Kittychops. He seems to like the car, but it's being savaged for parts and then either sent to the scrapman or going to a drift buddy. This has secured me a black leather interior, and plenty of bits to take off the car in preparation for what 'might' go wrong on Claudia...
Also had a lovely blat with a fellow PHer tonight, cheers for your help Rory, and it was a mighty fine choice for dinner! Big props to both Ian and Rory for their help- PH comes together very nicely as a community. Good times.
As of May 18th, I'll have my freshly sprayed parts back... picked up my beefy new LSD on Saturday, so that'll be nice when it's on. Using the blue Touring as a practise car for removing suspension/wishbones so I can do Claudia's without worrying too much. Time to get my freak on- if anyone needs any parts, let me know.
Yet again, quietly approved by Kittychops. He seems to like the car, but it's being savaged for parts and then either sent to the scrapman or going to a drift buddy. This has secured me a black leather interior, and plenty of bits to take off the car in preparation for what 'might' go wrong on Claudia...
Also had a lovely blat with a fellow PHer tonight, cheers for your help Rory, and it was a mighty fine choice for dinner! Big props to both Ian and Rory for their help- PH comes together very nicely as a community. Good times.
As of May 18th, I'll have my freshly sprayed parts back... picked up my beefy new LSD on Saturday, so that'll be nice when it's on. Using the blue Touring as a practise car for removing suspension/wishbones so I can do Claudia's without worrying too much. Time to get my freak on- if anyone needs any parts, let me know.
The dropping is coming! For now, though, my latest bargain...
Some quality time vacuuming before popping something in...
Awh yeah.
Electric, too!
And a black leather rear bench/seats from my breaking one until I find a tidy grey one from a Touring.
Next up- collect painted parts on May 18th, fit LSD, apply new suspension, new exhaust, remap, finish BBSs. Then she's pretty much ready for the 'Ring.
Some quality time vacuuming before popping something in...
Awh yeah.
Electric, too!
And a black leather rear bench/seats from my breaking one until I find a tidy grey one from a Touring.
Next up- collect painted parts on May 18th, fit LSD, apply new suspension, new exhaust, remap, finish BBSs. Then she's pretty much ready for the 'Ring.
Usget said:
Those Vaders look in good condition! I've never sat in any but they always appear to be some of the most comfortable seats ever produced - was always after a set for my Cabby but never found any under £300!
They're really not! I'm going to be refurbing them soon- anyone with experience from a decent leather refurb kit would be appreciated. Was considering putting them black, but I love them in grey and there's a LOT of grey plastic to change.They have usurped the Golf MkIV Recaros I had in my old Octavia as the most comfortable seats I've owned. They're beautifully adjustable, albeit slightly higher than the Sports seats. A small price to pay for the comfort and aesthetic properties, mind.
I now definitely have far too much to be getting on with- on the fitting list we have...
- 2.93 328i Sport LSD
- AC Schnitzer M3 suspension
- bigger brakes
And on the refurbing list we have...
- BBS RC041s (waiting on a spare 041, should be here mid-late May...)
- Vaders (don't want to take them out, they're so damn comfy!!
- sigh*
If only there was a guide somewhere on restoring Vader's... Enjoy!
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25597
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25597
sc4589 said:
NCOT- the old interior is being packaged up and sold off, if you have a Touring then you're in luck! Only thing to note is that the driver's seat needs a hole repair... leather wore through. 
vsonix- no handles to retract them for back seat passengers, or they'd be yours!
Gah. Bloody passengers vsonix- no handles to retract them for back seat passengers, or they'd be yours!
Been a busy old month.
First up, saw these on eBay and (shamelessly copying vsonix), I had to have them... they've got different centre caps, but are ultimately the same wheels- Hartge Design Ds. Not an easy find, although since I bought them I have since found another set on eBay... typical.
Next up, Sport rear bumper finally fitted. This was a labour of love and STILL isn't sitting right! I'll get there though... it looks good.
Next up- some quality rust-stripping/proofing, courtesy of the trusty paint/varnish/rust remover tool I bought a few pages back and a tub of silver Hammerite (perfect colour match for Titan Silver?!). Also stripped the exhaust of its black finish, purely because the Sport rear trim made it... 'disappear' a little bit.
Now on to the interesting toys...
Bilstein B10 Power Kit. Buy cheap, buy twice. Sold the second-hand AC Schnitzer M3 suspension, and went for this handsomely-priced set of new suspension that a chap hadn't fitted to his car.
The results are below...
The crime scene for the day. A very good friend has a tidy E36 cabrio that he's already done the suspension on. I jokingly mumbled on Facebook about holding a gun to his head and getting him to do mine... you can imagine my surprise when he chirped up with, "Don't forget your suspension tomorrow!" (Me: "Really? Are you sure? SA-WEEEEEET.")
Old versus new. It was the original suspension- 14 years old- all the shocks were utterly fubared! Although, bizarrely, the top mounts were in perfect nick. Be having them, in that case...
One of the lovely new struts, built up and ready to be popped in. Bubblegum blue and sterling silver- a good blend. They're Bilstein B8 shocks, with Bilstein's 'own brand' springs...
Snug as a bug in a rug.
The rears were pathetically easy to do- the hardest part was pulling apart the cargo bay to get at the top mount bolts in the back!
We ended up with something that looked a little bit like this:
While I was there, I collected my newly sprayed parts that I've been banging on about...
Before:
After:
Also, little bits- bagged a rear wiper from a 406 Estate and fitted that (Aero look), thus removing the spindly nasty mess that it used to have but retaining practicality. And here's the exhaust tips in context...
I've also rebuilt the cargo area as there was quite a lot of trim missing. I won't bore people with photos, but it all actually fits together now. Simple things.
Few photos with James and his utterly lovely E36 Cabrio- he now has my old Style 32s, so is well covered for gorgeous wheels on his car!
I know you're reading this mate, thanks again for all your hard work and help- he sprayed the new front bumper, new side strips, rear strips AND helped me change all the suspension on the car. Friends like that simply don't grow on trees.
What's next? Well...
These came in the post, so I guess I'd better fit them. Converted to fit the E36 (with some slightly dodgy-looking brackets), they came with grooved/vented 325mm discs and new pads. I've bought the relevant E36 M3 Evo master cylinder/servo/reservoir and done a test fit on the breaker car, should be relatively simple.
Apart from that, ECU will be changed for a mapped one before I nip to the 'Ring, then a tidy exhaust, then just the niggly bits- grey leather rear seats, refurb the Vaders, repsray bits, rust-proof. Well happy.
First up, saw these on eBay and (shamelessly copying vsonix), I had to have them... they've got different centre caps, but are ultimately the same wheels- Hartge Design Ds. Not an easy find, although since I bought them I have since found another set on eBay... typical.
Next up, Sport rear bumper finally fitted. This was a labour of love and STILL isn't sitting right! I'll get there though... it looks good.
Next up- some quality rust-stripping/proofing, courtesy of the trusty paint/varnish/rust remover tool I bought a few pages back and a tub of silver Hammerite (perfect colour match for Titan Silver?!). Also stripped the exhaust of its black finish, purely because the Sport rear trim made it... 'disappear' a little bit.
Now on to the interesting toys...
Bilstein B10 Power Kit. Buy cheap, buy twice. Sold the second-hand AC Schnitzer M3 suspension, and went for this handsomely-priced set of new suspension that a chap hadn't fitted to his car.
The results are below...
The crime scene for the day. A very good friend has a tidy E36 cabrio that he's already done the suspension on. I jokingly mumbled on Facebook about holding a gun to his head and getting him to do mine... you can imagine my surprise when he chirped up with, "Don't forget your suspension tomorrow!" (Me: "Really? Are you sure? SA-WEEEEEET.")
Old versus new. It was the original suspension- 14 years old- all the shocks were utterly fubared! Although, bizarrely, the top mounts were in perfect nick. Be having them, in that case...
One of the lovely new struts, built up and ready to be popped in. Bubblegum blue and sterling silver- a good blend. They're Bilstein B8 shocks, with Bilstein's 'own brand' springs...
Snug as a bug in a rug.
The rears were pathetically easy to do- the hardest part was pulling apart the cargo bay to get at the top mount bolts in the back!
We ended up with something that looked a little bit like this:
While I was there, I collected my newly sprayed parts that I've been banging on about...
Before:
After:
Also, little bits- bagged a rear wiper from a 406 Estate and fitted that (Aero look), thus removing the spindly nasty mess that it used to have but retaining practicality. And here's the exhaust tips in context...
I've also rebuilt the cargo area as there was quite a lot of trim missing. I won't bore people with photos, but it all actually fits together now. Simple things.
Few photos with James and his utterly lovely E36 Cabrio- he now has my old Style 32s, so is well covered for gorgeous wheels on his car!
I know you're reading this mate, thanks again for all your hard work and help- he sprayed the new front bumper, new side strips, rear strips AND helped me change all the suspension on the car. Friends like that simply don't grow on trees.
What's next? Well...
These came in the post, so I guess I'd better fit them. Converted to fit the E36 (with some slightly dodgy-looking brackets), they came with grooved/vented 325mm discs and new pads. I've bought the relevant E36 M3 Evo master cylinder/servo/reservoir and done a test fit on the breaker car, should be relatively simple.
Apart from that, ECU will be changed for a mapped one before I nip to the 'Ring, then a tidy exhaust, then just the niggly bits- grey leather rear seats, refurb the Vaders, repsray bits, rust-proof. Well happy.
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