Santorini Blue 328i Sport

[matt132]

I'll get a picture of my DAB for you later - luckily it has a setting which is almost a direct match to the bmw orange.

[matt132]

Went to Prept on Wednesday, first time ever been to a car meet - there was some really nice stuff on display. If anyone is interested the set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokeorchoke/sets/7215...

Here it is at Brands:


IMG_6464 by matt_13289, on Flickr

Also sourced an LSD:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

There is a place in Bexleyheath do refurbs called JW Transmissions. I know there are a few Kent/London members on here, if anyone has experience with them (good or bad) let me know.

[matt132]

FELIX_5 said:

Hi Matt,

I've just picked up an almost identical car! Mine's a 1998 S Reg, it has the rear boot spoiler, and silver leather with blue piping, but is in the same Santorini blue!

Your car was a big driving force in me looking for a 328i Sport, so couldn't believe my luck when I found one in the same colour!!

That's great, good find! Where abouts are you?

[matt132]

Well after an overheating issue due to a burst heater matrix pipe and 2 badly perished front brake hoses (explained the spongy brakes) it has another years MOT. Only one advisory which is a small leak from the a join on the exhaust, I may get a silencer chopped out yet to please my inner child.

The LSD is in and if anyone is wondering whether to get one then do it! By far the most fun I've had for £200. Next up is either a wheel refurb or sorting the alarm/remote c/locking. Does anyone know if alarm problems are easily solved? The unit has obviously been out previously as it is currently disconnected. The c/locking works with the key but the fob doesn't. When you plug the big connector back into the control unit the alarm sounds and doesn't stop. The fob is separate from the key with one grey button and one red. I think it is a 3G alarm.

I played around with my stereo colour and got picture:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

Quite a nice match I think. That awful carbon wrapping has since come off but it has revealed wooden trim underneath which just isn't for me. I've got a few black bits coming from eBay but I'll get to the breakers to find the rest. Does anyone know if the door pulls in the door cards come out? These are wood too but changing over the whole card will be a ballache.

[matt132]

Does the toad work with the central locking? I'm not fussed about the alarm really, just tiresome unlocking with the key. I will try to reprogramme the fob but its not easy with the alarm blaring at the time.

[matt132]

Fantastic! Love the spoiler.

[matt132]

Gutting about the diff - they go for good money too.

Felix, where are you mate? I'm in Kent if you ever fancy meeting and going for a spin.

Payday has been and I think the wheels are next on the agenda. suggestions are welcome - I've tried Lepsons and Inspraytions before. Lepsons are just too expensive and Inspraytions rushed them as the powdercoat was still soft when I got the car back. For this reason I am after a cheap set to roll around on while they are being done, they can then double up as winter wheels. If anyone knows of a cheapo set (no matter how scabby) let me know. Close to Kent as possible!

[matt132]

I'm quite new to Pistonheads but I am looking at going to a service if possible - I work a lot of weekends which is an issue.

Milage is 141k and runs perfectly. No mechanical complaints - apart from creaking rear top mounts, impossible to cure it seems!! I'm not ready to sell yet, if I do get itchy feet I may just lock it away and use it as a weekend car.

Thanks for the refurb ideas, I'll look into them, still need to source another set but there are plenty around.

Auto closure sounds good, I think I may just go with an aftermarket solution. What's the deal, are there Toad fitters country wide or is it approved garages that fit them?

I put the diff into JW and asked them to have a look at it - they said it looked fine and left it dry so I could put my own oil in. No complaints about them, helpful chaps - diff is perfectly quiet and locks up nicely.

No new photos as its minging at the moment - here's one from a while ago


IMG_6409 by matt_13289, on Flickr

[matt132]

Thanks for the info, that's a lovely looking e36 there!

Started the refurb on my spare today. I'm picking up some cheap alloys tomorrow so depending how the spare turns out, I may do all of them myself.

Here's where I got to -


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

Pretty certain that I'll do the centres myself no issue. I'd like to get the lips diamond cut but as they have nicks in them, I'm not sure if this is possible. Does anyone know how this works? The scratches aren't deep, can they be metal filled and then cut?

I have the bolts/nuts ready and the torque settings, just need a decent sealant now.

[matt132]

Thanks for the info Lance. The spares will be winter wheels with winter tyres for sure. There is also the possibility of having them painted and lacquered in chrome effect paint.

Cheers 2thumbs, I would like a set of M3 sunflowers, but then I think it'd be pretending to be something it's not.

[matt132]

That looks great, I may take the dremel to the spare then! Did you take the centre caps apart to paint them or just mask off?

[matt132]

Got a little work done on the spare today - my dremel tools are terrible though. I need to get to B&Q by the sounds of it.


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

The other set of wheels aren't special, a set of 15s that will be a much cheaper size for winter tyres than 17s! They are style 27's it seems. http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/27

[matt132]

Tackled more of the wood trim today. I got a replacement through eBay which turned out to have 2 holes from a previous fixture but at least the wood is gone.

Progress shots:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr
Surprisingly easy once you get going


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr
Found these hidden away under the centre console, it must have been removed before and the lights weren't put back properly. The bulbs are mood lights for the ashtrays that I now use as coin trays.


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr
Old piece out...


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr
New piece in! Almost finished.


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr
Sorted! The wooden handbrake handle is glued on tight, no matter how much heat or force I applied. I tried to cut it off but my dremel-like tool died. Don't buy Machine Mart's own (Clarke) dremels, they are terrible! I had it a week and it was next to useless - now completely.

As for the progress on the car - I have a Z3M shifter rod ready to go on as it improves the throw and general gear change feel. I also have rear quarter glass seals as they are minging, one is also slightly leaking. A Mahle fuel filter turned up this week too as I have no idea how old the current one is.

The list continually grows, but this is half the fun! The passenger seatbelt seems to have forgotten how to retract, so its another visit to the breakers for me.

Next month will involve sorting the aircon (I know its getting colder but helps with the quick clear screen) and FINALLY sorting the alarm, I hope.

[matt132]

Thanks chaps.

Great tip Lance, first time I'm changing them so I'll check the trim during. Thanks!

[matt132]

vsonix said:

a) fantastic colour! So unusual on an E36.... and b) do you still have the wood bits you took out? I'd be into taking them off your hands if so!

I'm afraid not, did a mutual exchange with someone that wanted wood!

[matt132]

The wood is no more! Finally got rid of it all, last addition was the handbrake cover:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

In other news, its been a bit of a needy f**ker of late. It keeps whining that it needs coolant so the engine is either using it slowly or I've got a small leak.

The undertray decided that it didn't want to be part of the car anymore and fell off on one side at 1am in the torrential rain. I had no option but to drive it home, dragging it all the way. Ripped the front off and found that most of the plastics underneath have seen better days.


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

I have no undertray or brake ducts now and unless they are majorly important, that's the way it'll stay.

Replaced the mouldy and leaking window seals, gave it a wash:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

Decided to debadge:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

After:


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

Unsure as of yet but easily put back. New fuel filter and Z3M shifter have been fitted - shifter is a great improvement!

The rear brake pads are almost finished as the wear sensor warning light is on so I have new Brembo replacements. Discs have seen better days so Brembo replacements arrived yesterday, I'll be putting them on tomorrow. I am going to refresh the front with new discs and DS2500 pads on payday. This has unfortunately delayed the new alarm but that's how it goes sometimes.

Still love the car, even though it can be a pain in the ****!

[matt132]

Do you mean something like this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-M3-evo-Coupe-Boo...

The boot lid itself is shot, rust is going to be showing through soon so it may have to be replaced. I am undecided, I think the lip is nice and subtle but do sometimes fancy a spoiler.

[matt132]

They look great! I'm just waiting on a mate who has just acquired blasting cabinet and then I can get the centres done. I think I'll be stripping the lacquer on the barrels and polishing them up. I've got some of that polish in the garage somewhere, great stuff.

[matt132]

As above - the diff is almost a straight swap. The input shaft needs to be swapped to the 328 version as its a different bolt pattern. Luckily the one I bought already had the shaft swapped. I have read that the pre-load on the bearing needs to be set correctly or it eats itself quite quickly.

Rear discs and pads have been changed - I've got front pads to go on to shut the wear sensor up.

Speaking of rust, I Waxoyl'd the sills this afternoon and the next oil change is due which will probably get done tomorrow.

On the hunt for winter tyres for my 15's. I have never bought them before, if anyone has any suggestions then fire away.

Here it is as of today - needs a wash!


Untitled by matt_13289, on Flickr

[matt132]

Don't give up mate! Took me a year to find this one and bought it the same day that it was advertised.

Got to be quick - as others have said, there are plenty of dogs now. I can't imagine selling this for a while either, couldn't bare to see it go for 1500-2k!