1997 E36 M3 3.2lt Techno Violet

[Gizmo]

To start off my new section I have selected one of my oldest clients, blaqboi's M3 to kick things off. He goes way back to DTM Power days and I did a bi xenon conversion and HID fogs with some other work on his car some 6years ago when I still lived with my parents. He recently got in contact with me to sort out his failed headlights and a few other niggles here and there so I arranged that he drop the car off with me for a few days for some TLC.

This car is in remarkable condition considering mileage (220k) and age, the seats still look so fresh.



xenon shrouds are skew...







Busy tracing the headlight fault. Not the switch for once...





Open up the fuse box to trace wiring, low beam relay not getting power when headlight switch is turned on...


Low beam relay in centre of pic. +12v should be coming through the Yellow/black wire when headlight switch is turned on, but alas.


Label the relays to know which is which.


After tracing the wire colours I found the culprit to be the comfort relay hidden behind the glove box, its not so much a relay but an intricate circuit board inside which had smoke residue and the dreaded "burnt electrics" smell. I sourced a replacement comfort relay and swapped it out, now power travels to the low beam relay but still no headlights, swapped out the low beam relay and hey presto! headlights are working again.


The 2 dead relays.


I am also replacing the front wheel well linings plus #1 pork chop (passenger side) with new OEM ones. The brake ducts are just hanging loose for now but the new fender liners will sort that out. Im replacing the fog lights too as one is cracked, more pics tomorrow.

 

[Prev]

Nicely done Gizmo and congrats on your own sub forum :clapper:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gizmo]

:ty: expect to see lots of collaborations between Peter (axis) and myself in the coming months.:rollsmile:

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I will be forwarding this car to Peter for valve clearances and vanos work soon, she needs it.

 

[boost3d]

:bin:

Nice first thread..... Keep up the good work

 

[Gizmo]

Thank you fanatics and staff once again for this opportunity. Will not let you guys down. More pics coming later today.

 

[Andy1GP]

Well Done Warren! There is a one owner E38 740i that I've sent you're way so expect a call soon

 

[Peejay]

Looking good

 

[bmw325i]

Well done Gizmo :clapper::clapper:

 

[blaqboi]

Thanks Gizmo. The cabby is in need of some TLC. With your help, it will get back to its former glory. Looking forward to this journey.

 

[Gizmo]

Testing out the fog light HIDs before I install them into the new fog lights.


Rear bumper cover has come out of its track on the driver's side.


Pulled the bumper off and refitted it so it lines up into its track again. Replaced the missing expanding rivets too.


Old fender liners out, one is OEM and one is aftermarket. The aftermarket ones are REALLY rubbish!




New OEM passenger fender lining being installed.




RHS is on back order from Germany, 3week wait.


Front bumper cover has seen better days, the tabs for the RHS brake duct have broken off, so have the mounting tabs for the bumper mesh. LHS brake duct tabs are on their way out.



LHS brake duct in place, but I have a method to make sure they never fall out again.




New pork chop #1 meet old pork chop #2.


Lastly, the splash covers underneath mount to the body using these square plastic expanding nuts but all these on the car are stripped or broken so the covers were only in place with cable ties. I have ordered new expanding nuts from the agents, there were 2 different part numbers for them so I ordered 10 of each. Should have them later today.



More pics tomorrow.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

:clapper:

 

[Fordkoppie]

Very nice work and attention to detail there Warren!

For a 6 year customer to still return is a testimony to your quality of work:bravo:

 

[Peejay]

Good method there to keep the brake ducts in place. Also prevents the people from stealing them.

 

[MikeR]

:clapper: great job

 

[Gizmo]

Collected the clips from Alberante BMW this morning, they only supplied me with the one type and said I need to order 50 or more of the other type for BMW to supply them, sounds like bs but anyway...



Prepping for install.



But first, engine degreaser and elbow grease. Note the size of the forward hole, slightly larger than the rear hole.



Larger expanding nut on the left (not supplied) vs smaller expanding nut.


First nut in place.


Second nut in place, also tried the small nut in the large hole but it sits very loose and won't hold up.


Splash cover ready for reinstall, my trick is large flat washers to spread the mounting surface area so the cover will last longer.


Alternative to the not supplied nuts.


In place.



New pork chop in place.



Ready to go home, will be back in 3weeks for the other fender lining install.




Lastly if possible can a mod edit out the number plate in my first posts, customer has requested it.:ty:

 

[Gbmw]

Oi, Nice garage and work there Giz. :clapper:

 

[Nikhil]

raise:

 

[Gizmo]

When the car comes back in 3 weeks the customer will have a nice list of all the other things he wants taken care of.:ty:

 

[Peejay]

I see the m3 turbo lurking in the background.

 

[Yulz9081]

Great work Warren and congrats on the new subforum :thumbs: