sclass
New member
[/i]Wsup everyone,
I know these topics have generally been covered before but I believe there is always room for fresh perspective and more testimonials/experiences. We all want the most from our cars without selling our kidneys
Anyway PMed LZ who though is a 5 series man had a lot of insight on the E36 and has set my mind at ease somewhat :thumb:
sclass Wrote:
Howzit LZ,
Would really appreciate your advice, I know you're a purist and not someone who believes a car is fine just because it gets from A to B.
I just bought an imported E36 328i Coupe, I've had it for almost 2 weeks now and have put almost 1000kms on it (now at 160,000kms).
As I'm driving it I'm noticing more and more niggles and I'm now quite paranoid because I don't really have the money to sort out major issues. I just need the car to survive till December when I'll have about R10k to spend on it.
It vibrates at different speeds (wobbly at +/- 70kph, steady at + 120kph) and the wheel bearings are humming. I've bought ball-joints, will replace front tyres, and have been offered complete wheelhubs (off a 323i) for R800. I also seem to have warped discs as I'm experiencing shudder. I'm hoping I won't need tie-rods too...
Engine is strong and responsive but I can't help worrying as there is what sounds like a non-metallic rattle at idle on the left side of the engine like there's something touching...At this mileage are there any belts or chains that need to be replaced? Cooling seems fine, coolant level when cold is normal, no 'mayo' under the oil cap or dipstick and I can hear the clutch fan engaging when idling.
It's not an M3 but I really love this car.
Any pointers/advice TRULLY appreciated
Sorry for the long lecture
Re: M52 advice
To: sclass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not at all dude
Firstly, that is low KM's on it considering, I know for a fact those motors are good till well over 600,000 if looked after. I shit you not.
The wobble that you have are control arm bushes, its a common issue on many cars, particularly BMW. Talk to freerider, he has a contact for bushes. Chances are that its the lower control arms, complete arms can be had for like... erm 600 each I would guess.
As for the wheel bearing hum, I am not too clued up with this, but I am sure the bearings can be pressed out/removed at a fraction of the cost. I would not go and buy second hand wheel hubs just simply to have a second hand bearing in there, how long is that going to last. Rather research bearing replacement... Again i have never done this on a BMW, but cant be too hectic.
Shudder could be control arms bushes as well, dont naturally assume its the discs/pads, but your lucky, as the stuff is fairly cheap.
Actually all suspension stuff is cheap, if you shop like a "jew" you would be able to do the entire front suspension for like 3 to 5k
I dont know in what condition your ribbed/V belts are, they might require a change, but BMW does not use cam belts, they use cam chains, which are good well past 160,000 i can tell you that much, so I would say no.
As for your mechanical vibration, try turning your aircon on and off,see if that changes your noise, but it could be that, p/s pump, altenator, bla bla bla... I really cant help unless i hear it..
otherwise, 160,000 is not even broken in... OK.. almost:thumb:
sclass Wrote:
Thanks LZ
I don't mind spending on my ride, I just can't spend NOW. So getting parts from the stealers for now isn't on the cards. Front shocks R980/ea, front wheel bearings R1,000/ea, Front struts R2,500/ea etc etc...I will get oil filter, air filter, plugs, from them though.
I've been told to change to Castrol Magnetic, I don't know what's in it now. But for precaution I don't drive like I stole it, a few blasts here and there, but generally never need more than 2.5k RPM, it's very torquey (I guess weight playing a major part here.)
Doing the whole front suspension for +/- R5k? Is that with a standard setup? I want something a bit more tauter, my shocks are on their way out but I still think the car will be too soft. Any suspension packs you recommend? I've never ridden an E36 M3 so I don't really have a reference point...:dunno:
My first guess with the wobble was bushes too, but the mech is insisting warped discs which I can't really argue with because of the pedal feel and stopping power. Are bushes not part of a ball-joint set up? And also I don't know how possible this is but mech says I currently have ball-joints off an E30...:dropjaw:????????
You really have faith in the M52!! I guess I'm just really paranoid after my M54 experience - solenoids gone, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, MAF blah blah blah...
A friend of mine had his E36 325i die on him, apparently a tensioner of some sort???
Also I have a CAT warning light on in the cluster?? Any ideas??
Lastly the transmission is quite erratic. It has a Sport mode and a Winter mode (snowflake). For the most part I'm in Winter mode and the car pulls off in 2nd from rest and avoids kicking down the lowest gear even on full throttle. Lately the 'boxs seems to be 'over-thinking', jerking out of 1st to 2nd (but not always), hesitating, depending on the driving situation. Should I avoid switching 'box modes for now and just stick to normal?[/i]
Re: M52 advice
To: sclass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well my knowledge on the M52 is not that great, I am more of a V8 kind of guy.
Why dont you make a thread of our email and get some advice from guys who have owned E36's.
Out of interest, the control arms house both the bush as well as the ball joint, but the bushes can be pressed out. Why dont you just see if you cant source the entire arm with all of these things already included.
Avoid the stealers at all cost...[/b]
I know these topics have generally been covered before but I believe there is always room for fresh perspective and more testimonials/experiences. We all want the most from our cars without selling our kidneys
Anyway PMed LZ who though is a 5 series man had a lot of insight on the E36 and has set my mind at ease somewhat :thumb:
sclass Wrote:
Howzit LZ,
Would really appreciate your advice, I know you're a purist and not someone who believes a car is fine just because it gets from A to B.
I just bought an imported E36 328i Coupe, I've had it for almost 2 weeks now and have put almost 1000kms on it (now at 160,000kms).
As I'm driving it I'm noticing more and more niggles and I'm now quite paranoid because I don't really have the money to sort out major issues. I just need the car to survive till December when I'll have about R10k to spend on it.
It vibrates at different speeds (wobbly at +/- 70kph, steady at + 120kph) and the wheel bearings are humming. I've bought ball-joints, will replace front tyres, and have been offered complete wheelhubs (off a 323i) for R800. I also seem to have warped discs as I'm experiencing shudder. I'm hoping I won't need tie-rods too...
Engine is strong and responsive but I can't help worrying as there is what sounds like a non-metallic rattle at idle on the left side of the engine like there's something touching...At this mileage are there any belts or chains that need to be replaced? Cooling seems fine, coolant level when cold is normal, no 'mayo' under the oil cap or dipstick and I can hear the clutch fan engaging when idling.
It's not an M3 but I really love this car.
Any pointers/advice TRULLY appreciated
Sorry for the long lecture
Re: M52 advice
To: sclass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not at all dude
Firstly, that is low KM's on it considering, I know for a fact those motors are good till well over 600,000 if looked after. I shit you not.
The wobble that you have are control arm bushes, its a common issue on many cars, particularly BMW. Talk to freerider, he has a contact for bushes. Chances are that its the lower control arms, complete arms can be had for like... erm 600 each I would guess.
As for the wheel bearing hum, I am not too clued up with this, but I am sure the bearings can be pressed out/removed at a fraction of the cost. I would not go and buy second hand wheel hubs just simply to have a second hand bearing in there, how long is that going to last. Rather research bearing replacement... Again i have never done this on a BMW, but cant be too hectic.
Shudder could be control arms bushes as well, dont naturally assume its the discs/pads, but your lucky, as the stuff is fairly cheap.
Actually all suspension stuff is cheap, if you shop like a "jew" you would be able to do the entire front suspension for like 3 to 5k
I dont know in what condition your ribbed/V belts are, they might require a change, but BMW does not use cam belts, they use cam chains, which are good well past 160,000 i can tell you that much, so I would say no.
As for your mechanical vibration, try turning your aircon on and off,see if that changes your noise, but it could be that, p/s pump, altenator, bla bla bla... I really cant help unless i hear it..
otherwise, 160,000 is not even broken in... OK.. almost
:thumb:sclass Wrote:
Thanks LZ
I don't mind spending on my ride, I just can't spend NOW. So getting parts from the stealers for now isn't on the cards. Front shocks R980/ea, front wheel bearings R1,000/ea, Front struts R2,500/ea etc etc...I will get oil filter, air filter, plugs, from them though.
I've been told to change to Castrol Magnetic, I don't know what's in it now. But for precaution I don't drive like I stole it, a few blasts here and there, but generally never need more than 2.5k RPM, it's very torquey (I guess weight playing a major part here.)
Doing the whole front suspension for +/- R5k? Is that with a standard setup? I want something a bit more tauter, my shocks are on their way out but I still think the car will be too soft. Any suspension packs you recommend? I've never ridden an E36 M3 so I don't really have a reference point...:dunno:
My first guess with the wobble was bushes too, but the mech is insisting warped discs which I can't really argue with because of the pedal feel and stopping power. Are bushes not part of a ball-joint set up? And also I don't know how possible this is but mech says I currently have ball-joints off an E30...:dropjaw:????????
You really have faith in the M52!! I guess I'm just really paranoid after my M54 experience - solenoids gone, cam position sensor, crank position sensor, MAF blah blah blah...
A friend of mine had his E36 325i die on him, apparently a tensioner of some sort???
Also I have a CAT warning light on in the cluster?? Any ideas??
Lastly the transmission is quite erratic. It has a Sport mode and a Winter mode (snowflake). For the most part I'm in Winter mode and the car pulls off in 2nd from rest and avoids kicking down the lowest gear even on full throttle. Lately the 'boxs seems to be 'over-thinking', jerking out of 1st to 2nd (but not always), hesitating, depending on the driving situation. Should I avoid switching 'box modes for now and just stick to normal?[/i]
Re: M52 advice
To: sclass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well my knowledge on the M52 is not that great, I am more of a V8 kind of guy.
Why dont you make a thread of our email and get some advice from guys who have owned E36's.
Out of interest, the control arms house both the bush as well as the ball joint, but the bushes can be pressed out. Why dont you just see if you cant source the entire arm with all of these things already included.
Avoid the stealers at all cost...[/b]
