New Car - E36 328i

[lurendrin]

Hi All!

Just bought my very first BMW! Its a 1996 E36 328i and HIS name is The Bullet (long story but tradition with my cars). Got him for a really good price because mileage is crazy high (nearly 500k km) but owners took really good care of him, full service history and good condition.   Picked him up yesterday.

The idea is to create a solid foundation for a track day/gymkhana car but that could be used easily on the weekends or infrequently during the week. Once I have a solid base to work off of, then I will look at the performance modifications. As a side note, I have however budgetted for the engine replacement in the short term.

My first port of call is to find a really good mechanic that can do a thorough assessment of the vehicle from top to bottom. 

So things I need advise on please:

1. Good mechanic/workshop in Cape Town (I am in Plattekloof) - [font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I am looking for someone that is technically sound but also that goes through the effort of being thorough. I have been to a few places before where they do 500 point checks (ok I am exaggerating) but then they check one or two things only and charge you an arm and a leg. [/font]

2. Suggestions on key things to check out? - I have read alot of posts on the forum of things to check out for mods and have also been watching youtube videos to learn more. My technical knowledge is putrid at the moment. 

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[zabbo]

Congratulations on a really neat looking car! You will enjoy this journey and all the challenges which you will face

Be sure to record all progress in a Build Thread.

The only advice I have to offer is to be clear on: what the purpose of the vehicle is, what power you want/need, budget (then add 50%). Only once that is clear, proceed with the build

 

[lurendrin]

Congratulations on a really neat looking car! You will enjoy this journey and all the challenges which you will face

Be sure to record all progress in a Build Thread.

The only advice I have to offer is to be clear on: what the purpose of the vehicle is, what power you want/need, budget (then add 50%). Only once that is clear, proceed with the build

Thanks so much. Will definitely create a build thread. The purpose I think is clear for now but need to learn more to understand what power I would need. Hoping with the forums assistance I can get to those answers  Budget is already in the works, been saving up for a while.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Congrats on the new acquisition bud!

Really look forward to seeing this out and about!

Keep us posted and be sure to be on the lookout for events near you! :thumbs:

 

[///M Individual]

Congrats. Looks very clean and well taken care off. There are a few track build threads that you will find on the forum that can assist.

I think start with the basics: 
1. Motor health check - overhaul and mod while open or replace with another motor if it works out cheaper.
2. Cooling system refresh
3. Complete suspension refresh and upgrade for the track - Decent coilovers would be good.
4. Ensure the braking system is up to standard
5. Entry level mods like an exhaust, induction etc. and take the car out on the track with the standard power first then move onto bigger mods as you go along.

[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Good luck with the build! [/font]

 

[PaKiMoNSTeR]

Unless your motor is smoking or it has an issue don't start there. Power only makes you so much faster but won't improve your skill or give you the thrills. Late braking and cornering is where you need to focus. Yes it's the boring answer but it's the truth. I run a stock imported motor in mine and I have been racing it for the last 3 years with no issues. Bolt on E46 330i brakes on the front with proper pads and then look at getting decent coilovers.

If you really want to dig deep try to get the chassis reinforcement done on the pickup points. Once you start tracking these cars and they work hard and the mounting points crack and tear quickly so prevention...

Next is just seat time and growing you anatomical parts required to actually use these cars to their limits, then enjoy

 

[lurendrin]

Thanks everyone!

I definitely only want to focus on getting the car sorted in terms of the foundation i.e. Chassis, suspension, brakes, etc and then just making sure engine bay items are all ok, no red flags. The other mods/upgrades are for later on.

I have been driving the car like an old lady and will continue to do so, until I get it fully checked out.

 

[lurendrin]

Any suggestions on good mechanics or workshops in Cape Town?

 

[madness_inc]

Any suggestions on good mechanics or workshops in Cape Town?

I've used Brilliant Mechanical (near KC).

 

[lurendrin]

Any suggestions on good mechanics or workshops  in Cape Town?

I've used Brilliant Mechanical (near KC).

Thanks, dropped them a message.

 

[zabbo]

Garage 808 in Bellville always comes highly recommended - I have not used them though.

 

[lurendrin]

Garage 808 in Bellville always comes highly recommended - I have not used them though.

Yeah, I have seen there name used and have already dropped them a message, thanks!

 

[madness_inc]

Garage 808 in Bellville always comes highly recommended - I have not used them though.

Yes but they have the stranger rule of not working on older cars unless it's a long time customer

 

[lurendrin]

Garage 808 in Bellville always comes highly recommended - I have not used them though.

Yes but they have the stranger rule of not working on older cars unless it's a long time customer

Yeah, I got the same reply from SAC this morning.

 

[Captain_Stealth]

my advise is inspect all the rubber at plastic parts that they are not brittle or damaged in the engine bay they can easily ruin your day fast

There is so much you can do with this car interms of mods

Congrats and make that damn build thread lol

 

[Rotinaj]

Sort the oil pump, baffle the sump and seal the vanos leave the rest alone. They are strong low end torque motors.


If you intend on having some semblance of usability, a minor lowering with stiffer springs, koni shocks and stiffer bushes along with a front brace is all the suspension really needs to be good at both. Ofcourse tierods and front wheel bearings will need looking into. Rear subframe reinforced to avoid cracking, slap on some bigger brakes and switch to a bigger rim with a marginal reduction in profile.

But frankly above all of this, rather invest in some good tools and workshop manuals and learn to work on it yourself as track use will wear it out rapidly. They are very easy cars to do most of the care on and it looks like you have the space and for some it is deeply satisfying in a job well done.

 

[lurendrin]

Garage 808 in Bellville always comes highly recommended - I have not used them though.

Yes but they have the stranger rule of not working on older cars unless it's a long time customer

Just got the response from Garage 808, as mentioned above, no go.

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Thanks for the responses guys, all noted.

Also, I 've got quotes from Autoworx and Brilliant Mechanical at the moment. Just waiting on 1 more place to respond and then will decide based on a conversation with the relevant mechanics/shops.

 

[lurendrin]

Just to mention, the reason I was thinking of looking at the engine was because of the 501,000km. Just wanted to be have it checked out to be sure nothing gives in the day I drive it slightly hard or consistently driving it for a while. Anyone have any rough ideas of what an engine overall/refresh would cost?

Also, any suggestions on options of decent looking but practical for track rims? Or the type I should look for?

 

[lurendrin]

So going to be sending my car in for service/repairs next week with a recommended mechanic (who is also building his own e36 racecar) and fix up the little things here and there. I have however made a initial (relatively comprehensive) list of things to look at (sort of in order of priority).

1. Ticking noise in engine (potentially lifters; 1 option is to bleed lifters)
2. Standards service - filters, oil, spark plugs etc replace oil with castrol full synthetic edge 10w60
3. Hazard lights fix
4. Rear fog left fix
5. Back left passenger window not working fix
6. Front right indicator fix housing
7. Handbrake tightening - alternatively replace now with hydraulic
8. Pipe/hose on left of intake box fix
9. Power Steering system and noises on steering wheel - fluid flush and system check/fix
10. Vibrations when going to 100km/h - alignment check
11. Full suspension check - springs, shocks, bushes, control arms, tie rods, wheel bearings, ball joints etc replace with poly bushes
12. Cooling system check - radiator flush, hoses, water pump check etc
13. Vanos seals and belt checks
14. Braking system check - brake fluid change, disc, drum, pads, cylinders check
15. Transmission fluid change - use good automatic box fluid. If seals are leaking, check gear selector seal first
16. Diff oil change
17. Clutch slave check
18. Check exhaust leak or manifold leak
19. Look for 325i intake manifold
20. Coilovers - BC BR 14kg rear & 10kg front

Any comments/feedback is welcomed.

 

[Nikhil]

Did your mechanic recommend 10w60? I'll comment on the rest of this list tomorrow when I'm in front of a PC.

Theres some terrible advise on this thread but some good advise aswell