Greetings From DC New E36Vert owner - BMW Forum

Turbohugh · 10-25-2012, 11:50 AM

I just purchased (From a friends family) a decent e36 convertible.

Just wanted to say hello and beg for help from any locals (Washington DC) that feel sympathetic towards a car addict such as myself. My first BMW but I have owned a series of VW's and Porsches (my -other car is a 928).

My car needs some nagging interior 'adjustments' and bodywork (Aside from some minor dings, previous owner tried to 'roll' the rear fenders and did a terrible job.

My plans are to get the body massaged and repainted, adjust and resolve all of the interior issues, and hopefully by the 'sprint' I will be adding a turbo kit.

In any case Hello from the Nations Capitol !

[worthless without pics.]

witeshark · 10-26-2012, 12:27 AM

Lord Vader · 10-28-2012, 12:59 AM

Welcome to Bimmerwerkz. Excellent E36!

94 Money Pit · 10-30-2012, 01:17 PM

Welcome! An great looking car. Really like the look of your rims.

Turbohugh · 10-30-2012, 05:10 PM

Thanks, Im not sure of the wheels, anyone that has information about the style etc.

I was thinking of going with m3 17s (Staggered) but first things first.

I think I need ball joints / tie rod ends (I was told the control arms were already done). Shimmy in the front may be from bent wheel (I was told an object was struck possibly bending wheel).

Not much wrong with this car (all factory underhood) however the PO attempts to roll the rear fenders is ugly and needs to be fixed. (Oh Oh maaco)..

Turbohugh · 10-30-2012, 07:26 PM

Hmm, I just won this auction - Did I get screwed ?

Considering I know I have at least 2 bad tires and one possibly bent wheel I think this may not be a bad deal.

Breyton Vision BMW Wheels 17 x 8 5 with Pirellli P7000 Tires GC M3 325 330 | eBay

Lord Vader · 10-31-2012, 12:35 AM

I think for $400 thats not too bad. The scuffs to the rim should be easily fixable. They have a nice style as well.

Check out BimmerSpecialist.com for ball joints/tie rods at a good price.

Turbohugh · 12-02-2012, 07:19 PM

So I got the Breytons. I think they are German, in any case I got 4 with tires +1 spare wheel.

Sorry if the picture is too large. I did a wash and wax, broke out the DualAction orbital .. Some door dings and such will be repaired after I replace the top and suspension.

Drives really nice. I did plugs and coils today as well.

Ivan413 · 12-02-2012, 09:58 PM

Nice pick up man can't wait to see what you have I store for it.

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Lord Vader · 12-03-2012, 12:25 AM

Those actually looks pretty decent. Did you have them balanced before install?

Turbohugh · 12-04-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

Those actually looks pretty decent. Did you have them balanced before install?

Yep, one tire was installed the wrong way (rotation) , the other 3 were all balanced well. I still get a slight shimmy over bumps and some wierd 'bump steer?' when Im turning and hitting bumps, however I have some new in box front struts (I believe low end replacements aka Gabriel) , new upper strut mounts, new reinforcements, and will be replacing the tie rod ends when I pull it all apart to replace the front struts (hopefully this weekend).

I should have went all in and gotten the new lower control arm kit however I was lead to believe the suspension had all been done (had not) so Im going to have to 'do it' , but at least getting the struts in with new mounts and reinforcement plates will be a big step in the right direction.

Cant wait for the weekend.

My only other issue is the microswitch combo latch on my passenger (right) Side is shady (needs adjustment) and the plastic bushing on the bowden cable is broken, causing my tonneau cover to misbehave. I know of 2 junkyard Cabriolets that I will be raiding this weekend hopefully to get new latchs with cables.

I found a few websites with the specific adjustment procedures

BMW TIS Online • 3' E36

That link is god for me right now!

Lord Vader · 12-05-2012, 12:31 AM

Good on you for doing the front end. Bump steer is normally caused by the tie rods being worn out. The OEM shocks are made by Sachs. I would stick with those personallly. You can get the control arms with pre pressed bushings which is handy.

With the rears, any time you replace the shocks you need new shock mounts. You mentioned the reinforcement plates which is good. The Z3 plates for the rear are only $10 each, but they help save from a tower failure. I have JT Design RSM's right now.