Project 1998 M3

[Tyler.M]

btw, is this what I'm looking for radiator wise?

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Edit:

I love amazon

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[JustinG]

just to help with finding the leak, check the HVAC drain, ya know where condensation comes from when you run the A/C in the summer. If there is coolant coming from that, well then its your heater core or your heater hoses aren't tight enough where it enters the firewall and its seeping into the HVAC box. But typically when a heater core goes out, you'll know.

[Tyler.M]

Just an update, I'm going into my second week of ownership of the M, and its going pretty well. All I've done is simple cosmetic things such as cleaned up the headlights, replaced the front emblem, and fix the glove box. I have more parts on order, and will be getting them soon.

As far as the cooling system goes, I'll probably go for the mishimoto radiator, and start getting all the parts and do the overhaul christmas break. Anyone have a good idea of where to get BMW coolant locally so I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for it online?

[Jake]

As far as the cooling system goes, I'll probably go for the mishimoto radiator, and start getting all the parts and do the overhaul christmas break. Anyone have a good idea of where to get BMW coolant locally so I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for it online?

You can talk to Mid Atlantic Motorwerkes, they are over on 33 between downtown and the mall. Can't promise anything for pricing, I've only purchased small plastic bits - though those were fairly priced.

I'll be in town between Christmas & New Years most likely, so if you're bored and need help (and it's not 8┬░ out)...

[CaptainHenreh]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CXRacing-Radiator-92-99-BMW-E36-325-328-M3-93-94-95-98-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem255eb0a451QQitemZ160502424657QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CXRacing-Radiator-92-99-BMW-E36-325-328-M3-93-94-95-98-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem255eb0a451QQitemZ160502424657QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories</a><!-- m -->

:thumbup:

[D_Eclipse9916]

MAM or BMW of anywhere, just make sure to use a BMWCCA discount if you have it. I think your making the right move to get it all brand new. That way you never have to worry about it again.

[Maengelito]

does BMW require special BMW coolant? Just find out who makes BMW's coolant and buy that brand from Advance/Pep/Zone.

[CaptainHenreh]

Some stuff that is not the Turbo Dykemobile...

:evil:

[D_Eclipse9916]

does BMW require special BMW coolant? Just find out who makes BMW's coolant and buy that brand from Advance/Pep/Zone.

Yes it does, its a special mix that is Phosphate and Nitrate free. PS- Its only $13.99 for a gallon of BMW pure anti-freeze, while the green stuff (store brand) is $11.99 and even more for Prestone at Advance. If that makes or breaks you, might be time to switch cars. :lol:

[D_Eclipse9916]

Oh and I have to go get some as winter is approaching and I want the BMW to be safe till March. If you want me to pick you up a gallon while im at the stealership and then give Jake or anybody in NOVA the money for the coolant, I cna give it to them to bring back down after thanksgiving.

[Jake]

Oh and I have to go get some as winter is approaching and I want the BMW to be safe till March. If you want me to pick you up a gallon while im at the stealership and then give Jake or anybody in NOVA the money for the coolant, I cna give it to them to bring back down after thanksgiving.

Good idea... really, if you give me cash there is a BMW dealer almost next to my house, I'll just stop there. Probably easier than meeting up with DJ. Good idea regardless.

And I put whatever's lying around in the E30, but I think after 24 hard years it doesn't really matter. Hell, it even ran with NO coolant for a week :roll:

[Tyler.M]

Good idea... really, if you give me cash there is a BMW dealer almost next to my house, I'll just stop there. Probably easier than meeting up with DJ. Good idea regardless.

Yeah that'll work. I'm not too concerned with coolant prices if its only two dollars. I'm just trying to be as money conscious as possible. I still haven't checked with mid-atlantic yet, but I'll call them tomorrow and see how much it costs, if its in the 15$ range, I'll just pick some up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CXRacing-...ccessories
:

Any ideas if this brand is any good? I'm pretty tuning noob, and I don't know much about the quality of the after market companies...

DJ, I agree with getting everything new... 500 or so bucks is a small price to pay for reliability. After driving a DSM for a year, I've come to appreciate the finer aspects of paying a bit more and avoid the embarrassment of being towed every 4 to six weeks. :o

Update BTW, just got the tires switched out to a set of blizzaks the guy gave me. OEM sizes, and now I can officially get to cleaning the rims and making them all pretty. Just for everyone's future reference, the Bob Wade dealership can't do low-profile tires (m3's are 40's and 45's). Though they do 60$ for 4, they said their machine can't handle it and they were afraid of ripping up the side bead or something (I don't know, the guy kinda mumbled).

I ended up taking it to Blue Ridge Tire for 25$ a tire.

Still need to paint the trim piece (which I have all the stuff for), fix the front fender lining and the bumper hanging issue. After all these things, cosmetically it should be relatively clean, just a few places it needs work. I'll post a pic later this week after I get the trim piece painted up.

[Tyler.M]

Oh another thing about the coolant, apparently there's this big huge debate about a good alternative.
Apparently, its impossibly difficult to get. It has to be G48 quality, and like DJ said nitrate and phosphate free, which is impossibly hard to find.

It's a neato blue color!
There's been several rumors floating around that Valvoline and Peak make some good alternative, but then again, I don't want to risk it, best to just use OEM stuff I suppose.

Any ideas on what I should do for an expansion tank? Should I go for silicon hoses or just stick with rubber ones? I know I'll most likely shoot for a aluminum radiator and stewarts water pump, but should I get an aluminum fan shroud and heavy duty fan blade too? I'll probably stick with a manual fan instead of switching over to electric.... but I'm not sure exactly what to look for when it comes to cooling fans and everything.

[Jake]

Oh another thing about the coolant, apparently there's this big huge debate about a good alternative.
Apparently, its impossibly difficult to get. It has to be G48 quality, and like DJ said nitrate and phosphate free, which is impossibly hard to find.

It's a neato blue color!

Soooo... want me to pick up a jug (two?) tomorrow? I'm working a half-day and that entails driving right across from the BMW dealership.

[fiveoh2go]

I ended up taking it to Blue Ridge Tire for 25$ a tire.

$100 to mount & balance some tires? That seems pretty steep. Try Moyers Automotive on 33W next time, $10 a piece.

[Tyler.M]

ah thanks. Yeah, i was just a little desperate, and I knew some people there... anyways, I'll definitely try that next time. Thanks,

And yeah that'd be great Jake. pick up two and i'll pay you cash moniez when ya get back.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Just do rubber hoses, silicone is really for bling, although technically they are supposed to hold their shape over a long time better (I dont think they do).

As far as a new fan, get the reinforced Diesel fan, youll have to find the part number on bimmerforums, but it fits just like factory but the blades are better integrated into the center so they have a lot less likelyhood of flying apart. A stock expansion tank will work as well, and absolutely no need for an aluminum shroud.

[Tyler.M]

okay great, thanks DJ.

Update, painted that bit of trim. It looks okay, if I ever do it again I'm gonna need to put on a few more coats and make sure I get all the old paint off. For now though, it'll do.

[Tyler.M]

Noticed some interesting issues with the car, and decided to ask the eternal wisdom of you all.

Weird clunk in the right rear wheel well. Its not the wheel itself because the two wheels were swapped when tires were put on. Am I looking at Rear Shock Mounts or Bushings or something?

Interesting rattle in the rear as a whole, but I think its just because of the cold. When I shift into first and second though, there's a definite thunk in the rear. What could that be?

[caa337]

The clunking could be wheel bearings? Just a guess. Does it do it all the time or when you hit a bump or turn at a slow speed?