Project 1998 M3

[Tyler.M]

Yo' chillens. So today, I replaced my rear shocks and its much more comfy and smooth. Feels more like a BMW and less like a 20 dollar massage from a sweaty asian guy in the mall. Ask me how I know.

Anyways, the rear end is mostly in good working order now. RTABS, RSMS and Shocks are replaced with no noticeable wear on any other components. Next up is replacing my front sway bar end links, which I have ready to put in. Pointers are appreciated, I can't find a good DIY article on these, and I really don't want to f**k them up.

I also need to do the drive belt at some point, but its not imperative. I also have one. I'm just lazy.

I still haven't done any cooling system work.... but I'm not too concerned at the moment. It hasn't essploded... yet, nor is it showing signs that it's going to. It will come however, that's the next big project. I'm going to go with oem parts, btw, except for the water pump perhaps. Of course, once I start thinking like that, i'll end up buying a supercharger, lowering it, blacking it out, and putting lambo doors on it, so never mind about buying a different water pump. Funny how after market shit can get to you, isn't it?

No pictures right now. I need to talk to my man dan. The M is looking a little....icky.

But I will link to pictures right after it got detailed. Just to consolidate all my shiz.

http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10044

[premiershine9]

Tyler, we'll talk next meeting and if you can i'd like to take a look at the paint, either we can put on another coat of paint sealant for a little more protection to make it through the end of the winter and then hit it good again come spring time (aka mm car show )

[Tyler.M]

Lets do it. I also have a bit of paint pealing under my roof ledge. Kinda just appeared.... any suggestions?

[Cody]

How do you know? haha.... it must make a world of a difference with the new shocks

[Tyler.M]

it must make a world of a difference with the new shocks

It does indeed. At least on the rear end. I took the m for a nice long drive today on a secret test near my house and the rattling from the front end is pretty obvious now. At high speeds, the front seems to be getting a little tweaky too, endlinks must be done this weekend.

Also, more sweet coolant smells when i really pushed it. It really is time for a new cooling system. No more wasting my time on this.

[Jake]

it must make a world of a difference with the new shocks

It does indeed. At least on the rear end. I took the m for a nice long drive today on a secret test near my house and the rattling from the front end is pretty obvious now. At high speeds, the front seems to be getting a little tweaky too, endlinks must be done this weekend.

Also, more sweet coolant smells when i really pushed it. It really is time for a new cooling system. No more wasting my time on this.

Sounds like you've got your head on straight. Get the cooling system done ASAP. It's all fun and games til you pop an expansion tank and roast the motor.

Get ready for the front end -- when I did the E34's endlinks, it stiffened up just enough there to make everything else worse. Granted, I had 195k on original bushings, so you'll hopefully be better off... but you might be approaching the time to do tie rods and control arms. Maybe. I found a 10-piece kit for the E34 that had everything (new arms with new bushings) I needed, so it was a relatively-easy bolt on process. IDK if there is a kit for the E36 but check out fcpgroton.com. They sell various brands and "heavy duty" stuff.

[Jake]

Oh, also, as far as DIY sway bar end links... it's simple. The wrench/socket sizes might be a little different, but this is the process:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Maintenance/Suspension/sway_link.htm">http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Maintenance/Suspension/sway_link.htm</a><!-- m -->

Poke your head under there and you'll see how it comes apart. Very easy and ~10 minutes per side. Be careful not to over-tighten the bolts when you put stuff back together.

[D_Eclipse9916]

New Control Arms are expensive. I have "heard" of people putting in new ball joints pressed in, and considering trying to do it with some extra control arms I have lying around.

[Tyler.M]

Good info. Thanks fellas. Should I go bimmerworld or Turner Motorsport for my cooling system? The turner one is more expensive, but you get the expansion tank with that which doesn't come in the bimmerworld kit. I'm thinking I might do BW because 1 I know some of you bmw guys like them and 2) they have a high capacity radiator that looks like a good alternative to aluminum. Also, I can get an 80 degree thermostat for no extra charge. I'll just order the expansion tank from Turner, and after shipping the difference is only 1 stinkin' dollar and some change between the two kits for everything.

[Tyler.M]

New Control Arms are expensive. I have "heard" of people putting in new ball joints pressed in, and considering trying to do it with some extra control arms I have lying around.

Interesting. BW sells a front end overhaul kit for $500 right now with pre pressed bushings. Worth it?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Link to whats included?
Dunno, I went with...
AKG 75D (for you I suggest 90a) front control arm bushings
Lemforder OEM control arms (154 a piece, so 310 together)
OEM Motor Mounts (actually I have a set for sale, 2k miles on them, with the Vorshlag poly rear trans with reinforcers)

Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator
Stewart Water Pump (or newer OEM composite)
OEM Expansion Tank
Aluminum Thermo Housing
Stock Thermostat
Replacement fan/fan clutch


That would be my list for you......

If you want, Ive been debating order a bunch of those E30 ball joints as I have some good lower control arms sitting around and if it works perfectly you can buy those for $175 for both.

[Tyler.M]

I got everything in my shopping cart that I need, and I have just a few questions....

Is there any need to replace all my cooling system hoses or just the upper and lower radiator ones? BW sells a kit that includes everything. Also, with the aluminum radiator, will it be a direct fit or do I need anything else to fit it? I know some places suggest getting some new radiator clips for their tendency to break, but can I use OEM radiator clips on a mishimoto radiator?

I think everything else I get pretty much. Excited to finally get this done.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I got everything in my shopping cart that I need, and I have just a few questions....

Is there any need to replace all my cooling system hoses or just the upper and lower radiator ones? BW sells a kit that includes everything. Also, with the aluminum radiator, will it be a direct fit or do I need anything else to fit it? I know some places suggest getting some new radiator clips for their tendency to break, but can I use OEM radiator clips on a mishimoto radiator?

I think everything else I get pretty much. Excited to finally get this done.

OEM clips are fine if you dont break them. I never did, but it is a possibility. Mishimoto is direct fit. I Would suggest replacing your expansion tank hose if youve got a bajillion miles.

[Tyler.M]

sweet, thanks for answering all my questions. Looking forward to having this thing running properly... after a year of ownership

[Tyler.M]

I'm glad this is a hobby for everyone and not a job, or I'd be paying you guys boatloads in billable hours for all the questions you've been answering.

Here's another: so I figured out that the rattling coming from the front of my car is most likely due to my fender liner. Anything wrong with ripping that stuff out and driving without it or does it protect some major vital component that will ignite and kill me? As with all m3 bumpers, I gotta get in there and rebuild it anyways, I'm just annoyed of all the rattles.

[JPolen01]

I wouldn't do that or else your engine bay is going to be dirty as fuck. You have fender liners for a reason..

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[JPolen01]

As with all m3 bumpers, I gotta get in there and rebuild it anyways, I'm just annoyed of all the rattles.

Oh and what the fuck is this? Does anything on BMWs hold up? Rebuild a bumper? It's plastic :dunno:

[Tyler.M]

As with all m3 bumpers, I gotta get in there and rebuild it anyways, I'm just annoyed of all the rattles.

Oh and what the fuck is this? Does anything on BMWs hold up? Rebuild a bumper? It's plastic :dunno:

Engines are good, everything gets shot to hell pretty quick. Joey had to rebuild his front bumper, Matt didn't even have most of his parts intact when he bought his and I'm sure DJ experience something similar. It's just the shitty plastic they used building the things, BMW y u no make bumper right? :dunno: Every m3 owner goes through it at some point apparently

[Jake]

It's the little clips that keep the edges of the bumper aligned. They get brittle and crack/break.

[D_Eclipse9916]

As with all m3 bumpers, I gotta get in there and rebuild it anyways, I'm just annoyed of all the rattles.

Oh and what the fuck is this? Does anything on BMWs hold up? Rebuild a bumper? It's plastic :dunno:

Engines are good, everything gets shot to hell pretty quick. Joey had to rebuild his front bumper, Matt didn't even have most of his parts intact when he bought his and I'm sure DJ experience something similar. It's just the shitty plastic they used building the things, BMW y u no make bumper right? :dunno: Every m3 owner goes through it at some point apparently

I am unsure what you mean by rebuild the front bumper? There are underbody plastics that tend to rip out when you hit stuff, but Ive gone off, pulled off the bumper multiple times to work on the car, and nothing like what you are talking about.

I mean, you rip off the underbody plastics (replace it with an underpanel one piece) and there are the 2 brake ducts. But its really simple so I am confused as to what your asking about. :dunno: