Went out for milk, came back with April O'Neil.

[RandomHero27]

so, im actually feeling sick to my stomach because of this. im 29, and outside of car dealerships (twice) and buying a friends car i knew well (v6 swapped mr2), i have never bought a car unseen off of craiglist. now im sitting here realizing i dropped $2500 on a car that may not have been worth that much, and i feel like i want to get sick. but its also the fact that i just dropped $2500 on a car, and ive never done that before. $2500 is alot to a guy like me.

anyway, on to the car. her name is April O'Neil. why did i name her that? because she is hot as hell, while still being a bit ugly and unperfect, but when it comes to fun time, aint no way youre gonna say no to her. (****NWS*** heyitsapril.com ***NWS***) She is a 1998 328is with 125k miles. overall, shes in good shape. the interior is nice, the headliner is an e36 headliner so it sags, its missing the sunroof control housing, but has the button and it works. the door panels are on, but not attached. the body is mostly straight with a few digns here and there. the front kidneys are missing, and the bumper is attached with wire, which i didnt realize till i took the car to my buddies house. note: really pay attention to a car when you are looking at it at night in a parking lot of Cabelas.

it drove awesome when i took it through a test drive around the access road and neighborhood. engine is strong and the suspension feels like stock should.

heres where i feel like i wanna get sick. i missed this somehow while driving it.


there is a strong side to side wobble between 40-50mph.
after that, the steering wheel will vibrate in a rhythm at higher speeds. the vibration will fade in and out in a literal rhythm.
apparently i never checked the oil but my buddy popped the filler cap and its got buildup. im hoping a nice flush will do some good.
there is a weird chirping/buzz in the cabin that sounds like a warning buzzer, but it comes and goes and stays on forever/disappears. i cant locate what the it is.
check engine light is intermittent on startup but goes away under driving and usually doesnt come on again.
airbag light.



other than those problems and the semi-kinda thrashed interior, its in really good shape. no clunks or any squeeks or anything. the shifter has alot of play, but ive heard thats an easy fix. i wasnt able to look at the subframe, but i shook the shit out of the rear of the car and didnt hear anything bad and when i drove in first i blipped the throttle to get the rear to compress and lift and nothing, so im hoping there is no subframe mount issues.

hopefully i can get the issues sorted out and make it a decent daily driver, then do the RSF reinforcements and then weld the diff and go thrash this thing.

on to the pix, they are the pix off CL as its night time and no one wants to see a black car at night with no light.

http://i.imgur.com/Kk8spuB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/A16NJmh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/oqwszn7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ca6OjED.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lQI4Fxf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WKFqSQ6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/J2v82DF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NPuJ43o.jpg

[jeepster]

sounds to me like a couple hundred bucks and some elbow grease and its good to go. I've spent more for less in my life! heated seats=good chance it has an LSD

[RandomHero27]

sounds to me like a couple hundred bucks and some elbow grease and its good to go. I've spent more for less in my life! heated seats=good chance it has an LSD

OH!? well, ill have to jack the rear end up tomorrow and give the tires a spin. i did a few burnouts, and it felt like both were spinning, but i really dont know. ive never owned a burnout car before. my v6 swapped mr2 has wide sticky tires on it. my kid thought it was cool, untill he smelled it. he asked me what it was and i said "its either rubber, or if im unlucky, clutch."

[Piner]

Note: 1996 and newer, BMW only put LSD's in M cars.

the heated seat deal only is applicable on obd1 cars

Really thats a pretty decent car for the money you spent. Sounds like you need a front end refresh. You can get pretty much all the parts as a package from ebay for around 150 bucks. Thats everything you need. Then I would check your Rear trailing arm bushings since those can cause some weird handling issues if they are worn out.

[jjjjjjj]

Nice pickup! I'd say you got a pretty good deal and sounds like it's just what you wanted. You probably need a front end refresh, almost guaranteed the front control arm bushings and tie rods are shot which causes all kind of shaking and play at speed. I went the $150 eBay kit route plus powereflex bushings... and wish I had bought e46 arms and treehouse solids now that I rolled my fenders and run 25mm wheel spacers lol.

Maybe try taking the wheels to get balanced, that's cheap and might just cut down on some shaking for now. You will find that the front end is very sensitive on these cars!

Mysterious buzzing is probably a funky buzzer mounted in the panel under your steering column that is easily ripped out and your intermittent check light is probably o2 sensors as you will have 4. If you ever need o2 sensors PM me as I have 2 from my wife's old 1996 328is with less than 1k on them that I'd sell cheap. Also have some smoked coupe taillights (check my sig)

Great mileage too, 11 years ago I paid nearly 4 times that for a 125k 325i...

[sdipompo]

I paid 2200 for my 96 M3

[kyillest]

I paid 2200 for my 96 M3

and where is it now smashy

lol jk

clean car looks like fun

[jeepster]

Note: 1996 and newer, BMW only put LSD's in M cars.

the heated seat deal only is applicable on obd1 cars

I was totally unaware of that. I have owed 6 3series cars but all were 1994 or 1995!

[RandomHero27]

is there anyway to lower the seat? im in a comfortable position, but my head is damn near the roof, i feel like im bending my head down, and i feel like the wheel is in my crotch.

- - - Updated - - -

i know a racing seat would help out, but im not there yet as far as where i want to start spending $$

[SLR]

If the car has heated seats but a DSC button, then no LSD. There was some overlap in '96 I think.

Sounds like you front bushings are shot. SLR kit will fix that ;)

[RandomHero27]

If the car has heated seats but a DSC button, then no LSD. There was some overlap in '96 I think.

Sounds like you front bushings are shot. SLR kit will fix that ;)

thats a plan in the future if i get into drifting heavily. i might need your help soon anyway. actually the help of anyone here who does fabricating and is willing to help out my cause. i have a disability in my right arm that makes shifting really awkward and i have to lean forward in my seat. i need to find a way (adapter?) to bring the shifter back 12"-16" or so. you can see my hand/arm in the beggining of this video i took the other day.


ive been super busy and havent had a chance to do anything with the car. the other day i took it for a short drive just before the sun went down. i tried to do fun things, but i forgot i left the traction control on.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi3O_i2AuT8

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oh yea, i decided im gonna get new (used) tires. the PO bought cheap tires 1 by 1. i figure my problems may be tire related so ill start there. if not, then at least i have new (used) tires that im sure of. i took the car to the local tire shop and they wouldnt even balance the tires because they were "out of round". i called around looking for used tires and got "lol, we dont have that size!"

[motocaddy]

if you're trying to solve problems that you think might be tire related, I would not go with used tires. Like others have mentioned, I'm guessing your car needs tire rod ends, front end bushings, and rear trailing arm bushings.

[RandomHero27]

if you're trying to solve problems that you think might be tire related, I would not go with used tires. Like others have mentioned, I'm guessing your car needs tire rod ends, front end bushings, and rear trailing arm bushings.

yea, im going to get under the car here when i get a chance and have a look at all the front steering bits.

- - - Updated - - -

Problem solved. Dropped $400 at discount for kumho ecsta ast installed and insured. No more wobble.

[SLR]

i need to find a way (adapter?) to bring the shifter back 12"-16" or so. you can see my hand/arm in the beggining of this video i took the other day.

Can you get a measurement of exactly how much further back you'd like the shifter and get in touch ( sean@SLRspeed.com ) I'd like to come up with something! Also a friend of mine has an electric/hydraulic handbrake system on his car that we've been talking about producing. Might be useful also. His is just a button on the top of the shifter and will lock the rears at any speed no problem.

[RandomHero27]

Can you get a measurement of exactly how much further back you'd like the shifter and get in touch ( sean@SLRspeed.com ) I'd like to come up with something! Also a friend of mine has an electric/hydraulic handbrake system on his car that we've been talking about producing. Might be useful also. His is just a button on the top of the shifter and will lock the rears at any speed no problem.

no need for measurements. i got a perfect reference point ill email to you.


anyway, like i said, new tires fixed most of my problems. currently on my to do list is the cooling system, then ill do the front suspension/steering bits. but today, i found the e36 ignition barrel problem. ugh! looks like ill be carrying a screwdriver with me from now on, or at least untill i have nothing else better to spend $120 on.

[Rustyfriend]

Push button ignition!

My old coupe had the same problem so I just installed switches for ignition1/ignition2/momentary toggle for the starter. Total cost was ~$20 and maybe 2 hours of my time

[RandomHero27]

got this today from the local import facebook group. $10 OEM.

getting to be a little less PovertyE36. waiting for payday and basically will be buying most of the prev maintenance stuff. after payday all that will be left to get is the ebay control arm kit, rado, hoses, welded diff and the subframe reinforcement. then itll be maaaaad skid time.
https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1004965_10202309019358334_274765375_n.jpg

[RandomHero27]

So im in Ft Worth for the weekend. My buddies step father in law runs a small shop and hes a bmw/porsche enthusiast. Took the e36 over and helped him with a strut replacement on a lumina. Afterwards we threw the car on the scanner. He cleared everycode and told me my 2ndary air pump might have crapped out and showed me how to test it. After he cleared all the codes we put it on the lift and we checked tbe under side. My CABs are good but need raplacing. The outter ball joint on the driver side is toast. All belts need replacing and i have a slight leak on a high pressure PS hose. Everything else looks good. Some of the sound deadening is coming off near the drift shaft ans has polished it up nicely.

He made a parts list and is going to get me his wholesale cost for a quote for everything. Im going to go with the ebay control arm kit though.

[RandomHero27]

after getting all codes cleared, i got a CEL again. i think the secondary air pump is dead. i removed it yesterday, but then couldnt find my test leads to see if it works when powered from an outside source. its back in, but not "installed" at the moment.

since i was under the hood i decided to de-baffle the airbox, butt-dyno approves. i then golf teed the exhaust flange, ear-dyno approves.

right now im taking care of the small shit and prev maintenance. im shooting for next year to hit up events with proper stuff (seat, steering wheel, lsd, drift wheels).

[Kellu]

I'm guessing you watch quite a bit of porn. Why didn't you just name your car April?

- - - Updated - - -

Looks alright tho, I feel like $2500 was too much tho.

[RandomHero27]

im still here, being a 30 year old with a full time crappy paying job and a full time student sucks. too many hobbies, not enough $$$$.


i ordered a new waterpump and thermostat and some other stuff from autohausaz. i wanna get a mishi aluminum rado. i picked up some control arm lollipops at the JY and im gonna get some powerflex bushings. im debating on whether i should get the ebay control arm kit ~$120 or get some legit OEM replacements ~$250. im thinking ebay as i may end up doing an SLR kit sometime next year.

[Montreal e36]

Note: 1996 and newer, BMW only put LSD's in M cars.

the heated seat deal only is applicable on obd1 cars

Really thats a pretty decent car for the money you spent. Sounds like you need a front end refresh. You can get pretty much all the parts as a package from ebay for around 150 bucks. Thats everything you need. Then I would check your Rear trailing arm bushings since those can cause some weird handling issues if they are worn out.

Nupe, my 96 328i had a 2:96 lsd (it was a sedan sports package no winter package though) and my 95 325i winter packagage but non sports package had a 3:15 non-m lsd also so there you have it, he more than likely has an lsd since he's got a 328is

[RandomHero27]

he more than likely has an lsd since he's got a 328is

nah, already put it on a lift and gave the driver side wheel a spin, the passanger side did nothing. no such luck on an LSD. :(

[Montreal e36]

nah, already put it on a lift and gave the driver side wheel a spin, the passanger side did nothing. no such luck on an LSD. :(

I guess I'm the lucky one that lucks out with lsd's in e36's Ive got a 3:15 lying around if your ever in Dallas, or my buddy can build you whatever ratio you want.

[RandomHero27]

I guess I'm the lucky one that lucks out with lsd's in e36's Ive got a 3:15 lying around if your ever in Dallas, or my buddy can build you whatever ratio you want.

im always around Dallas/FtW. i got a good buddy that live in Joshua and his father in law owns a shop that specializes in BMWs in Kennendale. Im not interested right now, but maybe around August/Septmeber i may be.

[RandomHero27]

Parts!!

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10443552_10203023157851350_986476488988009861_n.jp g

[RandomHero27]

not DRIFT related, but this is my only "pimp my ride" thread

took a road trip this weekend. went and did ranch road 337 which s a badass texas hill country road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vixQhP8Vfg

went out with what started as 5 e36s.

1 e36 m3 4door auto
1 e36 m3 coupe
1 e36 m3 coupe supercharged
1 e36 318ti with a full m3 swap
and my e36 328is.

i was the only stock one out there. everyone else had suspension +. the supercharged had to bow out on the drive up there due to time constraints and misjudging how long we would be gone. my car did alright. i had my kid with me and a cooler and a friend so i didnt push it too hard. when i was with the pack i could keep up mostly but once they all put distance on my i slowed considerably. mostly because i felt safe because i didnt know the road. if you watch the vid you will see how tight and sharp the turns are. all in all there was no brake downs or anything and my car didnt skip a beat. i was happy. also i was happy that despite a shitty 2.89 diff (m3s are 3.15/3.23) and 30ish less hp, i was able to keep up most of the time. even a high speed pull from 35mph they didnt pull me too bad. this run did show me i need suspension work, and possibly brake work done.

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10363768_833484646686137_5058352827223117285_n.jpg

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chilling after the run.
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[RandomHero27]

picked these up this weekend. $200 w/ tires. tires ended up being damn near brand new 255/50/16 bf goodrich gforce. ($130 ea, new). since the tires are too tall, the plan is to separate them from the wheel and then throw them on CL for $350 and take the first offer near $300.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10408010_10203267999132229_4732782846855045577_n.j pg

[DavidD123]

picked these up this weekend. $200 w/ tires. tires ended up being damn near brand new 255/50/16 bf goodrich gforce. ($130 ea, new). since the tires are too tall, the plan is to separate them from the wheel and then throw them on CL for $350 and take the first offer near $300.



Damn everyone's got salad shooters now!

[RandomHero27]

Damn everyone's got salad shooters now!

i been wanting a set of cheap good looking 16's for a bit. these popped up on CL and i noticed the tires and then the dude told me he would take $200, i wasnt going to say no. like i said, the tires look brand new, like someone put them on their vette for a week then moved to different wheels. so, if im able to unload them on CL for around $300, i made a bill and got some free wheels.

[RandomHero27]

drivers side CAB is done, so i just ordered some powerflex "race" from ebay for $75 shipped. ebay sent me a $5 coupon at just the right time. cant wait to get them installed and see how it feels

[LandR]

dont beat yourself for buying the car unseen and have fun working on it.

We just purchased our 98 coupe m3 with 200k for 2,500 and it came with some gaskets/spares that the old owner never got aroudn to doing...

[RandomHero27]

dont beat yourself for buying the car unseen and have fun working on it.

We just purchased our 98 coupe m3 with 200k for 2,500 and it came with some gaskets/spares that the old owner never got aroudn to doing...

yea, thats been fun. also joining the local facebook group has been a great experience. the main group is all BMWs, but there is a subgroup for all of the older model BMWs and thoswe guys are the best. already been on a few bbq/cruises with them as well as a clutch change meet/bbq/shop day

[RandomHero27]

time for an update.

i was stuck driving my SUV for the past few months. developed a misfire that wouldnt go away. turned out injector #6, and #5 were leaking. junkyard injectors solved the problem. new O2 sensors and a new valve cover gasket and i am now driving it.

i recently made a crap load of purchases.

entire cooling system + electric fan + Koyorad 48mm- $600ish

style 5s - $400

subframe reinforcements - $100

100k mile 3.23 M3 lsd - $160

i need to get it all installed still. my plan is to use the style 5s for daily wheels, and use my stock wheels for rear drift wheels, and the salad shooters for front drift wheels. i test painted a style 5 today just to get an idea of the color combo, i love it. last thing i need to be ready is a helmet and a shifter set-up. reason located here... http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2154881-X-posting-from-the-main-race-forum-need-some-help-Protomer-SLR-get-in-here-please

http://i.imgur.com/UufyVWg.jpg

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