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View Full Version : Feeler: 1997 BMW 328is, track inspired



328ischef
03-06-2006, 01:21 AM
Hey guys,
There comes a point in one man's life when he starts to realize that it is not realistic to spend every last penny on his car. Where he can no longer put off buying food, becuase that next performance part is just a few meals away, where he avoids serious relationships becuase it indefinitely takes away from his "track time" fund. Good lord, I am that man. I have decided that the long journey may be coming to its end, but alas only to be replaced with either a 5 or 7 series. So, to avoid crashing my car on purpose and commiting insurance fraud, its for sale!

This is a 1997 BMW 328is, no sports package, with ASC (removed, but I can give you the parts), heated, electric seats, Dove grey interior, Sony CD changer just rolled 126k miles. The car handles beautifully and as you can imagine, it moooooves. I have not dyno tested it, but according to Eurosports dyno sheets, it should be putting down right around 220 WHP. I have outrun an M3 or two on some back roads and put my fair share of puzzled faces on cars that were surprised to see me pull away. I also must say that even though it is headed the in "track car" direction, it has never actually seen a race track other than the one autocross where I lost my radiator neck on the second run.


I have put countless dollars, and COUNTLESS hours into this car, sacrificing much of the better part of my life to ensure that is nothing short of a blast to drive. I have always been up to date on maintenence and take the greatest caer of it that I know how to. I have a folder PACKED with receipts, that is well over 6 or 7k$ in performance parts and maintenence, not counting the BBS wheels. The car is currrently inspected in Pa until June, it may need some wrench time to get it to pass becuase of the exhaust, but I have no doubt that it can be accomplished. My plans for this car were in the track car direction, so it may be best for someone that is looking for a cheaper way to accomplish this. It does have a fairly stiff suspension on it that may not be ideal for some, and a very, very sick sounding side exhaust. (Note*, the link in my sig is before I added a cat and muffler). I guess I will put down the modifications that I can remember on it now...

The exterior is in fairly good shape, it has a ding or two, but nothing of concern by any means, it has never been in any accidents or anything of that nature.

Some history about the car...
I have owned the car for the past 2 years and I absolutely love it. I still smile when I see it, god damnit it is sweet. I have been continually ever last cent into as stated above and its been a lot of fun. In the summer of 2005 I over-revved the engine and took that opportunity to do a lot of work to the car. I had some excellent machine work done to the head, replaced all of the valves, valve springs, replaced the clutch, and ALL of the fluids. The car has never really had any problems other than that, although one time on an autocross the radiator neck blew out about 9 seconds into the run, god that was such a mess on the course. The air condition has been removed, as well as the rear right passenger floor carpet to ensure that there were no fires or anything of that nature from the exhaust. I also have removed the center console free of the armrest and cupholders so that I could mount a fire extuingisher there. (shit happens, not to me though, dont worry) Sorry if you were there that day and I held you up. Here is a list of the recent maintenence that I can remember off the top of my head...

OEM 328 clutch
resurfaced flywheel
Behr Radiator
Brake fluid
Coolant flush
Oil changed every 2k or so, I wish I could recall the brand, some german one that my neglected mechanic suggested to me.
Differential oil
Crankshaft position sensor
HFM (I have an extra one also as a spare you can have)
TRansmission oil
ALL of the shifter bushings, clips, parts, etc
Auxiliary fan (installed last week)
timing chain
intake air temperature sensor
vanos solenoid
head gasket, valve cover gasket, intake/exhaust manifold gaskets, etc
tw new O2 sensors


Spare Parts:
M3 springs
HFM
two outer Meyle ball joints
intake air temperature sensors
rear trailing arm bushings


Engine:
East Coast Inductions Cold Air Intake
ASC Delete Boot
M50 Intake Manifold
S52 M3 cams
S52 M3 valve springs
Turner Motorsports Underdrive pulleys
Eurosport Cam software
3.91 LSD (its awesome, I'm not going to lie)
Fan delete kit
O2 simulators

Suspension:
Bilstein Sport Shocks/Struts
H&r Race Springs
M3 sway bars
BMW Motorsport X-brace
BMW Front strut tower reinforcements
Turner Motorsports Rear shock Tower reinforcement
Rogue Engineering Rear shock mounts
Meyle Motorsport control arms with solid ball joints (inner and outer)-just replaced 1/06
Bimmerworld Delrin Control Arm bushings
Turner Motorsports Alluminum/delrin Differential bushings- just installed last week!

Brakes:
Brand new blank front rotors
Akebono race pads- PLENTY of life left
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
ATE super blue fluid always used and changed regularly

Interior:
Momo Steering wheel/hub
Rogue engineering clutch stop
B&M short shifter kit

Exterior:
VIS CF hood
M3 sideskirts (replica's)
OEM euro fronts sides and rears
BMW Motorsport Lightweight replica wing, uninstalled, unpainted..actually should be delivered tomorrow.

Wheels/tires:
(5) BBS RK-2 piece wheels, 17x8 - you heard me right, you get a spare. These puppies go for around 500$ a pop on tirerack. Right now there are 4 Yokohama AVS E100 tires on them, 2 are in very good condition, 2 are just about shot

(4) Steelies - mounted with the finest snow tires in all of the land, Blizzaks

Known Problems:
The windshield has a small crack in it, it is in a place where it does not obstruct the drivers vision at all, appears to not be spreading.
hmm....nothing is really coming to mind.


I guess Ill just let some pictures do the talking now. Most of these are before the CF hood, m3 sides and while I had M3 springs.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/waxedbig4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/waxedbig1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

CF hood action
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/cfhood.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/medriveway.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/BMW1997010.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/3ebe59f5.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/waxed18.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b297/328ischef/anglethanksgiving1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>


And now for the price....
I do realize the side exhaust will take a buck or two away from the KBB value, and that I shouldn hope to get all of my money back from modifications. I am asking 10 grand even for it. It is a VERY good foundation to a track car and I have dumped in quite a bit of money on top of the $12,000 that I originally paid for it. I can provide for pictures upon request and would be happy to answer any questions.

havand
03-06-2006, 01:43 AM
This thing is fast. Video game corners fast. It was a blast to drive and scared me as a passenger. He puts a lot of work into it and as he said, it is pretty much his life. Nice looking car. Unique side exhaust.

328ischef
03-06-2006, 01:50 AM
thanks for the kinds words brother

4500 RPM
03-06-2006, 01:57 AM
No way! This has always been one of my favorite forum cars...I love the stance and the BBS wheels. Good luck!

theruss1an1
03-06-2006, 02:06 AM
No way! This has always been one of my favorite forum cars...I love the stance and the BBS wheels. Good luck!

Ditto. Id say keep the car man. If only Id have the money Id fly across the states and pick it up, haha.

-Serge

m3tommy
03-06-2006, 02:34 AM
hey chef can't believe that your selling the car but i guess that its better than the route that i went , i crashed the M3 , cant believe it never got to put most of the parts on . well now that opens up other oppurtunities . on with the turbo project on my E30 325ix got most of the parts i need waiting to get a clutch and rrfpr i'll send you picks of the M3 and keep you posted on the E30 project . best of luck and i hope we keep in touch

m3tommy
03-06-2006, 02:37 AM
i have also been a lucky one to enjoy driving with josh in his car 1 word INCREDIBLE !!!! the car is awesome it handles great has intense torquue it really throws you back in your seat great car wish i had the funds to get it would make a great replacement for my M3 Josh is also a great driver it's true what havand said it is pretty scary as a passenger but after you are able to realize how good of a driver Josh is somebody should pick this car up you wont be dissapointed!

OCWHEELWURX.COM
03-06-2006, 11:18 AM
good for you man. success is much sweeter when you remember the stuff you had to give up in order to get it. it's just 'stuff'.

on that note,

- love the exhaust.

- good luck on the sale.

328ischef
03-06-2006, 08:27 PM
Thanks for the kind words everyone, they are all appreciated.

Kevin 325i, The diff is en route, sorry for any delays, let me know when you recieve it, thanks.

spenser
03-06-2006, 08:37 PM
could you post up some interior shots? also how does the side exhaust affect rear leg room?

jm01dc
03-06-2006, 08:50 PM
could you post up some interior shots? also how does the side exhaust affect rear leg room?

I'm guessing it doesnt affect leg room as I've never heard of a side exit exhaust going through the interior of the car lol.

And yet another car that is too far from me.

328ischef
03-06-2006, 09:19 PM
I'm guessing it doesnt affect leg room as I've never heard of a side exit exhaust going through the interior of the car lol.

And yet another car that is too far from me.


actually, it does go through the interior. You can still put a passenger back there, but the exhaust is defintiely not for timid. I was coming home tonight and let the rev's drop to about 4k in 3rd gear and just punched it, I fell in love all over again.

Kevin,
Im sorry im not up to date on my PM's, you will not be disapointed, do not worry.

drivea328
03-07-2006, 12:13 AM
great car, great price! can't believe you are selling it!

328ischef
03-07-2006, 02:16 PM
great car, great price! can't believe you are selling it!
Thanks, hopefully someone bites soon, the more I drive it the more I want to keep it and spend even more money on it, god damnit.

ghas
03-07-2006, 02:42 PM
I am very interested in your car. Do you have interior pics, and do you still have the air conditioning parts you could email at gregghasenfus@yahoo.com

s1ick
03-07-2006, 04:24 PM
Good luck with the sale man. This car is fast. We took a quick drive around his area and I was getting hit by rocks left and right. Definitly gave my car a run for my money.

Ollie1662
03-07-2006, 07:42 PM
So I take it this wouldn't be a good DD?

328ischef
03-07-2006, 09:28 PM
if you are in the city, no way. welll...ive driven through the city with no problems but i guess you are bound to seek trouble. its too much fun not to fully utilize this car, may be better off for a country boy like myself...

NOTE* I took my car out again tonight and let her rip....it may not be for sale much longer, I dont know that I can actually sell this car, as it has become part of me.

ding
03-08-2006, 10:17 PM
any idea on what the quarter mile is, or if your running with m3s, also did this kevin guy get his shipping number yet, or should we start a protest or something, nice car btw

amdspitfire
03-08-2006, 10:25 PM
One week from the day you said it should be here, and no package. Maybe you should give me the shipping number.

you need to chill dude

hwl328is
03-09-2006, 05:17 PM
you need to chill dude

So you wouldn't be upset if you were in his situation :rolleyes

Nice car, definitely doesn't sound like a 2.8l.

amdspitfire
03-09-2006, 05:43 PM
differential isnt exactly the lightest or easiest item to ship...

ding
03-09-2006, 11:50 PM
and from what I understand that 3.91 that hes selling the car with is kevins, kevin has been with out a diff in his car for what like 5 weeks, when he thought it would be a quick swap. so kevin knows how hard it is to ship a diff and how you feel about your bmw sitting up on stands for over a month

edbd1
03-10-2006, 01:00 AM
and from what I understand that 3.91 that hes selling the car with is kevins, kevin has been with out a diff in his car for what like 5 weeks, when he thought it would be a quick swap. so kevin knows how hard it is to ship a diff and how you feel about your bmw sitting up on stands for over a month

I'm not making any judgement calls, just reading all the reponses in this thread. But if this is the case, how trustworthy is this seller? It's just fishy that no shipping number has been given, and the only response is "dude chill"? It makes people wonder is all.

havand
03-10-2006, 12:12 PM
Technically, Josh didn't say 'dude chill,' AMDSPITFIRE did.

JM3
03-10-2006, 04:45 PM
I don't want a trial, I just want an explanation or a shipping number or else Mr Jenny is going to be getting some upset phone calls. Personally I don't want it to come to that.


:eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :

jiggynites
03-10-2006, 07:48 PM
wtf i dont understand ... if you shipped out the diff then just send him the tracking # or are you thinking of keeping your car... meaning you will also keep the differential if you do :confused if you are then let this guy know give him his money back so he can find another one, then you ll have plenty of time to decide what you wanna do.

328ischef
03-10-2006, 07:51 PM
Great scott!
I just got back from MAryland from work, I left on to my dismay, I had a package on my doorstep with a differential in it. I had my mom ship it out and she messed up that and the other package and sent it to the wrong place. AS soon as Kevin provides me with the correct address it will be going out tomorrow, and a tracking number will be provided. In my own defense, When I recieved his differential there was a lot of work to be done before the "quick swap" was done. The differential needed its guts swapped out into my old 2.93 diff casing becuase he has stripped out the front bolt holes. Also, due to his lack of package protection the one "ear" had been broken off during shipping. This all combined with some un-welcomed winter weather made it hard for me to swap the diffs in my car. I dont mean to make excuses but it is not like I had it sitting on my dining room table and I was staring at it, putting off shipping it. I apologize for the wait, and he soon shall be a happy board member again...

To answer some of the questions...
Im not sure about the 1/4 mile, that kind of thing was never really my bag. It accelerates well, throughout all of the gears, I never bogggg any gears anymore. It handles acceptionally, with much improvement to be made with coilovers/alignment, sway bars and all that jazz.

For this car to be sold I will need a serious bite, I got to work 5am tuesday morning and I guess I was tired. I left the car in neutral and failed to engage the E-brake. I got out to load my bags onto the work truck and then went inside for a minute. When I came back out, my car was gone. To my dismay, it rolled about 15 feet forward down the SLIGHTEST incline into one of the big trucks. It ripped off the mirror and dented the fender, NOTHING else. M3 mirrors are being ordered tonight, and a fender is being aquired ASAP. Anyone got a schwartz 2 drivers side fender for sale? 2 door prefered ;)

So, let me know if anyone wants this car. I also recieved the LTW wing today and I am impressed with it, I think it will look great.

Ollie1662
03-10-2006, 07:53 PM
Well if you are still selling this car, I still might be interested. I live in the country in a pretty small town but I'd go to the city everyonce in a while and track it when I can. I don't know if the sound or whatever would be a problem being a daily. I'm thinking it's probably not the right car for me since it's more of a track car than anything else, but I still love it.



I know this, and I would understand if THAT were the issue. It is not. The issue is that I've been told it was shipped last monday to be to me last wednesday.

I would also understand if there were some other reason for it not being shipped to me yet. IF I were told about it, which I was not. If you were in a situation like this I'd hope you would put notifying a person waiting for a part if there were some reason it had not shipped on your priorities before listing your car for sale.

I still have not gotten a shipping number and I am still waiting.No need to explain your self, dude. You have every right to keep bugging him about it from what I've read. I get pretty pissed too when people say they shipped it but don't have the tracking number. Then again I know it's hard to ship things sometimes when your really busy but that's still no excuse. ;)

328ischef
03-13-2006, 10:30 PM
kevin, please let me know when you get the diff, thanks.
bump

carguy325i
03-13-2006, 10:55 PM
i always thought the 97+ 3 series had the updated grill. Why does this one not have that?

328ischef
03-19-2006, 10:43 PM
that is a good question....i have no idea, it says 5/97 on my door jams. I cannot answer the question, as the car does not to appear to have been in any type of accident