Nice M3 you got there, I assume it already came with the x-brace and now adding the Motorsport strut brace makes it complete.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Hi there,
I must ask you if the BBS wheels fit without any rubbing issues? What tire sizes are you running?
I also have a very low milage (46000 km) E36 M3 convertible with SMG and want to keep it original (no arch work is allowed). I have the RS212/197-combo and plan to swap the outer rings to get 8 + 9 x 17 - the same as you have. Before re-doing them I need to know if they will fit w/o modifications.
/R
Hey Robbo,
Be sure to join the convertible sub section and throw in some pics. Nice to hear another SMG1 owner joing in.
Can't really give a definitive answer. It's not just the wheel specs, but also what tyre and amount of camber you run.
212/197 are the centers with lower ET13 so yours should then stick out more with 8/9 with being the same as mine are 302's with ET40 (now ET26).
Front is no problem at all. Rears rub a little bit. I'm also for keeing everything original, but I had the rear arches (fenders) ever so slightly pulled. It's completely invisible. Plus point is that the inner lip is comepletely rolled flat and sealed off. This means no factory rust traps anymore, which over time could form rust on the rear fender lips.
Had this done on both my 328i and M3.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Hi MParallel
We'll have to wait with the pics as the car is covered and parked for the winter.
If I've done the math the wheels should end up being ET26. Replacing the outer lips using 1/2" thinner ones should end up with the following; ET13 + 13 (1/2") = ET26
The camber setting is original and the tire sizes I was thinking of using are 225/45 + 245/40.
I supose this will be impossible... So it's better to keep the original look and maybe use the wheels on my other M3 (which has pulled arches all around).
What tire sizes do you have?
/R
I'm not really following your math. The give ET value for the center is listed for the original BBS wheel with its factory barrel and lip. Don't know the spec for that number out the top of my head. So with your lip/barrel combo, you might not have 13 to start with.
I run 205/45 and 215/45. It's true this is not favorable as I would like wider tyres, but my car is mainly my summer fun car and not a track car. I have seen guys running wider wheels with low offset wheels, but they usually run agressive camber.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
This is the first time I caught myself looking at a vert lol. Nice AW ragtop.
If the mind can conceive it, & you believe it, you will achieve it. - Napolean Hill
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1998 Alpine White & 1998 Arctic Silver ///m3/4/5
JC Intake - ASC Delete - Dinan TB - Flow Matched 21.5# Injectors - JC Tune - SS Euro Reps (modified to retain SAP) - z3m ssk - Eisenmann Race 76mm - Yokohama Advan S2 - Squared LTW's - FK Silverline +X - Rogue FCAB/ RTAB/ RSM/ TM - X-Brace - CDV Delete -Racing Dynamics F&R Strut Braces - NGK BKR6E- German Castrol 0w-40
Exactly a year ago I picked up the M3. Can't believe it's been a year already.
Still as exited today as the day I picked it up. It was a bit of a gamble as I already owned an E36 for 7 years and getting this M3 would mean that E36 ownership would be extended for years to come. Should I have gone for a newer model? E46 M3 was possible as well, but with at least double the milage.
Haven't had a single day of regret. I guess it's just the car for me.
The so feared SMGI has been 99,9% faultless. I have had one day where it skipped 4th gear due to a fault in the gear position sensor. After I gave it a reset with DIS, it's been fine ever since. And after giving it a fresh accumulator last March, shifting has been even more pleasant.
As it stand now.
SMG accumulator swap
The fresh accumulator
Bleeding with DIS
First part is the bleeding of the clutch actuator
Followed by the gear selector actuator.
Which is all accompanied with lots of clunking and hissing. You can actually hear the air being "blown off".
And finished.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Beautiful car, and a great thread. I'm a BMW guy through and through but new to 328 vert ownership and am loving everyday.
__________________________________________________ ____
1997 328i auto convertible in Montreal blue and matching hardtop, with grey sports leather and far too much stereo installed!
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Do you miss your 328 at all?
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Really cool to see some info on the SMG. My "SwitchTronic" transmission is a poor cousin but the experience is pleasant enough that I could see getting along with the SMG. A paddle retrofit could be nice to have but I guess wouldn't be in the character of your car.
I was >this< close to buying an E46 330 / M Performance / SMG, but a few things about the car didn't check out so I passed. But during the process I asked around and people who know how to maintain those SMG systems really seem to like them.
Always nice to see something different and well cared for.
Jeff | '94 BMW Alpina B3 | '06 BMW 325XI Wagon
My car just became a little bit more special, well to me at least, after finding out it's only one of 15 EU spec LHD M3 3.2 cabrio's ordered in Alpinweiss.
http://www.m3portal.com/forum/m3e36_cabrio32_colour.php
And only 10 of these were ordered with the (non-extended) black leather interior (N5SW).
http://www.m3portal.com/forum/index.php?topic=1427.0
I know white wasn't popular 15 years ago, but only 15 cab's made, that's kinda cool.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Where is that guy getting the numbers? I'd like to see production numbers for some other stuff.
I suspect I have one of the very few white on tan leather m42 powered e36s with fold down rear seats.
I know there is a topic on M3forums.net for the US spec colors and interior combo, but not for non-M models.
The guy there could run VIN's in a batchfile or something.
Last edited by MParallel; 06-16-2014 at 12:52 PM.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
My 328 is super rare, the only one owned in the whole world by cabdolla at the moment. Yesir.
Thought I'd might update this post once more. It's been well over a year and I never go that long without any updates.
After my car also fell victim to the S50B32 Vanos problems, although in my case of a total different order, I took the car of the road due to lack of time.
In the meantime I now rebuilt the Vanos completely with Beisan seal kit, upgraded E39 M5 solenoid seals, making it better than factory and of course new vanos filter. I also ditched the solenoids screen filters, which brake down and clog up the oil passeges.
Complete oil change, by which I mean all oil was taken out of the engine, which is 1.5L more than with a regular oil change due to design of sump and oil cooler. No idea what oil the previous owner used and last time of change. The little card in the engine bay with these details could have been outdated.
So it's now full of all fresh Fuchs Titan Pro S 5w40. A fully synth Ester based oil.
Fitted a new PS "hardline"
After trying to clean the special capnuts of the M stut in vinegar, only then realized they have a special coating. Which meant by by coating. So ordered 6 new ones at 5 a piece
Well luckely I could get 6. A friend of mine working a BMW Amsterdam, after inquiring by him, he said he had to order a minimum of 30(!). What a joke.
Old
New
Got myself an original BMW service light reset tool from an ex employee for a tray of beer.
Had the airco refilled
Got myself a rear OEM CF ashtray to finish all the carbon GT/Individuel trim
Finally found, and this has taken me a total of 7 years to find, is this little bracket.
It's the NLA since forever smaller bracket, that is part of a bigger bracket (which you can still get ffs) that hold the OEM carphone module needly in place.
Retrofit instructions want you to drill the roof compartment so the module sits against the underside. Oh hell no.
So now I finally have the module fitted the proper way. Not sure if it's obvious, but this bracket is specially designed so the module hangs between the rollbar cardridge (if there) and the amp (if there).
Retrofitted the Harman/Kardon system pulled from the 328i, which I retrofitted it to years ago. Same for OEM phone system.
That's about it for now.
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Car looks amazing, very neat e36.
CBlock
Haven't updated this in a while. Continued with the "full options options" goal that was started back in 2006 with the 328i and transfered over to the M3. With full options I mean the electronic/electric stuff mostly i.e. I don't need to have the glovebox CD/Tape tray nor cupholders.
Here's a summary of 2015-2017
Last piece of wood replaced for a brand new nappa leather version to match the rest.
Added a lockable fuel cap (the pin locking the door is easy to break)
Forgot to turn on the OBC
Z8 strutcaps fitted for a cleaned-up look.
Most leather bits brought back to as factory new as possible
And the latest addition is the installement of paddle shifters, which makes the whole SMG that more enjoyable. and they match the SMG shifter/surround perfectly.
Short vid
Not much plans of fitting new stuff, as it has about everything possible. I might replace the GW300 for a BT version so I can stream online/music and do phonecalls as the factory phone is no longer supported thanks to 4G. It still works in other EU countries, but for how long? The factory system and BT can exist alongside each other.
Do need to remove the doorcards and put in the H/K mids and highs, not something looking forward too as the cards are on tightly, but still needs to be done.
So now time will be used to correct some cosmetic stuff and bring that back to factory like brake calipers/dust plates and for the rest many enjoy it.
Option lists as per 20-12-2017 is now:
Standard Equipment Limited Slip Differential (25%) Steering Column Adjustment Mechanical Heated Windscreen Washer Nozzles Window Lifts, Electric Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger Foglights Check Control Speedometer With Kilometer Reading M Leather Steering Wheel M Forged Wheels Double Spoke
Factory optionsAirbag For Front Passenger Side Airbag Driver/front Passenger Alarm System - factory integrated system with keyfob Green Stripe Windscreen Hardtop Preparation Softtop Black Roll-bar Protection System Softtop Operation, Fully Automatic Floor Mats, Velour Warning Triangle/first aid kit Interior Mirror w. Auto dimming (now compass mirror) Smokers Package Skibag (now H/K subwoofer) Armrest, Front Seat Heating for Driver/front Passenger Headrests In Rear, Mechanic. Adjustable Headlight Washer System (SRA) Park Distance Control (PDC) Headlight Beam control Automatic Air Recirculation Control (AUC) Automatic Air Conditioning Cruise Control On-board Computer Wood Trim (now carbon fiber/leather) Sequential M-getriebe (SMG) Germany Version Europe/dealer Directory German / On-board Documentation No Outer Skin Protection Extra's fitted OEM Car Telephone (gsm) W Card Reader Front Radio Bmw Professional RDS Hifi Loudspeaker System Harman Kardon Lumbar support Hardtop Fire extinguiser Carbon fiber trim, Motorsport Int'l glovebox strip Carbon fiber trim, shift surround Carbon fiber trim, rear ashtray Motorsport Int'l doorsills Motorsport Int'l doormoulding badges Door pocket coin trays Glovebox torch BMW Motorsport strutbar Battery vent Trunk luggage net Extended leather center console Extended leather glovebox Extended leather glovebox corner trim Extended leather shiftconsole base Central lock switch
Z8 strut caps
Amber rear lights/front and side indicatorsExtra's fitted OEM+ Paddle shifters MFL Radio/Cruise Control/Telephone control One-touch rear/central window switches Radio auto mute with PDC on w. on/off switch M footrest Autodimming/DWA/Digital Compass rearview mirror E38 moodlights Z3 reinforcement plates Extra's fitted aftermarket Comfort blinkers (programmable 1-12) (to be fitted) Bosch aero wiper blades BBS RS 302 wheels MFL light /dimmer controller Dension GW300 USB/aux/Apple interface Bosch hidden aerial Bilstein PSS9 coilovers
Last edited by MParallel; 10-13-2021 at 09:39 AM. Reason: pic check
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Is it safe to say you probably own the most well OEM equipped E36?
Love it.
Good job on the paddle shifters! Didn't realize you retrofitted them.
CBlock
1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio Alpinweiί III on Schwarz German spec 1 of 12
SMG SRA PDC AUC OBC GSM HK UURS IHKA FGR MFL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iflok/
Next time you are handy with the camera, would you mind taking a closer photo of the control panel under the OBC by any chance? That is optional extra heaven!
What an incredible machine, the idea of a fully optioned E36, rare parts, and OEM Plus retrofits turns me into jelly on the inside
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