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Thread: Just bought a 1999 328i now what?

  1. #1
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    1999 328i

    Just bought a 1999 328i now what?

    So I picked up a silver 1999 328i for $1200
    Manual trans
    166k on the dash


    It's in ok shape but needs some love

    Known problems:
    -hood latch cables need to be replaced
    -existing clutch fan is noisey,I plan on swapping to electric fan
    -ac compressor makes a sound similar to a valve tap while driving with it engaged
    Only a mild tap while at idle
    -something is vibrating possibly exhaust related,I'll be looking at that
    -when I bought it the housing for the cabin air filter was in the trunk,hardware gone
    -seems like the shifter isnt as smooth as it could be,maybe bushings or time for new gearbox oil
    -the usual plethora of dash lights,waiting for scan tool in mail to determine what abs sensor,brake pad sensor needs to be replaced
    And to look into srs light
    -headlights are foggy AFFFFF
    -need to replace various interior parts,pelican parts


    I completely rebuilt a 1995 325i years ago but it was an auto and had vermin lol


    So any pointers,suggestions

    I'd like to wake the car up a bit,tighten up the overall performance

    What's my best bang for my buck,Ebay exhaust componants are fine by me,bought this car as a beater,but always loved the style of these cars

  2. #2
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    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    I assume it is an E36, not E46, will move it to the E36 forum.
    Please update your profile with the model
    My Cars:1999 328i
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    I assume it is an E36, not E46, will move it to the E36 forum.
    Please update your profile with the model
    Wow you really don't know that the E46 sedan debuted in 99? He has an E46.

  4. #4
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    it is not 100% clear, some E36 were even built year 2000, see ETK and see the 3 series forum index: 1991 - 1999 (E36) ,1999 - 2006 (E46)
    For example E36
    328i Coupe was built till 04/1999
    328i convertible till 09/1999
    328i Touring till 05/1999

    he just mentions " picked up a silver 1999 328i "
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Liquidity View Post
    Wow you really don't know that the E46 sedan debuted in 99? He has an E46.
    1998 even, at least here in EU.
    1998 BMW M3 3.2 Cabrio • Alpinweiί III on Schwarz • German spec • 1 of 12
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seancy85 View Post

    I completely rebuilt a 1995 325i years ago but it was an auto and had vermin lol


    So any pointers,suggestions

    I'd like to wake the car up a bit,tighten up the overall performance

    What's my best bang for my buck,Ebay exhaust componants are fine by me,bought this car as a beater,but always loved the style of these cars
    Sounds like an E36 to me.

  7. #7
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    1999 328i
    The 1995 325i is definately an e36

    And I'm not actually sure about this 99 I just picked up
    Pretty sure the headlights mean e46 right???? e46????

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    Last edited by Seancy85; 10-05-2018 at 11:36 AM.

  8. #8
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    Yes, that's an E46.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bostongruen View Post
    Sounds like an E36 to me.
    About 8 years ago I restored a 1995 325i,auto for a friend who had fallen on hard times

    The car sat for years and got infested with mice needless to say alot of damaged wiring in need of repair
    I went over the whole car and repaired anything that was damaged

    Yesterday I bought a 1999 328i(pretty sure it's a e46)
    But seems like alot of you bmw fanatics disagree?
    Maybe I'm wrong


    And I dont think anyone offered up any actual advice
    Like hey you should replace the exhaust the stock system is very restrictive

    Or hey check out this short throw shifter kit

    Etc,etc


    Here's some pics you tell me?

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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    I assume it is an E36, not E46, will move it to the E36 forum.
    Please update your profile with the model
    Nope e46,and it says 1999 328i on my profile

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  11. #11
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    If the grills fall out when you slam the bonnet it's an E46, if the hole for the grills isn't in the bonnet it's an E36

    Advice? Hmm, replace grills
    No warranty of any kind implied or given and no liability for any loss, damage or injury, no matter how incurred accepted.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Seancy85 View Post

    And I dont think anyone offered up any actual advice
    Like hey you should replace the exhaust the stock system is very restrictive

    Or hey check out this short throw shifter kit

    Etc,etc
    Hey, check out these google image results for 1999 BMW E46 sedan. You should have no doubt that the car that you own is an E46.

    Hey, check out this E46 forum. You'll get a lot more support than you will here in the E36 forum.

    All good natured sarcasm aside, good luck with your project.
    Last edited by Bostongruen; 10-05-2018 at 01:18 PM.

  13. #13
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    Guys he did post in the E46 subforum. Shogun moved it.

    Mods please move back to E46 subforum so he can the proper guidance. Or delete and have him start fresh.

    Good luck OP

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nanniepoo View Post
    Guys he did post in the E46 subforum. Shogun moved it.

    Mods please move back to E46 subforum so he can the proper guidance. Or delete and have him start fresh.

    Good luck OP
    Thank you

    Lol

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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    it is not 100% clear, some E36 were even built year 2000, see ETK and see the 3 series forum index: 1991 - 1999 (E36) ,1999 - 2006 (E46)
    For example E36
    328i Coupe was built till 04/1999
    328i convertible till 09/1999
    328i Touring till 05/1999

    he just mentions " picked up a silver 1999 328i "
    E36 Compact even as far as 2000.
    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/



  16. #16
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    clarified, will move it to E46 Forum
    Pls add model to your profile
    My Cars: 1999 328i
    Last edited by shogun; 10-05-2018 at 07:54 PM.
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  17. #17
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    The stock exhaust is very good. Best possible outcome messing with that is to spend time and money on it for no gain, more likely you'll spend money and time on it and it will sound like garbage and lose power.

    Realistically you can pick up some power with an M54 intake manifold, either the B25 or the B30 is an improvement. I think the M54B30 is the best choice. This job is moderately difficult and there are a few items to do while you're in there. You would need the crank vent valve and hoses, upper and lower intake boots and intake gaskets. I would also recommend replacing the water pipes on the side of the block. You will have to adapt your throttle body to the manifold as it doesn't bolt on and the DISA valve is different as well, so you want to make sure your manifold comes with one. The intake manifold tuning on the M52TU is a compromise, that's the only place they really left power on the table.

    In stock form it makes good power. Aftermarket intakes are useless, don't bother. If you do swap the manifold you want to look for a tune to make the most of it but even on stock software it'll run better.

  18. #18
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    My 99 M3 is an e36... Parts store ppl get this confused for some reason so i usually say 98 M3. The e46s are nice but personally i prefer the e36s for simplicity and theyre generally easier to repair (ive also had 7 e36s in the past 20years, so im biased). The e46 is 1000lbs heavier than the e36s and not that much higher in hp. For the extra 1000lb, i d go e39. They have beefier suspension and brake components that can allow you to beat on it. I drifted my 528i every day for years before it got a 1jz and the only thing i broke were coilovers from slamming curbs

    That being said, my favorite place for parts is:
    www.rockauto.com
    www.carid.com
    www.ebay.com

    www.craigslist.org
    www.offerup.com

    Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
    Current lineup: 99 BMW M3vert (project) , 05 Mazda RX-8, 04 Mercedes CLK320, 03 Chevy Express 1500 (work van).
    Previous rides: 07 Mazda RX-8, 92 BMW 325iNV, 94 BMW 325iC, 94 BMW 325i S50 M3 clone, 84 Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo, 84 Mazda B2000 lowrider, 88 Toyota Tercel, 88 Honda Accord, 93 BMW 318i, 95 Nissan Altima, 89 Toyota Camry, 95 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T, 93 BMW 318is, 84 Toyota Tercel, 96 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T, 97 BMW 528i 1JZ swap, 94 Acura Integra 4dr, 88 Toyota Corolla Wagon, 97 VW Jetta GLS, 86 Toyota Corolla AE86 4A-GZE supercharged engine swap, 94 Lexus LS400, 95 Isuzu NPR Turbo, 01 Suzuki TL1000R, 98 Honda CBR600F3, 99 Yamaha R6 and countless other dirt bikes and toys

  19. #19
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    WD40 for foggy headlights. Works a treat

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