My 1999 M3 Progress Thread

[WBS]

Loving this thread.

[lg2k]

Nice find on the underfloor paneling. Are the following part numbers only available through Schmiedmann?

51-71-2-490-230 Bracket Underfloor Panelling, Centre
51-71-2-491-567 Underfloor Coating Center

[Cos270]

Nice find on the underfloor paneling. Are the following part numbers only available through Schmiedmann?

51-71-2-490-230 Bracket Underfloor Panelling, Centre
51-71-2-491-567 Underfloor Coating Center

The first one is available from getbmwparts.com

[M3C]

Any noticeable engine temp increase due to this extra cover, appears it does restrict hot air flow on bottom area. Anyone knows more why BMW did not include this from factory?

[sirhodjibob]

Nice find on the underfloor paneling. Are the following part numbers only available through Schmiedmann?

51-71-2-490-230 Bracket Underfloor Panelling, Centre
51-71-2-491-567 Underfloor Coating Center

The first one is available from getbmwparts.com

It'll get cancelled if you order it through them. You can order it through any European BMW parts supplier; I have had good luck with Schmeidmann.

[sirhodjibob]

Any noticeable engine temp increase due to this extra cover, appears it does restrict hot air flow on bottom area. Anyone knows more why BMW did not include this from factory?

Are you talking about the oil cooler duct or the undertray? The oil cooler duct sits beneath the radiator, and actually prevents air from escaping from underneath it. I don't see how the undertray would impact engine cooling. There's still air passing over the oil pan and out the back. With no AC condensor or aux fan blacking the radiator, and the thicker Euro radiator installed with a Stewart water pump, new hoses, coolant + water wetter, thermostat and proper ducting I think I successfully eliminated any potential cooling issues.

More parts on the way, updates soon hopefully.

[lg2k]

Ordered both parts from Schmiedmann so I figured I might as well order the Bosch headlights since I've had them on my to-do list for years now. Ordered the rest of the parts from getbmwparts.com. These threads always cost me money. lol Thanks for listing the parts. Look forward to the rest of your restoration.

We need more threads like these. I should start one as I pretty much did the same thing when I bought mine years ago so it's time for a second round of updating.

[JamesL71]

Thanks for listing the parts. Look forward to the rest of your restoration.

This.

Big thanks for listing everything with the correct names and part #s, including photos. It really makes this thread one of my favorites.

[sirhodjibob]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep updating as I go along.

On order:
-Rebuilt ZHP steering rack w/ new tie rod ends from Rack Doctor
-new OEM Steering U joint
-new hardware for the above

Currently a 2-3 week wait from Rack Doctor for the ZHP racks, so it'll be a little bit before I get it installed.

[TX S3]

I couldn't figure out why it would increase temperature? From air dynamic point, the airflow channel under the car and sides, heat dissipate from metal. The undertray does not block the front of the car???

[blckstrm]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep updating as I go along.

On order:
-Rebuilt ZHP steering rack w/ new tie rod ends from Rack Doctor
-new OEM Steering U joint
-new hardware for the above

Currently a 2-3 week wait from Rack Doctor for the ZHP racks, so it'll be a little bit before I get it installed.

Everyone talks about this upgrade, and I was excited to do it. But the truth is that my OE guibo was so trashed and spongy that once I finished there was no way to tell if the enormous difference in feel was from the rack or the E34 u-joint that replaced the OE joint.

Getting that all cleaned up and sorted after 20+ years / 210k miles was just magic.

[sirhodjibob]

I'm certainly looking forward to it. It's been awhile since I've driven a ZHP but it was the fantastic steering that I remember most. I believe it's a quicker ratio than the Z3 as well (13.7:1 vs 13.9:1, 3.0 turns lock to lock vs 2.7), which would be the same as my Z4M Roadster. Still waiting for it to arrive, hopefully will make progress soon. Also looking at getting a stablemate to compliment the M3, something more performance oriented and less compromised.

[WBS]

Also looking at getting a stablemate to compliment the M3, something more performance oriented and less compromised.

Something a little more S54-ish?

[sirhodjibob]

Something with the engine behind me! Although I love the S54 as an engine, especially with a carbon airbox.

[WBS]

Something with the engine behind me! Although I love the S54 as an engine, especially with a carbon airbox.

I've been eyeballing one of these tarmac terrors:

https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/corvette

Also looking at old f355, but finding a decent berlinetta stick is darn near impossible, and the overhang means there are a lot of places it cannot go. Maybe I'll stop dreaming and just settle for a M2 competition (way cheaper and probably more fun).

[sirhodjibob]

Love the F355. Almost bought a modified 348 before my SL. I prefer targa roof, just gets you closer to the noise.

[BAA M3]

sirhodjibob that is fantastic! Great work so far havent read all yet but I also just bought my Covid car.

Looking forward to learning from your cool project! Nice idea to to journal it here!

[TostitoBandito]

I second the M2 comp. $10-15K cheaper than a vette out the door, and if you use some of that money for performance upgrades you can probably end up with a quicker car. Plus it's not a Chevy, and you can get it with a manual. Or, you could go for the non-cost-effective option and get something like a Cayman GT4, which would be a lot of fun.

[xxxxxxx]

Kind of partial to the alfa c4. Beautiful car and something you don't see too often.

[gsanvi]

Somehow I missed this thread. Awesome job on the car, it truly is in fantastic condition! Looking forward to updates!

[sirhodjibob]

I hope to update soon! Still waiting on the ZHP rack from Rack Doctor, plus bonus parts from Deutschland.

[sirhodjibob]

After 5 months of searching I finally found an OEM E36 coupe roof rack on a German ebay page for local listings. After much pleading and, well, offering a much higher sum of money than the asking price I convinced him to send it stateside. It arrived and looks to be unused and almost new.

I believe this is part #82129401526 as opposed to 82719404700. 82129401526 is the older style with the flush base bars which I think looks better anyways.

[blckstrm]

After 5 months of searching I finally found an OEM E36 coupe roof rack on a German ebay page for local listings. After much pleading and, well, offering a much higher sum of money than the asking price I convinced him to send it stateside. It arrived and looks to be unused and almost new.

I believe this is part #82129401526 as opposed to 82719404700. 82129401526 is the older style with the flush base bars which I think looks better anyways.

Man, that is sexy! Puts my Thule rack to shame!

[sirhodjibob]

Been awhile since I've updated. Been a frustrating past few weeks to say the least.

-Found a leak from the aluminum thermostat housing. Tried replacing with a new OEM plastic one from the dealer but cracked it when tightening (yes, using a torque wrench to spec). Found a thread on here that stated BMW changed the supplier for the thermostat housing gasket, which was thicker and causing cracks. Tracked down the old style Elring thermostat housing gasket and ordered another new OEM thermostat housing. This combination worked and did not leak.
-Thermostat then seemed to be stuck open (had no heat). Not sure why, I replaced it a few months ago when I did the cooling system overhaul. Took off the thermostat housing again, and replaced it with an OEM 88* one this time. Heat returned!
-Also was getting the 'check coolant level' warning on the OBC despite full coolant. Replaced the level sensor with an OEM BMW one from dealer which solved the issue.

Now on to good news,





ZHP rack installed and feels fantastic. Bolts in exactly the same as the original E36 rack. Steering is noticeably more responsive and turns in more quickly. No dead spot on center. with all the good things you'd expect from a quicker rack. Also replaced:
-32311092949 steering U joint
-32311122041 & 07129922716 U joint nuts & bolts
-32106781639 & 33306760587 steering rack nuts & bolts
-07119904633 steering cooler bolts
-32216756327 tie rod end nuts
-Meyle tie rod ends

Had the front end aligned after this as well (zero'd out toe).

Currently sitting in a box:
-Meyle HD front sway bar end links
-31351135805 front sway bar bushings
-07119905515 sway bar nuts
-35411163228 throttle cable
-65718380077 cruise control cable
-35411100674 thottle pedal bushing
-35411113728 other throttle pedal bushings
-35411152331 grommet for throttle cable
-Garagistic billet aluminum throttle cable bushings

[sirhodjibob]

Ordered:

-KW V1 Coilovers
-Turner Hub extenders
-Turner 10mm & 5 mm spacers w/ longer wheel bolts
-Corteco front strut mounts
-Rogue Engineering rear shock mounts (includes bushings, reinforcements, gaskets, hardware)
-33502290348 x 2 rear bump stops w/ sleeve
-33531135420 x 2 lower rear spring pad
-07119900402 x 2 rear lower shock bolts
-31331094288 x 2 shock tower gaskets
-31312489795 x 2 front shock tower reinforcements
-31336765744 x 6 strut mount pins
-07119905374 x 6 nuts for top of shock
-31311136465 x 4 Bolts w/ washers for strut to kingpin

I think that's replacing just about every part related to a coilover install but if you see something I missed please let me know! I'm sort of assuming the coilover kit will include everything else I need but we'll see.