Very toast. I just cut the old ones when I pulled the reservoir. Fitting the hose that runs through the firewall to the clutch master is real fun as you can imagine.
So update-
-Brakes and clutch bled and filled with Castrol SRF. All good there
-Took the BBSs to get the tires swapped from the Style 24s. Turns out one of the rears was out of round and would not balance. That wheel is currently in transit back to the seller to get repaired, but that leaves me with 3 functional wheels at the moment + the spare DSII.
-The rear wheels do clear the fenders without a roll, but to be safe will just give it a light roll. I have like 2mm inner clearance up front at a less than ideal ride height, and do not want to run a larger spacer as I do not own a flat brim hat/vape pen so can't pull that look off. If I lower the coilovers anymore upfront the tires will rub on the spring perches. I am reconsidering suspension options.
-I somehow snapped the head of the bolt in the intake manifold. My Milwaukee cobalt drill bits aren't making much progress so I am going to try some Drill America bits. First bolt that has broken on this car in 3.5 years.
-In happy news I threw the Recaros in and they look fantastic. I bought a passenger seat occupancy sensor bypass off eBay. However, as others noted they really do not give you a lower seating position if that's what you're after.
-Gave the car a wash, light polish, and ceramic coated with the new Ammo Reflex Pro II. A lot more wax like look and is hydrophobic and instead of hydrophilic like the previous iteration.
That looks sweet. So that’s a 245/40-17 you are running?
What’s the spec on the wheels then?
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/
Yes, 245/40/17 PS4S on a 17x9.5 +35 in the rear, no spacers. A little stretched but not bad. 17x8.5 +35 w/10mm spacer up front, 225/45/17.
Interesting. I have to run a less-than-ideal 215 in the rear (215/45 to be as close to 245/40 ratio, which this is) and even smaller width @ 17 x 9" although ET26 (2" lip). Front I have 205/45-17 on 8" to keep the staggered setup. 1.5" lip up front.
To keep the comparison correct, I'm also on (brand new) PS4's.
Looking at your double stepped lips, these are BBS198's? At least they look to have the 12.5" centers.
I've considered going half an inch smaller in lips F/R to run proper size tires, but then again this is more a show car and the years I ran this car on the Nurburgring Nordschleife on these sizes, it never was an issue. It's a proper whale anyways.
Last edited by MParallel; 11-14-2023 at 09:15 AM.
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/
Don't understand why you ask? My whole post is the explenation for that very reason.
in short: 245 will rub unless massive role and/or camber. The rear inner lip is already rolled flat.
Altough I find it strange. 9.5" ET35 vs my 9" ET26 calculates to mine poking only 3mm more. The only thing is that the extra 30mm tire width, is left on the inside. So if I keep the same lip and extend the barrel to 9.5 or even 10" might give the extra room.
PS: we haven't established whether his will rub or not, or?
Last edited by MParallel; 11-14-2023 at 12:02 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/
These are BBS RS320s, so yes redrilled and filled, but done properly at least to my amateur eye. Wouldn't do it on really any other wheel besides an RS (the center pad is super thick).
Been busy the past couple weeks. To make the wheels fit in the front I ditched the KW coilovers in favor of Bilstein B8/H&R Race springs (I know, I know). But now instead of clearing the front strut by 1-2mm with a 10mm spacer, I have about 4mm of clearance with NO spacer. Fitment is perfect (for me, to me it looks weird on the E36 when the front wheel is even with the fender and like it slightly inset). Rumor has it Bilstein changed the valving recently on these so they aren't as stiff as they used to be, but will update once I get a proper drive in.
All that aside, I fired the car up fro the first time in a little over a year (this is technically the 3rd start in the video):
It does not want to idle at all so that is why I keep revving it. It is LOUD- the rattle is the exhaust, and I need to check for exhaust leaks which hard to do when the car won't idle and you're by yourself. I did get it to hold steady at 2000-2500RPM for a few minutes to get it up to temp and there are no fluid leaks. Going to change the oil next then investigate- it does have the 803 MAF on it and a brand new IACV (which is plugged in), so might try switching back to the stock MAF and see if that helps for now.
Last edited by sirhodjibob; 12-04-2023 at 09:30 AM.
I had a bad MAF as well and car wouldn't idle. I don't remember getting any codes either. Sounds great otherwise!
TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36
All good feedback. The Kassel tune on the DME should be accounting for the 803 MAF, and the car didn't throw any codes which is a good sign, and hey it has fuel, spark, and compression. But yeah, could be a vacuum leak somewhere or just a bad MAF. Will double check IACV (which again is brand new).
Completely unplug the MAF and see if it makes a difference. It will just run in open loop.
Hey all, the Lightweight Style 24s are finally up on BaT. Happy bidding if youre interested. Let me know if you have any questions.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/bmw-style-24-wheels/
I love the attention to detail.
Absolute museum piece.
Thank you very much, still some work to do but getting there. Had to take a break working on this and focus on getting the hooptie X3 ready for winter duty.
Some parts arrived, just the fronts for now:
72112257463 - Motorsport seatbelt driver side
72112257464 - Motorsport seatbelt passenger side
Last edited by sirhodjibob; 12-24-2023 at 09:17 AM.
Looking good! Just gets better and better.
Did those wheels set a price record? I suspect they went to an LTW owner who needed a set.
Nice job with the wheels Hutch! Congrats!
How’s the seating position with the Recaro’s vs the Vaders?
Winning bidder said:
“Thanks very much. Will put them on a ’97 M3 Sedan that I purchased new and has been handed down to my son.”
No idea if it's a record, but they are going to a good home for sure. Don't think the buyer is on here though. Certainly exceeded my expectations on what they went for.
The Recaros are amazing, significant increase in bolstering and lateral support of course. The only thing is they really do not sit any lower at all (which I think Brett mentioned at one point), but still happy with the upgrade. I'm still debating what to do with the back seat. I actually bought a Hard Motorsport rear seat delete and thought of throwing a half cage back there for clubsport sort of vibe, but starting think I value having folding rear seats and the practicality more. I still haven't reinstalled the headrests since I replaced the rear shelf years ago.
Vaders will be the next item I sell.
You hit the jackpot the these wheels haha.
This summer a NIB set of the polished ones went for €2000. Altough that was dirt cheap and gone within 15 minutes.
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/
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30935611
Vaders for sale.
Not much in terms of updates lately but will be back on it soon. Had to take a break and focus on the 996 (installed Supersprint X pipe, Bilstein B8s, M030 sways, and some maintenance items). Back to the E36 soon.
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