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Useful links for your BMW.

104K views 66 replies 33 participants last post by  phillhustlz 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Section I,
(Or the stuff that you need to know)

Manuals (Found and shared by BBoyvek, whored out by df).

BMW Manuals

This one went missing: e36bentley.pdf

Owners manual download at the bottom of this first posting

That which is interchangable, and that which isn't.

Common Issues aka "Things your car will experience"

E36 M3 Common Maintenance Issues (Reference)

Finding a part:
Real OEM
BMW Fans (My favourite)

OBC Tricks
Here

Fault Codes
Compiled here
Colour List for All BMW's:
Franklyns' List

Tech Data, M3
1995 M3 Technical Reference - BMW E36 M - bosmobil

Engine Specs/Chassis Info: -Found by Franklyn, though I doubt he remembers that long ago...
http://wapedia.mobi/en/BMW_E36

==========================================================
Section II
(Things to do)

Project Sites

Ron Stygar's Unofficial BMWBoredom DIY's

Leather Repair
Leatherique Canada A good DIY on repairing leather

HLM
(Home Depot Lip Mod)
This is the stuff Sama talks about.
I can't find Sama's, but here's Franks write-up

Courtesy of Tom a Front bumper visual mod:
Grill

Low Beam Failure:
I found this randomly

Debaffle Airbox
Brazeau Racing - Air box

==========================================================
Section III
(For the non-lazy bastard buried inside each of you)

DIY Sites

Doug's Domain :: BMW DIY Articles
Bimmer DIYPelican Parts

Specific DIY's
Door Brake (Dude named jarozila)

Here

Your Steering Wheel Squeaks; (either fix the damn thing or accept your life) (by acoustic)
Spray here

Coilover install/adjustments (Nemeces)
Here.

HVAC Blower motor
http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/hvac_blower/

ASC Delete, (Mainly for track cars, not safe for a DD - if I'm giving this a disclaimer...)
From the lair of the enemy

Courtesy of Randy; The Rear Shock Mount DIY
Well done

...And the infamous Black roof on AW Vinyl:
Not so much

Fix Loose Door Panels
Us and Them

Headliner Glue (Amber and Stephen wax philosophical).
This helped me tons in deciding on what adhesive to use.

A/C Fixes (Words of wisdom by drivinfaster).
Someone might mistakenly call this wisdom anyways.

Brake Light Circuit
E36 Circuit Switch DIY - The M3 Strikes Back - chrisparente.com

Fuel Pump (Jim Spence doing what Jim Spence does. Helps us out).
Go Jim, go Jim...
or
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/...8287-e36-fuel-pump-diagnosis-replacement.html

Head Gasket Replacement
8 out of 10 Good luck for those who attempt this. Can you will me your car?

Cleaning the ICV
318:


Idle Control Valve Write up; ICV clean DIY

Removing the ICV & CCV (Crankcase Valve) 6 cyl:
(For cleaning, use the 318 writeup)

http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/diy/icv_ccv/

Door won't latch?
This is a good writeup, as posted by BMX325i in Amber's assistance

Repairing door handle
E36 Door Handle Replacement DIY

=========================================================
Section IV
Electrical work (When you screw this up, it tends to hurt)

Wiring
Angel Eyes

Chad's Angel Eyes DIY

Alarm Install
Hmm... Clark should have done one of these
Dead Pixels
macadamizer.com is for sale | HugeDomains

Created by Clark; The Official Lighting Thread.
Well written.

DIY Index
here are some climate control computer tests
BMW E36 climate control module repair
Fan controller broken on later cars:
most people do this:
Replacing the final stage unit/blower motor resistor (E39)
But should try this first:
failed blower resistor (final stage resistor) not really...

and section IV dead pixels is actually the climate control computer fix
Thanks Terry

=======================================
Section V
Detailing: Making pretty out of what you have

Andy's Detailing Guide (Nothing derogatory to say here, he do good)

Andy's Guide

Curb rash:
Shh... this is from an Audi

=======================================
Section VI
Simply interesting Articles: (It's not all smart, but it's fun to read)


Yearly changesE36 M3 Common Maintenance Issues (Reference)
For the JDM boys out there
http://jalopnik.com/5497042/how-a-500-craigslist-car-beat-400k-rally-racers?skyline=true&s=i
This is crazy awesome.

=======================================
Section VII
Suspension (Making your car go up/down no more than it is supposed to)


To think about:
Thinking about lowering your car?

Definitive guide:

Suspension Overhaul FAQ

=======================================
Section VIII
Everything Wheels: (Something something something goes round and round, round and round, round and round)

Bolt pattern

BMW - Vehicle Bolt Pattern - Discounted Wheel Warehouse
BMW Bolt Pattern Guide - Vehicle Lug Reference

Wheel Styles
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=153149&d=1215641545
BMWTips.com BMW Wheels
http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Fitments:
http://www.gruppeb.com/BMWwheels/fitments/

Finding hard to find bolts etc:
http://www.sfxperformance.com/catalog/Wheel~Accessories/Bolts/page_1.htm

Section IX
Tire sizes, (the other things that go 'round)

Courtesy of Ken

Offset and bolt help here

Tire size/speed changes here

E36 owners manual (right-click and "save-as")
 
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#42 ·
#44 ·
I'm going to rewrite this with less sarcasm, and more to the point helpful descriptions. If anyone else has a DIY they've written used, or feel should be included for its usefulness please drop it here and I'll include it in the rewrite.
 
#48 ·
Here's one I didn't see listed yet:

Find out which (optional) extras were fitted to your BMW from the factory:
bmw.com/ETK



Click on electronic parts catalogue and input the following:
U: eu111111
P: bmwetk1

Input the last 7 digits of your vehicles VIN and click on the button ->>


Then click on "options" above:


Once you've clicked "options" a pop up is displayed with list of (optional) extras fitted to your vehicle:


Credits to Ivari from bmw-club.ee for the find :thumbup:
 
#50 ·
Here's one I didn't see listed yet:

...

Credits to Ivari from bmw-club.ee for the find :thumbup:
I have been looking for this for ever!!! This is fantastic! Thanks for the great linky :D:D
 
#54 ·
Finding parts

You have a lot of useful information in this post. I am new here to this forum, however I would like to ad my 2 cents into your post. For your section about ordering parts, have you looked into Rock Auto? I have ordered parts from them many times with no issues. They are generally cheaper than anywhere else that I have found, and good customer service that I have dealt with. Again thank you for the very informative post.
The site is: http://rockauto.com/

Finding a part:
Real OEM
BMW Fans (My favourite)
 
#57 ·
For your section about ordering parts, have you looked into Rock Auto? I have ordered parts from them many times with no issues. They are generally cheaper than anywhere else that I have found, and good customer service that I have dealt with. Again thank you for the very informative post.
The site is: http://rockauto.com/
[/URL]
I Like Rock Auto since they handle some car brands besides BMW and VW that i have to deal with. The only thing you have to look out for with them is where the parts are coming from (which warehouse) I remember putting together a huge parts list i was going to buy and the prices were very good, but once it was in the basket and you figured out shipping found out it was like four or five different prices since it was coming from different places. I ended up only getting one or two things because the price was substantially less and shipped from one place, but the other stuff ended up paying a bit more, but it was under a single shipping fee from someplace else. Something to look out for.
 
#55 ·
#59 ·
Great video for cam position sensor replacement.

In addition to the cam position sensor, you'll need the sealing O-ring for it (doesn't come with the sensor), the O-ring for the vanos solenoid, and an oil filter with filter housing O-ring. You'll want to remove the oil filter housing cover to make more room and you might as well drop a fresh filter in.
The car in the video has an after market filter without a heat barrier. You'll need to pull the air box if you have a stock air filter or the heat barrier if you have a CAI.
 
#62 · (Edited)

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