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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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#11 ·
O Rly?
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/favourite

aamazing thread
But seriously though...probably one of the most epic threads on the 'Fest. Vote for sticky!
Ed for President!..errr uhh Prime Minister? or whatever you guys have...
Thanks guys, I've been working on it for a few days, had to stop for Canada Day though (Like Independence Day for you clowns, but better).

good thread (Y)
just a headsup, the realoem alternative is actually bmwfans.info (not bimmerfans.info) - if there are still people out there that are unaware of a site full of such awesomeness.
Thanks for catching that, I'd typed 'bimmerfest' so many times that day it came naturally.
Yay!

Party at Ed's house!!!

I'll bring the strippers!!!!
When you get to Canada, just turn left at the light. (Ma neighbour gots the power). If you cross the train track, you turned right, not left.
 
#6 ·
good thread (Y)
just a headsup, the realoem alternative is actually bmwfans.info (not bimmerfans.info) - if there are still people out there that are unaware of a site full of such awesomeness.
 
#28 ·
Hey Ed that alarm install link isn't right for all cars. Almost every year has a different plug layout. I'd just take some pictures of the Bently's electrical diagrams. Thats what I used for the alarm install. Just an FYI or you can just add a note to it.
 
#32 ·
Thanks Clark.

Great posting!!! Well done man!! But then it came from Canada!! ( that's C A N A D A -- no "u")

small issue - cant get the Fault code link to work could you check it please?
THank you Ian. We've definitely gotta set up a meet between you, Ju and I.
 
#29 ·
#34 ·
Nice work Ed! (Never hurts to bump a good sticky)

I never felt like putting the effort into something like this since most of the people who don't know this stuff probably won't read it anyway. :( You're a better man than I. :rofl:
 
#37 · (Edited)
OBD I codes, how to pull 'em and how to clear 'em!
Here are all the BMW OBD diagnostic trouble codes, including the computer-specific ones and, where you get the least expensive scanner in the world:
- How to identify all BMW computer-specific OBDII fault codes (1) & how to better understand the key EPA federal test procedure (FTP) concept of the BMW "drive cycle" (1) & how to diagnose a typical BMW E39 engine misfire (1) or a sporadic-temperature-change cold-engine intermittent misfire (1) obtaining the pending or diagnostic trouble code (DTC) using free or freeware scans (1) [except in California or Hawaii (1) (2)] or the cheapest ODII scanner in the world (1) (2) or a better overall scanner (1) or the best diagnostic tools (1) (2) (3)

These are good E36 alignment specs and procedures:
- The dozen BMW alignment specs for the E36 (1)

In addition, these two links are a GREAT reference for the cooling system overhaul decisions to make on the E36:

BMW Cooling System Failure Points, Part 1 (e36, e46, e34, e39):


BMW Cooling System Failure Points, Part 2 (e36, e46, e34, e39):
 
#38 ·
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