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#1. Re: Shock life - from Neil Maller
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 17:51:58 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Shock life on 1/22/01 17:30, "Rich Gay" <rich_gay@linbeck.com> wrote: > Turns out the front upper stock mounting points on the car were deformed. > The 95 M3 had no reinforcement, the subsequent model years BMW added a > circular plate. My shop pulled down the deformed area, welded the the > reinforcing plates, and then all is well. Rich brings up a good reminder. The reinforcing plates that BMW added to the 96+ M3 just sandwich between the top of the strut bearing plates and the underside of the strut towers. They are cheap, something like $6 each as I recall. Best of all, you don't need to disassemble the struts to install the plates. Every 95 M3 owner who tracks their car, or who has aftermarket springs/shocks, ought to add these reinforcements. Neil 96 M3
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#2. Re: Signs of a GREAT shop - from Neil Maller
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 18:10:47 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Signs of a GREAT shop on 1/22/01 12:10, "Mike Tse" <phid_bombadier@hotmail.com> wrote: > Previously, I had brought my car in for a new ltw clutch/flywheel. <snip> > I drove the car for a few weeks and I still felt a bit of rough idle (now > from what I've heard, M3s do exhibit a bit of rough idle, but I'm a bit > picky and paranoid...thoughs of the engine falling apart kept going through > my mind) Mike, You sort of skipped over the details of your lightened flywheel. Are you aware that an irregular idle is a normal consequence of installing a lighter flywheel on any E36 M3? The normal fix for this is to have the idle speed raised a bit via software. I don't know that a dealer can do this, but JimC certainly can and does. Neil 96 M3
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#3. Intermittent rough Idle - from Jason Sarich
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 15:04:01 -0800 From: "Jason Sarich" <sarich_m3@prontomail.com> Subject: Intermittent rough Idle Has anyone had a problem with an idle that at random times feels like you have a 12" subwoofer under your seat hitting once in a while? Like having the piston hit something? I don't know. It started off about 1 month ago with a single hit. I was like, hmm...ok. Then now it is whenever warm and at a stop for a short while I will feel it a tad more frequently. Any suggestions? About a year ago I overreved the engine, but haven't had any problems up to this point. hopefully not the valve crashing into the piston from it. but maybe? -Jason ________________________________________ Get your email at http://www.prontomail.com
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#4. Re: [E36M3] Shock life - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 18:35:21 EST From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Shock life I hate to disagree with Sean but I will ;-) I think the OEM M3 front struts are junk. The "bounce the car" test does not work for the M3. I'm not sure why. Maybe the springs are stiff or the sway bar dampens the bounce. My M3 passed with flying colors but the OEM struts were worn out with just 43,000 miles. After I got the struts off, I could push the strut in with my little finger. I do agree the rear shocks are probably good for much longer but anything over 30,000 miles and I think the fronts are rapidly deteriorating. I've helped several friend replace their front struts and all were about the same. The most miles was one with 65,000 miles. They were completely crap. I could compress the strut with my little finger and the shaft just stayed in the body. It did not come back up. The OEM struts/shocks are low pressure gas charged and should extend when released. Another M3 had about 60,000 miles and those struts were about the same as mine. Paul, I would recommend replacing the front struts if you have 43K miles. Ironic, that was exactly when I replaced my struts/shocks with Bilstein. The Bilsteins are another story. They are stiff enough for a damn cement truck! I don't think the parts are too expensive. New struts are probably less than $175 each. However, I hate to ask what a dealer would charge for the labor, probably more than the new parts. If you lived in Dallas, we could change them in less than 1 1/2 hours. I've got lots of practice :-0 I even made a special tool to remove the nut on the end of the strut shaft. [For the curious - No, I do not get an alignment after installing new struts. None of my friends or I have noticed any problems with handling/tire wear after installing new struts. I don't really see how putting new struts on can change the front suspension. Camber and caster are nonadjustable. Toe in should not change much unless you lower the car with shorter springs.] Lowell Seaton '95 M3 Dallas, Texas
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Re: Shock life - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 18:42:42 EST From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: Shock life Neil writes: > The reinforcing plates that BMW added to the 96+ M3 just sandwich between > the top of the strut bearing plates and the underside of the strut towers. > They are cheap, something like $6 each as I recall. Best of all, you don't > need to disassemble the struts to install the plates. Even cheaper :-) Ordered from Classic BMW in Dallas on 12/01/00 the reinforcing plates were $4.85 each after BMW CCA discount. Although there is a gasket that you need too for another $3.35 each. $8.20 total each side. Lowell Seaton '95 M3
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#6. Re: [E36M3] Shock life - from Sean Hester
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 15:46:49 -0800 From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Shock life >I hate to disagree with Sean but I will ;-) I think the OEM M3 front >struts >are junk. The "bounce the car" test does not work for the M3. I'm not >sure >why. Maybe the springs are stiff or the sway bar dampens the bounce. My >M3 >passed with flying colors but the OEM struts were worn out with just 43,000 >miles. After I got the struts off, I could push the strut in with my >little >finger. wow. when i replaced my shocks/struts my car would fail the "bounce test". i'd get a good two full bounces. i wonder how loose the struts would have been if i'd played with them off the car? _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Shock life - from Jeremy Lucas
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 20:07:55 -0500 From: "Jeremy Lucas" <jlucas@columbus.rr.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Shock life > It also made a noticeable scrunch sound going over bumps, etc. The noise > came from up front. > > Turns out the front upper stock mounting points on the car were deformed. > The 95 M3 had no reinforcement, the subsequent model years BMW added a > circular plate. My shop pulled down the deformed area, welded the the > reinforcing plates, and then all is well. > > So, you might want to check and see if there is some deformation. With my > car it was obvious by observing the three bolts coming up through the > mounting holes -- they were splayed out at different angles, rather than > being parallel. Anybody else had any experience with this scrunch sound and it's causes? I have it but I assumed it was the 3" tubing on the ducted front brakes. Any thoughts? Jeremy Lucas 95 M3
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Understeer with Eibach Bars - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 21:27:04 EST From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Understeer with Eibach Bars In a message dated 1/22/01 1:11:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, ADiVin@lsuhsc.edu writes: I have the settings on soft\soft. I was using Kumho R compounds, but they were on 45 degree asphalt and never got warm. I also, for the first time, experienced axle hop at the launch. 45 degree asphalt is tough on anyone! For me, I find the Kumho's work best at 42-44psi front, 36-38psi rear and I keep them there before each run. Higher than this, I run into more understeer. My Kumho set up is 245/45/17 front/rear on 17 lbs. SSR Integrals 17x 8, et 40mm. That way I can rotate the tires for longer life. Can't say about the sways, haven't autox'ed with them yet here in snowy PA. Don't change things too quickly, I'd wait for more normal temperatures. Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe Philly Region SCCA AS Champion 1997 & 2000 #13 BSP 2001
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. - from Ahmad Lutfeali
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Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 03:14:37 -0000 From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. Car has 36900 miles now. The dealer checked for the plugs and wires and said they are OK. But he cant test it past the legal limit of 55MPH. The hesitation still occurs and you can feel it past 5500 rpms. 2nd gear is too fast to feel it. Does the dealer change the fuel filter at the 36K mile service? Thanks. Ahmad 98 M3/4 >From: "NickG" <nikog@mediaone.net> >To: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com>, "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> >Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. >Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 16:39:47 -0800 > >How many miles on the car and when was the fuel filter changed? > >Nick > > > I have this problem on the car that is really irritating me. After the >car > > warms up and on full throttle in 3rd, 4th and 5th, (on highway) after >5000 > > rpms the car hesitates kinda feels like the spark plugs are missing but >when > > we checked, its OK. The hesitation makes it less smooth and I kina weak >on > > power (because the rpms wont climb quickly now). I have an appointment >with > > the dealer for this monday and wanted to know some possible causes I can > > highlight. In the past it had some troubles with the valves and the >VANOS > > system which was taken care by the warranty (I dont know what the >symptoms > > where because I am the 2nd owner now). I would really appreciate all > > responses. > > TIA > > Ahmad > > 98 M3/4 > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. - from Bora Akyol
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Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 20:00:23 -0800 From: "Bora Akyol" <akyol@akyol.org> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. Can't test beyond 55 mph. Yeah right, they just want you to wait until your car goes out of its warranty. Go to another dealer. Bora ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2001 7:20 PM Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. > Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2001 03:14:37 -0000 > From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. > > Car has 36900 miles now. The dealer checked for the plugs and wires and said > they are OK. But he cant test it past the legal limit of 55MPH. The > hesitation still occurs and you can feel it past 5500 rpms. 2nd gear is too > fast to feel it. Does the dealer change the fuel filter at the 36K mile > service? > Thanks. > Ahmad > 98 M3/4 > > > >From: "NickG" <nikog@mediaone.net> > >To: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com>, "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> > >Subject: Re: [E36M3] Power Loss/High RPM Hesitation. > >Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 16:39:47 -0800 > > > >How many miles on the car and when was the fuel filter changed? > > > >Nick > > > > > I have this problem on the car that is really irritating me. After the > >car > > > warms up and on full throttle in 3rd, 4th and 5th, (on highway) after > >5000 > > > rpms the car hesitates kinda feels like the spark plugs are missing but > >when > > > we checked, its OK. The hesitation makes it less smooth and I kina weak > >on > > > power (because the rpms wont climb quickly now). I have an appointment > >with > > > the dealer for this monday and wanted to know some possible causes I can > > > highlight. In the past it had some troubles with the valves and the > >VANOS > > > system which was taken care by the warranty (I dont know what the > >symptoms > > > where because I am the 2nd owner now). I would really appreciate all > > > responses. > > > TIA > > > Ahmad > > > 98 M3/4 > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as the > subject of the message. > ************************************************************* > >