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#1. Re: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) - from Mark Radelow
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Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 23:48:49 +0000 From: "Mark Radelow" <radelow@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) My car makes the same whistling noises... Doesn't seem to be anything. Let me know if you find anything out... Mark From: Bill <bill@screamingfist.com> Reply-To: Bill <bill@screamingfist.com> To: E36M3 <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Subject: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 18:38:50 -0500 Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 16:36:50 -0700 From: Bill <bill@screamingfist.com> Subject: Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) (Yep, you may have seen this posted at bimmerforums, Roadfly, or DTMPower ... TIA for your patience if you're sick of reading this! :) Since it's so long, private replies to bill@screamingfist.com would be a beautiful thing. And thanks for all the welcoming replies to my hello from a few days ago. Seems I didn't knock on enough carbon fiber when I brought up car problems. ;) ) Heya folks! I've had my '98 ///M3/4 (5-speed, 42000 miles) for about three weeks now, and I'm starting to notice a few fairly subtle engine sounds that have me concerned or curious. Maybe one of you can shed a little light? Maybe I'm just not used to the sounds yet. (Quite possible ...) Key background: Vehicle was purchased as CPO from a local dealer. Seems to be in pretty good condition overall. Doesn't even burn oil (except for any oil overfill, which gets dusted pretty quickly ... however, it's stayed constant at the high fill mark since; and I doublechecked this last night) which has been pleasant. Also, this is my first manual transmission car (though I've been driving for over ten years), so I've been hyperfocused on shifting and such, and have only recently gotten comfortable enough with this to even be capable of detecting these, so it's completely possible that these are normal and I'm just being new-owner-paranoid. :) I've done some searching of various message board archives and such, but since many of these symptoms are described quite subjectively (by me as well, of course), it's tough to come up with ideas outside of a dialogue. If any of you can provide any insight into any of these, I'd be extremely grateful! Here goes: 1) Idling in neutral at startup, there seems to be a sound like, um, a paint thinner can being slightly dented in at regular three-second intervals. It's usually chilly for the area (50-55 degrees F, I love CA) at these times. Seems to come from the forward area, or almost in the cabin. (Haven't had the time to isolate it more.) [Suggestions so far: cats warming up, climate control system adjusting. CC is usually turned off at this time.] 2) On the move, in all gears, there's a soft whisper/hiss that sounds like wind noise, though it varies with RPMs rather than speed. Today, it seems that this sound gets a little more aggressive/rough sometimes, possibly as engine temperature increases. Makes me think of belt issues for some reason, though those are usually described as a squealing kind of sound, and I don't know how the engine temp would affect that. [Yep, grasping-at-straws time ...] 3) Perhaps this is another manifestation of #2, but there is sometimes a different whistle when changing application of throttle, which seems to go away when the accelerator's in a steady state. This is definitely new for me -- just noticed it this morning. [Suggestions so far for 2 and 3: normal intake noise, AC compressor, AC clutch, VANOS, check airbox baffles.] 4) I have this huge grin I can't seem to get rid of. Man, I love this car. :) [Suggestions so far: Keep driving to maintain state!] #2 and 3 have me more concerned than #1. The fan belt seems pretty new, though I'm no expert on these matters ... so I'm wondering if all the belts were replaced as part of the CPO process or Inspection 2 (performed in April of this year) and that they may be wearing a little. From the archive searches, some folks mentioned using WD-40 as a temporary mask of various belt sounds (though not a solution!) that would wear off quite soon. It makes me wonder if these issues existed before I purchased the car, but the dealer took the WD-40 route to save some cash, and now it's wearing off. Again, if any of you have any ideas, I'd really appreciate it! I'm not too knowledgeable about engines, so please be gentle. :) Thanks for your time (and bandwidth)! /~bill 1998 BMW ///M3/4 | Titansilber / Schwarz AIM: TiredOfPicking | ICQ: 503480 | YahooIM: myopicdecadence ************************************************************* 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 to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. ************************************************************* _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
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#2. RE: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) - from Bruner, Phil
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Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 17:20:05 -0700 From: "Bruner, Phil" <bruner@littongcs.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) You can relax to a certain degree given that with a BMW CPO car. You have a 100Kmi / 6 year warranty which covers just about everything. I have a 97 5 spd and the car is not particularly quiet (you didn't buy a Lexus). I have a few "noises" in mine (also a CPO) which I have had marginal luck getting the dealer to acknowledge although he has fixed the few things that have gone bad (i.e. RSMs) without question. I do however keep noting them for the record at every service, as squawks just in case anything major lets loose down stream. You don't say where you are in Ca but you could always take it to a good independent for a "second opinion". If you need advice as to who, just post you location on the board and people will point you to a good independent BMW fixer. Good luck and wipe that smile off your face!! Phil -----Original Message----- From: Bill [mailto:bill@screamingfist.com] Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 4:39 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 16:36:50 -0700 From: Bill <bill@screamingfist.com> Subject: Funky engine sounds ... (Long, sorry) (Yep, you may have seen this posted at bimmerforums, Roadfly, or DTMPower ... TIA for your patience if you're sick of reading this! :) Since it's so long, private replies to bill@screamingfist.com would be a beautiful thing. And thanks for all the welcoming replies to my hello from a few days ago. Seems I didn't knock on enough carbon fiber when I brought up car problems. ;) ) Heya folks! I've had my '98 ///M3/4 (5-speed, 42000 miles) for about three weeks now, and I'm starting to notice a few fairly subtle engine sounds that have me concerned or curious. Maybe one of you can shed a little light? Maybe I'm just not used to the sounds yet. (Quite possible ...) Key background: Vehicle was purchased as CPO from a local dealer. Seems to be in pretty good condition overall. Doesn't even burn oil (except for any oil overfill, which gets dusted pretty quickly ... however, it's stayed constant at the high fill mark since; and I doublechecked this last night) which has been pleasant. Also, this is my first manual transmission car (though I've been driving for over ten years), so I've been hyperfocused on shifting and such, and have only recently gotten comfortable enough with this to even be capable of detecting these, so it's completely possible that these are normal and I'm just being new-owner-paranoid. :) I've done some searching of various message board archives and such, but since many of these symptoms are described quite subjectively (by me as well, of course), it's tough to come up with ideas outside of a dialogue. If any of you can provide any insight into any of these, I'd be extremely grateful! Here goes: 1) Idling in neutral at startup, there seems to be a sound like, um, a paint thinner can being slightly dented in at regular three-second intervals. It's usually chilly for the area (50-55 degrees F, I love CA) at these times. Seems to come from the forward area, or almost in the cabin. (Haven't had the time to isolate it more.) [Suggestions so far: cats warming up, climate control system adjusting. CC is usually turned off at this time.] 2) On the move, in all gears, there's a soft whisper/hiss that sounds like wind noise, though it varies with RPMs rather than speed. Today, it seems that this sound gets a little more aggressive/rough sometimes, possibly as engine temperature increases. Makes me think of belt issues for some reason, though those are usually described as a squealing kind of sound, and I don't know how the engine temp would affect that. [Yep, grasping-at-straws time ...] 3) Perhaps this is another manifestation of #2, but there is sometimes a different whistle when changing application of throttle, which seems to go away when the accelerator's in a steady state. This is definitely new for me -- just noticed it this morning. [Suggestions so far for 2 and 3: normal intake noise, AC compressor, AC clutch, VANOS, check airbox baffles.] 4) I have this huge grin I can't seem to get rid of. Man, I love this car. :) [Suggestions so far: Keep driving to maintain state!] #2 and 3 have me more concerned than #1. The fan belt seems pretty new, though I'm no expert on these matters ... so I'm wondering if all the belts were replaced as part of the CPO process or Inspection 2 (performed in April of this year) and that they may be wearing a little. From the archive searches, some folks mentioned using WD-40 as a temporary mask of various belt sounds (though not a solution!) that would wear off quite soon. It makes me wonder if these issues existed before I purchased the car, but the dealer took the WD-40 route to save some cash, and now it's wearing off. Again, if any of you have any ideas, I'd really appreciate it! I'm not too knowledgeable about engines, so please be gentle. :) Thanks for your time (and bandwidth)! /~bill 1998 BMW ///M3/4 | Titansilber / Schwarz AIM: TiredOfPicking | ICQ: 503480 | YahooIM: myopicdecadence ************************************************************* 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 to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. *************************************************************
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#3. Valve retainers - from Marc.S.Edwards@QuestDiagnostics.com
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Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 17:31:08 -0700 From: Marc.S.Edwards@QuestDiagnostics.com Subject: Valve retainers Matt commented below. It is believed that BMW put the newer surface-hardened retainers in engines beginning around the 10/95 production dates. No one has ever been able to get a specific date. Also remember that engines might have been made a few days/weeks/months (??) prior to actual build date of the car that is in the door jamb. If you live on the limiter or track car with risk of slight mechanical overrevs (rear wheels driving the revving of the engine, not your right foot) and your car was manufactured prior to approximately 10/95 you might consider doing this. Obviously if you have a 5/95 car you don't have the new ones. If you have a 11/95 you probably do. If you have a 9/95 or 10/95 car, who knows. Of course YMMV!!! Marc 1995 M3 LTW Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 12:01:19 -0700 (PDT) From: Matt Henson <hensonator@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Valve springs/retainers on '95s Yea, the early ones suck. They upgraded them to a Titanium-Nitride coated design that is hardened. I think that the major risk for the '95's is on cars that are tracked all the time or overrevved. Most people don't get them upgraded unless they are pulling the top end apart. You can also get lightweight titanium retainers but then you have to worry about titanium stress fractures, which could creep in over a period of time. I'm not a metalurgist so I don't know if this is a real concern or not. -Matt
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#4. Dyno # for Euro 3.2L M3? - from Rob
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Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 20:43:39 -0600 From: "Rob" <motor@cadvision.com> Subject: Dyno # for Euro 3.2L M3? Does anyone have Dynojet results for a stock or modified Euro spec 3.2L E36 M3?. If a stock US M3 puts down ~200rwhp (240 crank) and a modified one with Euro HFM, exhaust, etc puts down ~225rwhp (270crank) then I would expect to see ~270rwhp from the Euro motor to live up to the claimed 321hp. Can anyone confirm?. TIA, Rob
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#5. ITG Filter Cleaning - from jeff stowe
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Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 23:31:31 -0700 From: jeff stowe <jrstowe@pacbell.net> Subject: ITG Filter Cleaning Can anyone tell me the proper cleaning method for my ITG filter. I can not find them on the web and I can't find any of my original documentation. Do I just wash it gently with mild soap (detergent?) solution? I used buy a special cleaner for my K&Ns on my GSX-R but am not sure if a similar thing is needed for the ITG. Sorry for having to ask such a bonehead question. I've gotta learn to hang on to instructions and receipts. Thanks, jeff Asthmatic 98 M3/4
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#6. Volk Rims Now Offered!!! - from FAST4DR@aol.com
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 11:49:43 EDT From: FAST4DR@aol.com Subject: Volk Rims Now Offered!!! Volk LE37T now available for the E36 in 18x8.5. These are fully forged and weigh about 17lbs! They can be seen at http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1590812&a=13855381&p=50670484 The first shipment is arriving soon in limited availability. $2275 shipped. Please contact me for further info. Thanks. Dave
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#7. WOW! 00 M5 ACS V12 LMR - from Steve Hazard
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 11:08:17 -0400 From: Steve Hazard <SHazard@nhboston.com> Subject: WOW! 00 M5 ACS V12 LMR This was posted on The Garage board! One hell of a car! THe cost must be through the roof :-) Message: 2 Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 05:02:07 -0500 From: "Christopher J. N. Kolaitis" <chrisjnk@ix.netcom.com> Subject: 00 M5 ACS V12 LMR ACS completed the transformation from the S62 V8 to the V12 LMR last July. Here is a summary of the 00 M5 conversion: The 2000 M5 transformation was a major project at AC Schnitzer with BMW AG Motorsport partnering and providing major cooperation. It could not have been done with out BMW AG Motorsport's assistance. The transaction from BMW AG Motorsport to ACS was handled as a technology transfer. Installed was the V12 LMR engine provided by BMW AG. The engine is 6.1 liter's, developing 600 hp and 595 ft. lbs. of torque. Red line is 9,500 rpm. Top speed is programmable, and is set to match up with whatever set of speed rated tires I'm running. Currently set at 187 mph to match up with Bridgestone SO-3 PP tires for the street. The V12 LMR engine is a hand built and blue printed engine. A really neat work of design and engineering that has proven in its reliability, both on the track and in the McLaren F1 GTR and the street edition. The M5 chassis was strengthened and stiffened. ACS did a complete change out of the suspension system, including a redesign of the geometry. The braking system utilizes the new Porsche performance braking system at all four corners with composite ceramic rotors. The drive train uses the new and improved SMG II sequential shifter (6-speed transmission) with up/down paddles on each side of the steering wheel. The shifting was incredibly quick on the track at Hockinheim and includes launch control. A Quaife diff with 75% LSD was specified and installed for quick and sure traction in gears 1 through 4. Custom carbon fiber and Kevlar aerodynamics are used to provide superior down force and improved traction and handling in corners and on the straights. Under body carbon fiber and Kevlar panels are also used to help create a vacuum under the car to assist in holding the car to the road at speed. Road hugging is what it feels like. There was a considerable amount of time in a wind tunnel perfecting the aerodynamics. Typical Schnitzer black and red suede interior, with new Recaro seats being recovered to match. I opted for the BMW red Carbon fiber trim that glitters and sparkles when the sun shines on it. Same BMW carbon fiber I have in my M3. The BMW paint color is anthracite. On the front hood, Jenny Holzer contributed and executed in silver, her signature artwork and design of "PROTECT ME FROM WHAT I WANT." Jenny also signed her design. The BMW sedan is co branded M5 and ACS V12. USA, Illinois plate is WOW WEE. Bill Auberlin was my instructor at Hockinheim; we had about five hours a day on the track for four days. Bill is currently a LMR driver in ALMS racing and was an E36 M3 driver with PTG. The straight-line timings at Hockinheim were: 3.1 seconds to 60 mph and 8.7 seconds at the quarter mile with a speed of 157.9 mph. The timings were consistent and repeatable with Bill Auberlin as the principle driver and drivers from both ACS and BMW AG Motorsport. Although these are typical US straight line drag times, the handling on the track had eye popping exit speeds out of the corners, with well balanced and highly predictable handling into the turns and the exits. The BMW M5 ACS V12 suspension system set up, established It's self with stunning performance and handling in rotating thru the corners at speed on the track at Hockinheim. Hockenheim is not set up for straight-line timings, so we had to improvise. A portable electronic system of start/end was initially set up, but too many other cars on the track interfered with the trigger lights. As we had picked up a caravan of bikes, VW's, MB and Porsches and Ferrari's all attempting to run with the M5 sedan. The timings were then done manually with a stopwatch, not the most accurate for the 1/4-mile timings. The shorter 0-60 mph runs were a more accurate and consistent as it was more of a controlled event. There had been some ongoing, general disagreement among the Drivers and engineers regarding the quarter mile timings. The timings are not presented here as a definitive set of performance measurement data for publishing, but rather as a good and acceptable measurement of performance for our internal goals and metrics that we had established going into the conversion project. During our early discussions in the spring of 2000, when it was mentioned that the base "V12 LMR was 700 hp." I had requested if it was possible for more then 600 hp in the M5 and Herr Dieter Lamb, principle of ACS, smiles, laughs and tells me "600 hp is plenty fast enough for the M5 sedan, you will see" During the four days at Hockinheim, not one other car on the track was able to out perform the M5, anywhere on the track. Every time a new and fresh car appeared to challenge, we had a scramble as to who would drive and take it on to help us gauge and determine our competitive performance results and standing. We have two Performance car dealers in town and I get to see a range of Porsche's, Ferrari's and Lotus's. Last fall on the road, I did have the opportunity to embarrass several high price performance cars and drivers, who had no clue about the set up of the M5 "sedan". Currently, my clutch is being replaced for the 2nd time at Knauz BMW. The SMG 2 Launch control function is awfully had on my clutch. Too many fookin demonstrations. The US version will not have the launch control function. The M5 was returned back to the US as a special interest category, limited to 1,500 miles annually. BMW AG took forever to provide the necessary documentation for Customs and EPA for emissions testing, until I hired a Lawyer in Munich to get it done. This past September my M5 passed US Emissions testing in Illinois. Although I had to down load the appropriate software to get it done and then download the performance software after testing. All said and done I have a special bonding with my 97 M3/4.
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#8. Octane Booster products - from David Flanary
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 09:00:58 -0700 From: "David Flanary" <dflanary@markhamvineyards.com> Subject: Octane Booster products This past August, "Premium" gas in California was reformulated and the octane reduced to 91. Since this change, I am experiencing quite a bit of pinging. I run the shark software on an otherwise stock motor. Even after removing the software I still can induce some pinging. Race gas is not available near my home and I have not seen any premium above 91 octane. After trading e-mail with Josh/Jim C., the best answer seems to be octane booster. I have never used any of these products and after reading the labels on a few, I wonder if their use will be cause other problems. (Most of them talk about combustion chamber cleaning, etc.) Any suggestions as to the safety of these products or recommendations as to which one to use.? David W. Flanary Markham Vineyards
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#9. Strut Bar...One more thing... - from Mark Radelow
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 15:58:34 +0000 From: "Mark Radelow" <radelow@hotmail.com> Subject: Strut Bar...One more thing... Thanks guys! I got plenty of responses and think I am picking up an RD one. Anyway, my buddy has an E30M3 and wants to pickup a used strut brace. Anyone have one? Just email me about it and I will forward it on to him. Thanks guys!!! :) ***Who here is coming to the San Diego Autox? If so keep an eye out for me. I'll be where a black BMWCCA Club Racing shirt and a Williams F1 hat.*** Mark Radelow 95 ///M3 91 GTi 16v 88 Chevy Fullsize _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
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#10. Gas pedal cover for heel+toe? - from Dan Miley
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 12:05:24 -0400 From: Dan Miley <dmiley@rcn.com> Subject: Gas pedal cover for heel+toe? I'll be doing my first driving school with my M3 in a week. I'm thinking that I may want to get a gas pedal cover that makes it easier to heel and toe. Do you track junkies use one? Whose pedal do you recommend? I'd plan to only cover the gas pedal and leave the brake and clutch pedals as they are. I have used a Momo pedal cover on my B5 Passat and it does a nice job of reducing the huge brake-gas pedal gap. It also brings the gas pedal up so their heights are closer. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
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#11. Thanks for the Assistance - from Rich
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Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 12:06:35 -0400 From: "Rich" <rehrlich98m3@mindspring.com> Subject: Thanks for the Assistance I installed my Euro headlights yesterday. And except for some fine tuning on the aiming, it works great. I even hooked up the citylights. I appreciate all the advice you all provided me in this project. I only have one question, On the 98, is there a way to set it up so the citylights are always on? Is there a relay I can replace. I've seen the article at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_daytime_running_lights.html But, I want to try to run the city lights. Any ideas? Thanks again. Rich Ehrlich Alpine White 1998 M3