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#1. Hydraulic Lifter replacement - from Steve Klein
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 13:52:03 -0800 From: Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> Subject: Hydraulic Lifter replacement Hello, Gang- First off, can anyone confirm or deny that hydraulic valve lifters for the M52 engine are a direct replacement for those found in the S50 ('95 M3)? That being asked, I'll now say that I have sixteen of them in my car, along with eight that match the original parts which I had installed under the exhaust cam about three weeks ago. I had ordered a full set, and went to replace the originals, along with the intake sprocket and secondary tensioner. I pulled the exhaust cam first and put eight of the new ones in, grabbed the second pack for four more only to discover they were about 4mm too large in diameter. I left the eight new ones in, replaced the remaining four originals and buttoned the machine back up. The engine was much quieter with respect to the 'marbles in a can' noise that came from right next to the VANOs unit. I attribute this to the secondary tensioner more than the sprocket, but it is nice knowing it's in there. For the most part, the lifter ticking is gone, except at WOT at mid RPMs in higher gears, basically with a large load on the engine. That's why I'm wondering if the M52 (as marked on the packages) lifters are functionally identical or possibly slightly shorter. But the best part is that the pep is back. Throttle response is much more crisp, and the engine feels less wheezy and pulls strongly in each gear throughout the power band. I'm eager for the Chip/HFM/Injector/CAI upgrade now that things are back to normal. After fretting for a month on whether I had the tools or resources to take the top end apart, I was pleased at how straightforward and easy the job was. I shot video the first time, so I'll be putting together a web page of the procedure along with the few bits not mentioned. VANOs removal and replacement was also easier than I thought. Nothing like documenting every detail to put a worried mind at ease. Thanks to all for your help and advice leading up to this. Hopefully, my write-up will prove useful to a community that has been one of the most valuable resources I've ever known. Cheers, Steve
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#2. Rough Spot Rumble - from Steve Klein
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 16:05:51 -0800 From: Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> Subject: Rough Spot Rumble Hello again- In addition to the whole lifter shebang, I have a question about the engine running a bit rough, like it's missing a cylinder, between 1.5k and 2.5k RPMs with the car in neutral, holding the throttle steady. I was hoping that the lifters would prove to be the source and thus cured, but the condition still exists. Once I hit about 2.5k RPM, it is nice and smooth. It's been suggested that one or more coil packs could be malfunctioning, tho they looked fine under visual inspection when I was replacing the lifters. Is there a telltale set of measurements (connectivity, resistance, etc) that could provide insight, or does anyone have any other Ideas as to what might be causing the roughness? Thanks in advance, Steve 11/95 M3, 126k mi, Lt Wt Flywheel & new lifters
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#3. fold down rear seats - from Scott McClung
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 17:13:16 -0800 (PST) From: Scott McClung <smlists@pacbell.net> Subject: fold down rear seats Were the fold down rear seats available on all year E36 M3's? Scott
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#4. E36 M3 FS ?s - from eevans@planetc.com
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:32:07 -0500 From: eevans@planetc.com Subject: E36 M3 FS ?s Gruppe, Someone that inquired about my '95 blue M3 w/ 67K, 5 spd. (no issues) for sale seemed to be of the opinion that any price over $15-$16K is overpriced. I'd like to be able to buy a car like mine for $15K, but the cars in that price range that I've inquired about generally have "issues" to go along w/ that price. I'm flexible on the price to a point. You can't go by the KBB, Edmunds NADA etc., when your looking at E36 M3s. The market is all over the map, just look in the Roundel. Of course that's the other end of the spectrum. So what are our E36s worth today and when will the E46 M3s start to show their depreciation? I'd like to hear from other E36 M3 sellers as to what their market experiences have been. Evan Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 09:06:02 -0500 From: "Dave Kelley" <d.kelley@usa.net> Subject: Re: [uuc] WTB E36 M3 I've got a great Arctic Silver/Black 98 M3/4 Track Car/Daily Driver still under extended warranty, i.e. 73k miles. But I am in South Carolina. You can see the ad for it at the Sandlapper BMWCCA website at www.sandlapperbmw.org. It is the same car as listed on the Peachtree and Tarheel websites and Roadfly.com. Dave Kelley > I am looking to buy an E36 M3. Here is what I am looking for: > 4-Door, 5-Speed. ~60k miles. > Preferably no luxury package. > Any color except for Yellow, Red and Green. > > Call me at 847.254.9313 or send info to rabidm3@hotmail.com > > Please do not send pictures as attachments, but links are okay. > > Anywhere within a day's drive of Chicago. > > Vijay
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#5. problem with speedometer lights - from Hunt Hodgetts
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 17:35:53 -0800 (PST) From: Hunt Hodgetts <hhodgetts@yahoo.com> Subject: problem with speedometer lights I have a 97 M3 Coupe with 125k miles. At night, the speedometer needle is dark at the end but bright at the base. The other needles have a uniform brightness. Is this caused by a burned out bulb or do I need to replace the needle or the entire instrument cluster??? Thanks, Hunt __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/
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#6. HAVE EURO Headers for my car!!! - from GGray657@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:43:48 EST From: GGray657@aol.com Subject: HAVE EURO Headers for my car!!! Wow..I just bought a pair of used Euro headers from my buddy, He got Super sprint RACE headers they wee BIG! I am putting them on my 3.2 motor for my 95 M3. These things are super nice looking, equal length, stainless, mandrel bends. I am going to have them HPC coated before I put them on. Anyone ever dyno a US car with Euro headers? If so what kind of power did it make? I am going to get my car dynoed after the 3.2 conversion. Gary Pro Bike
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#7. Re: [E36M3] E36 M3 FS ?s - from jphillips
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 17:52:54 -0800 From: jphillips <jon@maximumpc.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] E36 M3 FS ?s I think a major isssue is regionality. I imagine that prices are still relatively high in California, and that a great-looking, straight car here would fetch $16K. But the problem is that there are just SOOOOO many of E36 M3s on the road. It is a buyer's market, and the fact is that if you want to sell any car quickly -- or have any chance of selling a slightly dinged-up M3 at all -- you will have to drop prices. I have an absolutely straight M3 with 92K on the engine, Dinan CAI and exhaust, Dinan Stage I suspension. Unfortunately, it has 3-4 dings, and 3-4 scratches, and its interior is not great. It would make the perfect track project for someone if it wasn't OBD1. Anyhow, I know that the market is just too tough to ask $16K for it. I would ask $13K, and hope for the best. And that is just one of reasons why I will probably never sell the car -- I will never be able to get the car's actual value. It's a great time to be buying an E36 M3 right now!!!! At 08:39 PM 10/27/2003 -0500, eevans@planetc.com wrote: >Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:32:07 -0500 >From: eevans@planetc.com >Subject: E36 M3 FS ?s > >Gruppe, > >Someone that inquired about my '95 blue M3 w/ 67K, 5 spd. (no issues) for >sale seemed to be of the opinion that any price over $15-$16K is >overpriced. I'd like to be able to buy a car like mine for $15K, but the >cars in that price range that I've inquired about generally have "issues" >to go along w/ that price. I'm flexible on the price to a point. You can't >go by the KBB, Edmunds NADA etc., when your looking at E36 M3s. The market >is all over the map, just look in the Roundel. Of course that's the other >end of the spectrum. So what are our E36s worth today and when will the >E46 M3s start to show their depreciation? I'd like to hear from other E36 >M3 sellers as to what their market experiences have been. > >Evan
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#8. Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats - from Chris Teague
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 18:44:32 -0800 From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@cox.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats Scott, I believe they were standard on the 2 doors, and optional on the 4 door E36 M3's. My 97 4-Door does not have the fold down seats. Chris 97 M3/4 ----- Original Message ----- > Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 17:13:16 -0800 (PST) > From: Scott McClung <smlists@pacbell.net> > Subject: fold down rear seats > > Were the fold down rear seats available on all year E36 M3's? > > Scott
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#9. Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 21:49:42 EST From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats smlists@pacbell.net writes: > Were the fold down rear seats available on all year E36 M3's? > > Scott Scott, I just looked at every one of my M3 sales brochures ('96, '97, '98, '99 - I own a '95 so I know about that model year). It looks like fold down rear seats were standard equipment on all the coupes and optional on sedans (sedans were only produced in '97 & '98). Folding seats were not offered on the convertibles. HTH, Lowell Seaton '95 M3/2 BMW CCA #131505
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#10. Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats - from Scott M
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Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 20:24:20 -0800 From: Scott M <smlists@pacbell.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] fold down rear seats Cool - thanks for the info guys. I'm starting to do research on possible 2nd car ideas so I don't have to drive the 00 M5 everywhere. While I'd love to just keep my M3, a more realistic option is trading down to an earlier coupe with higher miles. Even that will be a stretch over what I wanted to spend on such a car, but I'm already having thoughts about how much I will miss my M3 before it's even gone. (sniff sniff) Not that I'm whining about the chance to own an M5 mind you :-) Anyway, I want a hatchback or wagon or something with fold down rear seats so I can throw my bike back there. My sedan doesn't have this option, good to know all coupes have it - cause next time I'd get a coupe for sure since I already have the ultimate 4-person haul-ass mobile. I view the M3 as a 2-3 person vehicle unless the 2 in back are kids. Scott on 10/27/03 6:49 PM, LoweSeaton@aol.com at LoweSeaton@aol.com wrote: smlists@pacbell.net writes: Were the fold down rear seats available on all year E36 M3's? Scott Scott, I just looked at every one of my M3 sales brochures ('96, '97, '98, '99 - I own a '95 so I know about that model year). It looks like fold down rear seats were standard equipment on all the coupes and optional on sedans (sedans were only produced in '97 & '98). Folding seats were not offered on the convertibles. HTH, Lowell Seaton '95 M3/2 BMW CCA #131505