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#1. Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? - from Kevin D. McLeaster
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Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 23:40:33 -0500 From: "Kevin D. McLeaster" <kmcleaster@insightbb.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? I 've had my 1995 M3 for five years. I plan to keep it at least 3 more years. It only has 105,000 mi on it, but it only had 21000 mi on it when I got it. You are supposed to drive these cars, correct? ;-) Kevin McLeaster
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#2. RE: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? - from Brad DeMotte
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 08:14:26 -0500 From: "Brad DeMotte" <brad@demottearchitects.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? Totally agree with that last statement, no garage queens for me. Has been a daily driver for 5 years, even though I do hate subjecting it to winter. How can you enjoy it if you don't drive it?? Bought a '97 M3 5 years ago with 30K, now has 117K. Relatively trouble free except for a recently blown head gasket...all money thrown at it has been performance upgrades, not repairs. 5 years is about the length of time when I start getting itchy for something else, but the love affair isn't over yet. Then my mechanic gives me '91 911 C4 as a loaner for a week......with 20K in track upgrades(cage, seats, coilovers, engine work). That was it, I fell for the C4 hard. Am trying to talk the wife into letting me keep the M3 and buy the C4...she says sell the M3 to buy it. That's a tough sell, especially considering how much I have into it and what you'd get by selling. Also, with the C4, there's no back seat because of the cage (not that they're for people, anyway), so I'd still need another car with a back seat (the 2 kid factor). It just makes so much more sense to keep since it would be hard to get the same performance for the value. I'm still working on it......... Brad DeMotte ************************************ I 've had my 1995 M3 for five years. I plan to keep it at least 3 more years. It only has 105,000 mi on it, but it only had 21000 mi on it when I got it. You are supposed to drive these cars, correct? ;-) Kevin McLeaster
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#3. Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? - from Carey Probst
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:26:46 -0500 From: Carey Probst <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? I would guess now probably slightly longer than forever for me. My previous car (during the Boy Scout trailer days) was a Cherokee which I finally got rid of with over 300k miles and way more money to fix than close to being worth and no fun factor. My '99 M3 has just under 60k miles and I have no intention of selling. Maybe turn into a track car when my '86 dies and I get a new 'family' car. I like to get my money's worth from my cars and if they have a good fun factor, even better. Carey Stan Shaw wrote: >Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:47:39 -0500 >From: "Stan Shaw" <Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net> >Subject: How long will you keep your E36 M3? > >Just curious, with the recent talk about E30s and E36s. How long do you >expect to keep your E36 M3? > >I have had my '96 M3 for 7.5 years, and intend to keep it FOREVER. > >Regards, >Stan Shaw Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net >Phone: (413) 599-0399 Fax: (413) 599-0421 >Excell.Net Owner/Operator http://www.Excell.Net/ >928 Owners Club President http://www.928OC.org/ >928Racing.net Team Member http://www.928Racing.net/ > >"Liberty once lost is lost forever." - John Adams > > > > >************************************************* >Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > >Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com >Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com >Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com >Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com >Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com >Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > >DIGEST INFORMATION: >http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm >************************************************* > > > > > -- Carey Probst Member, M.I.T. Educational Council Perm: hcprobst@alum.mit.edu A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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#4. Clutch R&R - CORRECTION! - from Neil Maller
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 11:21:42 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Clutch R&R - CORRECTION! on 11/18/05 5:47 PM, Neil Maller at neil.maller@gte.net wrote: > The main parts I installed were the UUC Stage 2 lightweight flywheel, Sachs > standard sprung hub E39 M5 clutch and Sachs heavy duty E39 M5 pressure plate > (thanks to Chester for telling me about this last part). Apparently my brain's clutch was still slipping as my fingers drove on down the keyboard: that should have said *E34* M5 clutch and pressure plate. These are parts for the big six 3.6 litre engine used in the E34 M5 produced up to 1993 or so. The UUC web site explains what's needed here: <http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LFWLE36SH.htm> (But note that the Sachs HD pressure plate I used is not the one UUC supplies. I special ordered mine through Bimmerworld.) Apparently nobody had noticed my error...yet. But I wanted to get the correction into the Digest record. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. Neil Fort Wayne, IN 96 M3 - Bastard child 03 525iT - Sterling Grey Metallic 77 MGB - Original owner, need to sell 05 Mini - Cooper S with LSD!
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#5. Re: [E36M3] intro, new old member - from Hans Batra
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 12:13:51 -0500 From: "Hans Batra" <hansbatra@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] intro, new old member Scott, Wow - thanks for the excellent writeup on the various models - nicely done. I have to agree with you - the choice is between a low mileage E36 M3 (a buddy of mine just picked one up with 45K for less than $20K!) and a 993. Perhaps a OBD I 1995 993. Although a OBD II car does make it easier to pinpoint a problem. But like my Italian ex-gf, they are quick to start throwing All-Clad frying pans at your head at the slightest misconstrued comment. regards, Hans ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott" <stiles_s@hotmail.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 3:21 PM Subject: RE: [E36M3] intro, new old member > Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 12:19:52 -0800 > From: "Scott" <stiles_s@hotmail.com> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] intro, new old member > > Sure, a quick? Comparison of the 911 and m3 > > The rough progression for me was 911 ('03 996) -> Kid 18mos later -> Honda > Pilot added to the mix because our S4 Avant turned out to be a microcar > when > it came to carrying infant seats and all the other crap -> not driving the > 996 at all and watching money evaporate (depreciation) in the garage. I > figured I wouldn't drive it much at all for the next year, and that it > would > depreciate at the rate of about another 8-10g this year (especially w/the > cayman coming into the product mix) > > The lack of usage, coupled w/quite a bit of frustration w/the car > including > a very notchy gearbox (full $12k replacement thankfully under warranty), > constant shimmy problems, and oil pressure (wet sump, would lose oil > pressure on cloverleafs...) and general robustness issues led me to get > rid > of it. I drove the Pilot exclusively for ~6mos while I figured out what to > buy (what a rolling castration that is for a car guy), and driving an e36 > m3 > again made it all clear. FWIW, the 996 depreciated more in 2 years than > the > M3 cost to purchase -- quite a bit more :) > > As for the e46 m3 or the 997, for some reason the e46 m3 has never done it > for me. I think it's the weight gain. The 997 is an amazing machine, but > it's also a very technically sophisticated car and I'm not a fan of the > creep upward in driver aids, auto-damped suspension, etc. Also, they're > still running the weaker wet sump engines in the non-gt3/turbo cars. > Interior quality has sure increased in the 997, though. For the same $$ > I'd > go w/a 996 GT3, but they unfortunately lack any back seat. > > OK, quick comparison 996 to e36 m3. Note that I installed what's called > the > Euro M030 suspension on my 996 which really transformed the handling. > - 911 has a very different handling feel from anything else on the road. > The > light-front-end feel takes a while to get used to. With this you get a > very > low polar-moment for the front end which means the car will change > directions very quickly and you've got a big heavy tail to contend with > though the rear susp and huge tires do a good job of handling this. A very > different feel from the M3, not necessarily better or worse, though I > personally prefer the feel of a balanced front engine rear drive car. > - 911 has way more mechanical grip, it seems. The limits were so high that > I > very very rarely exceeded them on the street. There were a few memorable > mountain drives, but the general sense was that the car wasn't really > trying > hard on the road. Oh, random comment but the lack of a LSD in the 911 > really > sucked. > - Hard to find a car w/better steering feel than the 911. The bushings on > my > M3 are pretty worn, so I don't think it's a fair comparison at this point. > I > remember the M3 having great feel when new, so I'm hoping a refresh will > help here. > - Power: 911 is obviously faster, though the M3 doesn't feel slow in > comparison. Again like the above there's so much power in the 911 that the > opportunity to stretch its legs were very few and far between. > - Power delivery is a different story. The 996 3.6 has a very pronounced > cam/intake change late in the rev band (IIRC about 3.5-4k). This leads to > an > uneven feel where power ramps more quickly between 4k and redline which > feels like it's very close, making it easy to hit the rev limiter if > you're > not anticipating this late rev kick. The e36s power delivery is more > linear. > - M3 feels like the engine is the heart of the car. Lots of good noise and > vibration as part of the experience. Again the 911 is an odd experience > because the fury is happening in the tail end. Great noises in both cars, > but I like the feel of the M3 a bit better, and I think the noises it > makes > are sweeter. > - Gearbox: the 85k mile gearbox in my new M3 shifts so much better than > the > 911, even w/the Porsche short-shift kit installed. > - Room: e36 has a decent back seat which will scale better w/kids. (911, > not > so much) > > The e36 m3 is a great blend of power, handling, feel and practicality. The > power isn't overwhelming, but the sound/feel is awesome. The handling of > the > M3 is much more balanced and accessible than the 911. The limits are a bit > lower which I actually like -- it's more fun. After a blast in the M3, you > feel like the car was a partner. W/the 911, you're amazed that something > w/such a whacked weight distribution just did what it did -- not sure > you'd > live through it if you tried it again :) > > Both great cars, IMO. After owning the 911, I don't think Porsche can > justify the $$ premium over cars like the M3 given the 996/997's shift > towards mass production (like the rest of the automotive world). If BMW > built a brand new e36 M3, I'd buy one. Unfortunately there's nothing like > it > being offered for sale today IMO. If I were to buy another 911, it would > probably be a nice narrow body 993, or a 996 GT3. > > Bob, you mentioned picking up a 350z and keeping the M3. For me the lack > of > a back seat killed the 350z for me, though I like the car. I remember a > comparo between the 350z, a 996, and ? (e46 m3?) and the 350z was quicker > around the track than the 996. Formidable performance cars. I was > personally > leaning more towards an STI in that price range but I had a hard time > w/the > wings. You should drive one; quite a machine. > > Scott. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Mdriver13@aol.com [mailto:Mdriver13@aol.com] > Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 9:02 AM > To: E36M3 > Subject: Re: [E36M3] intro, new old member > > Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 11:55:44 EST > From: Mdriver13@aol.com > Subject: Re: [E36M3] intro, new old member > > Welocome back, Scott. > > If I were to ever sell my M3 I was thinking it would take a 911 Porsche to > do > so? But, you gave that up? For a back seat? You still have the same > amount > of time as yesterday (can't sell the kid...believe me it only gets more > time > > consuming...but in a good way). > > How about your honest opinion of the two machines, granted the cost factor > is > way different. I sat in a new Carrera last week, wow, what a high quality > feel...but the sticker said $95K...started me thinking...buy a 350Z as a > daily > driving, keep the 97M3 for the track, and pocket the change! Am I way off > base > here? > > cheers, > > Bob Gill > 97 ///M3 coupe > Philly Region SCCA > 2005 Philly Region BSP Champion > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > >
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#6. RE: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? - from Matthew Teel
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 08:15:46 -0900 From: "Matthew Teel" <mteel@beluga.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? I hope to keep mine until I can give it to my son who is now a Junior in college, as a sort of graduation present. I bought my '98 techno violet sedan new, sight unseen and had it shipped to Alaska. Prior to that I had driven an Estoril blue M3 sedan and knew immediately that I had to own an M3. This has been my daily driver ever since, and that includes through the tough Alaskan winters. I kept it bone stock except for Redline synthetics until two winters ago at which point it had 102K on the clock. It was starting to show signs of age, mainly in the suspension and brakes. So I put new slotted rotors, rebuilt the calipers, EBC green-stuff pads, braided lines, Super Blue, H&R coil-overs, CNC'd rear shock mounts. The car drives and brakes incredibly well. Much better than the stock suspension IMO. The green stuff pads and slotted rotors are perfect for my colder climate and dirty roads. They look brand new after putting 25K on them and this time there is no scoring of the rotors like the stock setup. The only real negative is the camber (no pun intended) which I think led to excessive tire wear. But I have to admit, I really like the improved turn-in and all understeer is gone. The car is a complete joy to drive. But... My paint is ruined and full of chips. The dealer did major damage to my car last spring when the kid who parked it after service didn't set the e-brake and didn't have it in gear all the way. The car rolled down a short steep hill and slammed into a chain fence, doing substantial damage to the right rear quarter panel. Then they sent it over to their body shop to complete the job. I had to return the car once, and they still couldn't get it right. My rear bumper is still crooked and the right rear door is out of adjustment. I should sue their butts, but I have enough stress in my life so I just let it go. I almost sold it out of anger after that incident. But then I looked around and said, "OK... If I sell this car I'll maybe get $12K for it". "What can I buy for even double that amount that is any better?". IMO the answer is "nothing". So my plan is to finish it this winter. Complete the suspension upgrades with camber plates, urethane bushings and adjustable trailing arms. Maybe I'll do a Strut Barbarian too, just because they look cool. I also have to fix the shifting problem, so I am going to go the UUC flywheel, M5 clutch route and do a B&M shifter. For the engine, I think I need to avoid the cold air intake. Cold air is NOT a problem up here, but keeping water out of my intake could be. So I think I'll just do under-drive pulleys, headers, UUC RSC36, K&N in the stock box and Conforti software. Cams, manifold and injectors would be nice, but since I am reluctant to put in a cold air intake I am not sure that would be a good investment. It would however give me the opportunity to pull the head and rebuild it as PM. New paint will be the last item on the list. The only other car that I'd rather have right now is an F-430. And that isn't going to happen in this lifetime! Matthew '98 M3/4 > -----Original Message----- > From: Carey Probst [mailto:hcprobst@alum.mit.edu] > Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 5:32 AM > To: E36M3 > Subject: Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? > > Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 09:26:46 -0500 > From: Carey Probst <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? > > I would guess now probably slightly longer than forever for me.
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#7. Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? - from J Files
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:07:45 -0800 From: J Files <jsf.online@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] How long will you keep your E36 M3? Long answer- Not sure about "forever". My wife and I talk about this from time to time. While its just us now, we hope there are kids in our future, and we plan to replace the 97 Cherokee and either the 98 M3/2 or 01 Z3 3.0 at that time. The Cherokee will be replaced with another small SUV with a few more amenities than the Jeep - auto transmission, power windows and locks, a trailer-hitch bike rack, and seats that aren't vinyl. The Cherokee has done a good job eating senseless miles, its now at 140K, but I can accept we want something a little nicer for its replacement. Then there's the question of which toy car to get rid of... 98 M3/2, with ~68k, purchased CPO in 03/2001, great car, stock, fun on the track and around town, able to carry most anything I throw at it (and if not, there's the Jeep!), still a great car at 7 years of age... 01 Z3 3.0, with ~40k, purchased private party in 02/2005, stock, fun car around town, can't carry a darn thing. This replaced my wife's '01 325, and as such is "her" car. .... One of which will probably turn in to a 4 door 330, A4, or similar, and the other will end up parked on the not-yet-built third driveway with its cover on most of the time. We've talked about even posting both for sale and selling the one that goes first. However we do it, we'll wait until after the SUV update. I have looked for "What to replace the M3/2 with" and the only thing that strikes my fancy is an E36 M3/4. If I could find one in good shape, with comparable mileage, for the right price, I would be tempted to change. Short answer- Maybe forever. Maybe when I find something to replace it with. Jim Mostly silent list member On 11/18/05, Stan Shaw <Stan.Shaw@excell.net> wrote: > > Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:47:39 -0500 > From: "Stan Shaw" <Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net> > Subject: How long will you keep your E36 M3? > > Just curious, with the recent talk about E30s and E36s. How long do you > expect to keep your E36 M3? > > I have had my '96 M3 for 7.5 years, and intend to keep it FOREVER. > > Regards, > Stan Shaw Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net > Phone: (413) 599-0399 Fax: (413) 599-0421 > Excell.Net Owner/Operator http://www.Excell.Net/ > 928 Owners Club President http://www.928OC.org/ > 928Racing.net Team Member http://www.928Racing.net/ > > "Liberty once lost is lost forever." - John Adams > > > > > ************************************************* > Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: > > Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > Turner Motorsport http://www.turnermotorsport.com > Eurosport High Performance http://www.eurosporthighperformance.com > Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com > Treehouse Racing http://www.treehouseracing.com > Elephant Motorsports Inc. http://www.elephantmotorsports.com > > DIGEST INFORMATION: > http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm > ************************************************* > > >
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#8. Motor Mount Replacement Question - from Kirk
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 10:07:45 -0800 From: "Kirk" <admranger@earthlink.net> Subject: Motor Mount Replacement Question What's the procedure for replacing the driver's side motor mount? I got the passenger side one out by removing the arm that connects to the motor. The driver's side is much more congested to try to perform that task. If that is how it has to be, then I can do it, but I thought I'd ask if there was an easier method. Anyone BTDT? Thanks, Kirk Lachman '95 M3 #21 I-stock
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Motor Mount Replacement Question - from Theodore Serbinski
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 23:51:04 -0500 From: Theodore Serbinski <stanson@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Motor Mount Replacement Question Hey Kirk, When I did my mounts a few months back, I talked to a few people and I don't think there is any easy way. We just put the car up on the lift, then supported the engine with a jack and pushed it up a bit so we could take out and replace the mounts. Required a lot of figiditing, and for the drivers side, we couldn't get the new one in, so we ended up jacking the engine a bit more and in the process broke my power steering "trumpet", doh! Ah well, got both motor mounts changed and replaced the power steering "trumpet", it was about to go anyways. Good luck! ted On 11/20/05, Kirk <admranger@earthlink.net> wrote: > What's the procedure for replacing the driver's side motor mount? I got the > passenger side one out by removing the arm that connects to the motor. The > driver's side is much more congested to try to perform that task. If that > is how it has to be, then I can do it, but I thought I'd ask if there was an > easier method. Anyone BTDT?
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#10. Stainless brake lines - from j. helffrich
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Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 22:09:42 -0800 (PST) From: "j. helffrich" <girolamous@yahoo.com> Subject: Stainless brake lines Hi All, Can anyone recommend a good source for stainless brake lines for the E36 M3? I would like to replace mine and there seem to be lots of high priced options, just looking for something reasonable. Thanks, Jerry Jerry Helffrich __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com