E36 328i Coupe MSport [Diary]

[gconry18]

Replaced my worn out and cracked outer door handle trim today.
What a mission for the first time.

The Old:

The New:

In need of another wash because as usual, it rained the day after I washed it.

 

[calypso]

Small change makes a big difference.

 

[gconry18]

This year I am planning to refresh the suspension (mostly rear). I have quite a parts list and I am going to be flat broke for most of the year... Oh well, I LOVE IT!!!

So to minimize downtime, since my car is a daily, I bought an extra rear subframe. Complete with spring and camber arms. Camber arms I will most likely replace as I think you cannot replace the bushing without damaging the arm.

The subframe will get treated to sway bar reinforcement and powerflex bushings, with a strip and respray to protect from future rust.

 

[Gizmo]

Instead of refitting those flimsy stock camber arms you should look at the turner motorsport adjustable ones. Also while you at it, fit a LSD as it will completely transform how she drives.:thumbs:

 

[gconry18]

Instead of refitting those flimsy stock camber arms you should look at the turner motorsport adjustable ones. Also while you at it, fit a LSD as it will completely transform how she drives.:thumbs:

I was looking at the turner arms but they are a bit out of my budget. I will either get OEM style arms or something like the SPC/Eibach ones: link

I was also thinking about an LSD but is it really worth it for an auto daily driver? Not sure what diff I have in the car, based on my reading I think I have a 3.07.

 

[Gizmo]

Considering its an auto, it should be runnning a 3.46:1 but the fact that its an import it may be something else. Check the diff tag. Even with the autotragic it will still be a hoot to drive with a LSD, you have no idea how important a LS unit is to a RWD...Why do you think I spent so much fitting LSDs to all my cars?

Even my touring was so much fun on the skidpan yesterday with her new LSD. I was out drifting the M3's there lol. Got HD video of it too 'cos Andrew and Moranor wouldn't have it any other way...

 

[gconry18]

Considering its an auto, it should be runnning a 3.46:1 but the fact that its an import it may be something else. Check the diff tag. Even with the autotragic it will still be a hoot to drive with a LSD, you have no idea how important a LS unit is to a RWD...Why do you think I spent so much fitting LSDs to all my cars?

Even my touring was so much fun on the skidpan yesterday with her new LSD. I was out drifting the M3's there lol. Got HD video of it too 'cos Andrew and Moranor wouldn't have it any other way...

Awesome! :thumbs:
What do you think a fair price would be for an LSD and what ratio should I look for? Fuel consumption is fairly important to me on this car. If I did not want to change ratio could I fit the LS unit to my existing diff?

 

[Gizmo]

Just find yourself a type 188 e30 or e34 LS diff and swap the LS unit into your diff, no change in fuel consumption. Prices from R1500-R4500 for a LS diff. Gumtree it.

 

[Cape_Tonian]

Just find yourself a type 188 e30 or e34 LS diff and swap the LS unit into your diff, no change in fuel consumption. Prices from R1500-R4500 for a LS diff. Gumtree it.

A question on the LSD, can one fit a E36 M3 diff on the 328I?

I mean, will this be a straight swop?

 

[Gizmo]

Just find yourself a type 188 e30 or e34 LS diff and swap the LS unit into your diff, no change in fuel consumption. Prices from R1500-R4500 for a LS diff. Gumtree it.

A question on the LSD, can one fit a E36 M3 diff on the 328I?

I mean, will this be a straight swop?

If its from the 3.0lt then yes it will work, however the M3 input flange is 6 bolt whereas the 328i is 4 bolt. Two options to overcome this is to use a 3.0lt M3 propshaft or swap to the 328i flange onto the M3 diff to keep using the 328i propshaft.

3.0lt M3 diff is a type 188 3,15:1 LSD so if yours is a manual then it should have a 2.93:1 so you will get a slight increase in acceleration as well as more torque in each gear.

 

[moranor@axis]

must be so much nicer opening the doors now

 

[Cape_Tonian]

Just find yourself a type 188 e30 or e34 LS diff and swap the LS unit into your diff, no change in fuel consumption. Prices from R1500-R4500 for a LS diff. Gumtree it.

A question on the LSD, can one fit a E36 M3 diff on the 328I?

I mean, will this be a straight swop?

If its from the 3.0lt then yes it will work, however the M3 input flange is 6 bolt whereas the 328i is 4 bolt. Two options to overcome this is to use a 3.0lt M3 propshaft or swap to the 328i flange onto the M3 diff to keep using the 328i propshaft.

3.0lt M3 diff is a type 188 3,15:1 LSD so if yours is a manual then it should have a 2.93:1 so you will get a slight increase in acceleration as well as more torque in each gear.

Ok cool, thanks. :thumbs:

I've replaced the 2.93 with the 3.46, but in due time I want to swap it again with the lsd.

 

[gconry18]

So today I did one of the most important restorations to my car... Her BMW Emblems.

This is what happens to those replica carbon fiber badges after 2.3 years:

Either the adhesive comes off and you loose them.

Or they look like this.

The After. The lighting made the color very light. They are the proper BMW colors in person.

 

[gconry18]

So today I rebuilt the left rear caliper because of an issue with it sticking. Hopefully it is now sorted out. My girlfriend decided to snap a pic.

 

[gconry18]

After discovering a cup of water in one of my tail lights and spending hours trying to get it out, only to discover that the now dry light is all murky and horrible, I decided to buy a new set of tails.

I bought them from amazon, the are eagle eyes. Cost was around R1500.

I dont have any pics of them fitted but they fit well and look extremely close to OE.

 

[///MALCOLM325]

This car has come a long way, the lights look the business. Still appreciate the original wheels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[///Moose]

Well done mate she's really taking shape now, did u get the outer door handle trim from the stealer?

 

[gconry18]

Well done mate she's really taking shape now, did u get the outer door handle trim from the stealer?

The outer trim I got from Cliftons M3 Center. It was 40 a side with the seal.

---

So after a milestone on my M5 2 weeks ago, the 328i hits a milestone.

That is about 225308 km

 

[ClassicB]

For those that remember this car and the sale thread from the end of last year:- https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/1997-e36-328i-msport-coupe-project-car-non-runner.98754/

I purchased the car from Gareth and brought the car back to Jhb in November last year. Progress has been slow with time constraints, but I thought I would use this thread to continue the car's journey from the uk to Jhb, then to Cape Town, and now back to Jhb.

When the car arrived, it was non-runner and had been standing for a number of years. The body was rust free, paint was fair, but it will need full respray once the mechanical work is done. Interior is neat but will also require some work.

The block was cracked, but the head was all good. I decided to replace the motor with a complete running M52B28, from an E39 528i. The motors are identical. I just had to change over the engine mounting brackets, branches, a/c pump, power steering pump and the reservoir mounting point from the old motor. I put in a new battery, all the fluids, fuel pump and fuel filter. The car now runs and drives but needs some final mechanical touches before I am happy. We are also investigating a manual swop and whether to do it now or later down the road.

 

[ClassicB]

Loaded from Cpt in November on the way to Jhb