My new BMW E36 few questions

Post Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:05 pm

Ok, I have picked up my old mans 328 e36 four door in Samoa blue having flogged my e34. It's about 105k miles and a few little niggles need sorting. Will post some pictures up soon, when I get on the computer, mrs86 is essay writing ATM.

Anyway, my first question is this: it has one of the sigma 3t alarms and the siren internal battery went flat, meaning it no longer sounds. Does anyone know how to open the siren to replace it? I had a breif look in the dark but couldn't find the answer.

Secondly, the passenger door does not lock or unlock off the central locking 99% of the time, there is the odd occasions when it does. Is this going to be a new relay or solenoid?

Thirdly, what should a new backbox cost me. The owner before my dad welded some chrome trims on the end of the tailpipe. They look nice but are rusted and I think beyond saving. I reckon I should replace the box and get the BMW chrome tailpipe trims!

I will post up more questions as and when I discover the wee small jobs I want to do.

TIA

Post Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:32 pm

You would be better looking for a 2nd hand standard back box, these systems last ages, and finding a 2nd hand one should be simple, they go for peanuts on e-bay.

New one is going to be big bucks!

Central locking fault should be a simple actuator fault.

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:39 am

Thanks. Was thinking last night, it's relatively well specced 18 button obc etc but no leather! Can you guys think of any other suitable retrofit oem goodness (leather being the obvious one).

Any question I have is, would changing my head lights cause my check control on the obc to come on saying they are out. I know you can get some kits with the CANBUS stuff on it, but does this apply to mine? Also, since swapping the rear lights for a clear indicator set, the OBC says tail light failure in spite of the fact I know they all work? Lastly, there are a couple of bulbs out on the spoiler brake light. Are these easy to replace?

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:18 pm

Loads of nice mods can be done to E36's, plenty of retro fit stuff too.

Auto dimming interior mirror
Footwell lights
Cruise control
Rear electric windows (2 door and 4 door)

Just a little start for you.

E36 is too early for Canbus.

Have you fitted a HID kit?

Some E36's are fitted with a CCM, did the rear lights come from a car without the OBC?

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:24 pm

Ive just bought a e36 328i in cosmos black nice colour it is a moordoor but when you hit the loud peddle it dont half shift down the road it has air con front electric windows and thats about it oh its on coilovers as well

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:38 pm

you all need leathers, centre arms rests and parking sensors!

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:46 pm

Parking sensors are for gays who cant drive

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:57 pm

i have centre armrests for sale.

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 5:57 pm

Tow bars are for real men

If anyone wants an executive black leather arm rest I can hit you up

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:42 pm

Can you do me a cheap excellent quality four door leather set? No? Oh well.

Lights may have come from a motor without an OBC, I'm not sure, they were in a scrapper, what's ccm? Not fitted HIDs yet. Got the leccy windows all round. Don't think I can do the auto dim mirror as it's windscreen mounted, prepared to be corrected mind. I wouldn't mind reverse park sensors (provided the oem set can be got easily). Prepared for the abuse. My response? Ram it!

Never knew these had footwell lights. It's a little sad but I am looking on egay for the switched rear lights as mine aren't. Are these a straight swap?

Post Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:43 pm

Oh yeah, I got the centre arm rest to

Post Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:12 pm

I've got a std 328i rear box available pm for details.

The rear view should twist vertically and then pop off same as e34 (i have one of these too)

Post Sun Mar 20, 2011 9:33 pm

Yeah, but it still doesn't mean I can fit the autodim mirror!

Post Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:15 am

Any idea on the tail-lights error? Also today I unbolted the seats to have a proper vacuum throughout the car. Upon putting them back (making sure I plugged the deeley in that is under the passenger seat) but when I start her up the airbag light stays on for a couple of minutes before going out. Any ideas? Also had the rear seat base up to vacuum under that but did not disturb at all the little box under that for the airbag.

Post Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:26 am

Any ideas on the lights error message, wether HIDs will cause the error message to come up and the airbag light coming on?

Post Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:23 am

My E36 has a windscreen mounted auto-dim mirror

I would guess that unplugging the pretensioners with the battery connected has had the same effect as unplugging the instrument cluster would have done - ie it's raised a fault code which you'll need to clear in order for the airbag light to stop warning you about it.

Post Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:39 pm

What Ziggy says is right, if you unplugged the seatbelt pre-tensioners under the seats while the battery was connected it will cause the light on the dash to come on when you start the car.

You'll either need to find someone who has the reset tool or pay a visit to your local dealer/independent BMW specialist to clear it. Always disconnect the battery in advance of disconnecting pre-tensioners and airbags etc.

Post Thu Mar 24, 2011 3:19 pm

i've got hids on my '96 e36 and they don't cause an error.

(very) occasionally one will fail to fire up when turned on, and i get an error message, so it all still works.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:57 am

Anyone know how one would retrofit the auto dim mirror

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:30 am

Yep, you just need to tap into the power to the elec sunroof switch or similar.

One of the guys on the e36coupe forum (you should check that place out - will have most if not all the answers you need) did this retro-fit and included a brief write up in his journal (HERE).

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:43 am

Just a quick warning for you - auto-dim mirrors ain't all that! I expect you've tried one before but if you haven't, I'd recommend it before you go to any effort to 'upgrade'...

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:51 am

They're a little weird at first but once you get used to them they're quite good IMO.

My car has tinted windows and sometimes I find that when the mirror dims it's a little too dim but I think without the tinted windows it'd be spot on. All a matter of preference.

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:52 am

It's the colour that annoys me slightly... not the end of the world by any means, but then neither is switching it manually!

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:08 am

hello everyone...
ziggy is right...

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:11 am

jessy wrote:hello everyone...
ziggy is right...

Thank God you're here to clear that up for us! Thanks!

Post Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:13 pm

Well I like the autodimming mirror, really miss it when in a car without one tbh

Post Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:09 am

I just like toys though so....

Post Mon Mar 28, 2011 12:42 pm

I don't dislike it overall, just thought I'd point out that (IMO) they aren't perfect.

Post Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:31 pm

If you pull the headlining down a bit the plug for the mirror is usually tucked up with other wires somewhere. Needs to be an utter poverty spec shitter to not have the plug hiding away!

Post Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:58 pm

How much do the mirrors sell for? Got a couple gathering dust..

Post Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:47 pm

Pennies simon.... Might as well send me one and pay for my postage to boot. But in seriousness, if your selling one?

Post Tue Mar 29, 2011 10:40 am

I will throw it in the post for a tenner if you like?

Post Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:51 am

Sounds good. Pm me a paypal address.

Post Wed Mar 30, 2011 6:03 pm

I also have one of these auto dimming mirrors on ebay at the mo