just bought an 1998 e36 318iS saloon... (problems)...

[pete69zx]

Hi all,

Long time, no post, lol.

I have recently bought an 1998 e36 318iS saloon.

Now, i have already serviced the car & found one of the spark plugs to be different from the rest. By different i dont mean by fitting i mean by electrode type!

I have already replaced the rear half of the exhaust as the old one was about rotten.

2x 225/50/16 Goodyear Eagle F1's on the rear as the old DUnlop's had really seen their better days!

So, the problem i have (well one of many actually with this car!) is...

... the car feels to be wandering on the road. I know its been quite windy / blustery the past few days, but this feels more like something wrong with the front end (maybee back end, im not so sure to be honest!)

I have just ordered a cheapy all round suspension kit (uprated) inclusive of dampers & springs. I hope for this to tighten things up a little as im guessing its the original stuff still on the car after approx 10 years & 106K miles!

Im thinking to go with Powerflex front & rear bush kit also. Is this a wise move do you think?

Im prepared for none of the above to sort the wandering problem out, but its a bloody good start to increase longevity of the cars suspension components, right?

I need to find out what diameter the fron ARB is as i need to supply this information upon ordering the front bush kit.

Some information that came with the car suggests that it has just had some ball joints replaced on the front of the car. Correct me if im wrong but i believe these balljoints to be available seperately or you can buy them as part of the complete wishbone???

Maybee someone has butchered these upon installation or maybee the whole front end needs new components??? (suspension & steering!!!!!!! :-S)

I have had the car to a friend who has a garage & i asked him to perfrom the service with parts all supplied by me. I asked him to be critical of the car considering i have just bought it & its new territory for me. He said be 100% critical he felt that there was a little play in either the steering rack or steering collum. I forget which one he said it is!

So boys & girls, your opinions & comments please.


Regards,
Pete.

[curryp]

2x 225/50/16 Goodyear Eagle F1's on the rear as the old DUnlop's had really seen their better days!

those big ballon tyres is why your all over only joking

i had in IS coupe a few year ago which had a similar problem.i replaced just about every suspension component including the rear springs whos pigtails had snapped off
it seemed better after that.

have you had the tracking looked at?

also belive there was a recall on some steering components (maybe the rack) mine was a 93' is and was treated like royalty when at the dealers with all the posh new motors on its recall.maybe its worth giving bmw a ring to see

[pete69zx]

Hi Cuzz,

Thanks for your comments.

Admittedly, i was thinking the tyres are like balloons! LoL

I see your in Durham m8, i work there

As far as the tracking goes, no i have not had it along that route yet as i wanted to fit all the suspension first & try to save on a job being done (& paied for twice)


Regards,
Pete.

[eko]

Mine was a little vague on the steering when I first got it ie liked to wander when on the motorway etc,feel skittish for want of a better word when going over potholes/manhole covers etc.
Track control arm bushes were really soft and basically knackered,replaced them and it made a big difference!

[whipsey]

my compact seems to bounce when i hit a bump im very suprised as its been lowered by at least 60

[pete69zx]

@ Eko,

In the below diagram is the TCA bush, part number 5?




Regards,
Pete.

[eko]

yes number 5

[pete69zx]

Below is a diagram of the rear suspension.

Can anyone tell me what will be the replacements parts i will receive when ordering a full rear e36 Powerflex bush kit?






Regards,
Pete.

[pacerpete]

Unless you can find something obviously shagged the best course of action if you want your E36 to drive decently is to replace the front outer balljoints, eurocarparts do a 'solid' balljoint without the stupid cage setup that BMW use. This is the balljoint of choice. Replace front wishbone rear bushes, use original BMW E36 M3 3.2 evo bushes, £20 pair from your dealer and far superior to stock bushes. Last but not least replace the rear trailing arm bushes with powerflex bushes. When all is done only then get a proper 4 wheel alignment carried out. Replacing These 3 parts , even if not overtly worn will transform the drive of any e36.

[darkchild]

Unless you can find something obviously shagged the best course of action if you want your E36 to drive decently is to replace the front outer balljoints, eurocarparts do a 'solid' balljoint without the stupid cage setup that BMW use. This is the balljoint of choice. Replace front wishbone rear bushes, use original BMW E36 M3 3.2 evo bushes, £20 pair from your dealer and far superior to stock bushes. Last but not least replace the rear trailing arm bushes with powerflex bushes. When all is done only then get a proper 4 wheel alignment carried out. Replacing These 3 parts , even if not overtly worn will transform the drive of any e36.

Can only second Pete's recommendations. The E36 has quite an appetite for balljoints and bushes and carrying out the above will make it drive superbly. A sorted E36 is a lovely steer and not too far behind an E46.

Any pics? A 318is saloon is quite a rare motor. I've only ever seen a couple myself.

[curryp]

I see your in Durham m8, i work there

south east durham-wingate to be exact

get some pics up of the car mate,iv only ever seen 2 IS saloons

[baur320]

Nice to see you back Pete.

The missus bought one of these from a car sales in Billingham about three years ago now. Apart from things that normally go like a clutch and exhaust, it's only needed a lamda probe - not bad for a high mileage car.

Don't know if you know, but these are pretty rare. They were built in South Africa and come with 1.9 (twin cam) M44 engine, M-tech suspension from the coupe, traction control, M3 interior, steering wheel and rear spoiler, Motorsport bodywork (usually Avus blue, but there are a few maroon ones about), and E46 wheels.

Build quality's not up to German standards - hers really needs two fronts wings already and it's only 9 years old.

There was a guy on E36coupe who was trying to track all these cars down last year, but I can't find the link.

Here's a pic of hers taken just after it was bought. It's now got white indicators and looks loads better for it.



Mick

[curryp]

usually Avus blue, but there are a few maroon ones about), and E46 wheels.

iv only seen maroon-yours is the first avus

[darkchild]

The two I've seen were both Avus, E46 crosspokes and M-Tech trim. Really nice looking 4dr E36's. Didn't know they were from South Africa - I just assumed BMW had a few M44's to be rid off!

[curryp]

I just assumed BMW had a few M44's to be rid off!

so did i

you learn somthing new everyday

[Bob_S]

your control arms and bushes are worn.

[pete69zx]

Mine was a little vague on the steering when I first got it ie liked to wander when on the motorway etc,feel skittish for want of a better word when going over potholes/manhole covers etc.
Track control arm bushes were really soft and basically knackered,replaced them and it made a big difference!

Thanks for your advice m8.


Regards,
Pete.

[pete69zx]

Unless you can find something obviously shagged the best course of action if you want your E36 to drive decently is to replace the front outer balljoints, eurocarparts do a 'solid' balljoint without the stupid cage setup that BMW use. This is the balljoint of choice. Replace front wishbone rear bushes, use original BMW E36 M3 3.2 evo bushes, £20 pair from your dealer and far superior to stock bushes. Last but not least replace the rear trailing arm bushes with powerflex bushes. When all is done only then get a proper 4 wheel alignment carried out. Replacing These 3 parts , even if not overtly worn will transform the drive of any e36.

Hi PacerPete,

From the reciepts i see with the car it has just had both outer ball joints replaced. Im somehow sceptic if they have been tightened up correctly after a convcersation with a m8 who is also a fellow BMW enthusiast (he has now defected to the dark side, Audi S8 340BHP monster!). He seems to think that maybee the ball joints have only been tightened up while the car has been up on the ramps, with no weight of the car on them. It does sound a very resonable suggestion. I really need to investigate further, quickly!

Brilliant advice Pete about the M3 Evo bushes!

In the first schematic i posted is the rear trailing arm bush, part number 4 ?


Regards,
Pete.

[pete69zx]

Unless you can find something obviously shagged the best course of action if you want your E36 to drive decently is to replace the front outer balljoints, eurocarparts do a 'solid' balljoint without the stupid cage setup that BMW use. This is the balljoint of choice. Replace front wishbone rear bushes, use original BMW E36 M3 3.2 evo bushes, £20 pair from your dealer and far superior to stock bushes. Last but not least replace the rear trailing arm bushes with powerflex bushes. When all is done only then get a proper 4 wheel alignment carried out. Replacing These 3 parts , even if not overtly worn will transform the drive of any e36.

Can only second Pete's recommendations. The E36 has quite an appetite for balljoints and bushes and carrying out the above will make it drive superbly. A sorted E36 is a lovely steer and not too far behind an E46.

Any pics? A 318is saloon is quite a rare motor. I've only ever seen a couple myself.

Not quite a very good pic of it, but it does show off the 3 cars in the household at the moment. Shame the e39 has to go



I do have some more pix, but they are in my phone & i can't get them from the phone to the PC, grr!


Regards,
Pete.

[pete69zx]

I see your in Durham m8, i work there

south east durham-wingate to be exact

get some pics up of the car mate,iv only ever seen 2 IS saloons

I have a m8 that lives in Wingate, im over that way ocassionaly


Regards,
Pete.

[pete69zx]

Nice to see you back Pete.

The missus bought one of these from a car sales in Billingham about three years ago now. Apart from things that normally go like a clutch and exhaust, it's only needed a lamda probe - not bad for a high mileage car.

Don't know if you know, but these are pretty rare. They were built in South Africa and come with 1.9 (twin cam) M44 engine, M-tech suspension from the coupe, traction control, M3 interior, steering wheel and rear spoiler, Motorsport bodywork (usually Avus blue, but there are a few maroon ones about), and E46 wheels.

Build quality's not up to German standards - hers really needs two fronts wings already and it's only 9 years old.

There was a guy on E36coupe who was trying to track all these cars down last year, but I can't find the link.

Here's a pic of hers taken just after it was bought. It's now got white indicators and looks loads better for it.



Mick

How can i tell if my car has the M-Tec suspension, what do i need to look out for that the non M-Tec setup has?

This is quite a serious issue, considering i have just ordered a non M-Tec suspension kit, oopps!


Regards,
Pete.

[vendetta]

im in hebburn not far from baur320 i pass his car nearly every day

[Andyboy]

my compact seems to bounce when i hit a bump im very suprised as its been lowered by at least 60

It will do. That's because it is sat on the bump stops with no more damper downward travel left. The bounce is the damper deflecting upwards.

This is why you should only lower suspension 30mm. 60mm is utter madness.

Wandering E36's need new lower front balljoints. They don't rattle when they're shagged and many MOT testers miss it. But it will drive like a pig. Most E36's with over 50k need rear trailing arm bushes (cheap DIY) and front balljoints and wishbone rear bushes. The dampers normally last well over 100k.

Euros have now discontinued the solid outer balljoints. But a better option is just to fit complete new E30 wishbones as they are a straight swap and have the same geometry.

[pete69zx]

im in hebburn not far from baur320 i pass his car nearly every day

[vendetta]

ive always wondered if the owner ov the car was on the forum as i dont know anyone

[pete69zx]

Wandering E36's need new lower front balljoints. They don't rattle when they're shagged and many MOT testers miss it. But it will drive like a pig. Most E36's with over 50k need rear trailing arm bushes (cheap DIY) and front balljoints and wishbone rear bushes. The dampers normally last well over 100k.

Euros have now discontinued the solid outer balljoints. But a better option is just to fit complete new E30 wishbones as they are a straight swap and have the same geometry.

Hi Andyboy,

Are the front wishbone's made of steel or aluminium?

What are the standard e36 318iS saloon ones made from?


Regards,
Pete.

[Andyboy]

They are all steel.

You can change rear arm bushes without a 4 wheel alignment. At 100k the rear bushes are probably original and I've just refitted the brackets in the original position. Use the witness marks on the body or mark it with paint. I'm doing these about 40 mins a side now!

Being a Sith Ifrican car, I would be having all four wheels off, completeley cleaning the arch lips with a brush and hose and getting Waxoyl in there. These cars can rust like hell, I've seen a couple of very ripe S plate cars.

They were available in Avus blue, Royal red and Morea green.

[pete69zx]

They are all steel.

You can change rear arm bushes without a 4 wheel alignment. At 100k the rear bushes are probably original and I've just refitted the brackets in the original position. Use the witness marks on the body or mark it with paint. I'm doing these about 40 mins a side now!

Being a Sith Ifrican car, I would be having all four wheels off, completeley cleaning the arch lips with a brush and hose and getting Waxoyl in there. These cars can rust like hell, I've seen a couple of very ripe S plate cars.

They were available in Avus blue, Royal red and Morea green.

I have just been on EuroCarParts website & they have 2 offerings available.

Some priced at £38.24+ VAT per side & some at £50.99+ VAT per side. Just different manufacturers i guess.

Which buses are the rear one please that you mention? If you look at the diagrams i have posted on page 1 of this thread, please can you point out which picture & part number they are, thanks.

Mine is an S plate car & well lets say, i have seen better looking motors! LoL.

Incidentally, mine is Jet Black.


Regards,
Pete.

[curryp]

mine is Jet Black.

a rare one amongst rere ones perhaps?

slightly O/T does your friend live anywhere near the fir tree pub?

[pete69zx]

mine is Jet Black.

a rare one amongst rere ones perhaps?

slightly O/T does your friend live anywhere near the fir tree pub?

Yep, he lives on the main road through Wingate.


Regards,
Pete.

[baur320]

How can i tell if my car has the M-Tec suspension, what do i need to look out for that the non M-Tec setup has?

As far as I remember, saloons come with the stiffer/lower suspension from the coupe, as opposed to the softer suspension a 318i saloon was fitted with. You might be better putting the question to e36coupe for a better overview - I don't want to mislead you.

The missus has reminded me that her car needed a new rear spring last year. Not sure if it came from ECP or the dealers, but the garage who fitted it quoted the chassis number and the right part turned up.

Mick

[pete69zx]

How can i tell if my car has the M-Tec suspension, what do i need to look out for that the non M-Tec setup has?

As far as I remember, saloons come with the stiffer/lower suspension from the coupe, as opposed to the softer suspension a 318i saloon was fitted with. You might be better putting the question to e36coupe for a better overview - I don't want to mislead you.

The missus has reminded me that her car needed a new rear spring last year. Not sure if it came from ECP or the dealers, but the garage who fitted it quoted the chassis number and the right part turned up.

Mick

Hi Mick,

Great advice.

I need to make the call now then to the company in Peterlee who im buying the suspension kit from.


Regards,
Pete.

[curryp]

I need to make the call now then to the company in Peterlee who im buying the suspension kit from.

would that be evo R?

[pete69zx]

I need to make the call now then to the company in Peterlee who im buying the suspension kit from.

would that be evo R?

Yep, that would be the one.

I hope its not Swift Motorsport rebranded, lol.


Regards,
Pete.

[curryp]

I hope its not Swift Motorsport rebranded

i think it could be.

they were swift then evo then evolution r,they just moved units