New Book Coming - Ask Your Tech Questions Here!!!

[Wayne 962]

Hi everyone. People in the Porsche world know me for my recent book, 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911. You can check it out here:

http://www.101projects.com

Well, the good news is that I'm currently working on my next book, which is 101 Projects for Your BMW 3-Series! Due out in 2003, the book will follow a similar format to the Porsche book, with the exception that it will emphasize modifications, and performance projects a bit more than restoration. Some ideas and projects we're already working on are:

- 318is SuperCharger
- Brembo Big Brake Installation
- Bilstein Adjustable PSS9 Install
- Colored Gauge Faces
- Sport Muffler / Exhaust
- Top-End Rebuild
- Basic Maintenance

Etc., etc., etc...

The book will focus primarily on the E30 (1984-1991) and E36 (1992-1999) models. Without a doubt, these are two of the best cars ever built. With prices dropping daily on the E36 models, the chance to pick one of these puppies up in good condition is getting better each day. I recently picked up a 1992 318is and a 1993 325is (wife's car) for a lot less than you would think.

So, the bottom line? Ask your questions here, and I will answer them. I get notified by email whenever anyone posts, so unless I'm on vacation, your post won't sit around getting stale like yesterday's leftovers!

Thanks again,

Wayne

http://www.pelicanparts.com

[BlueSkyJaunte]

How 'bout a buyers' guide? Kind of like this: http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

I'm still in the market (my wife says I can buy an E30 when I've finished our library), and haven't found a lot of info about what to watch out for with each of the BMW models.

[Wayne 962]

That's a great idea, I'm going to have to either create one or find one on the internet...

-Wayne

[makaio]

Yeah a buyers guide would be great. I love the E-30 body cars.

Maybe some tech on how to set one up for Auto-X & DE use.

If the book is half as good 101 Projects for your 911, it will be great! Keep up the good work Wayne!

[Wayne 962]

A buyer's guide is unfortunately out of the scope. As you can see with 101 Porsche, I had to cram a lot of info in there. There is a BMW buyer's guide out there from MBI, but I do think it's lacking in excitement?

What specific setups for autocross or DE? Are you talking about dialing in the car, or adding performance suspension?

-Wayne

[makaio]

Setting it up for both would be great. I'm sure just some insight on what can be down to tweek the suspension and make it better.

At one of the tim trials I attended last year, there was this 318, that I could not shake off my tail, except on the long straight of Thunderhill, since I had the HP advantage. That impressed me, even though I'm no Michael Schumacher. It obviously had to have had it's suspension dialed or tweeked some, I would think.

I believe you are going to cover it in the basic maintenance, but I thought I would mention a few I know I would want:

Oil changes
Replacing brake rotors & pads
gear oil changes
intervals for the required maintenace.

[Wayne 962]

Cool, I got those covered already. What were you driving? The 911SC? The 318 is pretty nimble...

-Wayne

[makaio]

Yeah the SC is my play car. I get to the track about 6 times a year.

I've been trying to decide on a daily driver car to buy in the next year though, and you adding this great BMW board is really going to increase the difficulty in deciding.

There's just so many choices, between Porsche, BMW, Audi, & VW.

[Wayne 962]

I'll tell you what, I own both, and here are my opinions:

- The 911SC is a great car for fun weekend driving, but it's a pain the butt to drive in traffic. It's also just not good for the car (especially air cooled cars) to be driven on short trips where you don't get to open it up. The 911, although refined, is still light-years behind the BMW E36 series in terms of overal comfort for driving.

- The 1993 325is automatic that I bought for my wife is a totally different car. Very similar to her old Acura Legend that was stolen about 4 years ago. Smooth ride, good acceleration, and a very quiet, solid interior that is very comfortable. The automatic transmission smooths out the ride, yet seems to sop power by staying in the low end of the rpm range.

- The 1992 318is I bought for the projects book has a standard transmission, and is very quick. Even though it's the same chassis (and even the same color) as the 325is, it seems a lot quicker and snappier. I'm sure that this is mainly a byproduct of the stick tranny, but you also rev the 4-cylinder a lot higher to gain HP and torque. It's fun to drive and feels a lot lighter than the 325, although I know it's only marginally lighter.

For a daily driver I would probably go with the 325is automatic. It's a dream to drive in traffic. I think that the stick in the BMW would get old after a while. For real performance driving on the track or on weekends, take the 911 out...

Just my opinion...

-Wayne

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Wayne,

After much searching I found this:

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/technical/index.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ww=on&ID=106&view_records=1

Actually, BMWE30.net in general has a lot of good info. Unfortunately it looks like they may be losing their webspace due to hosting costs and dwindling advertising revenue. I only say this because Gustavo (the admin/owner) is asking for donations...which in the past I've seen happen right before the site goes under.

Perhaps you might consider absorbing them...there seems to be a sizeable community there.

[Wayne 962]

I actually sent the guy a note - haven't quite heard back yet. It's a nice site with some good traffic - it would indeed be a good fit...

-Wayne

[Rick Lee]

I've had a lot of regular maint. stuff done to my '87 325is, which my Porsche has emboldened me to doing myself from now on.

E30's need a new timing belt and water pump every 50k-60k miles. This would be a good chapter for the 101 Proj. book.

Also, I have a short shifter, which I paid to have put in, though I'm now sure I could have done it myself. It's a very nice mod. Also a book idea.

I have twice had to replace some seals in my tranny, so maybe it's common for them to go bad and would be useful for the 101 book.

I have twice needed a control arm or ball joint replacement too.

Valve adjustments are a must for this book.

I also learned a trick from someone on how to reset the inspection indicator lamps without the reset tool. You run a wire from pin #7 in the module and ground it to the engine, while someone turns the ignition key to the "on" position without cranking the engine.

My car has 241k miles on her (232k of which were on the original clutch) and still runs very strong. So someone who follows the 101 book should have a real keeper of a Bimmer on their hands.

[Wayne 962]

You got it - I think all of these (maybe on the tranny seals) are slated for the book...

-Wayne