beginer's question

[lvbike]

Hi everyone!
First of all this is my first post , hopefully not the last .
So I just got my first M3 ,first Bimmer , and Ihave few questions.
1.Can you check if the odometer was rolled back or not , if you can how or who will do it?
2. Oil change , what is the best oil for this car 1997 M3 with 31000 miles ? Where can you get the oilfilter? any special tool needed?Anything i should be aware of?
3.any full exhaust system which would boost a litle more power and give some sound to it , not as i don't like it ,but my Stealth tt got some kick so I kind of miss it!?
4.any writen or CD-ROM version manual what can help a handy guy to get Know better these babies?
5.anybody in the Las Vegas area as crazy about this cars as me?


Guys thank you for your time and help!

Lajos

[DJF1]

Hey Lajos,

congrats on your M3!
To answer some of your questions:

1. The dealer should be able to plug in your onboard computer and get the engine hours. There is an average i think about 29mph per hour or so that will approximately help you calculate the milaege. But it all depends really where the PO was living. Traffic etc...

2. Best oil??? I swear by the Mobil 1 15-50 the same I use on my 993... As for the filter I use OEM and to change it the M3 is one of the easiest cars to do so!!!

3. I have heard the Dinan exchaust, more bass and rumble...I think you are going to like it. As for the power....everyone is in search of it! You may go the supercharger way or even Turbo charge the engine. The E36 M3 is mod friendly from what I can gather... Popular and inexpensive mods are power chips and intake...

Good luck!

[lvbike]

Thank you Danny for your answers and regards!

I didn't think the oilchange could be hard but wanted to be sure.
I already have the intake and the powerchip. Just still miss the turbo kick !
I like Mobil one too , used on all of my cars before.
Thanks again !
Lajos

[DM3]

I use Mobil Synthetic 1 in my M3. Get a BMW filter. I have a Dinan freeflow exhaust on mine and I love it. Engine sounds awesome.

DM3

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Just to clarify, a BMW OEM filter would be either Mann or Mahle, both available from Pelican. Also I highly reccommend Mobil 1 in your car.

[umnitza]

Hi everyone!
First of all this is my first post , hopefully not the last .
So I just got my first M3 ,first Bimmer , and Ihave few questions.
1.Can you check if the odometer was rolled back or not , if you can how or who will do it?
2. Oil change , what is the best oil for this car 1997 M3 with 31000 miles ? Where can you get the oilfilter? any special tool needed?Anything i should be aware of?
3.any full exhaust system which would boost a litle more power and give some sound to it , not as i don't like it ,but my Stealth tt got some kick so I kind of miss it!?
4.any writen or CD-ROM version manual what can help a handy guy to get Know better these babies?
5.anybody in the Las Vegas area as crazy about this cars as me?

1) you can make out a little red dot next to your mileage if there is tampering. That is the tamper dot. There is no other way to tell tampering because once there is the SLIGHTEST weirdosity, that dot lights...no odometer can be tampered with effectively on an M3 E36.

2) Mobil 1 @ WalMart in 5qt containers. you can look at this video for help - www.umnitza.com and check out the free oil filter install video.

3) The best exhausts do three things on the M3 (none really give you tangible power): they are lighter, sound better, and look better. Power gains are neglible because the OEM exhaust is pretty awesome. The top contenders are SuperSprint, AA Tunings, and UUC. Everyone else is ok.

4) The ETK/TIS is available for $50ish at most BMW shops and this will tell you all you ever want to know about these cars - or for the same money buy a repair book from Bentley (I think Pelican carries it).

5) Plenty - I think you should look at your local CCA chapter.

[JJ]

On the instrument panel near the odometer, there would be a bright red dot if the instrument cluster has been changed or tampered with. You may be able to see the "unlit" dot under the right lighting conditions, but you'll know if its on. Also, buy the BMW enthusiast companion at any bookstore this has alot of good info, including specs to build a tool that will reset your service indicator lights. Good luck.

[Wayne 962]

Hey there, welcome to the club. We'll have a few tech articles for your car coming soon, including one on oil changes in the near future. Oil really depends upon where you are located. I recommend a 20-weight oil for anyone located here in SoCal. A 10-weight oil is better for colder climates...

-Wayne

[blueaudis4]

1. the dealer can check to see if the odom has had any set back..
2. i use mobil 1 trisynthetic oil 5w30, and change it every 3k. these cars do have a sophisticated management system and can go up too 20k miles without a change (weight loads in car, driving habbits and outside temps determine this) but i change every 3k just because i am used to it and like to baby it.
3. i have heard the dinan exhausts in person and like them, i would also recommend remus. both are good exhausts, i would say that the remus will be a little more robust, but nice. make sure when you chip the car or play around with the obd, that you let it know what type of exhaust you are using this can help with overall performance and allow everything to work in conjunction with eachother.
4. there are some really good cd and book on this car, i have family in germany and would more then happy to help ya out.

[Wayne 962]

It depends upon the age of the engine - I don't recommend Mobil 1 for any car with more than 100,000 miles on it. It's proven on the Porsche side of things that adding Mobil 1 to a tired engine *will* make the seals leak. Once they start leaking, they will not stop, even if you go back to a regular dinosaur oil...

-Wayne

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I highly agree with Wayne, Do NOT run mobil one in a motor over 100K or any motor that has spent it's life using dino oil. Synthetic oil is thinner than dino oil and WILL leak past seals ifyou use it.