basic beemer tech stuff
 

I am new to the marque (just got 98 M3 for the wife) and I do all my own work. I have 2 basic gearhead questions:

Is this motor of the non-interference type (pistons and valves
can't touch if cam belt breaks)?

What is best source and author of the factory service (shop) manual(s) for this car? I keep one for every vehicle I own.

-Dave in CA
(just rice-burners and spaghetti-benders so far....)

These cars have cam chains, which should last the life of the engine, yes it is an interference motor.

As for the manual, Bentley all the way. The best service manual short of the factory manuals, which I believe are about $350 and are currently unavilable.

Thanks, Jared.

What is the story with the factory manuals? Does unavailable mean BMW has them but only lets dealers have them? What about illicit copies? Photocopies are often made and sold of Ferrari manuals, if any exists (often there are none).

I have been looking for the factory manual for my car, yet i have been told there are unavailable to anyone. Apparently they onlyhave them on CD-Rom that is unavailable to the public. The Bentley manual is the next best thing.

I have seen CD versions of shop manuals and parts books (incl the few Ferrari ones) for sale on Ebay. I wonder how good they are, and if there are same for late year BMWs....

They are top quality. If you can find one, I'd say go for it.