Hey there from a newbie, I sold my BMW motorcycles and am now a car guy (got little kids now)

I have a 96 328i convertible with 132k miles I just picked up and am looking for suggestions for spiffin up the car. I have around $2,800 budget.

Some of the things I am already planning include (complete fluid swap, new tires, Leatherique-in the drivers seat, BMW replacement radio & speakers).

I want the car to look mostly stock and am open to a bit more power.

Any advice?..

For power you will end up with the only real good mod without going crazy: M50 manifold and throttle body for around 30 extra horses.

For the interior ir's up to you. You can buy lots of nice BMW items to enhance it. I'm very into "OEM" so all I used was genuine BMW accessories.

i would recommend replacing at least the shocks and rubber bushings in the suspension - specifically the Lower Control Arm Bushings and Rear Trailing Arm Bushings. they are all likely worn out after 12 years and 132 thousand miles. they will ride a lot nicer once they've been replaced.

Thanks everyone, I am still learning about how to use these forums. I am open to suggestions. When I get back to the house (In Baghdad right now) I will be much more active on the forums.

I am chompin at the bit to get going.

Do you guys know how hard it is to get tires mounted after you buy them off of TireRack?

You're in Baghdad? Oh my. Good luck then.

Most local tire shops will mount up tirerack tires - at least I've had good luck. Suspension refresh will give you the most noticeable improvement - I'd hold off on "power" modifications until you've had a chance to drive the car.

You will notice and enjoy anything that fixes up the appearance of the car - restoring the interior leather - up to and including recovering the seats. I had the local BMW dealer wet sand my car (98 with 25k miles on it) to remove all the surface oxidation and swirls and then polish the paint - it looks basically brand new. After those two, wheels and tires change the appearance and handling quite a bit. Finally, most people will tell you a wind deflector makes the car much more enjoyable for those in the front seat - my girlfriend's hair doesn't blow around and I don't have to hear about it. Suspension plus interior/exterior appearance + wheels + wind deflector will use your $2800 up nicely.

You have lots of audio options - take your time and figure out how long you'll keep the car before you start ripping things out.

The handling and appearance will make 95% of the people very happy. The e36 is adequately powered but isn't like a GT Mustang - the M3 is only around 230 hp or so. You can increase performance if you really want to but handling is a lot easier to change/improve. I did a suspension refresh on my Audi A6 2.7T and put in new sport struts last year - it handles better than the new A6's.

Peter

Peter

Oh - and don't forget all the endless group buys around here - xenon headlights, LED tails, clear corners, etc. For what I wound up spending on mods last year I probably could have leased a new vert or bought an e46 vert.

Peter

To keep it on the road this summer I suggest cooling system replacement with oem. 132K miles is old for a radiator- E36 are notorious for expansion tank failure or radiator inlet/outlet neck failure. Once your in there do all components- parts will cost around $400. Check E36 and M3(E36) forums.

Enjoy your BIMMER VERT! :buttrock

BEFORE you buy tires online, check (preferably in person) with the guys at Radial Tire in Silver Spring. They will deal with you. Most all of the DC area car clubs use Radial. They will not mess up your wheels during installation, wont overcharge, and do great work. Be forewarned...show up EARLY if you want service. Line usually forms an hour before opening. Also, if you want to save some money, repair your speakers using the age old trick of fixing the torn cones using some sort of silicone flex adhesive. And that $2800 is going to need to go towards maintenance and or repairs. Lower control arm bushings, RTABs in the back, possibly ball joints and tie rods..all are typical wear items. PM me if you need some help.

Thanks,
I will check out the guys in Silver Spring MD, and have been looking at the different forums and think that the cooling sys (plus water pump) change out of fluids (oil, brake, trans, and others) will be the first things done.

I am interested in the suspension refresh mentioned above. That will be probably about all I really have time for.

I had all of these great plans for when I get back and am finding that most of my time is going to be monopolized by the kids and Wife (but that isn't a bad thing).

i know how that is wife and kids take alot of time and money

BEFORE you buy tires online, check (preferably in person) with the guys at Radial Tire in Silver Spring. They will deal with you. Most all of the DC area car clubs use Radial. They will not mess up your wheels during installation, wont overcharge, and do great work. Be forewarned...show up EARLY if you want service. Line usually forms an hour before opening. Also, if you want to save some money, repair your speakers using the age old trick of fixing the torn cones using some sort of silicone flex adhesive. And that $2800 is going to need to go towards maintenance and or repairs. Lower control arm bushings, RTABs in the back, possibly ball joints and tie rods..all are typical wear items. PM me if you need some help.


Thanks,
I saw a good article on bimmerdiy.com about RTAB and hopefully will be able to find similar articles about the Lower Control Arm Bushings, ball joints, and tie rods.

What type of shocks would be good for a car that is meant to just be a solid handling fun car? I mean I am not planning on racing or auto crossing, but want to get that nimbleness back to the car.

Hey there I am back and have started to clean up the car. I took it out for a spin today, after I had changed out airfilter, and sparkplugs. I am getting a new set of tires put on next week, and hope that this will take care of the little shimmy in the steering at 15-35 mph.

I am going to order the waterpump and other assorted parts next week for a swap out of the original waterpump.