E36 parts suggesstions

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Wayne K. - 28 Jun 2006 03:41 GMT

Hello All,
I just bought a 95 325is. It only has 74k miles on it. It's black on
black and it has the 5 speed standard transmission. I bought it from the
orig owner. I'm very happy. It's my 4th E36!

Question 1: It needs new pads and rotors. I'm considering drilled and/or
slotted rotors as they are "supposed to be better" and they are very visible
through the rims.
Any suggestions on the rotors and pads? Good brands of both, etc.

Question 2: It's got the standard E36 door panel vinyl separation problems.
Has anyone found a good and dependable method for fixing them? Or is it
easier to just have a interior shop re-cover them when they do my headliner
and pillar covers?

Question 3: The AC compressor is noisy and the interior fan motor makes a
moaning / moo-ing noise. (I'll pause here so you can quit laughing.) Is
there any hidden problem with a compressor swap? I've done them before and
I'm glad it's easily accessible from the bottom of the car. I'm guessing the
filter in the cabin may be partially blocked causing the "moo-ing". Any
input? (Please keep the cow jokes to a minimum.)

Question 4: Factory Alarm / Remote unlocking Module. Is it worth it or
should I just have a good aftermarket alarm wired into the car?

That's about all I can think of for now.

Thanks,
Wayne K.

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Andrew Morton - 28 Jun 2006 09:27 GMT

> Question 2: It's got the standard E36 door panel vinyl separation
> problems. Has anyone found a good and dependable method for fixing
> them? Or is it easier to just have a interior shop re-cover them when
> they do my headliner and pillar covers?

I can tell you that hot glue doesn't work for longer than it takes to close
the door twice. My next attempt may involve contact adhesive. After putting
barrier cream on my hands...

Andrew

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Fred W - 28 Jun 2006 11:57 GMT

> Hello All,
> I just bought a 95 325is. It only has 74k miles on it. It's black on
> black and it has the 5 speed standard transmission. I bought it from the
> orig owner. I'm very happy. It's my 4th E36!

Nice. I'll be looking for myself pretty soon, but I prefer the 4 doors
for convenience. My '95 325i is showing signs of body cancer over the
left rear wheel well (for the second time, repaired once before) due
mostly to its prior life in the North Country. Too bad because the rest
of the car is primo.

> Question 1: It needs new pads and rotors. I'm considering drilled and/or
> slotted rotors as they are "supposed to be better" and they are very visible
> through the rims.

Drilled or slotted rotors won't make any difference unless you are using
the car on the track. In street use you won't notioce any difference
except that your pads will wear out faster.

> Any suggestions on the rotors and pads? Good brands of both, etc.

Depends... What are your goals? What do hope to achieve? There are
many good pads out there and each have plussed and minuses.

For rotors, I like Balo, Zimmerman, ATE, Brembo. All non-slotted. If
you absolutely have to have some bling, why not clean and paint your
calipers instead of the slots/holes? It will be showy and wont cause
your pads to wear out faster...

> Question 2: It's got the standard E36 door panel vinyl separation problems.
> Has anyone found a good and dependable method for fixing them? Or is it
> easier to just have a interior shop re-cover them when they do my headliner
> and pillar covers?

Re-cover or replace them.

> Question 3: The AC compressor is noisy and the interior fan motor makes a
> moaning / moo-ing noise. (I'll pause here so you can quit laughing.) Is
> there any hidden problem with a compressor swap? I've done them before and
> I'm glad it's easily accessible from the bottom of the car. I'm guessing the
> filter in the cabin may be partially blocked causing the "moo-ing". Any
> input? (Please keep the cow jokes to a minimum.)

To replace the compressor you need to be able to remove the old
refridgerant, and evacuate and recharge the refridgerant afterword.
There's nothing special about the BMW AC system.

About the moo-ing... Try replacing the cabin filter, but I'm guessing
it will be more involved than that. Maybe there is a leak in the plenum
somewhere that is vibrating? If you can identify the location of the
source of the sound you'll be half way to fixing it.

> Question 4: Factory Alarm / Remote unlocking Module. Is it worth it or
> should I just have a good aftermarket alarm wired into the car?

I'd try to find the factory alarm / remote. It plugs right in to the
wiring harness. No splicing and dicing. Also, not that much more
expensive because you can do the install yourself in a few minutes.

Signature

-Fred W

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Richard Sexton - 28 Jun 2006 18:17 GMT

>For rotors, I like Balo, Zimmerman, ATE, Brembo. All non-slotted. If
>you absolutely have to have some bling, why not clean and paint your
>calipers instead of the slots/holes? It will be showy and wont cause
>your pads to wear out faster...

I've heard Balo was better being blanchard ground, but they always
spalt very very badly for me. I switched to slotted ATE "ppwer
discs" and like them better than anything. The advantages ATE
claims *seem* to be true. But it's not like I have lad data to
back it up, just a sense/feeling.

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Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
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