BMW 328is Repair and Maintenance - Get an online auto repair estimate for your BMW 328is
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BMW 328is Repair and Maintenance
BMW 328is Model Years
BMW 328is Questions and Answers
I have a 1999 bmw 328is in perfect condition but with 250k the body is rust free and straight im thinking of buying a newer model say 2004 they are my favorite body but im a car lover and in college for mechanical engineering. id like to rebuild the engine turbo or supercharge and nitrous what im worried about is are bmw electronics going to kill me on this project and will the rear-end and tranny going to be able to handle the big hp i realize this is going to take a lot of money and a lot of time but that's all i have is time and yes i work for my money no mom and dad handouts but some words of wisdom would be great for undertaking this project. i can build a mustang, trans-am, ect with my eyes closed i have restored many vintage British and Italian cars but want something different than your average civic tuner ... something with class but let me know your thoughts on this thanks a million
-Ted-
once again, i have to refer to this site
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/f
orum/index.php
this is a perfect place for you to get your questions answered from people that have already done it and those who are still doing it.
The newer BMWs just can't take the stress they are maxed out as to what the body and basic engine can handle, and you should learn tis being an engineering student.. BMWs are cheap these days compared to the much older ones. In 1988 a 3 series was 35 grand and new ones are just about that. But taking in the decrease in the value of the dollar a 1988 3 series would be 45K or more. Back then they just took all your money up front and gave you a heck of a long lasting car that can take a serious power boost from the motor. But now they take 1/2 up front and 1/2 in repairs. Leases excluded but the screwing happens to the next owners with repair costs if at the dealership but they get some money from you in parts only the dealer has.
BUT if you must mess with it the electricl issues are not to bad with a 99 328. Depends on what you want to do.. A lot of people do modifications are it can be quite a rush with all the new power if done right. And they brag till the cars come home. But you never hear them telling the story about how the engine trans and final drive gave out, HUGE ego blow to admit that. I see and hear about modified cars at the insurance auction all the time pretty new ones butchered bad from turbos and superchargers.
first off, im glad that you have experience, because at first i thought that you were a clueless person that wanted to put nitrous in their car to make it like the movies.
I think that the BMW is a perfect candidate for a race car STOCK, because it is old (you dont have to worry about dings), and it has a great engine and handling. It might be a tad slow, though, but im sure you will find a class of similar cars.
Why stock you ask? BMW's are not like american cars, they will be laid out differently as with the electronics, but then you could just replace the whole thing (in this case go ahead and modify it)
about the tranny, it would depend if it is manual or automatic and how much torque the thing pulls out. It should be fine if it is a manual and you don't go crazy
i have a custom m3 it makes it faster and nicer
are the 1998 3 series model taillights the same? to be exact i've been told that a pair of 1998 BMW 328IS 2 door model taillights won't fit a 1998 BMW 328I 4 door model. Is this true?
The tailights for these couples and sedans are NOT identical and therefore, NOT interchangable.
The lights are different from the two door and the four door. However, any taillights from the e36 coupe will fit another e36 coupe. I found that out the hard way. The differences are minimal, but they are there.
They're interchangeable throughout the 328 range as far as I know. Even common sense agrees.
Maybe your friend is confusing them with the ones below, which are for different models only because the amber part is clear. Still fit on your 328I though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T
AIL-LIGHT-bmw-328-96-99-tailligh
t-lamp-98-97-1996-LH_W0QQitemZ25
0319506935QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ2
0081104?IMSfp=TL0811041010007r16
653
If you want to make double sure, ask this eBay seller.
BMW 328is Problems
| Suspension & Steering | Power steering hoses are known to fail occasionally, and it is not uncommon for multiple hoses to be leaking at the same time. |
BMW 328is Recalls and TSBs
| Body, Interior & Misc. |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Brakes |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Drive Train |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Electrical & Lights |
TSBs:None reported. |
| Engine |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Exhaust & Emissions |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Heating & Air Conditioning |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
| Suspension & Steering |
Recalls:None reported.TSBs:None reported. |
BMW 328is Recalls
Electrical & Lights: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Summary: CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence Summary: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective Summary: J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
Recall Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AFTERMARKET HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED ¿LAMP MODEL NUMBERS.¿CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Electrical & Lights: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Summary: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence Summary: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Summary: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Recall Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO TRADESONIC AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED ¿LAMP MODEL NUMBERS.¿CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Electrical & Lights: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Summary: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence Summary: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective Summary: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Recall Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¿S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Electrical & Lights: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.¿
Consequence Summary: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective Summary: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Recall Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY ANZO AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
BMW 328is Technical Service Bulletins
None reported.