miklm » Motors

FS: 1996 BMW 328is (E36) 5MT Alpine white coupe

miklm — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:57:53 +0000

The Basics:
1996 BMW 328is, Alpine White
2-door coupe, 5-speed manual transmission, 2.8L I6, 2.93 open diff
164,xxx miles
SOLD!

Recent parts:
ZHP short shift knob (2/2008)
Front strut mounts, Sway bar end links
Koni Yellow SA shocks (F/R), H&R Sport springs
UUC Swaybarbarians (SPEC E36) sway bars
Rear shock reinforcement/mount kit
Wheel stud conversion
Tie rods, LCABs, Control arms
– All new suspension parts installed on 5/17/2008
– Alignment on 5/22/2008 (spec sheet available)
Rear BREMBO (OE) rotors, Front Wagner (OE) rotors
Axxis/PBR brake pads (F/R)
– Rear brakes 6/3/2008 with new R caliper pin bushings, new pad wear sensor
– Front brakes 8/8/2008 with new pad wear sensor
– Brake fluid flush 3/2009, ATE Blue fluid
AC compressor replaced 7/1/2008
Alternator replaced on 12/22/2008 (Duralast/Autozone OE replacement w/ lifetime warranty)
Radiator, Coolant hoses (upper & lower), belts, Water pump (metal impeller), Thermostat
– Cooling system replaced 2/7/2009 as preventative maintenance
Lamin-X yellow fog light film (1/2009) and new L fog light

The Very Good:
– Interior is 9/10. Seats show on the most minor wear; better than almost any E36 you will find.
– Headliner and door panels are perfect. Many 3-series have problems, not this one!
– Car has no mechanical issues. Motor is strong, uses no oil, clutch and transmission are good
– Good AC (recharged last year after AC compressor replaced)
– Stock 6-disc CD changer and factory radio. I have a tape adapter for iPod
– OBC in excellent condition – all buttons work, no missing pixels
– Upgraded suspension – sporty, not harsh. Koni shocks, H&R springs
– 15% window tint, 7/2008
– Complete tool kit in trunk! Most are missing, this one is complete!
– Extensive maintenance performed. 15W-40 oil used
– Stock drivetrain – even the intake and exhaust
– All records/receipts available since I bought the car. Original books/manuals.
– Receipts total almost $4,000
– Cup holders! Center arm rest! Has the premium center console with 2 cup holders and fold-down arm rest

1996 BMW 328is

Pictures from Germany

miklm — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

BMW Welt & Museum, Munich

Nurburgring

Porsche Museum – Stuttgart

Fresh back from Texas

miklm — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

1996 328is, 5MT, 100% stock (see how long that lasts)

*Updates*
2/08 17″ ’95 M3 wheels from black car
5/08 Koni SA Yellows, H&R Sport springs, wheel stud conversion, fresh bushings, control arms, tie rods, UUC Swaybarbarian SpecE36 bars
6/08 Rear Brembo OE rotors, Axxis/PBR street pads
7/08 15% window tint
8/08 Front OE rotors, Axxis/PBR street pads

RIP

miklm — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

1/31/2008

Murdered by a Dodge Ram while unoccupied in a Papa John’s parking lot. What a disappointing way to go.

Purchased: 12/22/2006, 155k miles
Totaled: 1/31/2008, 182k miles

Absolutely the best of the four BMWs I’ve owned thus far. So what’s next? … Wait and see.

Recent event photos

miklm — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Deal's Gap – July 16-17, 2007

Barber Motorsports Park – The Porsche 250 – July 2007

Grenada MS Autocross – Mississippi SCCA – June 16/17

miklm — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Grenada MS Autocross – June 16-17 2007

I didn’t do well overall, but I had a fun weekend.

BMW CCA HPDE/Track Day at Barber Motorsports Park

miklm — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

May 26/27, 2007

Barber Motorsports Park – BMW CCA HPDE – May 2007

Project: Makeshift Racing

miklm — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

On December 22, 2006 I bought a black on black BMW 325is manual coupe to replace my gold 325i manual sedan that was totaled. On February 1, 2007 I got caught in an ice storm and slid off the road, into a ditch, and turned on the roof in the “new” car. State Farm declared that one also a total loss, but it was still in decent condition. Since February it has been an on-going project for David (my brother) and I to repair and convert to a trackable driver.

I’ll post more details on the car later, but its due for its first track day at Barber Motorsports Park on Memorial Day weekend, immediately followed by an SCCA National autocross on June 1-2 in Huntsville. On July 17-18 we’ll be going to Deal’s Gap.

1992 BMW 325is Blk/blk Coupe

BMW Ultimate Drive – Susan G. Komen for the Cure

miklm — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

While I was in Birmingham on April 24, I joined some fellow members of the Heart of Dixie chapter of the BMW CCA to drive the fleet of Susan G. Komen cars from Birmingham to Knoxville. For every mile driven, BMW donates $1 for breast cancer research. I drove a 2007 Z4 Coupe on this leg.

The BMW Ultimate Drive was also in Huntsville on April 27 so I took Dad down with me, and we were able to test drive the 335i coupe, the 335i sedan, and the new X5 SAV. The 335i has an impressive, wonderful engine, but the car overall leaves me a bit underwhelmed. I’m hoping that powertrain ends up in a 1-series soon.

BMW Ultimate Drive – Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2007

Caster, camber, toe

miklm — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Pointed the Right Way

Camber, Caster and Toe: What Do They Mean?

The three major alignment parameters on a car are toe, camber, and caster. Most enthusiasts have a good understanding of what these settings are and what they involve, but many may not know why a particular setting is called for, or how it affects performance. Let’s take a quick look at this basic aspect of suspension tuning.

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