1995 BMW 320i

[dollywobbler]

E36 saloon lights are different to coupe lamps.

 

 

This is the video I found

 

https://youtu.be/-w_iZIIq1xE

 

It gives the impression that the bonnet release is in the driver's side on a left hand drive car, hence it might be a the offside you need to take off.

If they're anything like French cars, they will have decided that they can't be arsed to move it for RHD...

[320touring]

The bonnet release cable goes from lever in drivers footwells, down inside of drivers front wing and into the RHS bonnet catch. There's then a Bowden cable between right and left bonnet catches.

 

We have previously had success going in via the grille (the kidneys just pull out)

[Supernaut]

E36 saloon lights are different to coupe lamps.

 

 

Even the headlights? SRSLY?!

 

 

However, I have suggested that when I go round on Saturday we can take the lights out and put them on a radiator overnight to dry them out. It might help temporarily.

 

You've now seen where Mr Coffees' house is Tayne, so feel free to join in on Sunday, we'll probably be there most of the day.

[320touring]

Even the headlights? SRSLY?!

 

 

However, I have suggested that when I go round on Saturday we can take the lights out and put them on a radiator overnight to dry them out. It might help temporarily.

 

You've now seen where Mr Coffees' house is Tayne, so feel free to join in on Sunday, we'll probably be there most of the day.

Course the headlights are different, as wings and bonnet are too!

 

Gone is the sense they had with the E30..

[HMC]

Looking good, always liked the styling on these. Do they have that window lift thing going on when you close the doors?

[Bucketeer]

I'll write my plan of action down here, for you all to track how wrong it all goes.

 

1: Sort out the bonnet release. Tayne has found youtube tutorials on how to do this.

2: Once the bonnet is open, investigate the screenwash. Hopefully it's just empty.

3: Have a look at the brake judder. I'm being optimistic and hoping it's a sticky caliper which can be freed off with hammers and copper grease

4: Battery terminal (thanks to Tayne for reminding me)

5: Clean it

6: Present it for an MOT!

 

You forgot . . .

7: Knockhill

[Supernaut]

Hmm, take another wholly unsuitable car round Knockhill? Tempting.

 

At least it might handle slightly better than an LS400.

[Vince70]

Talking of E36 headlights even the glass is different on certain models which I found out when I got a stonechip on the headlight glass of my compact.

The saloons and coupe and cabriolet have lines going through the glass whereas the compact has clear lenses.

And the Americans have plastic covers rather than glass apparently on their E36 headlamps

[Supernaut]

I shall take inspiration from Moog's work on his Puma, and remove the light units (and bulbs) and air them out on a radiator overnight then.

 

The plan for the weekend is for me to visit 17-Coffees' house on Saturday afternoon, we work on the car for a bit, then go to the pub. I stay in his spare room, then we continue working on the car on Sunday.

 

 

This is assuming we can get the bastard bonnet open first!

[mrbenn]

That's a bloody nice birthday present!

[Supernaut]

 

[17-Coffees]

we go to the pub then work on the car for bit 

Fixed the plan for Saturday for you...

 

WCPGW?

[Supernaut]

Well, can't make it any worse.

[Supernaut]

Got the bonnet open and filled the bone dry screenwash bottle. It now works! There's a leak from the passenger side one, looks like the insulation under the bonnet needs to come out, can do that in the daylight.

Also tightened the battery clamp with a socket and it seems fine!

[320touring]

Good news!

[17-Coffees]

As Supernaut said, made a little bit of progress last night. Surprised at how clean it looks under the bonnet! Spotted a few things that will need seen to in the long run, aux belt, etc but Ifine for now.

 

We also removed the O/S headlight to investigate for a cause of the condensation. A quick look and it seems okay. The glass section has been siliconed in place in the past it seems, that or BMW duble secure the glass with silicon and the small clips? Got the lamp unit sitting on top of my kitchen radiator to dry out anyway.

 

That was it’s state as if 6pm last night, abandoned plans for more as was time for the pub.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Course the headlights are different, as wings and bonnet are too!

 

 

 

Not so.

 

Headlights are the same on all E36's except the Compact - these fit but have E39 style bulbs and bulb connectors.

 

Some have lines across, some have 'bobbles' along the edge depending on when it was made. Changed around 1994 iirc with all cars getting the 'bobbled' lights by 1996. Compact lenses don't fit saloon/Coupe/Convertible/Touring light units, different number of clips.

 

With E36 bonnet catches, don't fart about but go to BMW and buy two new ones and a centre cable. It will all be fucked by now. The centre cable sticks with rust and the ferrules on the catches will be broken off. You may be able to save it all but after 23 years? The catches are about 18 quid each with VAT, the cable £20.

 

I replaced it all on my Touring, cost about £43 all in and the bonnet opens and closes like a gem.

 

With the bonnet open you can remove that upper trim panel, undo the three torx screws per catch and

 

a ) Spend ages removing the complete front panel

 

b ) Just bend the front panel tabs up and slide the old catches out. I recommend this on an old shitter.

[320touring]

You learn summat(lights!) Every day.

 

Are the indicators different ?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 

Are the indicators different ?

 

 

 

Yes.

 

Front grille panel is the same on all cars, just different from 1996 facelift.

[Supernaut]

Progress!

 

As mentioned, we took out the O/S headlight and put it on a radiator overnight.

 

 

 

After that, we took the N/S light out for the radiator treatment and set to looking at the passenger side screenwash nozzle.

 

 

It seemed to be leaking from under it. We sort of fixed it, but it's still pretty piss poor. Might just swap the one off the white 316 onto it when presenting it for an MOT.

 

Then we washed it.

 

 

 

 

The grille panels are in the boot. It makes it easier to open the bonnet that way. We can just reach in with some pliers and activate the bonnet catches this way.

 

I then decided to fit a radio that was last used in a Peugeot 306 I owned in 2010. It still works! Cassette deck hidden behind the flip-down panel! Ooooh yeah! Shoved a cassette adapter in there and blasted some Eurobeat from 17-Coffee's phone.

 

 

check out the beading!

 

 

 

 

It goes alright, actually. Earlier today I pulled out of a junction to join the Ellon bypass rather enthusiastically and there was some gravel on the road. This resulted in some nice sideways action.

 

 

The headlights have already misted back up again though. Boo!

 

Still need to investigate the brake judder and the electrics in the driver's door.

 

 

 

 

Did you find any more cutlery under the bonnet?

Alas, no.

[Supernaut]

I've been doing some pondering this morning.

 

The brake judder still needs investigated, and from how it feels through the steering, I want to look at the front left as my first area of investigation.

 

 

 

However, the bonnet not being easy to open may cause problems at an MOT. What do our tame MOT testers think about this? I was wondering if I could reach in through the grille with pliers to release the two bonnet catches in the car park outside the MOT station, and present it to them just on the secondary catch. Would this be a fail? Or would it be fine as they would open the bonnet to check the fluids, then slam it shut and it would then securely stay shut. Hmm.

[Split_Pin]

I would suggest that if they cannot open it then they may deem it not possible to check for prescribed areas, excessive seepage from a component and/or brake lines.

 

Unless your local tester is an obtuse dufus though, showing them how to open the bonnet as you describe should generate no morw than a manual advisory, imo.

[Supernaut]

It is a bit fiddly and cantankerous to get open, which is why I'd be tempted to release the two main catches beforehand and just let them know that's the situation. I'd be using the local garage near my parents' house, who know me and seem to tolerate my antics.

 

It also has a buggered rear number plate and the headlights are full of condensation. I'm going on the tactic of putting it in for an MOT and seeing what it fails on, then deciding if it's worth sorting.

[Split_Pin]

Rear number plate is still legible and the condensation issue can be sorted by leaving the lights on for a few minutes prior to test to evaporate it. I wouldnt worry about the latter unless it's absolutely soaking and adversley affects the beam pattern.

 

Be grand, its a bonny motor thats worth sorting.

[Supernaut]

Rear number plate is still legible and the condensation issue can be sorted by leaving the lights on for a few minutes prior to test to evaporate it. I wouldnt worry about the latter unless it's absolutely soaking and adversley affects the beam pattern.

 

Be grand, its a bonny motor thats worth sorting.

 

Bonny? Aye, ok, from 20 feet.

 

However, I do agree that it's worth saving. It's lovely to just bomb about in. The weather yesterday was mild enough that I had the sunroof open too!

 

The white 316i gave me the E36 bug, and it'll be nice to have another one to arse about with.

[320touring]

Bonny? Aye, ok, from 20 feet.

 

However, I do agree that it's worth saving. It's lovely to just bomb about in. The weather yesterday was mild enough that I had the sunroof open too!

 

The white 316i gave me the E36 bug, and it'll be nice to have another one to arse about with.

It's the best condition one I ever had:)

 

#theonlythinglowerthananoldE36ismyexpectations

[Supernaut]

'Tis still at Castle Coffees for now. Plan is to do more fettling at the weekend and think about booking it in for an MOT.

[Supernaut]

Today we took the slider pins out of the front calipers, went over them with some sandpaper, then dipped them in copper grease.

 

Success! No more brake judder after a couple of hard stops.

[320touring]

Today we took the slider pins out of the front calipers, went over them with some sandpaper, then dipped them in copper grease.

 

Success! No more brake judder after a couple of hard stops.

Excellent news!

[Supernaut]

To celebrate, we went out for a drive over to Collieston.

 

 

 

 

 

I've no idea who did that in the car park...

 

 

 

 

 

The infamous butter knife came in useful too.