Hi, newbie here!!! - United Bimmer Community

**sanj** · 03-05-2009, 12:56 PM

Hi all, new to the scene and wanted to say hi.

Ive just recently bought a 1999 323i coupe, was just wandering if some of you more experienced guys out there know what i should do to it maintenance wise and what to keep an eye out for.

One thing that bothers me is the airflow from the vents is pants, hardly blows, any suggestions would be great.

motorwerks · 03-05-2009, 05:56 PM

You probably need to change your microfilter. A clogged microfilter won't let the air through to blow out of the vents.

Be sure your spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter are up to date, and oil change are all up to date. If you don't know, then just change them. If it's an auto change the trans fluid, and filter. Consider changing the rear diff. fluid.

Become familiar with www.bimmerdiy.com/e36 www.pelicanparts.com www.realoem.com

**sanj** · 03-06-2009, 12:16 PM

Thanks, im based in england, will these companys ship? Thanks for the info, its a manual car, whate viscosity do i use in the diff and gearbox, we use 75/90 at work for gearbox oil and i think 80/90 for diff, will this car have a limited slip diff?

Thanks again.

motorwerks · 03-06-2009, 01:17 PM

It won't have an LSD. Most guys I know run 75/90 for open diffs, and 75/140 for Lsd.

I don't know if pelican ships, but you may have a comparable site based in england. Realoem is a part look up site that will help you identify, and verify part #'s. Bimmerdiy is just that a DIY site for bimmers.

**daki77** · 03-06-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanj

Thanks, im based in england, will these companys ship? Thanks for the info, its a manual car, whate viscosity do i use in the diff and gearbox, we use 75/90 at work for gearbox oil and i think 80/90 for diff, will this car have a limited slip diff?

Thanks again.

80/90 is mineral based oil. You would want synthetic 75/90 for open diff, or 75/140 (also sinthetic) for LSD (just like motorwerks told you). For gearbox, only ATF.

**sanj** · 03-07-2009, 07:08 AM

Auto box fluid in the gearbox really?? We are talking about the red oil used in most autoboxes, thats a first for me, but i do trust your advice. Thanks guys.

Big Evil · 03-08-2009, 07:43 PM

Yup, just look up the OEM recommendation ATF (the red auto trans), is in fact used in a number of rear diffs (LSD clutches are the same as auto trans clutches). Whatever the factory says is what you want to use, they are after all the ones who designed and built the thing :-).

**TwoOneFive** · 03-08-2009, 11:25 PM

make sure your PCV (cyclone seperator) and hoses are in good shape, the updated thermostat, and watch out for those rear strut mounts blowin out if you are going to track it or just drive hard regularly