318iS E36 Supercharger - Page 5 - United Bimmer Community

**DaleKP** · 02-12-2012, 01:20 AM

Please excuse the tardy response - has been busy at work. Not much of an excuse but today is the first chance I have had to get sat down at my computer. OK, I am going to hop on across to the Hotwires thread and post pictures and explanation of the mod which has been very very successful. My replacement cover is in the country and should be with me by early next week.

The photos aren't particularly good quality as I took them with my iPhone as I did the job, but they are clear enough to see what I have done and how.

Couple of things I want to post here though - first one is a link to the M3 bumper I got from eBay - Aussie company doing it, AUD $199 including delivery - Oh Yeah

M3 Bumper for E36

And here is a picture of the car with the new 17" Wheels and Front strut fitted :

DEATH2000 · 02-12-2012, 01:47 AM

That pic is HUGE for an iphone pic. The wheels look really good. As for the bumper i dont see anything wrong with it. PolyPropelyne (sp?) is definitley much better then fiberglass and has more give in it. Mind you in a crash it will still break, but not as badly as fiberglas will.

**DaleKP** · 02-12-2012, 01:53 AM

Sorry - have re-sized pic. Yep, in a crash, the bumper will break - but so will lots of other equally important bits I reckon....

I think on the whole I'd rather avoid a crash......

DEATH2000 · 02-12-2012, 03:47 AM

Oh they will, I know first hand. My replica m3 bumper was replaced with a genuine OE M3 bumper. Value of $1,600 for just the bumper. Cost with painting and all other small bits: almost $3,000. Paid for by the other guys insurance: PRICELESS!

**DaleKP** · 02-12-2012, 05:35 AM

That is a LOT of money for parts..... M3 parts are well expensive. I am REALLY looking forward to getting the M3 bumper fitted

DEATH2000 · 02-12-2012, 06:09 AM

It was a lot of money, thats why i was happy HIS insurance paid for it

The basic bumper was $1,600 and with all the small peices such as trim, brake ducts, fog brackets, the bottom panel it hit $2,000. With replacement fog light and paint and labour for everything it was between $2,600 and $3,000. I have the original receipt so i will go check later. But then they replaced them all with genuine OE M3 parts. Win! Not many people can say they have an actual brand new OE M3 bumper never installed on any other car!

Trust me, you will love the look of the new bumper! The ground clearence is the exact same. The only thing that changes is the lip lowers your clearance angle. Meaning because the lip sticks out farther then the stock bumper the angle of approach for objects is now lower. Same with parking curbs. Make sure you leave lots of room. The lip WILL hit standard parking curbs.

**DaleKP** · 02-12-2012, 06:38 AM

I will steer WELL clear of kerbs - thanks for the warning though - much appreciated. I know what I meant to ask - the brake ducts - are they the same as on the standard bumper or do I need to get myself some new brake ducts?

DEATH2000 · 02-21-2012, 06:26 PM

Sorry for the delayed reply. Im pretty sure you need new brake ducts, as i believe mine were replaced when I had the accident. However i was looking at a 92 325i at the junk yard and it appeared to have the exact same brake duct. I believe the opening is just partially covered by the bumper grille. The duct should come out of the fender linning just to the inner side of the rotor.

**DaleKP** · 02-21-2012, 08:07 PM

Thanks for that.... just quietly I am now looking at upgrading to a fully optioned MY00 528i with 134 000 on the clock. Has the M52 Engine from what I understand and looks very very clean. Any comments on the venerable E39 that I may find useful if I do look at this car?

DEATH2000 · 02-21-2012, 08:25 PM

I love the E39. It's an incredible design. If I buy one though it's gonna be an M5. I think the M52 was only offered until 1999 when they phased out the E36. If its a 2000 it might have the M54. Don't quote me in that because my 5 Series knowledge isn't as extensive. I have heard but cannot confirm at this time that some of the V8 engines had numerous issues. The 3 Litre ones from what I understand.

The E39 weighs over 700lbs more then my E36 with the same engine. Therefore if your looking for performance then go for a 540 at the minimum. It's the same in that the 328i is the closest to the M3 that the 540 is the closest to the M5. However they only made around 20,000 M5's per year.

**DaleKP** · 02-21-2012, 08:33 PM

Can't afford an M5 sadly !! The engine is an M52TUB28 apparently. Car is a good price and fully optioned which appeals greatly to me (plus I can start the mod process all over again

) E39 ran all the way to MY03 which is when I think the 5 series engine change occurred.

I was warned by members of the drivers club here to avoid the 540i as it has a V8 engine (with numerous issues...) and therefore heavier suspension and doesn't handle anywhere near as well as the 528i / 530i. I was told that the 530i was THE one to get if I can......

Well stock the 528i develops 194 HP apparently which is a damn site more than mine at the moment - and it is bigger. Only playing with the idea at the moment though, nothing concrete.

DEATH2000 · 02-22-2012, 12:05 AM

That's the same engine in my car. They are nice engines. However even with te same mods mine will always be faster due to the massie weight difference. Are they reliable? Very. Mine has been incredible. If you can pounce on it I would.

I'm sad it's the 540 with the issues. That's the one i would've wanted. The E39 M5 is tunable to over 1000 HP. Search for the "El Diablo" on the M5 Board.

**DaleKP** · 02-23-2012, 06:14 PM

Yes, it is sad - 540i sounds like a beast

That aside, I have made a firm offer on the car that has been accepted and I have paid a deposit, so I should take delivery 3/3 : Here is the car I am getting

I am really looking forward to getting it and already planning the cosmetic changes and YES... those wheels will be the first things to go!! I have already lined up a set of BMW 17" factory alloys or even the original 16" Mags would be better than those abominations !! Reckon I should be able to shift them on eBay though (and therefore pay for more cosmetic mods

)

Your thoughts?

DEATH2000 · 02-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Looks good. What color is the interior? Ya those rims are pretty gaudy. Get something black. Black rims are sexy. One thing you should look into is M5 mirrors. They look a lot better then those stock ones.

**DaleKP** · 02-23-2012, 07:06 PM

Am already lining up M5 mirrors

Interior is a cream coloured leather interior with walnut panelling