<E36/E46> Re: 95 M3 Clutch Problem and E46s (longish)

[mchiang@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Chiang)]

This is all kinda longish (sorry)... but there's a lull here at work, and 
I'm feeling somewhat prolific.

>Date: Wed, 07 Oct 1998 22:25:10 PDT
>From: "Marlon C." <mccal@domain.elided>
>Subject: 95 M3 Clutch Problem?

>I just test drove a White 95 M3/2 from the used car dealership (not
>BMW). The salesman ask me if I want to take it for a spin. I don't want
>to miss the opportunity, so I said, "sure, why not". I was actually
>looking at 94 540 on the lot but it was not in best shape. While I was
>test driving the M3, I noticed the clutch feels too low, is that normal
>on M3 with 52,000 miles on it? Does this mean a new clutch is needed or
>just adjustment? Anyway, I never had so much fun the driving car.

All the earlier '95 M3s I've driven (<4/95 prod.date) have low (closer to 
the floor) engagement pts.  My 9/95 car and all the '96/'97s and '98s feel 
'about right'.  Perhaps at some point, BMW changed something in the clutch 
linkage?

>What's the best rpm shift points for smooth acceleration? The only problem 
I
>found was that the driver's side door have overspray inside the hinges
>area. You know what that means (body damage).  I just thought I'll share
>that experience. I am still looking for that perfect 95 5er.

3.5 to 4k RPM seems to be a good point for the 3.0s.  3.2 to 4k RPM is 
where the 3.2s seem to like it (IMVeryHO...YMMV).  Drove an M-Roadster 
yesterday at one of BMW's Drive for the Cure events .. and it seemed to 
shift like butter at 4k... but it was more fun at 6.4 <g>

IKYDK, a service manager at Capital Eurocars BMW showed me a sure indicator 
of body work.  All major body panels on a BMW (and all cars, I think) have 
a sticker on them with the vehicle's VIN number on it.  (for instance, a 
tag appears on the underside of an M3's hood in the passenger side corner) 
 If the panel has been repaired or replaced, the number will (required by 
DOT) have an "R" appended to the end of it.  If you think the door has had 
work, look for the sticker on the door jamb (on the door itself) about a 
quarter way up, parallell with the outer plastic trim/molding.

This applies to US cars... I'm not sure which other countries require this. 
 I'm posting this tip without verification outside of what the service 
manager told me.  Anyone know differently?

Almost bought a Bright Red M3 a while back (love the German name for the 
color --"Hellrot") and I was amazed at how good the paint looked.  I mean 
eye-ball popping, head turning RED paint.  Suspecting body work (even 
though the title search came up clean), I popped the hood and sure enough, 
the hood and both front quarter panels had been repaired or replaced.  I 
then decided to go with the Cosmoschwartz one ... even though I promised 
myself I'd never own a black car again.

>Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 02:15:33 EDT
>From: NASIEG@domain.elided
>Subject: e46 M3

>It seems like BMW did the wise thing and didn't change the new 3-Series
>drastically from the e36. Why change it, if its still one of the ten best 
cars in the world?
>some people might think BMW should have been more aggressive with the e46, 
but ...<snipped>

>it brings up some questions and concerns about the upcoming M3.
>The new 3-Series seems to be more refined , smoother and quieter then
>the e36. This may be great for cruising around on freeways, but for
>spirited driving (or track), this isolation might lack the feedback to the
>driver, which is why the e36 ( especially the M3 ) feels so good.

Finally went for a drive in a E46/328 yesterday.  I know this has been 
covered already.. so I will spare you all yet another magazine article on 
it.  I will say one thing, though.. (CAPS LOCK ON)  ALL WHINING ABOUT THE 
3-SERIES INTERIOR LOOKING AND FEELING CHEAP WILL NOW END (caps lock off)

Also.  I don't see what the big deal about the E46 changeover is... the '99 
328i drove pretty much near identical to the '98 328i I had as a loaner 
drove.  That is to say, very nicely, despite a little vagueness on-center  
 and a tendency to hunt on the highway.  Oh yeah... that softie stock 
suspension can be a little scary sometimes, too... especially on tight, 
fast sweepers with large ripples in the pavement.

>I've read that the next M3 will be the same for the US and Europe. Rumors
>have it that its going to be a 3.4 liter six with ~300 hp. That's good for 
us

330 from a straight-six 3.4 with Double VANOS is the latest gossip.  That's 
VERY good for us <bg>

Okay.. back to work.   ::reaches for the boss keys::



Mike Chiang
95 ///M3

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