took delivery of my 99 m3 today!!!!!!!

[m3f_wicked m3]

hello all, just wanted to let ya know that i took deliveryof my 99 m3 2dr hardtop today and the car is great! its silver, 5spd, M contour wheels, and even has a spoiler...but the shifter light is out and the headlight bulb went out also...any tips on making these items work?



also i was interested in changing the stock headlight and foglight bulbs over to PIAA bulbs until i can get the euro ones...anything special i should look for?



thanks

[m3f_97BLKM3COU_0f375e15e2]

What do you mean shifter light? Not all shifters are lighted, and if you are talking about a light that flashes when it is time to shift, then the M3 is the wrong car to have. It does not have one. You could probably pick up an older escort if you want one of those.

[m3f_PurpleM3Pursuit]

hahahahahaha.. yeah.. no shift light.. haha

[m3f_tom_m3_e1cd87bc63]

I think he is talking about the lighted shift knob, latter E36 m3 have the shift knobs that are lighted. I assume the plastic cover comes off and there is a light bulb under it, try removing the plastic cover carefully. And if you are talking about the shift up light that some cars have the M3 has one too, the shift light is the red bar on your tach



Don't get the PIAA lights they are pretty much crap. Sure the color is a little different but the output is the same at about 50W (even less if you get the colored ones). They cost almost a hundred dollars and you should put that money towards the euro ellipsoids like the ones that purple has. The euro ellipsoids cost about 350 dollars (no HID) so $100 dollars for the bulbs are a waste of money. If you really want more output of your US headlights just buy some 80W 9006 bulbs (are not DOT approved) available through mail order (MESA has them). They will help but in general the US reflector is crap. Even xenon conversion is not recommended with the US reflector.



Congrats on your buy! BTW how much did you pay for it and who did you buy it from?

[m3f_erikM3]

What the hell is a shift light? On the sort of same subj. why do our cars have that stupid fuel consumption gage under the speedo, do M owners care about the milage? if we did i guess this would be the Honda Insight forum.

[m3f_Roadrunner_00430f3330]

congrats on your purchase! enjoy and be safe.:beer:

[m3f_wicked m3]

http://www.geocities.com/gtigirl97/ebinetc.txt

[m3f_wicked m3]

no i wasnt talking about a stupid shift indicator, i was speaking of the shift knob...but the knob works now, its just the headlight switch im worried about.



the car was 26,500 and was located in redwood city, ca. another question i had...is there a way i can find out if my car has been modified? say like someone chipped the ecu or whatever, ive driven a few of these cars and mine seems alot more powerful than the others...



thanks

[m3f_CrazzyM3]

Very nice car:thumbsup:

[m3f_97ARCticCoupe]

ahhh...reminds me of my baby!! here she is...



http://www.historysafe.com/images/00064_1009.jpg

[m3f_tom_m3_e1cd87bc63]

Originally posted by wicked m3

no i wasnt talking about a stupid shift indicator, i was speaking of the shift knob...but the knob works now, its just the headlight switch im worried about.



the car was 26,500 and was located in redwood city, ca. another question i had...is there a way i can find out if my car has been modified? say like someone chipped the ecu or whatever, ive driven a few of these cars and mine seems alot more powerful than the others...



thanks



One way of finding out if its being chipped (eprom reprogramed) is by finding a straight road and taking it up to and over 150 mph just kidding



After the car is fully warmed up in first gear slowly rev the car until the rpms reach the maximum value. Make sure you are looking at the road too. The rev limiter will kick in at about 6500 rpm on a stock car. If your car is sharked/chipped it will go up to about 6800-7000 rpm



You seem to have gotten a good price on your car. How many miles does it have and did you buy it from a dealer? I bought one this fall just like your silver '99 with 46k miles and CPO warrenty from a dealer for 32k. I probably paid a little more given the car was extra clean. You got a good price I think. Good purchase :thumbsup:

[m3f_NLR]

Originally posted by tom_m3





One way of finding out if its being chipped (eprom reprogramed) is by finding a straight road and taking it up to and over 150 mph just kidding



After the car is fully warmed up in first gear slowly rev the car until the rpms reach the maximum value. Make sure you are looking at the road too. The rev limiter will kick in at about 6500 rpm on a stock car. If your car is sharked/chipped it will go up to about 6800-7000 rpm



You seem to have gotten a good price on your car. How many miles does it have and did you buy it from a dealer? I bought one this fall just like your silver '99 with 46k miles and CPO warrenty from a dealer for 32k. I probably paid a little more given the car was extra clean. You got a good price I think. Good purchase :thumbsup:



Actually, on an e36 M3 the rev llimiter cuts in at 6800 rpm on the 1-2 and 2-3 upshift. 6500 rpm is the cutoff in the 3-4 and 4-5 upshift. So, if you do try this method, don't go thinking your car is chipped if you hit the rev limiter at 6800 rpm in first gear because it does that stock.

[m3f_wicked m3]

my car has 53k on it and it was bought through a small exotic car dealer in redwood city. the car is really clean...it still seems like a dream.

[m3f_jbannas]

what's the name of the place in Redwood City?

Thanks

[m3f_Midnight S_f3aef9550d]

Congatulations on your new car! Enjoy it while you can! :beer: