questions

[m3f_BlkBimM3R_4c5ffa766f]

ask yourself.. does your roommate own a german car or work on one?



now ask yourself... should you be taking his advice?



I used to own a 1995 Acura Integra GSR and I used to to all the maintenance and repair (not much to do) on this car.... I got used to not paying for service.. so when I got my 1999 BMW M3 I decided to buy a Bentley Service manual and continue NOT paying for service... so far I've done all the maintenance items myself... not hard at all if you already know your way around motors and have ample tools... since it sounds like you did a decent amount of work w/ your 240.. you should have no problems working on the M3... btw the mileage on your 240 is nothing... my friends 1990 240 had like 190K when he sold it... it was still running condition.. but was starting to fall apart...

[m3f_M3fun43]

I was speaking to BMW of America and I brought up the problems with the E36, the fact that being a mechanic and enjoying working on my own cars,

you constantly want to work on the M but never have to. I think this is where all the modding comes from, nothing really needs repairing. I had to go and take the plastic covers off pull some plugs remove the airbox, just for fun knowing nothing was needed. One thing I have found with BMW's is their nonconventional bolt sizes and the need for special tools to work on them, i.e. water pump and diff and trans drain plugs, try and find a 32mm deep socket or 14mm allen wrench. ricers (10mm,12mm) cars

Wow what a machine !!!!!

[m3f_salty_80d4b8491b]

The Bentley manual for this car is excellent. I like to work on my cars and have been giving it a read in my spare time. The BMW has things nicely laid out with decent access to most things mechanical. A manual like this makes a big difference. I also have a VW Corrado and the Bentley manual for that one is awful.

[m3f_Chief22]

sounds like i will enjoy this car once i get one...thanks alot fer the responses

[m3f_FLi GLi]

ive been all over my 240, swapping an auto tranny out for a manual tranny...



Chief,



If you can do this, you can work on any M3. I am in the same position you are, more or less. I just recently bought an M3. I was worried it was going to be impossible to work on and whatnot compared to my VWs, which I have been working on for years now.



Of the things I've done so far, the M has been much easier to work on than my 16 valve VWs. Having the oil filter on top of the engine is SO much easier and less messy. Not having the ENTIRE fuel distribution system on top of the airbox makes replacing the air filter SO much easier. Being able to see the spark plugs makes it SO much easier to work with them. Even though a VW is "supposed" to be less complicated than a BMW and easier to work on, in fact, the opposite is true. The engineers at BMW put a lot of thought into the E36 engine layout and it shows.



Whether you personally have experience working on Japanese, German, US, Korea, whatever cars, it doesn't really matter. The general ideas and principles of automobile construction apply across the board. For example, disc brakes...there are going to be pads, a pad holder, a rotor, and a caliper. If you've done a disc brake job before, you can pretty much do it on any car. Yes, there might be some wear sensors or ABS sensors you have to be careful of, but the basic principle is the same whether it is a VW or a BMW, MB, Audi, etc.



Anyway, that's my opinion on working on cars. You sound like you wont have any problems. I recommend the Bentley like many other have in this thread. You might need to pick up some new tools, but that's not a bad thing :clap: !



So, in conclusion...buy an M3, do your own work on it, and enjoy life!!



Thesis Ended,



FLi



(can anyone tell I'm bored at work today??)

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Chief,



If you can do this, you can work on any M3. I am in the same position you are, more or less. I just recently bought an M3. I was worried it was going to be impossible to work on and whatnot compared to my VWs, which I have been working on for years now.



Of the things I've done so far, the M has been much easier to work on than my 16 valve VWs. Having the oil filter on top of the engine is SO much easier and less messy. Not having the ENTIRE fuel distribution system on top of the airbox makes replacing the air filter SO much easier. Being able to see the spark plugs makes it SO much easier to work with them. Even though a VW is "supposed" to be less complicated than a BMW and easier to work on, in fact, the opposite is true. The engineers at BMW put a lot of thought into the E36 engine layout and it shows.



Whether you personally have experience working on Japanese, German, US, Korea, whatever cars, it doesn't really matter. The general ideas and principles of automobile construction apply across the board. For example, disc brakes...there are going to be pads, a pad holder, a rotor, and a caliper. If you've done a disc brake job before, you can pretty much do it on any car. Yes, there might be some wear sensors or ABS sensors you have to be careful of, but the basic principle is the same whether it is a VW or a BMW, MB, Audi, etc.



Anyway, that's my opinion on working on cars. You sound like you wont have any problems. I recommend the Bentley like many other have in this thread. You might need to pick up some new tools, but that's not a bad thing :clap: !



So, in conclusion...buy an M3, do your own work on it, and enjoy life!!



Thesis Ended,



FLi



(can anyone tell I'm bored at work today??)



Hahaha work. At least you don't have to jack BMW engines up to change belts like some jap cars... :P

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Here's a link to lots of thorough, step-by-step how to's:



http://www.logun.org/e36_info.htm

[m3f_Chief22]

alright, thanks for all the links and stuff guys, it's really appreciated...and if anyone has anymore (links or opinions) i'll gladly take em...thanks.