E36 Questions

Hi there!

I just bought my first Beemer - a 1996 BMW 316i (actually sold with the M43 1.8 litre motor here in South Africa) - 100,000 km on the clock, Boston Green metallic with Black leather interior, alloy wheels and a full BMW Dealer service history. She is in immaculate condition and quite a leap forward from the 1.6 VW Jetta 3 I had before. It has only been a week and I am smitten already. However, I do have a couple of questions and will really appreciate some feedback on them as the dealer from where I bough the car has been unable to help:

1) It has one of those fancy electronic climate control air conditioning systems, but doesn't matter what settings I use, it never seems to remotely chill as effectively as my Jetta's did and someone told me that VW systems are known for their effectiveness, while BMW systems are known for their ineffectiveness despite their sophistication. Is this true?
Furthermore, in your opinion, does "Auto" work better than Manual mode as I cannot detect any discernible difference in cooling performance?
The draft created by the fan also seems below par (except on highest setting) - can this have something to do with the pollen filter that is apparently fitted which can be blocked - how can I check this?
Can I manually adjust the fan speed when on auto setting or does this play havoc with the auto feature?
The reason why I am harping on this so much is that good air conditioning can be regarded as a bit of a necessity in sunny SA where temperatures can easilty touch 40 degrees Celsius in summer, and this combined with a black leather interior...

2) The rear suspension seems to be quite noisy, as if something is loose. This is especially audible when going slowly over small bumps (accompanied by a low pitched slightly groany clickety click thumpy sound that can be heard from inside the vehicle). According to my local shock absorber shop everything checks out fine, but still I cannot believe that such a relatively sophisticated suspension design will be so 'loose'/noisy (much more than the Jetta).

3) Creaking door/s? - when going over indulations in the road. there is what can only be described as a creaking-clicking sound coming from the left hand inside of the vehicle. My local garage have been completely unable to trace the cause, but it seems as if this can be from movement of/in the door or from the central pillar or passenger seat. Any ideas?

4) Squeaky seats, how do I lubricate them, it is driving me nuts!?

As soon as these 'niggles' are sorted I am sure that she will give me years of trouble free and pleasurable motoring (or so I hope). My mother has a E30 318i which she bought brand new in 1988, now with over 330,000 km on the clock and still going strong, it has NEVER let her down, is not even using oil yet and looking like a car half the age and mileage!

Any comments, warnings, advice etc. will be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Geeves.

Have the microfilter changed for the A/C. It is located behind the glovebox, and while you are at it have them charge up the system.

As for the squeeks. It may just need a good lube/greasing all the way around.

Yea, change the Microfilter as 328isRob said, and also check that no-one has been playing around under the dash and not put some of the vent pipes back on properly. Had the problem on my car of not getting enough air to my feet and that's all it turned out to be.

I think I read somewhere that the E36's had problems with the upper rear shock absorber mounts!, not sure on that one.

Also do you turn the air-con on as well as the auto setting?
Makes a big difference on my car when you have it on auto setting and then also turn on the air-con.

Hope this helps,
Rossco
1996 E36 320i
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?s=&postid=518748

Thanks for the advice so far. Will let them have a look at the microfilter (although I think it has been checked) and pipes and yes, I use AUTO and A/C together, same difference in my car. I have also just booked the car into another suspension/shock absorber place later this week, will let you know what, if anything, transpires.


Geeves

Thought I'd seen something about noise coming from the rear posted on a site somewhere.

Taken from a technical page at Richard Nott's BMW Database - http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/


> From: Kit Wetzler <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, August 25, 2000
> Subject: [uuc] rattle from right rear wheel/suspension
>
> I have a really nasty rattle coming from the right rear of my 97 M3. it's
> mainly apparent when I'm driving on a bumpy, road, pretty slowly. It goes
> away when I press the brake pedal, but not the parking brake or under
> engine braking. I had my roommate drive the car around and I stuck my head out
> the passenger side rear window and it definitely sounds like it's coming from
> area of the wheel. (doesn't sound like rear shock mounts or the trailing arm bushings)
> Snip...
> Anyone else ever seen/heard this? Could it be the parking brake mechanism?
> (of course, that would've explain why the rattle goes away under normal
> braking...)
>
> kit
> 97 M3/4

Rear Shock Mounts
Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2000
From: "George, Zachariah" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: [uuc] rattle from right rear wheel/suspension

I had this exact same symptom on my '94 325i with Repco Metal Masters.
FWIW the culprit turned out to be the Rear shock Mounts. The E36
is apparently notorious for eating this mounts in as little as 20K miles of
driving...

HTH
Zach


Cheers,
Rossco
1996 E36 320i
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?s=&postid=518748

Thanks! I will check this in particular. Now that you mention it, it does sound as if this can be the culprit.

Geeves

Thanks! I will check this in particular. Now that you mention it, it does sound as if this can be the culprit.

Geeves

Just FYI - rear shock mountings replaced, noise now worse than ever!!!! Apparently cannot only do this, need to replace shocks too, so that is up next, but they are out of stock :-( meaning that I have to drive around for more than a week with a car that sounds like a Russian tank clunkety clunkety clunk

That's interesting, the shocks must be really stuffed!

FYI I was reading something last night, and apparently the rear sub-frames can become detached from the diff... but don't know for sure about that, maybe someone else might have more knowledge on this matter.
Also was fiddling with my Climate air system and have to say, if you want it cold, doing it manually will definitely make it colder than on the auto setting.

Cheers,
Rossco.

Just for those interested - had the shocks replaced today and she is as smooth and quiet as a sleeping baby now :-) Phew!