E36 Sport Touring -

JB wrote:
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
> > > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> > >
> > > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
> > > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > > engine response.
> >
> > 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.
>
> > 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>


The 325i with the M50 has a sportier intake system than the M52. The
323 is also a 2.5 but it has been de-tuned so bolting back the sports
stuff will help performance (in terms of peak figures). I doubt very
much if you'll get 230hp out of the 323 though without a lot more mods.
Maybe you might be able to get that out of a 328 if you really tried.

New shocks will probbaly help but I'd recommend eibach springs to
totally transform the car. Probably just new bushes etc would help
though.
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

JB wrote:
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
> > > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> > >
> > > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
> > > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > > engine response.
> >
> > 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.
>
> > 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>


The 325i with the M50 has a sportier intake system than the M52. The
323 is also a 2.5 but it has been de-tuned so bolting back the sports
stuff will help performance (in terms of peak figures). I doubt very
much if you'll get 230hp out of the 323 though without a lot more mods.
Maybe you might be able to get that out of a 328 if you really tried.

New shocks will probbaly help but I'd recommend eibach springs to
totally transform the car. Probably just new bushes etc would help
though.
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

JB wrote:
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
> > > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> > >
> > > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
> > > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > > engine response.
> >
> > 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.
>
> > 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>


The 325i with the M50 has a sportier intake system than the M52. The
323 is also a 2.5 but it has been de-tuned so bolting back the sports
stuff will help performance (in terms of peak figures). I doubt very
much if you'll get 230hp out of the 323 though without a lot more mods.
Maybe you might be able to get that out of a 328 if you really tried.

New shocks will probbaly help but I'd recommend eibach springs to
totally transform the car. Probably just new bushes etc would help
though.
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

> I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
>
> It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if anyone
> could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> engine response.

1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.

2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.

3) I bought a '95 328i touring and really had a bit of luck, half price
NEW AC Schnitzer / Bilstein suspension on ebay (normally 800 quid). It
lowers the car but not too much. Spring rates are ideal.

4) Only think I want now is a stiffer rear anti-roll bar as she
understeers too much. Stock bar is 15mm, //M-Tech package sport bar is
18 (you may have this). I'll fit a 20mm bar from an //M3 Evo.

> Or any companies that might provide a strut brace, suspension kit, short
> shift kit etc?

I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.

> Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?

Worn bushings.

--
Who needs a life when you've got Unix?
Email: john DeleteThis @unixnerd.demon.co.uk, John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
Web : http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
Need Sun or HP Unix kit? http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html
www.Strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible price
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

One other thing, I THINK these have a 2.93:1 differential. That's
perfect for the motorway but way too tall to be any fun. A 3.15 LSD from
a 325i Coupe would liven it up nicely.

Mine is a winter car and lives on snow tyres. Perfect for that, my E30
was always a bit "interesting" on ice even with snows on.

--
Who needs a life when you've got Unix?
Email: john.DeleteThis@unixnerd.demon.co.uk, John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
Web : http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
Need Sun or HP Unix kit? http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html
www.Strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible price
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"John Burns" wrote in message

> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> >
> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
anyone
> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > engine response.
>
> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.

That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.

Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?

<snip>

> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.

Agreed.

> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>
> Worn bushings.
>
A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
on it and still feels as tight as a new one.

JB
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"John Burns" wrote in message

> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> >
> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
anyone
> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > engine response.
>
> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.

That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.

Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?

<snip>

> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.

Agreed.

> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>
> Worn bushings.
>
A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
on it and still feels as tight as a new one.

JB
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"John Burns" wrote in message

> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> >
> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
anyone
> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > engine response.
>
> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.

That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.

Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?

<snip>

> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.

Agreed.

> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>
> Worn bushings.
>
A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
on it and still feels as tight as a new one.

JB
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"John Burns" wrote in message

> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
> >
> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
anyone
> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly the
> > engine response.
>
> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.

That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.

Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?

<snip>

> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.

Agreed.

> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>
> Worn bushings.
>
A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
on it and still feels as tight as a new one.

JB
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"JB" wrote in message

>
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
>> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
>> >
>> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
>> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly
>> > the
>> > engine response.
>>
>> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

Me neither - what does it look like? How would I ditch it?



>
>> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>

Thanks, any idea where to get a re-chip from? I think I have the M52
engine?


> <snip>
>
>> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.
>
> Agreed.
>

OK thanks, I'll scrap that idea.

>> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>>
>> Worn bushings.
>>
> A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
> on it and still feels as tight as a new one.
>

Excuse the ignorance, how would I know if these were worn?

One other thing, the stays/struts(?) that hold open the hatch have gone so
it's really heavy, I take it these are easy to replace myself? Any
suggestions where to get the parts?


Thanks again,

Jon
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"JB" wrote in message

>
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
>> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
>> >
>> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
>> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly
>> > the
>> > engine response.
>>
>> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

Me neither - what does it look like? How would I ditch it?



>
>> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>

Thanks, any idea where to get a re-chip from? I think I have the M52
engine?


> <snip>
>
>> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.
>
> Agreed.
>

OK thanks, I'll scrap that idea.

>> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>>
>> Worn bushings.
>>
> A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
> on it and still feels as tight as a new one.
>

Excuse the ignorance, how would I know if these were worn?

One other thing, the stays/struts(?) that hold open the hatch have gone so
it's really heavy, I take it these are easy to replace myself? Any
suggestions where to get the parts?


Thanks again,

Jon
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"JB" wrote in message

>
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
>> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
>> >
>> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
>> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly
>> > the
>> > engine response.
>>
>> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

Me neither - what does it look like? How would I ditch it?



>
>> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>

Thanks, any idea where to get a re-chip from? I think I have the M52
engine?


> <snip>
>
>> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.
>
> Agreed.
>

OK thanks, I'll scrap that idea.

>> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>>
>> Worn bushings.
>>
> A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
> on it and still feels as tight as a new one.
>

Excuse the ignorance, how would I know if these were worn?

One other thing, the stays/struts(?) that hold open the hatch have gone so
it's really heavy, I take it these are easy to replace myself? Any
suggestions where to get the parts?


Thanks again,

Jon
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring - 

"JB" wrote in message

>
> "John Burns" wrote in message
>
>> > I have an E36 323i Sport Touring which has just passed 122000 miles.
>> >
>> > It now feels a little loose as you can imagine and I was wondering if
> anyone
>> > could give me any suggestions on improving the handling and possibly
>> > the
>> > engine response.
>>
>> 1) Ditch the restrictor from the airbox, it'll give a small improvement.
>
> That's interesting. I didn't know about that one.

Me neither - what does it look like? How would I ditch it?



>
>> 2) Fit an M50 intake manifold, that plus a rechip can give 230+ bhp.
>
> Any idea why the improvement over the M52 item?
>

Thanks, any idea where to get a re-chip from? I think I have the M52
engine?


> <snip>
>
>> I'd not bother with the the strut brace for normal driving.
>
> Agreed.
>

OK thanks, I'll scrap that idea.

>> > Also, is there anything major to watch out around this milage?
>>
>> Worn bushings.
>>
> A real possibility, although my 1999 E36 323i sport touring has 141k miles
> on it and still feels as tight as a new one.
>

Excuse the ignorance, how would I know if these were worn?

One other thing, the stays/struts(?) that hold open the hatch have gone so
it's really heavy, I take it these are easy to replace myself? Any
suggestions where to get the parts?


Thanks again,

Jon
 >> Stay informed about: E36 Sport Touring -