*Expletives*

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 02/08/2015 at 16:44 • Filed to: Steno's M3

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We crawled under the front end of the car today to check for a small coolant leak. Found a few more problematic things.

I need a water pump (leaking), new flex brake lines (cracked), stabilizer bar links (one was totally missing), and struts (leaking).

Damn this car needs some things. None of them have been what we'd consider ridiculous in price though, so that's good. Hell, they cost the same as they would on the GMC.

My dads ordering the SRS module reader tomorrow along with the pump and struts. Brake lines are already on the way and I ordered new BMW and M3 badges. So it's coming along slowly but surely.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 16:54

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So it was not so well looked after, was it?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/08/2015 at 16:57

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I'm going to guess not. It seems like they did stuff like oil changes on schedule, but nothing past that. The front struts are original to the 17(!) year old car.

treesmakewater > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 16:59

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Sounds like your car's previous owner did the same thing as mine.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:01

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Budget and plan on doing a complete suspension overhaul. Front and back. Check the springs as they are prone to breaking and the sheet metal around the shock mounts are known for tearing.

Welcome to the E36 life

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:01

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Ah the joys of buying a cheap used car. I know the feel bro

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:02

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I thought you guys had this inspected before you bought it?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/08/2015 at 17:05

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The sheet metal looks good on all 4 mounts and the springs on the back look okay but will probably need to be changed in the future. We've already done the back shocks and are getting new bushings when we order the front struts.

Klaus Schmoll > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:06

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Well, this just shows that there is no such thing as cheap luxury/performance. Good on you that you aren't giving up!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 02/08/2015 at 17:08

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I mean these are all things that the Safari was going to need in the near future so id rather be paying to do them on a car I'm going to enjoy.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:10

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Welcome to the world of real German car ownership! Have your credit card and checks ready and on file. ;)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 02/08/2015 at 17:11

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We didn't. My dad found it unnecessary or something. I dunno.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Klaus Schmoll 02/08/2015 at 17:13

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We never expected it to be cheap. We went in knowing we were going to have to throw some cash at it. Plus after this batch of work we can get it inspected and then work on it slowly while I can still drive it.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:19

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I hear you. My last car purchase i added another 2k into it after i bought it

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:32

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After getting all the maintenance stuff done I would recommend getting the Turner Motorsports full chassis reinforcement kit because from what I've read it makes a world of difference on the E36 chassis.

DrScientist > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 17:56

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wheel chocks behind those rear tires. just in case she happens to slip out of gear. dont want to hear about any oppopancakes.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > DrScientist 02/08/2015 at 18:05

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Automatics usually don't come out of park..

We did have chunks of wood behind the wheels though.

105 HP of fury > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 18:23

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On the plus side, you'll be able to be confident in the new components. And get to know the new car better by working on it.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 18:31

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Don't let it all get you down, it's the way of the world with old German cars. Most people think oil changes are the only servicing cars like this ever need, then wonder why they drive like shit at 150k and 15 years old. When you've got it all taken care of you will probably find more, and then when you've taken care of that you will absolutely love it.

Those headlights make the car look terrified, btw. Like a middle aged man going in for his first prostate exam.

BrashL > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 19:40

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I'm loving seeing the progress. One suggestion, more pictures! It makes it the finished product so much more impressive when you can see where you started.

CallMeTURBO > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/08/2015 at 23:49

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check the power steering line, they have a tendency to go bad.

Also I hope you ordered a water pump with a metal impeller or the upgraded oem one, a bit more $ than the basic one but the plastic in the regular ones degrade over time, a metal pump will last you forever

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CallMeTURBO 02/09/2015 at 00:13

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The one were getting has a brass impeller apparently, which is better than a normal steel one I guess?

CallMeTURBO > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/09/2015 at 00:19

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oh well cool then, that must be the bmw upgraded one, I just forgot what material was in it. As long as you don't get plastic you should be fine.

I'm upgrading to metal when I do the laundry list of stuff that I've found out needs to be done now that I'm actually out driving the car

Needs moar cash though

BLCKSTRM > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 02/17/2015 at 16:18

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The Arch Duke knows what he's talking about.

My rear shock mounts looked fine too. You should get the Z3 rear shock reinforcement plates sooner than later.

They didn't even put washers on the nuts, and mine just tore through one day. The reinforcement plates (original equipment on the Z3) are like $20.

E36 sheet metal is pretty weak in some places. You can put off new bushings if you want, but I'd order the reinforcement plates and get them on the car.

It's super easy - pull out the carpet, take off the bolts, drop the plates on, put the bolts back on, put the carpet back.

It's definitely one of those "ounce of prevention" things.

Man, it's great to see you getting it all sorted out. But I am anything but jealous. Once was enough for me.

And sorry for being late to the party (I had a busy weekend), but did you already order your water pump? I got a Stewart pump last year and have a fairly new extra (actually I have 2 extra). I'll ship it to you if you want it.

BLCKSTRM > CallMeTURBO 02/17/2015 at 16:21

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Save up and get the Stewart pump. There is an amazing difference between the factory pump and the Stewart pump. Plus it flows more, and helps with cooling better (which is also a weak point).