Foreword

** The voting on here is a joke! ** Lot's of haters here! **

BA KX 16.04.2009 -> 6
gokmen 09.01.2008 -> 6
TZ001 27.12.2007 -> 5
Chrisser 21.11.2007 -> 6
N3M3S1S 11.10.2007 -> 5
Dalle 11.10.2007 -> 1

I take it as a compliment as they must be so jealous, they don't vote fair.
Funny thing is, that all their own cars look worse than mine. So if my car is only a 5 or a 1, what is their own car? A <0.

Thank you all for being jealous haters!
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::: BMW 328i Cabriolet - O.E.M.+ style :::

Hello (German) BMW fans.

My German is not so very good (nicht gut!), so I hope you don't mind me doing this in English. I'm from the "Niederlande" but I guess most of you won't understand Dutch, so that's why I'll just stick to English.

Been a BMW fan for quite some time and always , and still love the e36 shape; not as 80's square, yet not as (late) 90's roundish. To me, it's the perfect mix.

Been saving money to buy a nice cabrio for years.
Problem is, most e36's over here are bought by people who don't have the best reputation, so most are beaten and in bad condition.

It took me 2 years to find a nice one. It looks like the Germans take much more care of their car.
And guess what? When I bought my car, it turned out it was a German import. No wonder it looked in such a good condition for a 10 year old car.

As my title says "OEM" I'm very much into modifications in the "BMW Original Parts" way. You won't see Lexus lights or weird bumpers on my car. Just BMW parts.

My only weak point is the wheels. I know they are not OEM. I had OEM Styling 29 M Cross Spoke wheels, which are visible on older pictures posted in this journal, but what's such a shame on those, is that even with the wider rears, the dish (or lip) is the same as the smaller front wheel. Which I couldn't stand. I had this staggered setup, but it didn't look as a staggered setup.
Besides that, I'm totally in love with the BBS RS wheel. Best wheel ever from my personal view.
I was doubting to get a set of BMW Styling 5�s, which looks a lot like BBS RS, but I didn�t really like the flat lips. I wanted stepped, or even better, slanted lips.
So in the end, I went for a set of custom BBS RS wheels. Besides, BMW have been using BBS as an OEM supplier for decades and all the older BMW had some version of mesh wheels. So it�s not too far off my OEM theme at all.
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Specs ("Ausstatung")

- Late 1996 328i Cabrio (1997 model year)
- Cosmos Schwarz
- (320) Model designation delete
- Full black leather "Montana - glad" interior, with
:: Full leather doorpanel inserts;
:: Leather doorhandles;
:: Leather shiftboot;
:: Leather handbreak sleeve;
:: Leather handbrake handle;
:: (473) Leather armrest
- Extended nappa leather package
- Leather lit ///M gearknob
- (534) Automatic Climate Control
- (528) AUC
- (554) 18-button MID (OBC V) with remote control (funkfernbedienung)
- (395) Rollover protection (ÜRSS) / Rear headrests
- (431) Auto Dimm rearview mirror EC/DWA/Kompass mirror + Inner light package
- M-Technic front and rear bumper
- "Lux" sideskirts (also fitted to M3 sedan)
- ///M Clubsport doorsills (feb/2010)
- M-Tech mirrors (heated + electrical adjustment)
- Passenger Airbag
- (481) Sport seats with:
:: (494) Seat heating;
:: (458) Electrical adjustment;
:: Luggage nets (Gepacknetz);
:: Pyrotechnic tensioners.
- (423) Velours interior mats
- (388) Soft top, Black.
- (399) Fully automatic roof
- (214) ASC+T
- (380) Hardtop preparation
- (982) Hardtop
- (669) BMW Business RDS
- BMW Business RDS (CD43)
- (672) CD Changer
- (676) Hi-Fi Aktive sound system (not in my car anymore when I bought it)
- (674) Harman/Kardon Top Hi-Fi retrofit (90% finished):
:: Complete wiring loom (brand new)
:: Amplifier
:: Skipass Subwoofer
:: Rear speakers
:: Hi-Fi switch (Not fitted on a cabrio by BMW).
- (690) Cassette box
- Dension Gateway300 for iPod/mp3 playback
- (464) Ski pass + skisack
- (971) Exclusive Package
- (508) PDC (retrofit OEM BMW)
- Chrome inner door release handles
- Chrome Tacho ringen
- Chrome exhaust tips
- Original M3 GT carbon fiber "kohlefaser" gear surround ("Blende Ablegefach")
- Original M3 GT carbon fiber "kohlefaser" glovebox strip ("Blende")
- Original M3 GT carbon fiber "kohlefaser" door sills ("Einstiegleisten")
- (255) Sport Steering Wheel II
- (710) M-Tech Airbag Sport Steering wheel + E38/E39 MFL
- (264) Adjustable steering wheel (mechanical)
- E38 ambient lights
- Engine comparment light (OEM BMW)
- Remote central locking (ZV)
- (302) BMW factory alarm (DWA Class III) + remote central locking
- (629) BMW carphone Motorola Phase V with "freisprach anlage" retrofit. With 2 SIM cards, one in S/E module, one in ejectbox.
- ZKW H1 Projector units (swapped for my ZKW H7 units)
- Pilot 4300K Xenon lights (OEM BMW color)
- (520) Front foglights
- Bosch Aerotwin windshield wipers
- Programmable intermittent setting for wipers (WI-WA + SRA module)
- S818A MAIN BATTERY SWITCH |Battery master switch 900A APPR. VEH.IMMOBILIZAT. ACC. TO AZT/TUEV Electronic immobilizer. (jan/2010)
- (704) M Sport suspension
- Bilstein B16 PSS9
- Mov'It 332 x 32 brakes / 4-piston calipers
- (209) Limited Slip Differential 25% 2.93:1 (sperrdifferential)
- (428) First aid kit / Warning triangle
- (292) M Cross spoke, styling 29
- Winter Wheels: BMW Styling 73 Radialspeiche with 205/50-17 all around.
- Winter Wheels: M Contours 7.5/8.5 x 17 with 215/50-17 all around.
- Summer Wheels (reifen:) BBS RC041/042 (BMW Styling 29) 2-piece wheel. 7.5J/8.5Jx17"
Polished "Polierten" dish.
- Tires: 215/40-17 and 235/40-17 Bridgestone Potenza's.
- BBS RS 8" x 17" ET26 / 9" x 17" ET26
- Bridgestone Potenza's 205/40 & 215/40

Wishlist:
- Cruise Control retrofit (with MFL compatibility)
- Fit "lordosis" retrofit kit (Nachrustsatz lordosenstutze)
- Headlight washers / Intensive cleaning (I have all the parts waiting fitment)
- M3 GT kohlefaser rear ashtray

When this wishlist is done, I think I have nearly every possible factory option (the electric/electronic ones), which is my ultimate goal.

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::::::::::::::::2011::::::::::::::::
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=============================================
::::::::::::::::JANUARY-JUNE::::::::::::::::
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It's been a long time since I did any update of this fotostorie. This doesn't mean I didn't make any progress. Lots of things done and a few things in the pipeline.

Here are the most important updates.

ARCHWORK
As my BBS still rubbed on suspension compression, I had the rear arches rolled flat and had them flared by about 5mm. Now I can enjoy driving without any rubbing.






MOV'IT BIG BRAKES (322mm x 32mm)
As my stock brakes were due to be replaced, it was time to finally do a big upgrade, as I find the OEM brakes a little too weak. The 328i cabrio should've come stock with M3 brakes.
As I really wanted fixed calipers, a big brake kit was the way to go.

Stock vs Mov'It discs







AMBER INDICATORS
With the BBS wheels, to complete the 80's look, amber indicators were fitted. Rear units will follow soon.






OEM LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Finally after a few years of searching, I finally managed to find an OEM 25% sperrdifferential with 2.93:1 gear ratio.
As it's still my daily driver, I didn't want a shorter ratio from a 325i/M3 3.0.





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::::::::::::::::2010::::::::::::::::
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::::::::::::::::September::::::::::::::::
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[26-09-2010]
Back from my German Eifel / Nürburgring vacation. Had a great time again.





Before my trip I fitted M3 3.0 top bearings, M3 3.0 lower control arm bushings/control arms and M3 reinforcement plates.









And cleaned the wheel wells.




COMPASS MIRROR
Been a while since my last update. Latest mod. BMW EC/compass/DWA mirror. Everything fully working, including DWA led.




Got some more stuff coming up later.

EXTENDED LEATHER
Some time ago I also fitted the extended leather parts, which I finally found, after 4 years. All that would be left is the fully leather doorcards and rear panel, which are even harder to find.






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::::::::::::::::May::::::::::::::::
=============================================
[25-05-2010]

OEM carphone + MFL + CD43.

Long time no update. So much do to, so little time. I'm busy with a couple project which I think are going to be pretty cool, but it's too early to talk about them now.

I could type a whole story about the last couple of days, but to make it short, I finally (a year overdue to all kind of reasons) hooked up the OEM carphone to the MFL controls and CD43.

Here's a few pics of the workings. I'll upload a short movie on Youtube somewhere this week.

Scrolling through the phonebook using the MFL and CD43 as the display (as the E36 doesn't have a display in the kombi)


2nd entry of the phonebook


When you dial a number and you have Auto-Mute set on the phone, as soon as there is a connection, the radio is muted and "Phone" is displayed.


Then when you hang up the call, "Wait" is being displayed and then the radio is switched back on.

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::::::::::::::::February::::::::::::::::
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New parts round, all OEM of course.

Set of rubber mats (Gummimatte)



Lots of small parts that either always break or are lost by previous owners.
Cilindrical shaped container hold the luggage net. (Gepackraumbodennetz)



And finally, I sold my M Clubsport sills, which I really like, but didn't go with the theme of the car anymore, so I finally got the Motorsport Int'l sills (Blende/Einstiegsleisten).





Gepackraumbodennetz:

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::::::::::::::::January::::::::::::::::
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[11-01-2010]
Well here it is, my 1st mod of 2010. After 3 years of looking, I finally managed to source an original killswitch that BMW uses.

It's option:
S818A MAIN BATTERY SWITCH |Battery master switch 900A APPR. VEH.IMMOBILIZAT. ACC. TO AZT/TUEV Electronic immobilizer.

Supposedly it's used by BMW when they ship and store cars, but it taken out of the car when delivered to the customer. People will have the option on their list, but will not find it fitted to the car.
As I do many modding that needs for the battery to be disconnected, this will make my life much easier ;)



Of course you can buy a killswitch in every automotive store, but people who know me (by now), know that's not the point.
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::::::::::::::::2009::::::::::::::::
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29-12-2009

2009 is almost history. Great year again for the BMW. Not too much modifications done, but not much repair work either. The 328i is a great engine.

2010 looks to becoming a very exiting year. I've already have a lists of mods coming up, some of which have never been done on an E36 before. I can't get into any detail yet, as I first have to check if they're possible at all.
I can't wait for 2010.
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Back from a week of German Eifel/Nürbugring/Nordschleife.
I love that place so much!

Managed to drive on the Grand Prix strecke too.





Last day on the Nordschleife was very wet and slippery!







My car now deserves the official sticker





Ring°Werk and all the new buildings are great too.
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[4/5-09-2009]

Finally some work done to the car again.

Had a new OEM window fitted on friday, after 3 years(!) as I have been sporting the hardtop for the last year and a half.

Saturday I finally had my Bilstein PSS9's installed. What a great ride it is now.
The stock shocks and springs were 13 years and 200.000km old, so they were in need to be replaced anyways.
Now I can finally give the car a nice lower look with the BBS RS on.

A few quick pics...



They just clear the wheels...(although negative camber was increased by tilting the kingpin). The lower ET BBS wheels will have more clearance.


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[14-07-2009]
Not much news for now. I have a few things planned, but things have slipped and time flies.

In the meantime I did some maintanance work as the car has now clocked 200.000+ km and the waterpump died 2 weeks ago (which had a 1996 datestamp on it!)

So while I was at it, I also changed:
- New waterpump pulley
- New thermostat housing
- New belt
- New thermostat waterhoses
- New thermostat
- New seals/o-ring for expension bottle / thermostat housing.
- Cleaned and polished the radiator

Fan and fanclutch are still fine.

Almost ready for my Nurburgring trip!
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[28-03-2009]
BMW GT1 System

Finally my own original GT1 diagnosis system arrived. No need to explain what this means. I am now my own BMW dealer.


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[28-03-2009]
Small update.
Some pics with the M Contour winter wheels.
BBS RS will be fitted again in april/may.






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[24-01-2009]
Working E38 MFL in E36!

My 1st mod for 2009 and a very unique one! E38/E39 MFL ///M wheel into an E36.

I don't have cruise control yet and my phone still needs to be hooked up correctly so these are not hooked up, but will work from the MFL when I am done.

Right now the radio controls all work.







And here are 2 short clips of the radio being controlled by the MFL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJbTNZbK0aQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw_7UmFGj1I

Cruise Control + Phone due summer 2009.
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[03-01-2009]
- replaced my headrest with LCD screens (from previous owner) for some nice OEM ones without screens.
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::::::::::::::::2008::::::::::::::::
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[07-12-2008]
Through reading on the internet I found out about a little neat option of a programmable intermittent (interval) option on the e36. Turned out that cars with headlight washing system ("ScheinwerferReinigungsAnlage") have this option.
And the WI-WA module that is used can also be used in cars without the headlight washing system.
So I was sniping around on eBay.de untill the correct WI-WA+SRA module was listed and I scooped it up.

Glovebox removed...



Old Wi-Wa module taken out...



Old and new. Notice the "+SRA" on the white module.



And in place...


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[02-11-2008]
Finally did another mod this weekend. Another thing off my wishlist: electric seats.


1. You take your seat out of your car




Then strip it to the bare frame




Once you reached this stage, you do a quick "switch-a-roo" en suddenly you are looking at this frame (nice!)



Now mount the pyrotechnic tensioner from the old frame to the new....




Then do what the Haynes manual says and do the reverse of what you did earlier and end up with your old seats, now electrically adjustable



Like so



Nicely align all the plugs again...




Yes, looks fine...



Repeat process for passenger seat.
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Trip to German Eifel (01-09-2008 - 05-09-2008)

Pics from Nordschleife. What a track! Best piece of road in the world for real!

Entering the entrance


Ready to go!


And we're off!


Overtaken by a group of bikers...


Overtaken by an e46 M3 cabrio...

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30-08-2008: Engine comparment light (Original BMW)

The BMW retrofit kit (wiring loom (kabelbaum) is a seperate part(!)))





Switch that comes with the kit.



At night (no flash used of course)









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28-08-2008

- BMW Motorsport Int'l side moulding badges fitted.



- Finished the installation of the Harman/Kardon sound system: complete audio loom (kabelbaum), amplifier, rear speakerpods and subwoofer. I'm very pleased with the sound. I only need some H/K mids for the doors now. I also retrofitted the H/k Hi-Fi switch normally not found on cabriolets.






- Fitted black kidney grills to see how it would look. I like it, looks agressive. Of course I kept my original chrome kidney grills.


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09-08-2008. BBS RS back on again after I took them off 2 months ago. Which also cause me to not have coilovers yet. That will be taken care of in the not too distant future.
Made my choice already: Bilstein B16 PSS9.

Here's a couple of new pic on the (still) stock ///M Fahrwerk













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24-05-2008. Finally fitted the new wheels. Yes the front needs to be lowered to look "proper". That will be up next.

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May 06, 2008

My new wheels finally came in! Claus did a fantastic job. I love them so much. They're almost too nice to fit and get damaged by stones, dirt etc.

They will be fitted soon! Couple previews

Specs: BBS RS 302 with new barrels and lips.
- Slanted lips.
- chrome BBS bolts
- Painted in BMW Nogaro Silber
- Gold logo's
- 8"x17" ET26 and 9"x17" ET26

As I don't want to do any fender work (yet) I chose not to go extreme in width and very low ET values.








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"Im winter ausstattung"

pic taken at meeting today (02-03-2008)
With winter wheels and PDC kit fitted



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Pic from last summer:



















Clean, 100% original engine:





(notice the M3 strut(shock)covers) :)





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My only mod not "orginal" for e36, but so nice I had to have it:

BMW "moodlights" out of an original BMW e39 domelight. The Cabrio domelight is different shape from other e36 units, so it's not a straight fit.
I ended up modifying the original unit from my car and kept it as "OEM" as possible.

E39 unit


LED assembly taken out of the E39 unit:





Installed into the cabrio unit. Notice the original black led holders.









With lights off: (if you set your monitor to very bright you can make out the parts of the center console (mittel konsole).


With lights on (just the leds)


28-10-2007

Fitted OEM BMW M3/Individual carbon fiber glovebox strip.












12-11-2007
Picked up an OEM BMW Telephone from Ebay.de

Useless? Yeah pretty much, but cool? Yeah!



And just for the look:








Original "handlampe"




Original PDC Retrofit kit (fitted 28-01-2008)



I need to make some proper pictures of the fitted PDC.

10-02-2008: Fitted Pilot Xenon lights in OEM BMW 4300K color temperature.

15-03-2008: Added new trim to the car for the the hands-free microphone of the BMW telephone and added the hifi switch for another project I'm working on.





21-03-2008: More OEM goodies.

Have been looking on Ebay.de for a long time, but never seen one for sale. Now found one in the USA.
Harman/Kardon subwoofer and amp for the cabriolet















And had a digital pic pressed on canvas as a painting.




20-04-2008

BMW Telefon installed and took some nightshots of the E36 cockpit.

Overview







Vodafone is still displayed as LIBERTEL





HIFI switch





E38 moodleds...



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