What is wheel offset? Offset is the distance from the centerline of the wheel to the mounting face of the hub (the face touching your rotor). Traditionally this measurement quantified in millimeters. What are the three types of offset found on wheels? Offset is measured in three types: zero, positive, and negative. Zero offset indicates
Problem: Sloppy E30 steering wheel Application: E30 Solution: Tighten steering column coupler Cost: FREE Slop or play in the E30 steering wheel is a very common issue given the current age of the vehicle. There are many causes of the sloppy steering wheel problem. For example, a sloppy steering guibo, a worn or faulty steering
Problem: People sell replica LTW wheels advertising them as OEM. Application: All models Solution: Look for the proper OEM BMW markings BMW Style 24 wheels were first introduced in 1994 as an optional wheel for the E36 M3 at a dealer price tag of $1,850. These wheels came standard on the limited production E36 M3
BMW E9 paint codes and OEM color options, 3.0 CSL The BMW E9 3.0 CSL is similar to the E30 M3 in that it was manufactured as a homologation special to allow the car to be eligible to race in the European Touring Car Championship. The 3.0 CSL was unveiled in 1971 at the Geneva Motor
Problem: Sun fades black trim to gray Application: All models Solution: Boiled linseed oil. Where to buy: Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot Cost: ~$15 in supplies.
What is differential gearing? When talking about rear wheel drive BMWs, rear end gearing refers to the gears found in the rear end differential. These gears come in different ratios, which greatly affect the performance of the car. What is a rear differential? The rear differential is the “box” where the rear drive shaft meets the
BMW E39 M5 paint codes and color options: The E39 M5 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor show in 1998 and production started in October of that year. For the first time in a M car a V8 power plant was offered, significantly increasing power of the outgoing E34 M5 allowing for an unrestricted top
What is spring rate? Spring rate is the amount of weight required to compress a spring one inch. The lower the spring rate the softer the spring, the softer the spring the smoother the ride. If one applies a 200 pound load to a spring and it deflects an inch in length, the spring has
BMW E36 M3 paint codes and color options The BMW E36 M3 was produced from 1992 thru 1999 with a total production run of 71,242 units worldwide. Initially the E36 M3 was only offered in a coupe version, however by 1994 BMW offered a convertible and sedan version as well. The E36 M3 was the first
Although it may seem elementary, we often are asked how to remove an OEM BMW shift knob. There are numerous reasons to want to remove your shift knob. To replace a worn knob, go with an aftermarket knob, upgrade to a newer OEM knob or maybe to replace the entire shift linkage for a short
When talking about suspension geometry, toe alignment is defined as the difference in length by which the wheels of each axle differ from each other, front to rear, in the straight ahead position. Both front and rear wheels are capable of having toe adjustment. Toe is measured in degrees or fractions of an inch. Toe alignment
Problem: No roll cage to center mount GoPro. Application: All models Solution: Use PVC pipes from hardware store. Where to buy: Lowes, Home Depot Cost: $10 in materials. If you are looking to get some cool interior driving shots of your car with your GoPro, there are some expensive options out there. The GoPro accessory catalog
Each bolt or nut you tighten on your car has calculated torque values specifically designed for assembly. Whether installing your lug bolts on your car after removing a tire, replacing spark plugs, or replacing a water pump, every component hardware has a torque. Both under torquing and over-torquing a bolt can have a catastrophic failure, therefore it is
The BMW tool kit contains many interesting tools, everything from basic screwdrivers to spark plug pullers and even emergency tools. But many of the toolkits found in the older BMWs appear to be incomplete with multiple open spots. The BMW tool kit trays are shared with multiple models. The OEM BMW small tool kit tray, OEM part
BMW E30 M3 paint codes and color options The BMW E30 M3 was the first ever M3 BMW produced. It was manufactured from 1986 thru 1991 with a total run of 17,184 units worldwide. The main reason for its production to the public was to be eligible to compete in Group A racing which required the entry
