# bmw guys enlighten me! **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [September 15, 2008, 9:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930 "2008-09-15T09:39:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oasis24-7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c89c15/32.png) [@Oasis24-7](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Oasis24-7)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/1 "2008-09-15T09:39:06Z")
I was wondering what forums or sites have good info, specs, parts, and reviews on bms from like 1990-2008. I have not been into bmw untill recently and know almost nothing about them. Basically i am looking at getting one and just want to do the research. So let me know where you guys get your info. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/2 "2008-09-15T09:40:35Z")
e46fanatics rev something or other lol theres a ton of forums out there. ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/3 "2008-09-15T09:40:59Z")
if youre looking at e30’s [www.r3vlimited.com](http://www.r3vlimited.com) is your best bet also [www.e30tech.com](http://www.e30tech.com) is good [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) has always been somewhat helpful but there is a lot of stuff going on there, hard to keep up :tup: ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/4 "2008-09-15T09:45:12Z")
yea your looking at like 4 diff model yrs there or more, depending on what series your looking for, bimmer forums will have alot of info tho ---
**Author:** ![IanK](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/iank/32/5016_2.png) [@IanK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/IanK)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/5 "2008-09-15T09:47:59Z")
I got on bimmerforums when enquiring info for an E39, they where very helpfull ---
**Author:** ![ILCisDEAD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a87d85/32.png) [@ILCisDEAD](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ILCisDEAD)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/6 "2008-09-15T09:49:05Z")
Just ask the info here… I’m sure there are more than enough BMW buffs to make it worth your while… e30 FTW! I want another ☹ ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/7 "2008-09-15T09:50:43Z")
[bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) is the best overall place to start… but once you’re narrowed it down to a generation you might find a more focused forum. I just picked up a 328ic on saturday 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/8 "2008-09-15T09:51:40Z")
figure out what you want (e30, e36, e34, etc.) and we can go from there, there are many forums for each model ---
**Author:** ![ILCisDEAD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a87d85/32.png) [@ILCisDEAD](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ILCisDEAD)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/9 "2008-09-15T09:52:14Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) is the best overall place to start… but once you’re narrowed it down to a generation you might find a more focused forum. > > I just picked up a 328ic on saturday 😃 i’ve found that bimmerforums/m3forums/revlimited/what not are full of fucking idiots… Its a pain in the ass to sift though info to find what i want… and when i do. I just simply do not trust the info ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/10 "2008-09-15T09:57:11Z")
> [@ILCisDEAD](#): > > **full of fucking idiots…** > > Its a pain in the ass to sift though info to find what i want… and when i do. I just simply do not trust the info 95% of automotive forums. ---
**Author:** ![93dx\_hatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/90ced4/32.png) [@93dx\_hatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/93dx_hatch)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/11 "2008-09-15T10:00:25Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) is the best overall place to start… but once you’re narrowed it down to a generation you might find a more focused forum. > > I just picked up a 328ic on saturday 😃 e36? ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/12 "2008-09-15T10:21:04Z")
r3vlimited is actually pretty great in terms of knowledge. i mean of course there are assholes on there just like anywhere else, but there is a TON of info, and a lot of people who really know their shit. I have more luck there with 24v questions than the actual 24v forums ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 10:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/13 "2008-09-15T10:27:30Z")
meh… the E36 3 series drop top forum on bimmerforums is filled with knowledge, but like any larger forum you’ll have a larger number of idiots… I’ve been thrilled with the info I’ve found so far… ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 11:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/14 "2008-09-15T11:10:12Z")
m3forums is full of a bunch of people who cant do anything themelves… there are people who have gone to the dealer to get air put in their tires… i shit you not ---
**Author:** ![Drexial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Drexial](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Drexial)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 11:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/15 "2008-09-15T11:10:29Z")
> [@ILCisDEAD](#): > > i’ve found that bimmerforums/m3forums/revlimited/what not are full of fucking idiots… > > Its a pain in the ass to sift though info to find what i want… and when i do. I just simply do not trust the info Haven’t talked to a lot of people have you. There are idiots everywhere, so it would be impressive if you found a forum with out them, that relates to anything. But [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) has always at least pointed me in the right directions and the vendors for most major parts sources are in the forums, so its pretty easy to get issues resolved. They don’t want a bad rep with the people they plan on selling to. > [@theblue](#): > > [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) is the best overall place to start… but once you’re narrowed it down to a generation you might find a more focused forum. > > I just picked up a 328ic on saturday 😃 Absolutely true. ---
**Author:** ![Oasis24-7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c89c15/32.png) [@Oasis24-7](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Oasis24-7)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/16 "2008-09-15T12:05:12Z")
> [@Jam](#): > > if youre looking at e30’s [www.r3vlimited.com](http://www.r3vlimited.com) is your best bet > > also [www.e30tech.com](http://www.e30tech.com) is good > > [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) has always been somewhat helpful but there is a lot of stuff going on there, hard to keep up :tup: > [@originalsin](#): > > yea your looking at like 4 diff model yrs there or more, depending on what series your looking for, bimmer forums will have alot of info tho sounds like i should start at [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) > [@ILCisDEAD](#): > > Just ask the info here… I’m sure there are more than enough BMW buffs to make it worth your while.☹ well i don’t think you realize how basic my knowlage is when it comes to bmws. But here i go how many # ex(e46, e36,e30) are there and what do they mean so i can narrow it down (like what trim, engine,suspension,how long they last, when and do they need timing belts changed, basically pros and cons) thanks ahead of time > [@theblue](#): > > [bimmerforums.com](http://bimmerforums.com) is the best overall place to start… but once you’re narrowed it down to a generation you might find a more focused forum. > > I just picked up a 328ic on saturday 😃 the blue convertable? > [@Coldaccord](#): > > figure out what you want (e30, e36, e34, etc.) and we can go from there, there are many forums for each model > [@Viper966](#): > > m3forums is full of a bunch of people who cant do anything themelves… there are people who have gone to the dealer to get air put in their tires… i shit you not o i believe it! ---
**Author:** ![Drexial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Drexial](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Drexial)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/17 "2008-09-15T13:24:21Z")
> [@Oasis24-7](#): > > well i don’t think you realize how basic my knowlage is when it comes to bmws. But here i go how many # ex(e46, e36,e30) are there and what do they mean so i can narrow it down (like what trim, engine,suspension,how long they last, when and do they need timing belts changed, basically pros and cons) thanks ahead of time These are the manufacture codes for the different chassis. These all represent the 3 Series cars for BMW (325,330,M3,318) e30 1981-1991 e36 1992-1999 e46 2000-2006 The Model numbers such as 325, 330, 318, almost always refer to the Series and the engine volume. 318 is a 3 Series 1.8lt, 325 is a 3 Series 2.5lt, and so on. Like I said this isn’t always true, the 318 was offered with an assortment of I4’s between 1.7lt and 2.0lt You will see suffixes almost always starting with an i, there are an assortment of these, each combination referring to different trim and performance packages. An example is the ic, the c stands for Cabriolet or Convertible. The xi was for their all-wheel-drive set up. Then there is the td for Turbo Diesel, and the tds for Turbo Diesel with and Intercooler. I don’t know specifically what the i itself stands for. I would have guessed Inline, but it appears on V8’s and V12’s as well. I won’t go through all the variables here though. That is all information based around the 3 Series there is also the newer 1 Series, 5,6 and 7 Series as well. Each series has its own manufacture code like the 3 Series (e30,e36,e46…) As far as known problems with the 3 Series, most notably in my experiences is the water pump on e36’s has a plastic impeller, this would fail around 60-100,000 miles or so, there is a metal replacement for these. Also the strut towers on e36’s has been know to crack, there are reinforcement plates for this that can be welded in. Cosmetic problems are rock chips on the front and the bolster on the outer edge of the leather seats tends to wear down when getting in and out of the car. These are just a couple of the more frequent of the e36 Series cars that I’m more familiar with. There are a couple pre-purchase guides for exactly what to look for out there already. They would be a bit more helpful. There is a sample of information from just one E36 owner on here. ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/18 "2008-09-15T16:05:10Z")
318s came with m10, m42, m44. e30’s didn’t start until 84 e36 92-95 e46 99-06 cabrio’s and m’s were different as well, there was often a year of overlap td’s weren’t offered in the states or canada e30’s timing belts snap like clockwork if not changed at I believe 65k intervals. rear shock towers on the m also rot out e34’s had problems with the 540 motors, slrs sucked, etc. what are you looking into? ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/19 "2008-09-15T16:12:24Z")
bf.c ---
**Author:** ![66impalass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/66impalass/32/7429_2.png) [@66impalass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/66impalass)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930/20 "2008-09-15T16:37:56Z")
wait, who said E46fanatics… Jesus, maybe if you want 0-95203498609347-9246987245.4 threads about putting on clears… [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-guys-enlighten-me/54930.md?page=2)