On Sunday, September 21, 1997 10:34 PM, Dale B [SMTP:dale_at_unofficialbmw.com] wrote:

> Hi Phil,
> Check out the Unofficial E36 Homepage for info :
> www.unofficialbmw.com/e36.html
> and
> www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/e36.html

Got them... Thanks!

> You'll also find the digest FAQ pointed to from these pages.
>
> > I am a new owner of a 328i and I have downloaded all of the FAQs I can
> > find :-) and I have a couple of questions that I did not see.
> >
> > 1) Although the BMW comes with 3yrs of service, I would like the oil
> > change interval to be more than 7500 miles. Especially during the
> > first 7500 miles. I bought some oil filters from the BMW dealer, but I
> >
> > have looked around on the car and I can not find the location. This is
> >
> > driving me nuts, I have changed oil on all of my cars for 20 years and
> > now I can not find a stupid oil filter!
>
> I would change it at 3750, and let the dealer change it at 7500 and reset
> the lights, don't reset the lights on your "odd" change. That way the SI
> will stay in sync for your inspections.

Do you know what oil BMW uses? I would like to stick to the same brand!

> Open hood, stand in the middle front of the car, on the right, just above
>
> the alternator is a canister that holds the oil filter.
> It is between the airfilter, and the valve cover.
> Round thing with a bolt in the middle. :-)

Yup... It could have bit me!

> > 2) The filters that I purchased are paper. Almost all modern filters
> > now are synthetic fiber that do a much better job of filtering oil and
> > do not have problems failing like paper filters can. Is there an
> > aftermarket filter? I checked the Fram book and they do not list it
> > :-(
>
> The factory filter is best is the concensus here. Several people have
> tested flow and filtering of various filters and found the stock to be
> the best. I haven't heard of any filters using non-paper. Buy
> a normal Fram and cut it open. The new high-perf Fram may be different,
> but the old standard Fram is just OK.

I will stick with paper.

> > 3) I tried to buy a service manual from the parts counter at the dealer
> >
> > and he told me that they do not exist. This blows me away! Is there a
> >
> > service manual available?
>
> Microfiche may be an option, you can use a reader at the public library.
> Bentley (sales_at_rb.com / www.rb.com) is supposed to be coming out with an
> E36 manual in the next 6 months.
> BTW, you have an E36 body style car with an M52 engine.
> There may be a CD Rom based manual coming out from the factory for our
> cars,
> but I'm not holding my breath for it.

That would be great!

> > 4) When looking for the oil filter under the car I noticed a "coating"
> > from just behind the radiator to about the transmission. It looks sort
> >
> > of like white grease sprayed on... What the heck is this for?
>
> I don't know. It may be a protective coating called "cosmoline", but
> that's
> norally yellow.

I think it has "yellowed" with some age mixed in with dirt.

> hope this helps
Ohh Yest! Thanks!

Phil