BMW E36 Blog

I’m sure the title of this post has dragged your attention and it should because it did the same to me. I’ve discovered that the BMW E36 had an OEM option to get a navigation system with it. It seems the navigation system was a rare option and very expensive at the production time which explains how rare it is. I think it may also have been not very common and that’s why not too many cars have that option installed.

Take a look at this picture:

It’s amazing to find out that a BMW 1993 or maybe older could have this integrated navigation system.

Before anyone asks, I’m not sure if this navigation system is text or image based as I didn’t see it running. All I got to prove the existence of such an option is the above picture and this realoem link. I think it would be very cool if that option could be installed in our cars. Don’t you think?

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

I’m not a big fan of the widebody cars, and especially the BMW E30. I’ve seen many examples of them and every single one made me hate these widebody mods even more. Today, I’ve been looking on the youtube and I found these widebody E36’s. I have to admit that they’re sexy as hell and have a great look that is going to make some heads spin. I know it needs a lot of work and money to get such a car, but the end result is just awesome, right? What do you think?

BMW E36 Blog: The Ultimate E36 Information Source.

This DIY (Do It Yourself) is a contribution by Daniel Castro, thanks Daniel. In the following text, you will find a detailed procedure on how you can remove your gauges cluster and disassemble it in order to replace your OEM gauges with the Plasma type. I know that almost everyone here is looking for these gauges but unfortunately I couldn’t find them on the German eBay where I found them for the first time. I’m not sure where you can get them from now, but I will keep looking and hopefully I will find them. Daniel, do you know where I can get this from? If you want to know how they should look like after you finish, take a look at the BMW E36 With Plasma Gauges and BMW E36 with blue interior LED lights . . . Wow!

Disclaimer: Use this info at your own risk!! The author is not responsible if this didn’t work for you :-).

1. Removing Screws:

Remove upper Left & Right screws using a 4 cornered screw driver. Once removed, use a flat screw driver to remove the whole unit from above.

2. Removing Sockets:

Pull the unit until the wires at the back are exposed. Remove the sockets by pushing the lever upwards or to the direction shown above. 3 sockets are to be removed, Black, Blue and White.

No need to remove the Steering Wheel, adjust it to the lowest position. After all the sockets are removed, just slowly slide the unit to the right side of the steering wheel, as shown below…

3. Unit Disassembly:

Use a #T-9 screw driver (hex shaped) to remove the screw (3 pcs) as shown below. Then Lift the level locks on the left & the right.

Lift both levers at the same time. Notice the outer back cover is lifted. Now, you will see 3 stick locks, Rotate the white locks wrapped around the black plastic poles.

Afterwards, you may separate the front cover from the middle part.

In my case, I have not locked them back, so I can easily lift or separate the middle part along with the back part. As shown below…

Using two flat screws, or anything that can lift the needles (of the Instrument Cluster).

BEWARE : The Needle pins are very SENSITIVE, as it can easily be bent.

Once all five needles are removed, remove the smaller hex shaped screws and place the Illuminating gauge face.

Placing the needles back is tricky, I recommend you rotate the pin by 45 degrees, hold it down, then place the needle slowly, pointing to 0 or minimum.

Reverse the whole process to install it back to it’s original place.

Are you looking for more do it yourself procedures (DIY) ? I recommend the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual for you. I got it and I think it’s a gold mine for us -BMW E36 Owners-. If you didn’t grab your copy yet, get it right now! I’m sure you’ll find this book worth every penny you’ve paid for. Get the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

Hi Guys,

Razvan,a reader of the BMW E36 Blog, has sent me some photos of his convertible BMW E36. The car looks great and it’s very clean but I have some ideas that could make the car look even better. First, I would change the rims to something similar to this one. Also, the car looks a little bit high and looks like it needs a drop. So, this is the second thing to do. Other than these points, I think the car looks great and doesn’t need any other modifications.

Take a look at the photos and let’s hear your opinions. Do you think there’s something else you can do to this car?

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

I wrote before about Fixing BMW E36 Headliner and provided a link to where you can buy a kit to fix your car’s headliner. Today, I’ve found this video which shows how you’re supposed to fix your headliner. I couldn’t find a specific procedure to fix the headliner for the BMW E36, but this will give you an idea about how you’re supposed to do when you get the headliner fixing kit.

Take a look, I hope you like it.

BMW E36 Blog: The Ultimate E36 Information Source.