1993 BMW M3 wheel

TheE36
convertible
is
an
all-season
vehicle
with
a
high
lev-
e¡offunctionality,
excellent
interior
comfort,
and
acoustic
re-

finement
.
Interior
materials
and
colors,
the
soft
top
and
the

light-alloy
wheelshave
been
carefully
matched
.

Various
versions
of
manual
and
automatic
soft
tops
have
been
used,
with
the
fully
automatic
convertible
roof
being
in-

stalled
beginning
in
the
1997
model
year
.

A
hard-top
in
body
color
with
heated
rear
window
is
avail-

ableas
an
option
for
the
cold
season
.

BODY-GENERAL
400-
3

Coupe
Models



The
convertible
body
structure
includes
many
passive
safe-

ty
refinements
over
its
fixed-top
counterparts
.
Some
of
the
en-

TheE36
coupe
is
similar
to
the4-door
sedan,
but
has
a



hancements
include
:

more
stretched
and
sleeker
appearance
.
Thus,
with
the
same

wheelbase
and
identicallength,
it
looks
different
but
still
famil-



"
More
rígíd
underbody
.

iar
.



"
Transverse
seat
members
.

"
Reinforced
windshield
frame
with
bonded
windshield,

The
2-door
variant
differs
from
the
4-door
sedan
by
a
3
.12



and
tubular
door
reinforcements
.

inch
(8
cm)
longer
front
end,
a
flatter
hood
line
with
air
slits,



"
Rollover
protection
system,
which
is
tripped
into
position

and
a
roof
almost
1
.2
inches
(3
cm)
shorter
.
Additional
differ-



in
a
fraction
of
second
.
This
is
available
as
optional

ences
include
wider
doors
with
frameless
Windows,
glass-



equipment
(standard
on
the
1998
328iC)
and
may
be
fit-

covered
door-posts
(B-pillars)
and
a
shorter
and
lower
lug-



ted
to
earlier
convertible
models
.
With
this
feature,
two

gage
compartment
lid
.



bars
fully
independent
of
each
other
come
up
behind

each
rear-seat
backrest
when
the
vehicle
is
in
danger
of

Convertible
Models



turning
over
.

A
convertible
body
normally
flexes
and
vibrates,
transfer-

ring
oscillations
to
the
luggage
compartment
.
In
the
E36
con-

vertible,
BMW
utilizes
a
special
battery
in
the
luggage
compartment,
in
conjunction
with
a
unique
battery
tray,
asa

vibration
dampening
system
to
counteract
thisoscillation
.

CAUTION
-

The
E36
convertible
requires
a
specialbattery
which
is
designed
for
constant
vibration
.

Information
for
the
convertible
top
and
its
related
mecha-

nisms
can
be
found
541
Convertible
Top
.

BODYASSEMBLY

400-
4
BODY-GENERAL

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

E36
interiors
have
a
unique
character,
with
a
combínation
of
sporty
features
and
innovative
design
.
Al¡
body
versions
were
made
in
a
wide
choice
of
interior
and
exterior
colors
.
New

colors
with
matching
leather
and/or
fabric
upholstery
were
in-
troduced
for
each
model
year,
including
light-alloy
wheels
in
new
designs
.

Driving
comfort
is
enhanced
by
power
steering,
tilt
steering
wheel
(optional),
height-adjustable
front
seats,
and
electrical-
ly
adjustable
and
heated
rear-view
mirrors
.
Inside
thecar
there
are
reading
lights
at
four
seating
positions
.

Seats
and
Seat
Belts



NOTE-

Theseat
base
usedon
cars
with
pyrotechnic
seatbelt

Anatom¡cal
ly-correct
seats
are
constructed
from
polyure-



tensioners
is
not
interchangeable
with
the
earlier
seat

thane
foam
containing
areas
or
"zones"
of
different
firmness
.



base
.

The
seat
bases
have
steel
springs
for
added
support
and
strength
.
The
power
seats
are
provided
with
conveniently
lo-



Instruments
and
Controls
cated
switches
along
the
outside
edge
of
the
seat
.
Heated
seats
are
an
option
in
all
models
.
See
520
Seats
for
more
de-



Everything
in
the
interior
passenger
compartment
essential
tails
.



to
the
driver
is
logically
grouped
and
easy
to
reach
.
Al¡
instru-
ments
and
controls
havebeen
arranged
ergonomically
and
The
M3
sport
seat
is
shown
in
Fig
.
3
.



are
fully
integrated
into
the
overall
design
of
the
vehicle
.

Fig
.
3
.



M3
sport
seat
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

0013195

The
early
E36
cars
areequipped
with
a
single
(driver
side)
airbag
in
the
steering
wheel
.
Startingwith
the
1994
models,
a
dual
airbag
Supplemental
Restraint
System
has
been
stan-
dard
equipment
.
Side-impact
airbags
in
the
front
doors
are
op-
tional
in
1997
4-door
cars
and
standard
equipment
in
all
1998
models
.

Through
1996,
E36
seatbelts
were
equipped
with
BMW's
original-designspring
tensioners
.
In
1997,
the
seat
base
de-
sign
was
modified
to
accommodate
a
pyrotechnic
(explosive
charge)
seatbelt
tensioner
.
Both
types
of
tensioners
arede-
signed
to
automatically
tension
the
belts
by
about2
inches(55
mm)
in
the
event
of
a
collision
.

The
padded
dashboard
houses
the
instrument
cluster
and
the
ventilation
and
heating
system
.
The
instrument
cluster
uses
large
easy-to-read
analog
instruments
and
is
removable
as
a
unit
without
removing
the
dashboard
.
The
Service
Inter-
val
Indicator
(SII)
will
remind
the
driver
when
thecar
requires
service
.
See
620
Instruments
.

The
Multi-Information
Display
(MID)
unit
in
thecenter
of
the
dashboard
comes
in
a
variety
of
four
configurations,
the
most
advanced
being
the
On-Board
Computer
(OBC)
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Al¡
versions
of
the
MID
have
a
clock
and
calendar
.
In
addi-
tion,
different
versions
areequipped
with
a
"check
control,"

display
for
fuel-economy
information
and
system
warnings
.
Consult
the
owner's
manual
for
fui¡
operating
instructions
.

GENERAL

This
repair
group
covers
replacement
of
the
front
fenders

and
removal
and
installation
of
the
engine
hood
.

NOTE-

The
body
is
painted
at
the
factoryafter
assembly
.
Re-
alignment
of
body
panels
may
expose
unpainted
metal
.

Paint
all
exposed
metal
once
the
work
fs
complete
.

FRONT
FENDERS

Front
fender,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Raise
hood
.
Raise
and
safely
support
front
of
vehicle
.

WARNING
-

"
When
raising
thecar
using
a
floor
jack
or
a
hy-

draulic
lift,
carefully
position
the
jack
pad
to
pre-

vent
damaging
thecar
body
.
A
suitable
liner
(wood,
rubber,
etc
.)
should
be
placed
between
the
jack
and
the
car
to
prevent
body
damage
.

"
Watch
the
jack
closely
.
Make
sure
it
stays
stable
and
does
not
shift
or
tilt
.
As
the
car
is
raised,
the

car
may
roll
slightly
and
the
jack
may
shift
.

2
.
Remove
front
wheel
.
Remove
inner
plastic
liner
from

wheel
well
.

3
.
Remove
front
bumper
.
See510
Exterior
Trim,

Bumpers
.

4
.
Working
atfront
corner
of
fender,
remove
front
grille

panel
bolts
(2
bolts
at
left
and
right)
.
See
Fig
.
1
.

FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD



410-1

410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood

GENERAL
...............
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
410-1



ENGINE
HOOD
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.410-3

Hood,
raising
to
service
position
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-3
FRONTFENDERS
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.410-1



Hood,
removin



and
installin



410-3

Front
Pender,
removing
and
installing
.
.
.
....
410-1



Hood,
aligning
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
410-4

Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting
...
410-4

001
.145

Fig
.
1
.



Front
grille
panel
to
front
fender
retaining
bolts
(arrows)
.
Front

bumpershown
removed
.

5
.
Remove
front
turn
signalliens
assembly
from
applica-

ble
front
corner
.
Carefully
pryout
side
directional
from

fender
(later
cars
only)
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.

6
.
Remove
fender
attaching
bolts
atfront
underside
of

fender
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

7
.
Remove
bolts
along
top
edge
of
fender
:
See
Fig
.
3
.

8
.
Open
front
door
and
remove
fender
mounting
bolts
in

door
jamb
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

9
.
Carefully
remove
fender
from
body
.

FRONTFENDERS

BUMPERS

Front
bumper,
removing
and
installing

Refer
to
Fig
.
6
.
when
removing
and
installing
the
front
bumper
.

1
.
Raise
and
properly
support
vehicle
.

WARNING
-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supportedonjack
stands
designed
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jackstands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not
place
jack
stands
undersuspension
parts
.

2
.
Unclip
left
trim
strip
by
prying
gently
under
plastic
trim
at
front
of
bumper
.
Similarly,
unclip
towing
eyecoverfrom
right
side
.

5
.
Remove
bumper
cover
retaining
screws
in
front
wheel
3
.
Remove
four
mounting
nuts
from
bumper
mounts
(two



well
(left
and
right
sides)
.
See
Fig
.
8
.
nuts
on
eachmount)
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

4
.
Working
underneath
car,
removescrews
from
left
and
right
side
corner
trim,
then
remove
trim
.

Side
brackets

Bumper
cover

Fig
.
6
.



Front
bumper
assembly
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS



510-3

Fig
.
7
.



Front
bumper
mounting
nuts
(arrows)
.
Lefttrim
andtow
eye
cover
on
right
have
been
removed
.

6
.
Disconnect
harness
connectors
at
foglight
sockets
(if
applicable)
.

Side
corner
trim



Support
bracket

Impact
absorber

o



O
Foglight
support

LBumner
bracket
bolt

License
plata



0011944
bracket

BUMPERS

510-4



EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS

Fig
.
8
.



Bumper
cover
retaining
screws
(arrows)
in
left
wheel
weil
.

7
.
Disconnect
harnessconnectors
at
outside
temperature



0013052

sensor
at
rear
of
left
side
of
bumperand
temperatura



Fig
.
9
.



Front
bumper
impact
absorber
mounting
nuts
(A)
and

switch
at
rear
of
right
side
of
bumper
(if
applicable)
.



bumper
bracket
hardware
(B)
.

8
.
Slide
bumper
straight
off
sida
brackets
.

9
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
notingthe
following
:



When
removing
and
installing
therear
bumper
or
its
compo-

"
Slide
side
brackets
on
bumper
and
body
carefully
to-



nents,
referto
Fig
.
10
.

gether
.

"
Make
sure
tabs
on
trim
strip
engage
slots
in
bumper



1
.
Raise
and
properly
support
vehicle
.

correctly
.

Tightening
Torque

"
Bumper
to
bumper

bracket
(M8
nut)
............
...
.
.
22
Nm
(16
ft-Ib)

2
.
Working
under
bumper,
remove
screws
or
expansion

Front
bumper
impact
absorber,replacing



rivetsat
corners
and
middle
of
lower
bumper
panel
.
Pull

panel
backward,
uncoupling
it
from
bumper
cover
.
See

Thebumper
mounting
bracket
and
impact
absorber
mount-



Fig
.
11
.

ing
hardware
are
accessible
with
the
Font
bumper
removed,
as
described
above
.
See
Fig
.
9
.



3
.
Remove
bumper
cover
expansion
rivets
and
screws
in-

side
left
and
right
rear
wheel
wells
.

NOTE
-

Install
the
bumper
bracket
boltwith
thread
locking
com-
pound
suchas
Loctite
8
270
or
equivalent
.

Tightening
Torques

"
Bumper
bracket
to
impact
absorber

(M10
nut)
.
..
.
...
.............:.
55
Nm
(41
ft-Ib)
"
Impact
absorber
to
chassis
(M6
nut)
...
9
Nm
(7
ft-Ib)

BUMPERS

Rear
bumper,
removing
and
installing

WARNING
-

Make
sure
that
the
car
is
firmly
supported
on
jack

stands
designad
for
the
purpose
.
Place
the
jack

stands
beneath
a
structural
chassis
point
.
Do
not

place
jack
stands
under
suspension
parts
.

4
.
Remove
left
and
right
bumper
bracket
mounting
bolts

and
remove
bumper
.
See
Fig
.
12
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

NOTE-

Install
the
bumper
bracket
bolt
with
thread
locking
com-
pound
suchas
Loctite®270
or
equivalent
.

513-2



INTERIOR
TRim

DASHBOARD

Dashboard
removal
is
a
complex
operation,
involving
dis-

connection
and
dismantling
of
a
number
of
electrical
and
dash

structural
components
.

The
BMW
E36
is
equipped
with
SRS
airbags
mounted
in

the
steering
wheel,
in
the
dashboard
(1994
and
later)
on
the

passenger
side,
and
in
the
front
doors(1997
and
later)
.
Air-

bags
units
are
pyrotechnic
devices
and
should
be
treated
with

extreme
caution
.
Improper
handling
of
the
airbags
could

cause
serious
injury
.

WARNING
-

"
The
BMW
Supplemental
Restraint
System
(SRS)
is
complex
and
special
precautions
must
be
ob-
served
when
servicing
.
Serious
injury
may
result
if
system
service
is
attempted
by
persons
unfa-
miliar
with
the
BMW
SRS
and
its
approved
ser-vice
procedures
.
BMW
specifies
that
all
inspection
and
service
shouldbe
performed
byan
authorized
BMW
dealer
.

"
Beforeperforming
any
work
involving
the
steering
wheel
or
interior
trim
in
the
vicinity
of
the
airbags,
disconnect
the
negative
()
battery
cable
.
See
721
Airbag
System
(SRS)
.

"
SRS
contains
aback-up
power
supply
within
the
SRS
control
module
.
A
10
minute
díscharge
peri-
od
should
be
allowed
after
the
battery
cable
has
been
disconnected
.

Glove
compartment,
removing
and
installing

1.
Open
glove
compartment
door
.

2
.
Remove
glove
compartment
mounting
screws
.
See
Fig
.
2
.

3
.
Pull
glove
compartment
out,
disconnecting
electrical

harness
connectors
as
necessary
.

4
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

DASH80ARD

Fig
.
2
.



Glove
compartment
mounting
screws
(arrows)
.

Lower
left
dash
panel,

removing
and
installing

0013107

1
.
Remove
lower
dash
panel
retaining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
3
.

0013155

Fig
.
3
.



Lower
left
dash
panel
retaining
screws
(arrows)
.

2
.
Pull
lower
dash
panel
left
and
back
to
disengagefrom
driver's
footwell
retaining
clips
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

Dashboard,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Disconnect
negative
(-)
cable
from
battery
and
cover
terminal
with
insulating
material
.

CAUTION-

Prior
to
disconnectiog
the
battery,
read
the
battery
disconnection
cautionsgiven
at
the
front
of
this
manual
onpage
vi¡¡
.

2
.
Remove
center
console
as
described
earlier
.

3
.
Remove
glove
compartment
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
Remove
lower
left
dash
trim
piece
as
described
above
.
Remove
lower
right
dash
trim
panel
.
See
Fig
.
4
.

Fig
.
4
.



Lower
right
dash
trim
piece
retaining
screw
(arrow)
.

WARNING
-

Store
the
removed
airbags
in
a
safe
place
.
Position
the
airbags
facing
up
.

8
.
Remove
instrument
cluster
.
See
620
Instruments
.

5
.
Remove
driver
and
passenger
airbags
.
See
721
Air-

bag
System
(SRS)
.

6
.
Remove
steering
wheel
.
See
320
Steering
and
Wheel
Alignment
.

INTERIOR
TRIM



513-
3

Fig
.
5
.



Driver
side
knee
bolster
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.

9
.
Remove
headlight
switch
.
Remove
turn
signal
and
windshield
wiper/washer
stalk
switches
.
See612
Switches
and
Electrical
Accessories
.

10
.
Remove
A/C
control
head
and
module
.
See
640
Heat-ing
and
Air
Conditioning
.

11
.
Remove
radio
.
See650
Radio
.

12
.
Remove
A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
on
left
and
right
sides
.
See
Fig
.
6
.

UU13156
Fig
.
6
.



A-pillar
(windshield
pillar)
trim
removal
.
Right
side
shown,
left
7
.
Remove
driver
side
knee
bolster
.
See
Fig
.
5
.



is
similar
.

DASHBOARD

Fig
.
29
.
Transmission
gear-position/neutral
safety
switch
under
center
console
.
Squeeze
connector
tabs
(arrows)
to
disengage
har-
ness
connector

ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
LOCATIONS



610-
9

6263

Fig
.
30
.
Back-up
light
switch
(arrow)
on
transmission
.
(Switch
may
be
found
on
right
or
left
sideof
transmission,
depending
on
ap-
plication
.)

Fig
.
31
.
ASS
wheel
speed
sensor
(arrow)
in
front
steering
arm
.

Component
Location
Table

Table
a
is
a
cross-referenced
listing
of
electrical
compo-

nents
in
E36
vehicles
beginning
onpage
10
.
In
addition
to
lo-

cation
descriptions,
where
possiblethere
is
areference
to
a

figure
showing
the
component
.

NOTE-

-
Every
component
is
not
installed
in
everycar
.

"
Due
to
changes
in
production,
component
locations
may
vary
.
Consult
your
BMW
dealer
forthe
latest
in-
formation
.

"
The
figure
numbers
are
all
within
this
section
.
Many
other
electrical
components
are
illustrated
throughout
this
book
.
Consult
the
main
index

"
The
gear-position/neutral
safetyswitch
is
aleo
some-
times
referred
to
as
the
automatic
transmission
range
switch
.

"
The
EWS
11
system
is
also
sometimes
referredto
as
the
Driveaway
Protection
System
or
the
electronic
im-
mobilization
system
.

"
All-Season
Traction
(AST)
is
also
sometímes
referred
to
as
ASC
or
ASC+T
.

0012117

COMPONENT
LOCATIONS