Hood BMW 328i 1997 E36 User Guide

400-2
BODY-GENERAL

4-door
Sedan

Coupe

-
saas3
.7""

351
/



37
.3
O



I
x
`-193



267

o
oa

'3281
model
"M3
model

Convertible

BODYASSEMBLY

55
ass
.e
iss
""
-
66
.9
-

Fig
.
2
.



E36
body
dimensíons
.

BODY
ASSEMBLY

29
.4

29
4

The
BMW
3
Series
chassis
is
a
unibodydesign
constructed
ofhigh
strength
steel
.
Attaching
parts,
suchas
the
front
fend-
ers,
rear
quarter
panels,
doors,
trunk
lid
and
hood
are
also
constructed
of
steel
.

706
.31108
.7"



I
38
.5
174
.5

174
.5

O



oo

196
.3/106
.7'
"



35_5



1.
.
55
.9,566
".

106
.3/196
.7""



i.
358
-1745-

55
9/56
3'/56
6"
-
J

0013099

Windows
bonded
flush
to
the
body
and
the
guided
flow
of
cooling
air
into
the
engine
compartment
provide
a
good
coeffi-
cient
of
drag(CD)
.
TheE36
cars
have
a
CD
of
approximately
0
.30for
the
sedan
and
coupe
models,
and
0
.35
for
the
con-
vertible
models
:

The
exterior
panels
are
corrosion-resistant
zinc
coated

steel
.
The
front
fenders
are
bolted
on
and
easily
replaceabie
.
The
body
styles
of
E36
cars
coveredby
this
manual
arethe



See410
Fenders,
Engine
Hood
.
4-door
sedan,
2-door
coupe
and
convertible
.
Body
dimen-
sions
vary
slightly
betweenmodels
.
See
Fig
.
2
.



The
front
and
rear
bumpers
use
an
aluminum
framework
with
an
overlaid
high-impact,
deformable
plastic
cover
.
This
Exterior
and
Aerodynamics



bumper
system
keeps
damage
to
a
minimum
in
head-on
colli-
sions
of
up
to
10
m
.p
.h
.
(15
km/h)
.
See
510
Exterior
Trim,
TheE36
can
be
immediatelyrecognized
asa
typical
BMW
.



Bumpers
.
With
its
traditionalstyling
features,
suchas
the
BMW
kidney
grille,
circular
headlights
behind
a
glass
cover
(for
reasons
of
streamliníng),
and
the
"kick"
in
the
rearmost
roof
pillar
(C-pil-
lar)
.

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-
6
BODY-GENERAL

Heating
and
Air
Conditioning

The
electronically
controlled
heating
and
air
conditioning

systemusesan
extra
large,
infinitely
variable
radial
blower
motor
for
good
distribution
of
air
.
Fresh
air
enters
through
the
grille
below
the
engine
hood
and
finto
the
passenger
compart-
ment
via
the
dashboard
and
footwell
vents
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

Repair
information
for
the
heating
and
air
conditioning
sys-

tem
is
covered
in
640
Heating
and
Air
Conditioning
.

Fig
.
5
.



Heating
and
air
conditioning
ventilation
plan
.

INTERIOR
EQUIPMENT

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

410-2



FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD

Fig
.
2
.



Fender
attaching
bolts,
lower
front
(arrows)
.

Fig
.
3
.



Loosen
bolt
A
at
top
offender
.
Remove
bolts
B
.

FRONTFENDERS

0013104
0013105
0013106
Fig
.
4
.



Front
fender
attaching
bolts
as
viewed
through
doorjamb
(ar-
rows)
.

10
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal,
noting
the
following
:

"
Before
installing
new
fender,
clean
old
sealant
and
pro-
tective
coating
from
mounting
surfaces
.

"
Position
new
fender
and
loosely
install
all
mounting
bous
.
Align
fender
with
door
pillar
and
front
panel,

then
tighten
bolts
.
"
Repair
any
paint
damage
and
paint
any
exposed
met-
al
.

"
Reseal
and
apply
protective
coating
to
mounting
sur-
faces
.

Clearance
Specification

"
Fender
to
front
hood
or
to
door
.
...
5
.5
mm
(0
.216
ín)

ENGINE
HOOD

Hood,
raising
to
service
position

CA
UTION-

Do
not
switch
on
the
windshield
wipers
wlth
the
engine
hood
raised
.
As
a
precaution,
remove
the
wiper
motor
fuse
.
See
610
Electrical
Compo-
nent
Locations
.

1
.
4-door
models
:
Open
hood
fully
.
Remove
bolt
from

hood
hinge
behind
hood
supports
(left
and
right)
.
Raise
hood
to
service
position
.
See
Fig
.
5
.

2
.
2-door
models
:
Open
hood
fully
.

Fig
.
5
.



Hood
support
bracket
boltto
be
removed
(A)
on
4-door
cars
.

Remove
bolts
at
left
and
right
hinges
.
Swing
bracket
in
direc-
tion
of
arrow
to
raise
hood
into
service
position
.

"
Remove
ground
cable
atright
hood
hinge
.

"
Whilean
assistant
supports
hood,
detach
both
hood

supportsfrom
hood
.

"
Remove
detent
screws
at
back
of
hood
hinges
.
See

Fig
.
6
.
"
Lift
hood
while
pulling
hinge
forward
.
Support
hood
at

higher
position
.

3
.
When
service
work
is
complete,
return
hood
to
lower

position
and
instaf
screws
or
bolts
.

FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD



410-
3

Fig
.
6
.



Torx
screw
at
base
of
hood
hinge
(arrow)
.

Hood,
removing
and
installing

0013147

1
.
Raise
hood
.
Where
applicable,
partially
remove
hood

acoustic
insulation
to
access
rear
of
hood
.
See
Fig
.
7
.

Fig
.
7
.



Hood
insulation
retainer
being
pried
out

3
.
Detachgas-charged
hood
supportsfrom
hood
.

CAUTION
-

The
hood
is
heavy
.
Before
removing
the
hood
sup-
ports
or
hood
retainingbolts,
be
sure
to
have
an
assistant
help
support
the
hood
.

0013148

2
.
Disconnect
washer
fluid
hoses
from
washer
nozzles
.

Where
applicable,
disconnect
electrical
harness
con-

nectors
fromheated
nozzles
.

ENGINE
HOOD

410-4



FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD

4
.
With
aid
of
assistant,
remove
hood
hinge
bolts
from
left

and
Rght
sides
of
hood
.
Lift
hood
off
carefully
See
Fig
.
8
.

Fig
.
8
.



Hood
hinge
bolts
(arrows)
.
Right
side
shown
.

5
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

NOTE-

The
hood
was
fitted
and
attached
to
an
unfinished
body
at
the
factory
.
Unfinished
surfaces
exposed
by
this
pro-
cedure
must
betouchedup
wfth
pafnt
.

Hood,
aligning

ENGINE
HOOD

0013149

6013150

Fig
.
9
.



Hood
panel
gaps
should
be
even
(approx
.
5
.5
mm)
at
all
points
(arrows)
.

Hood
release
cable
and
latches,
adjusting

Before
adjusting
hood
latches,
be
sure
the
hood
is
aligned

evenly
to
fenders
and
front
panel
.
The
hood
latch
and
cable

assembly
is
shown
in
Fig
.
10
.

"
Repair
any
paint
damage
and
paint
any
exposed
metal
.

"
Check
hood
alignment
as
described
next
.



1
.
To
adjust
hood
cables
:

When
installing
the
hood,
align
the
hinges
as
close
to
the
original
paintedsurface
as
possible
.
Movement
of
the
hood
on
its'attaching
hardware
may
require
touch-up
paint
.

The
hood
should
be
aligned
so
that
gapson
all
sides
areas

even
as
possible
.
See
Fig
.
9
.

Clearance
Specification

"
Hood
edges
to
adjoining
body

panel
(gap)
........
..
..
..
.....
.5
.5
mm
(0.216
in)

"
Remove
left
and
right
radiator
grilles
.
See
510
Exterior

Trim,
Bumpers
.

"
Remove
electric
auxíliary
cooling
fan
.
See
170
Radia-

tor
and
Cooling
System
.

"
Adjust
cable
section
between
two
hood
latches
so

there
is
no
play
(cables
must
not
be
under
tension
ei-

ther)
.

2
.
Loosen
hood
latches
at
hood
on
left
and
right
sides
.

Loosen
bolts
only
enough
to
allow
movement
of
latch
.

See
Fig
.
11
.

3
.
Lower
(but
do
not
fully
latch)
hood
severa¡
times
so

latches
on
hood
center
themselves
in
lower
locks
.

CA
UTION-

Do
not
let
hood
fockwith
latchbolts
loose
.

4
.
Tighten
hood
latch
bolts
when
alignment
is
correct
.

5
.
Remove
one
screw
fromeach
side,
clean
and
coat
with
Loctite
O
270
or
equivalent,
and
reinstall
.

Center
hood



,
00--&---
cable



Hood
latch
_
I



upperleft

Fig
.
10
.
Hood
locking
components
.
Cable
adjusting
section
shown
at
inset
.

Fig
.
11
.
Hood
latch
mounting
bolts
(arrows)
.
Left
latch
shown
.

Hood
lock



0013160
lower
left

6
.
Test
hood
for
correct
closure
and
opening
.
If
hooddoes

notspring
open,
lengthen
springpins
at
latches
.
See

Fig
.
12
.

FENDERS,
ENGINE
HOOD



410-5

001aio

Fig
.
12
.
To
lengthen
spring
pin,
loosen
locknut
with
wrench
inserted
through
spring,
then
turn
pin
(arrow)
counterclockwise
.

ENGINE
HOOD

BMW
emblem,
removing
and
installing

The
procedure
given
below
applies
to
both
front
and
rear

emblems
.

1
.
Wrap
and
of
a
screwdriver
with
tape
.

CAUTION-

Protect
hood
paint
by
coveringarea
aroundem-

blem
with
tape
.

2
.
Carefully
pryout
emblem
.
See
Fig
.
15
.

UVI1'¿.

Fig
.
15
.
BMW
emblem
being
removed
.
Pry
up
emblem
carefully
on
ei-

ther
side
(arrows)
.
Note
tape
on
screwdriver
tips
.

3
.
Installation
is
reverse
of
removal
.

"
Replace
plastic
inserts
in
body
if
damaged
.

"
If
emblem
fits
loosely
intoinserts,
use
a
small
amount

of
bodymoldingtape
or
adhesiva
on
rear
of
emblem

before
installing
.

Body
side
molding,
replacing

To
remove
body
side
moldings,
carefully
pry
the
moldings

straight
off
.
See
Fig
.
16
.

Installation
is
the
reverse
of
removal
.
Replace
any
clips
or

clip
covering
boots
damaged
during
removal
.

Radiator
grille,
removing
and
installing

1
.
Remove
plastic
front
radiator
shroud
or
air
duct,
as

needed

2
.
Lightly
tap
center
of
grilla
toward
radiator
andremove

from
panel
opening
.
Chrome
ring
pulís
out
from
front
.

See
Fig
.
17
.

3
.
To
replace,
snap
grille
andchrome
piece
together
.

Push
assembly
into
front
panel,
pressing
at
top
and

bottom
until
it
snaps
into
place
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS



510-7

Fig
.
16
.
Body
sida
molding
retainingclips
(arrows)
.

-



0013048

Fig
.
17
.
Radiator
grille
being
tapped
inward
.
Right
side
front
panel
top

retaining
screw
is
shown
at
A
.

Front
panel,
removing
and
installing

The
front
panel
is
shown
in
Fig
.
18
.

1
.
Remove
front
bumper
as
described
earlier
.

2
.
Remove
headlights
.
See
630
Exterior
Lighting
.

3
.
Remove
radiator
grille
as
described
earlier
.

4
.
With
engine
hood
open,
remove
front
panel
retaining

screws
at
left
and
right
sides
of
radiator
.
See
Fig
.
19
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM

510-
8



EXTERIOR
TRIM,
BUMPERS

Fig
.
18
.
Front
panel
assembly
.
Note
top
retaining
screws
(A),
retaining
screws
at
radiator
support
(B),
and
side
retaining
screws
(C)
.

00130~,
u
Fig
.
19
.
Front
panel
retaining
screws
at
radiator
(arrows)
.
Right
side
shown
.
To
remove
left
side
screws
it
may
be
necessary
tore-
move
airfilter
housing
or
duct
.

5
.
Remove
front
paneltop
retaining
screws
near
hood
latches
.
Refer
to
Fig
.
17
.

6
.
Working
under
car,
remove
left
and
right
side
panel
re-
taining
screws
.
See
Fig
.
20
.

7
.
Remove
panel
and
repair
orreplace
with
painted
part
.

8
.
Installation
is
reverseof
removal
.

EXTERIOR
TRIM

0013145
Fig
.
20
.
Front
bumper
mustbe
off
to
access
far
right
and
left
front
panel
retaining
screws
from
below
(arrows)
.
(Right
side
shown
.)