101 Performance Projects for Your BMW 3 Series 1982-2000 (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

by Wayne R. Dempsey (Author)
Key Phrases: axle support bar, pickle fork tool, oil pump nut, Applicable Years, All Tinware, Downing Atlanta (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Auto Express, April 18, 2007
“It is the well-written text which sets this apart.”

Product Description

Since its introduction in 1975, the BMW 3-series has earned a reputation as one of the world’s greatest sports sedans. Unfortunately, it has also proven one of the more expensive to service and maintain. This book is dedicated to the legion of BMW 3-series owners who adore their cars and enjoy restoring, modifying, and maintaining them to perfection; its format allows more of these enthusiasts to get out into the garage and work on their BMWs—and in the process, to save a fortune.
 
Created with the weekend mechanic in mind, this extensively illustrated manual offers 101 projects that will help you modify, maintain, and enhance your BMW 3-series sports sedan. Focusing on the 1984–1999 E30 and E36 models, 101 Performance Projects for Your BMW 3-Series presents all the necessary information, covers all the pitfalls, and assesses all the costs associated with performing an expansive array of weekend projects.
 
 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (September 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760326959
• ISBN-13: 978-0760326954
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #120,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a good companion to the Bentley manual, December 27, 2006

By	David R. Hicks (Arlington, Va.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wayne Dempsey's new book should be a companion to, not a substitute for, the Bentley repair manual. Wayne tries to generalize a how-to article enough to cover 18 years and 5 different engines. It can be annoying, although a few of the projects are car- or engine-specific. Most such projects are specific to the e36 cars, rather than e30s. For non-specific projects, e36 photos are generally used. If you have an e36, the photos alone are worth the price of the book. They are much better than the Bentley. Even if you own an e30, the photos are still very helpful.

The great thing is it has a more narrative form than the Bentley, and explains a little more of the why and how, rather than just step-by-step instuctions. Wayne also spends a little more time talking about logistics. For example, the Bentley hardly even mentions the horrible top-bolts holding the transmission to the engine, but this book spends a couple paragraphs going over techniques and possible combination of tools to remove them.

Also, the word "performance" in the title is a little misleading. Most of the projects are general maintenance items.

Bottoms line -- it's a nice book to have around for any 3-series DIYer, and arguable a must-have for a e36 owner.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your BMW paper toolbox!, March 9, 2007

By	morten loenning (Fredrikstad,Norway) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great book for Bmw owners who enjoy doing repairs and modifications yourself.Though this is mainly a mechanics related book,it offers info and tips on bodymods,wheels and exterior.

The book is easy to read and is backed up by some great pictures showing each step of the prosess.The colourpictures are great for showing what the parts and problem area looks like.In all the projects featured in this book,the author also gives hints on brandnames and price. It is useful not only for those who wants to upgrade their car,but also for the DIY mechanic who needs info on those everyday smalljobs of replacing worn parts and general maintainance.

Highly recomended as a supplement in your BMW toolbox!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delivers what they promise, June 4, 2007

By	Chip S (Atlanta, Ga United States) - See all my reviews

This is a clear, well written, helpful book containing many tips not listed in any other manual. It is organized by project, and within 15 minutes of opening it i found 3 projects i had paid over $600 to perform because i feared the complexity, only to find now that i could have completed them, probably by myself, in 3 or 4 hours of patient work. His pictures are better than any in any other publication, and I'm certain of this because i own them all.