Camaro or Mustang?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:55 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Only a Hans-lover would claim the subframe or the strut towers as a maintenance items.

Those issues I think are over blown on the interwebs, but they do occur. They are less likely in the e36.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:34 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Only a Hans-lover would claim the subframe or the strut towers as a maintenance items.

Those issues I think are over blown on the interwebs, but they do occur. They are less likely in the e36.

At least one (former?) THSCCer has had the problem, so it's common enough to be relevant.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:32 pm

steve remchak wrote:

Be prepared to replace anything plastic under the hood, particularly the coolant system parts. E46 has an aluminum block versus iron on the E36. Overheat an E46 and you are looking for a new motor.

Be prepared to replace bushings and mounts particularly in the E36. 90K or more miles and these are usually shot.

Just checked ebay for prices on a set of Koni's and a sway bar and I saw a ton of bushing, ball joint, tie rod suspension rebuild kits for sale. The prices seem reasonable for these kits, but my experience with ebay parts have not been good. The cars I am looking at have between 100 and 150k. The little voice in my head that sounds like Vincent needs to know how much I can expect to spend on quality parts to address these potential problems.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:08 pm

I know there are Koni fans out there, but I'm not one of them considering there pension for needing rebuilds. I'd rather run a set of Bilsteins. As for the front end stuff, I ordered some of the Beck Arnley stuff from Amazon for a good price and put them on the e36 back in '13. Good product and no issues to list after the replacement. As for the RTAB and LCAB, order the power flex bushings. I have over 100k on the current set on the e36 and they just about now need to be replaced.

To VK's point, check the rear shock location, that is a failure point if the PO didn't address the shock mount. What causes the fail is the hammering of the shock if it goes uncorrected. You can use the upgraded e46 convertible shock mounts here. You can also buy the front strut reinforcement plates that strengthens the top of the shock tower. If the car wasn't pushed hard, those should be in good shape, but they are an inspection point.

Other soft spots are the water pump (buy a metal replacement) and factory rad. The plastic hose connecter's fail over time. The rad over flow tank will need to be addressed as well. I have the tool you'll need to take off the fan so you can replace the water pump.

All of this is well documented on a good e36 forum site like bimmerforums. Pelican Parts also has some great writeups for fixing these items on the e36. Take a look over there.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 10:22 am

Great info. Thanks Rodney!

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 3:21 pm

so speaking of mustangs, went over to crossroads yesterday to look at the new escape for the wife. While I was there of course I had to look at the new mustangs. Looks like I won't be buying the new pony car.

Wait for it....

not enough head room. Really disappointing as I had considered an upgrade in the next year or so, but that's off the table now. I did like the recaro seat. I think that's an upgrade I need to down the road...

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:42 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

so speaking of mustangs, went over to crossroads yesterday to look at the new escape for the wife. While I was there of course I had to look at the new mustangs. Looks like I won't be buying the new pony car.

Wait for it....

not enough head room. Really disappointing as I had considered an upgrade in the next year or so, but that's off the table now. I did like the recaro seat. I think that's an upgrade I need to down the road...

Did you try the normal seat with it lowered all the way?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 6:58 pm

And did it have a sunroof?

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:05 pm

I emailed this guy earlier today, just waiting to hear back. Car has a ton of miles on it, but its priced so low I think it is worth a look. If he gets back to me, this will be the first one I look at. I will bring my helmet with me. With the mileage, one of my concerns is the transmission and diff. Are the transmissions and rear ends pretty tough in these cars?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4900531113.html

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sat Feb 28, 2015 7:09 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

And did it have a sunroof?

Mustangs don't have factory sunroofs.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:28 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

Did you try the normal seat with it lowered all the way?

yup, manual seat pumped all the way down. Oh well... I have to say I did like the "guard" color, looked very good.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:42 am

RodneyWright wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Did you try the normal seat with it lowered all the way?

yup, manual seat pumped all the way down. Oh well... I have to say I did like the "guard" color, looked very good.

Rodney,

I meant the normal power seats which are standard in both the regular GT and the Premium GT. I think only the base V6 and the Recaro's have manual seats. Not saying these seat cushions end up any closer to the floor than the Recaros since I don't know since "not relevant to me" :lol:

If I ever manage to make it to a THSCC autocross you can try mine (cloth with power).

Edit to add: The normal seats are very supportive "feeling". Much better than the 2012. Firm padding while also somehow fitting me better than the 12's did as well as being more comfortable. Plus cloth is better than leather for support and there was nothing in the Premium version that I even wanted, let alone "needed".

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:55 am

Rodney,

I assume you tried all the adjustments including seat back angle but just in case, are you aware that the 15's now include telescoping steering wheel adjustment? I think this means you can have the seat and/or back angle further back than in the past and bring the steering wheel closer.

Note also that if anyone has concern about helmet to head rest clearance the 15's continue Ford's practice of allowing the headrest on the normal seats to be removed and/or reversed for helmet clearance.

As an aside, what were your wife's and your impressions of the 15 Escape?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:47 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

As an aside, what were your wife's and your impressions of the 15 Escape?

The escape is nice. It's lower to the ground than her current 06. Pam stated she didn't need the running boards or the grab handle to get in. She wasn't a fan of the upper center stack radio controls on the non screen display equipped models, said it looked "starwars-ish". The inside was comfortable, but there is a fatal flaw for me. The left dead pedal isn't oriented right for me. My size 13 shoe gets caught by the carpet and rotates the top of my foot inwards and makes for an uncomfortable seating position.

As for the mustang, yeah, everything was adjusted correctly. I'd only consider the recaro seats, so looks like this is out for me.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:41 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

As an aside, what were your wife's and your impressions of the 15 Escape?

The escape is nice. It's lower to the ground than her current 06. Pam stated she didn't need the running boards or the grab handle to get in. She wasn't a fan of the upper center stack radio controls on the non screen display equipped models, said it looked "starwars-ish". The inside was comfortable, but there is a fatal flaw for me. The left dead pedal isn't oriented right for me. My size 13 shoe gets caught by the carpet and rotates the top of my foot inwards and makes for an uncomfortable seating position.

As for the mustang, yeah, everything was adjusted correctly. I'd only consider the recaro seats, so looks like this is out for me.

How much are the Recaros in the mustang? You can get them in the Camaro now also, but they don't have a slit in the bottom cushion for 5 or 6 point harnesses, which is kind of a bummer.

Also, to buy them aftermarket is insanely expensive lol.

The option when you buy from Chevy is about 2k, which isn't too bad. If I bought a new one I would certainly go that route.

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