Finally, an easy and quick job on the E36. Hood strut replacement!
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After some hard starts, pinging under load, and decreased performance, I decided to replace the fuel filter. This is something I typically do as part of a "maintenance reset" on used cars when I buy them, but as I recall from 3.5 years ago in this case, I had ordered a bunch of maintenance parts, the fuel filter wasn't included (or part of the order was cancelled), and then I forgot to reorder it.
Based on performance, I assumed it might be old and clogged, but I wasn't prepared for the date code that I saw on the fuel filter. It's 26 years old! Even if it sat on a shelf at the dealership for a year or two, it's still been on the car for 25 years and ~225K miles. Yikes!
Replacement was straightforward and took less than an hour, with most of that time getting the car safely on and off jack stands.
The difference in performance is CRAZY. Many of the issues I chalked up to being a 261K-mile S52 engine are gone. It starts great. It sounds great. It pulls HARD.
I have confirmed the fuel pump and relay were replaced, among other items in the fuel delivery system. And based on how many other items have been replaced prior to my ownership, it's funny that such a simple item like a fuel filter had been overlooked for so long.
PXL_20260324_163127121 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260324_171409552 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260324_163136507 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
And some random Cherry Blossom shots:
PXL_20260323_222033087.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260323_222247551.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260323_222423334.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
Last edited by mike.bmw; 03-25-2026, 05:31 AM.Comment
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Road trip! My son and I went to Williamsburg, VA for the better part of a week. Great Wolf Lodge, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, Fishing, Busch Gardens, and more! We took our E36 M3, which performed quite well. So well that I'm having second thoughts about taking my 1991 318is to The Vintage this coming weekend and wondering if I should bring the E36 again this year!
PXL_20260330_113925849.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260331_122242080.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260331_162627633.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260401_182829413.RAW-02.ORIGINAL by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260331_163302902.RAW-01 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
It was quite covered in pollen when after ~450 miles we got back home, so it was time for a wash:
PXL_20260402_180246368 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260402_181143286 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
PXL_20260402_182813899 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
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Nice shot over the E30 trunk lid!
That black looks amazing with ambers and gold wheels.Comment
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There's not much new with my '98 M3, which is a good thing! I've just been driving it and enjoying it. Mileage is approaching 263,000.
DSC_3625 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
DSC_3619 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
DSC_3586 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
DSC_3612 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
DSC_3644 by mike.bevels, on Flickr
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Still a mirror. I'm jelly.89' Build
2009 Honda Element (Daily/Beater)Comment
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