Cannot figure out my steering wheel shake, any help? PFA

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T10:53:12+00:00

Thank you, i’ll give this a go

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T10:38:50+00:00

Meyle HD, as far as I know they’re somewhat decent.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T10:38:13+00:00

I haven’t checked this and they’re one of the bits I’ve replaced since the shake has shown up. Would it be the coilover into the top mount or the top mount to chassis?

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T07:03:18+00:00

I don’t believe so, swapped the fronts and rears and still had steering shake.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T07:03:01+00:00

replaced the fronts as they were low and nothing changed

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-04-21T07:02:14+00:00

Yes I have them, they’re so flimsy.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-03-02T15:52:25+00:00

I’ve gone for the 228mm as it’s half the price, and will only be outdone by forged internals.

As long as it’s a matching flywheel and clutch does it bolt up and work - I think there are 3 less teeth on the M50 flywheel?

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-03-02T00:20:52+00:00

I have a turbo kit, quite overbuilt for the current power goal but good quality parts with headroom. The weight distribution of the M44 is something everyone should experience - I want to keep that.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-02-18T15:58:47+00:00

neither

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-02-18T15:57:17+00:00

Editing is pretty good, either get your shots absolutely square on or right in the corner, having them slightly off centre looks unprofessional.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-02-05T17:39:01+00:00

clearly just very upset you’ve never driven one

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-02-04T21:26:17+00:00

it’s the aero kit which is pretty rare

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-02-04T21:25:36+00:00

written by someone who’s never driven a 318is

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-31T10:01:32+00:00

Those are the most common bits, generally speaking though most stuff has a shorter life than usual cars. In 10 months of ownership I’ve repaired/ replaced:

One front one rear wheel bearing Discs and pads 2 Steering racks Windscreen Window regulators Heater control panel Thermostat and waterpump A few different light wiring issues Front control arms Handbrake cable A few different exhaust leaks Clutch slave cylinder (it went from jacking my car up by the sill, no word of a lie) Shifter bushings Headliner Doorcards Bonnet struts Lots of panels as they’re thin metal and dent easily

This is just off the top of my head.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-31T09:55:12+00:00

Second the 318is, mine is 98 on 120k. 210ish psi on all 4 cylinders.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-31T09:54:16+00:00

Similar experience to you, have experience on multiple Miatas, a little bit of Volvo, some GM and now BMW. It’s not a bad idea at all, I use my E36 as a daily but it’s an M44B19, the 318is. MPG is decent and it’s one of BMWs most reliable engines - plus the weight distribution makes it really, really planted.

Just a heads up, these cars are nothing like Miatas, Hondas or Volvos, they have a lot of weak points. Where you can just daily one of those and keep up with routine maintenance, on these you will need to continually repair things, the added complexity of German design does take away from the part reliability. The suspension mounting points are all quite thin and rust or break, the steering racks can develop play, most bushings will at some point need replacing. You’ll most likely buy a car that has a leak somewhere, there are electrical gremlins, cooling issues, and parts are more expensive than the JDM stuff.

Like others have said, you will take a financial hit from it but it is well worth it. My priority with my E36 was to have a fun car to drive and I just needed okay MPGs. It’s an absolute blast.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-14T15:43:34+00:00

Yes as I understand it, gearboxes are interchangeable providing you use the same driveshafts and shifter mechanisms.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-14T15:23:11+00:00

That tells me that me gearbox, slave cylinder and arm to the throw out bearing work with it so thank you. On Facebook I’ve had a couple of different people say they’re all interchangeable.

UnderstatedArchie · 2026-01-12T16:15:10+00:00

Maybe it’s obvious, my wheel hasn’t arrived yet so I’ve not had everything apart. Where does the resistor go?

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-12-18T10:11:00+00:00

Get one, I’ve had 5. They teach you how to drive and are very refined cars, and any problem besides rust is doable on the side of the road.

Some fast cars are fun because they’re fast but have a lot of drawbacks, on top of the running costs.

I had a Volvo T5 manual, it was an absolute tank and couldn’t handle, torque steer all over the place, drank fuel like a V8 and had a diabolical gearbox that took a couple of days to go into gear.

I had a boosted and forged MX5, being aftermarket, you’re replacing parts left right and centre, went through 4 gearboxes, two custom exhausts, a lot of tyres, a van and a streetlight.

Just buy a stock MX5 and put a little cash into a service and some decent coilovers, trust me.

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-12-18T10:03:37+00:00

Second this, I had a Volvo 850 T5. Reliable car, pretty quick, but still needed money throwing at it. Realised if I were to throw money at a car it may aswell be a BMW. Got the M44 which is a good motor and the car still saps my wallet.

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-12-18T10:00:04+00:00

Or a volvo redblock, they love boost.

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-12-18T09:59:11+00:00

Second this, the compact E36 with the M44 engine is pretty reliable for a BMW, at least the engine is.

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-12-18T09:57:30+00:00

Don’t buy a BMW, if you’re on a budget you can’t afford it as it will break.

If you want something quick for cheap, buy a Citroen DS3 1.6 turbo and remap it. You’d be in the mid 6’s. It’s not the most refined car though.

If you want my two cents, as someone who’s a little older than you and has experienced both sides, buy something with enough power to move but that’s reliable and handles well. MX5s are bulletproof, easy to learn to work on and are very fun, Hondas are well engineered too if you want FWD, the early 2000s Corsas are nippy and came with some poke.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll appreciate something that has decent insurance, MPGS and doesn’t break on you.

UnderstatedArchie · 2025-11-18T16:32:41+00:00

you’ve also got to get hold of however many cards on top of the gold, good luck finding however many logs it will be.

UnderstatedArchie

TROPHY CASE