ECS News

Whenever experiencing problems maintaining a steady idle speed, the first part to check is the idle control valve. This part allows a small amount of air around your shut throttle body, keeping your engine running at a steady rpm. When the part becomes worn or fails, rough idling or frequent stalling is probable. ECS offers genuine OEM, Vemo and Bosch Idle Control Valves - each a high quality, direct-fit replacement for the factory supplied unit.

Why a strut nut socket? To secure shocks and struts to their mounts, the retaining nut must be torqued to its proper specification with the use of a torque wrench. Strut nut sockets allow for the use of an Allen wrench to hold the damper shaft while utilizing a torque wrench on the socket to achieve proper torque. Schwaben, a company known for exceptionally crafted specialty tools, now offers 18mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 24mm Strut Nut Sockets for your own suspension project. A superb addition to any home mechanic's tool arsenal, this latest Schwaben release is built to last.

For years, ECS Tuning has been your trusted source for original, aftermarket, and performance parts for your European car. Our team of enthusiasts have worked hard to build the best catalog in the industry, providing you with the knowledge and expertise to keep your car looking, sounding, and performing great year after year.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance, eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

For the E36 M models, BMW Motorsport chose to make a discreet, tasteful departure from the existing 3-Series' appearance. One area they wisely decided to address was the side moulding - unnecessarily thick and bulky, the M3's svelte, race-oriented styling deserved a slimmed down version. A Genuine OEM ///M Side Moulding replacement is one of the simplest and most significant aesthetic enhancements possible for the E36, bringing the Motorsport look to your BMW while eliminating signs of sun discoloration and scuffing.

Take a second to check out the impressive E36 3 series Shifter Components available from ECS. Whether you're concerned with improving shifting performance or hoping to bring a fresh design element to your interior, it's highly likely you'll find the perfect addition in our catalog. Ultra-rare ZHP, M-Technic, and genuine BMW Performance parts can be found amongst OEM and ECS Shifter Rebuild Kits and Shift Boot replacements. Automatic transmissions are served as well, with a selection of aftermarket and OEM Gear Selectors.

Whenever pushing your car past the factory-designated limits of operation, whether it be through hard driving or performance modifications, adequate engine cooling should always be a high concern. In fact, improving performance by increasing engine work is only possible when engine temperatures are kept within a reasonable range. The Mishimoto Performance Radiator is capable of a 35% increase in cooling capacity due to a fully-brazed, two-row aluminum core that's 25% thicker than stock. The direct-fit radiator also uses CNC-machined quick-disconnect fittings for perfect fitment.

Want to do something bold? Bodacious, even? Check out this line of 3M Scotchprint films. Add texture and style to interior and exterior surfaces by applying these durable adhesive backed films to body panels or trim. Want variety? Channel Darth Vader with gloss black or carbon fiber, or go sci-fi-starship with brushed aluminum or titanium. Buy rolls five feet wide in lengths from one to 20 feet. Hi-tech look. Low tech installation. User friendly and easy to apply using simple tools, 3M 1080 film lets anyone get professional results on the first try.

Throughout the project of upgrading or replacing factory coilovers, rusted & seized bolts will be damaged during suspension removal, while strut mounts & reinforcement plates will be found corroded, worn & of no use. The wisest approach when attempting the project is to invest in a thorough Cup Kit/Coilover Installation Kit - The ECS Kit includes OEM BMW rear shock mount bolts, camber correction bolt, hex bolt w/ washer, & self locking nut, pad wear sensor bracket, self locking hex nut, ECS rear reinforcement plate, Elring shock mount gasket, & Vaico upper and rear strut mounts.

You didn't buy a BMW because of the logo on the hood and trunk - though, admittedly, a brand-new clean BMW roundel does refresh your car's appearance like nothing else. ECS offers genuine OEM Trunk and Hood Roundel Emblems, complete with installation grommets for an easy snap-in installation. Replacement is made infinitely more easy using the clever ECS BMW Roundel Removal Tool, sliding underneath your worn emblem for leverage when pulling the old unit off of the hood or trunk.

The MediaBridge takes the hassle and aggravation out of playing your favorite audio source through your BMW's sound system. The DICE Media Bridge module turns your car stereo into a master control for USB storage drives, IPhone, iPod, or any audio device that can be plugged into the standard audio port

The rear shock mount for the E36 Non M proved to be a poor design; the rigors of daily driving deteriorated the rubber, causing rattling, clunking & rear shock deflection - oftentimes resulting in a blown-out shock mount. The most highly advanced & intelligent solution to this common problem is the superbly engineered, fully serviceable Ultimate Performance Rear Shock Mount upgrade from ECS Tuning. 80A polyurethane isolation bushings allow damper shafts to better articulate, while hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum shock mount reinforcement plates make blowouts an impossibility.

Doing a cooling system refresh, or just replacing worn out and soft old hoses? Why settle for stock when you can get the added life and heat tolerance of silicone hoses? Retains OEM fitment without the OEM hose flaws, silicone will resist breaking down and getting soft as coolant heat cycles and will last longer than the OEM rubber hoses. Includes both upper and lower radiator hoses 3-ply black silicone. With new OE hose connectors.

By providing it all for you in a single click, ECS has made it easier than ever to get the quality replacement matching components you need when beginning a brake service. Our brake service kit includes rotors, pads, sensors, assembly grease, and even a full compliment of set screws to make your brake replacement easy. Everything you need to perform a professional quality brake service, you can find at ECS Tuning.

The E36 3 Series has shown over time to be susceptible to cooling system issues. Losing the functionality of your auxiliary cooling fan can prove to be a significant problem, potentially causing catastrophic engine malfunctions. The aux fan is responsible for helping sustain that extra cool A/C as well as to draw airflow into your radiator when temperatures reach a predetermined level on a hot day. If the aux fan in your BMW is no longer turning, has been damaged, or you have been involved in a front end collision, the E36 Bremmen Fan Assembly is an exceptional replacement.

A stripped thread can turn an enjoyable weekend project into an unbearably frustrating experience, occasionally bringing the entire job to a complete halt. The Schwaben Metric Thread Repair Kit was designed specifically for European cars with the most commonly used metric sized threads in mind, keeping your project in motion whenever metric threads are stripped or otherwise damaged. The kit contains everything to keep your project going - simply drill out the old thread, tap out the hole with the correct sized tap, and screw in a new insert with the installation tool.

When addressing a vehicle's braking system, it can be easy to overlook brake fluids. It's not always clear which parts are necessary to do the job correctly - usually resulting in unnecessary time and expense. ECS has assembled three Brake Fluid Flush Kits, each containing the convenient Motive Power Bleeder, Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and one liter of brake fluid - everything needed for a basic servicing. The level 2 Kit includes a Motive Catch Bottle Set; the level 3 kit further improves the level 2 kit with high-performance TYP 200 brake fluid.

The E36 3 Series has been consistently lauded for its superbly balanced chassis, precise steering, & responsive suspension. Aftermarket parts for this model must be engineered to even higher standards for the driver to realize any long-term gains in performance. The KW ST XTA coilover system represents an actual measurable improvement over the factory M3 suspension arrangement. KW has incorporated a scaled aluminum top mount, allowing for fine camber tuning, & adjustable damping, for precise control over suspension rebound, resulting in an even higher-quality suspension.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to offer an entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for many European vehicles. This comprehensive source of info on your E36 has been carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

Enjoy the rare opportunity for significant savings with Schwaben Tool Kit Bundles from ECS. Any order over $200 will be shipped free of charge - the perfect way to invest in professional-quality tools for your European car. Complete 11 piece set of External Torx Sockets are available - these sockets have become popular at many locations, such as seat rails, chassis components, and suspension. Featuring a fine satin finish that's easy on the hands and easy to wipe clean the 12 Pc Metric Combination Wrench Set includes professional grade 8-19mm metric wrenches.

Get subtle but effective suspension upgrades for your E36 3 Series with OE Sport, Sport spring, & Race spring upgrades from H&R. OE Sport Springs offer the ride quality of an OE sport spring with additional lowering. Sport springs offering additional lowering and stiffer springrates. Race springs offer the most lowering with the stiffest springrates and are designed to be used with more aggressive dampers.

This set of Alzor Style 020 wheels will not only change the look of your vehicle, but also capture the attention of others. The split spoke design will give your car a sleek appearance that will keep people looking as you pass. Designed to bolt right up to your car, these wheels fit without any modifications or hassle. Of course, if you want to achieve an extreme look, don't forget to check out our large assortment of ECS Tuning wheel spacers and lug bolts.

Schwaben products are characterized by simple, clever designs. Their wheel storage solutions may be the best examples of these qualities. The Schwaben Wheel Tree holds up to 275lbs and allows you to safely stack your wheels without the risk of scuffing and scratching. Convenient locking casters allow you to easily move the whole set anywhere in your garage or shop at one time. And when saving floor space is the highest priority, the Schwaben Wall-Mounted Wheel Rack allows you to securely store up to four 11½" wide wheels and tires against the wall, away from your work space.

Wheel spacers offset wheels to improve vehicle appearance and handling. These flat discs with center holes and wheel bolt holes fit between wheels and hubs to push the wheels outward. Wheel spacers from ECS Tuning come in thicknesses from 5-20mm, to widen track, improve cornering, and provide extra room for altered suspension and brake components.

The rear shock mount on BMWs has proved to be a poor design; the rigors of daily driving deteriorated the rubber, causing rattling, clunking & rear shock deflection - oftentimes resulting in a blown-out shock mount. The most highly advanced & intelligent solution to this common problem is the superbly engineered, fully serviceable Ultimate Performance Rear Shock Mount upgrade from ECS Tuning. 80A polyurethane isolation bushings allow damper shafts to better articulate, while hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum shock mount reinforcement plates make blowouts an impossibility.

Protect your valuable alloy wheels from damage; use Protecta lug bolt sockets from Schwaben. Each of the three common socket sizes comes wrapped in a protective plastic sleeve that shields the wheel bolt holes from damage caused when regular steel sockets are used to remove and install wheels. Available in regular and extended-reach sets, these burly 1/2-inch drive six-point sockets come in a handy carry case, and are color-coded by size. Don't risk an expensive wheel repair; keep a set of Protecta Sockets in your tool box.

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization allows for greater attention to detail and refinement, resulting in superior products. The torque requirements of daily drivers, track or drift cars, high-powered street cars, & dedicated race cars are covered by 295ft/lbs. through 650ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

As accurate and responsive as the factory E36 steering and handling is, reliable and measurable improvements are possible through simple upgrades. The ECS Tuning Strut Bar is a lightweight aluminum addition to the factory BMW suspension design, increasing chassis rigidity and steering response. By connecting the left and right strut towers together, cornering forces are less likely to upset suspension geometry, resulting in a more predictable and precise driving experience.

Sharpened handling. Increased agility. Tactile responsiveness. A feeling of being one with car and road. Replacing stock bushings with Powerflex polyurethane components will deliver all that and more. ECS is proud to present the Powerflex brand of performance bushings. Powerflex is a world-renowned name in high-performance products, and they manufacture an array of quality suspension and chassis components. From subframe mounts to control arm and sway bar bushings and more, nothing overpowers the Powerflex catalog and their reputation for durability and quality.

Fresh coolant is paramount to safe & reliable engine operation. The process of bleeding the air out of your cooling system during a coolant refresh is tedious & therefore often neglected. ECS offers a highly convenient solution to the tedium & frustration associated with coolant servicing – the Schwaben Coolant Evacuation Kit. Insert the tool into the radiator service neck, attach the included Venturi adapter & allow the system to reach 25 psi, drawing out the vacuum. Use the same tool to fill your radiator, allowing the pressure to resume to 0 psi, completing the procedure.