ECS News

A well-known weakness in the design of the S54 engine fitted to the BMW E46 M3 is the cooling system and it's affiliated components. In most cases, the S54 will function adequately for the majority of the vehicle's lifespan; auxiliary engine systems can therefore require servicing before the engine itself displays signs of failure. ECS assembled and Genuine OEM BMW Cooling System Refresh Kits give you unparalleled assurance that you wont be left on the side of the road with an over heated engine.

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.

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

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. 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.

Ever tried removing a radio trim bezel with a screwdriver or metal putty knife? Ugly. Ineffective. Metal prying tools gouge, scratch, and crack expensive interior parts adding needless cost and aggravation to any repair or accessory installation requiring trim panel removal. Stop the madness. Invest in one of our affordable trim removal kits. Large kit or small, our trim removal tools are made of tough, non-marring molded plastic, brightly colored so you won't leave them behind when the job is done. Do it right. Do it faster. Schwaben.

Let H&R up your game with suspension products that pick up where BMW left off. Made in Germany, H&R sway bars, are built on decades of experience designing world class suspension upgrades; then manufactured to old world standards where "excellence" is more than just a word. Shot-peened, heat-treated, and powder-coated front and rear sway bars are now available for your BMW. These particular sway bars offer the flexibility of adjustable when utilizing different stabilizer link configurations - a necessity for race and track applications.

A sloppy shifter will always detract from your driving pleasure. The simplest, most effective way to restore that factory-crisp shifter feel, is to take on a thorough, high-quality shifter rebuild. ECS assembled and OEM BMW kits both include every critical part required to rebuild your shifter assembly, including a super-slick teflon shifter bushing, a new dowel pin, and shifter ball bushing. Expect shift action to be more direct and positive, a result of the ECS Tuning teflon shifter bushings.

The hardest part when looking for an exhaust for your vehicle is producing just the right sound, and many systems are high pitched and raspy. Most enthusiasts however are looking for that throaty exotic European sound, similar to the high-end supercars. The next part is getting the right look, matching your vehicle enough to flow with that stock appearance but still clearly performance. Choose from several excellent options from ECS to suit the needs of your BMW E46 M3. A well built exhaust system allows the engine to breath better finding that sweet sound with added performance.

Avoid finding yourself without a key trim fastener - stock up for good with the Vaico BMW Fastener Assortment Kit. Designed with the DIY enthusiast or body shop in mind, this assortment comes stocked with clips for fender liners, interior trim, and body mouldings, all in a convenient storage case. An extremely convenient kit for the discriminating BMW owner, you can now achieve a factory-perfect look instead of leaving crucial interior elements out of sorts.

We've all found ourselves using highly "creative" methods for separating old parts in the midst of an intense project. Some methods do work - usually at the expense of personal injury and a few broken or damaged parts. The new Remover Tools from Schwaben leave your knuckles and expensive parts intact. The new Exhaust Hanger Removal Tool has a slim profile for work in tight areas, easily pulling off hangers from behind. Steering and Suspension Ball Joint Separators offer a combined 12mm to 80mm jaw opening range. New rugged 3/8” drive Schwaben E-Socket Sets are also available.

A critical component within the drivetrain that serves as a vibration and torsion damper, the flex joint bolted between the transmission output shaft and the driveshaft can wear significantly over time. When the unit fails, damage to the underside of the car is unavoidable, and will certainly immobilize the vehicle. Replacing the propeller shaft flex joint not only protects you from this disastrous prospect, but also greatly reduces driveline noise and harshness

Make sure your plugs are firing at voltage levels that ensure optimal combustion and peak performance. If your old coils are tired and unable to do the job, an ignition service kit from ECS Tuning will put some zap in the gap when you need it most. Our ignition service kits are easy to install and come with everything you need to restore ignition efficiency and maintain ignition voltage levels to achieve the most from each power stroke. ECS assembled & OEM BMW kits are available - each include 8 ignition coils and spark plugs, spark plug boot protector, and a service indicator.

A lesser known feature of the highest caliber performance cars has nothing to do with engine power output, suspension dynamics, or build materials. Almost every truly distinguished European sports car utilizes a limited-slip style differential. While an open differential effectively accomplishes the task of allowing one wheel to spin faster than the other around corners, during power delivery, this behavior is not always desirable. The full measure of power is distributed to both wheels with a Helical LSD, for true performance-car acceleration and handling.

Browsing through our world-class parts catalog can be overwhelming - with such a deep well of heart-pounding performance additions, convenient tools and accessories, and limitless OEM replacement parts, you'll need a way to control your lustful thoughts this Valentine's Day. ECS helps you cool off with the Wish List tool - setup a vehicle make and model, and click on the "Heart" logo next to any product that catches your eye. And if you're looking to spice things up this holiday with a thoughtful gift, $10-$100 ECS gift cards will make your sweetheart's wishes come true.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has released three new products that eliminate the pains and inconveniences associated with automotive repairs and installations. Get off the ground and move around with the Six Wheel Creeper - ruggedly designed to reliably keep your body off the ground while working underneath your Euro. The Schwaben LED Under Hood Shop Light features 120 LEDs & a polycarbonate transparent lens that instantly illuminates every crevice of your engine bay. The Rolling Creeper Seat and Tray keeps your body at an ideal height while keeping your tools close at hand.

The lightweight flywheel clutch kit is designed with the enthusiast in mind, meaning you get all the benefits of a single mass flywheel without the drawbacks. The stock dual mass flywheel is designed using the weight to smooth out the clutch engagement which means in most cases going to a single mass they develop a chatter and hard shifting. ECS has found a way to keep that smooth feeling and gain the enhancements in response, the quality any daily driver would want.

Hawk is well known to enthusiasts looking for a high quality brake pad which will deliver superior stopping power. Hawk Performance brake pads cover all your braking needs from daily driving to extreme use. Multiple brake pad compounds are available, but the characteristics they all have in common include an aggressive bite, improved pedal feel, low noise, and minimal dust. Find a perfect match for your braking needs and find out what the hype is all about.

Hawk is well known to enthusiasts looking for a high quality brake pad which will deliver superior stopping power. Hawk Performance brake pads cover all your braking needs from daily driving to extreme use. Multiple brake pad compounds are available, but the characteristics they all have in common include an aggressive bite, improved pedal feel, low noise, and minimal dust. Find a perfect match for your braking needs and find out what the hype is all about.

Hawk is well known to enthusiasts looking for a high quality brake pad which will deliver superior stopping power. Hawk Performance brake pads cover all your braking needs from daily driving to extreme use. Multiple brake pad compounds are available, but the characteristics they all have in common include an aggressive bite, improved pedal feel, low noise, and minimal dust. Find a perfect match for your braking needs and find out what the hype is all about.

When it comes to the cooling system, we're led to only think of failure with overheating in the warmer months of the year. On the other hand, coolant prevents freezing within its system during the colder months, and there are still many that are unequipped to service their system properly. Don't get left in the cold. Maintain your cooling system the right way and keep it fully functional with these cooling system tools.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's latest release, the European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb release.

Why use wheel studs instead of wheel bolts? When removing and installing wheels that utilize the factory wheel bolts the process can be frustrating, holding the wheel up with your legs, lining up the holes, and threading the bolts all at the same time. Wheel studs also allow the use of varying length wheel spacers - a highly convenient feature for those that anticipate using different spacer size setups in the future. Both conical and ball seat lug nuts are available for a maximum of 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm wheel spacer use.

Lowering springs should do more than get your car closer to the ground. If you're considering your lowering options, be sure to include the premium quality spring sets from H&R. Improve handling but keep ride quality suitable for a daily driver with Sport springs or take the gloves off and install no nonsense H&R Super Sport springs. Regardless of your choice, buy with confidence, knowing you're getting German-made springs with an unrivaled reputation for quality and performance.

BMWs are well known for their superior handling - often times, drivers don't notice the gradual failure of critical suspension components for this very reason. Vibrations and clunking are a very solid indication that something has completely worn out; each component has a recommended replacement date, though many parts last longer before showing obvious signs of failure. If your E36 M3 has at least 100,000 miles or presents these common symptoms, ECS reinforcement components are a strong upgrade option for your stock suspension.

The growing Schwaben Tool catalog has just expanded again with the release of the superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable Schwaben hand tools - now available from ECS tuning. The new Schwaben 1/2" breaker bar has a full 180°swing for those hard to reach bolts and nuts. A complete set of Schwaben twelve-point metric combination wrenches from 8 to 19 mm is also available. Mechanic-quality 290mm and 200mm long ratchets featuring a durable fine satin finish round off this latest premium tool release.

Critical emergency parts should be purchased from a well-known, reliable company. High quality Booster cables are now available from Schwaben Tools. The 6-gauge copper, multi-strand cables are 12 feet long, making the emergency jump start hassle-free in any situation. Rated at 400 Amps, the vinyl-coated Schwaben cables are designed to last.

Make your E46 go where you aim it. ECS has the kits you need to strengthen your M3 suspension and handling. Whether your M3 is suffering from battered control arms, bashed bushings, or tired trailing arm bushing, we'll help you rein it in and head it in the right direction again. We have big kits and small; OEM and name brand aftermarket, packaged and priced for every budget.