ECS News

Owners of European automobiles often find that alongside the pleasures of driving a more refined, tasteful vehicle exists the very real challenge of finding the correct tool for these cars' unique fasteners. Featuring swivel-head triple-square bits, Torx screwdrivers, one hundred specialty fasteners, and the exceptionally sturdy go-through screwdriver set, the Schwaben European Essentials Tool Kit allows you to approach any project with confidence. Each tool is secured in a molded case, helping you keep track of your investment.

Does your shifter... wiggle? Eliminate that extra give and get the snappy, precise shifter action your M3 should have. Even low-mileage cars will benefit from the elimination of soft rubber shifter bushings with an upgrade to ECS Tuning Teflon Shifter Bushings. Have a high-mileage car? Step up to our shifter rebuild kits - offering the fix for worn out rubber components. If your shifter feels sloppy - pick up one of these.

Features of convenience and versatility define this latest group of industry-standard hand tools from Schwaben, the European specialty tool experts. The 24-inch long, flexible Locking Hose Clamp Pliers make removing metal or plastic self-tightening hose clamps an infinitely more simple and quick task. For oil & fuel filter removal, Schwaben's 4-position adjustable Swivel Jaw Filter Wrench Pliers feature Sure-Grip teeth to provide the right amount of clamping force for the job. The superb 12-piece Metric Socket Set completes this latest new and exciting Schwaben product release.

Add the bold look of our new Alzor Style 030 wheels to your E36 M3. Their distinctive split-spoke design is great for showing off your new painted calipers, Exact-Fit brake lines, and GEOMET® rotors. Available in black or hyper silver and in square or staggered sets. Alzor hubcentic wheels are sure to fit right, run true, and add the finishing touch to your other upgrades. Go with these 18s and finish the job with ECS wheel spacers and bolts.

Many E46 M3 owners have been eagerly waiting for a direct bolt-on oil cooler for their BMW. Daily drivers that are also tracked require this type of oil cooler. Drivers that live in hot climates or experience hotter summers will find the 25% increase in cooling capacity virtually a requirement for track days. Cooler oil means less thermal breakdown, which is better lubricated engine components improved fuel mileage from reducing heat soak. The Mishimoto kit includes all parts required for installation, including stainless steel lines, AN fittings, & oil filter housing adapters

Schwaben's reputation for producing highly reliable, finely crafted specialty tools is growing rapidly - consumers are beginning to see the extraordinary value behind the Schwaben name. Nowhere is the dependability and security associated with the Schwaben name more important than with their latest 3-Ton Aluminum Jack Stands. The all-aluminum stands feature heavy-duty flanged bases for exceptional stability, while the over-engineered .584" diameter load pin rigidly secures the post in six different positions for convenience and peace of mind.

All dedicated BMW enthusiasts are familiar with the weight of the UUC Moterwerks name. Their substantial catalog of unique, premium BMW upgrades has given them a stature in the aftermarket community that is unmatched. ECS now offers the complete lineup of stunning UUC Clutch and Flywheel upgrades for the E46 M3. Exotic Feramic, CeraMetallic, and Organic clutch compounds are offered in conjunction with an assortment of trick UUC-engineered flywheels. This variety allows you to choose clutch engagement/pedal effort characteristics and power ratings to suit your particular needs.

If you've ever replaced a broken or cracked water pump pulley and wondered why the engineers at BMW didn't make it out of something more durable, you're not the only one. CNC machined from 6061 billet aluminum, the in-house engineered ECS pulley will never crack or break, leaving you on the side of the road. The hard anodized, corrosion-resistant pulley is a direct-fit replacement, bolting right up to the factory location.

Massive rotors, multiple-piston brakes, and advanced pads are glamorous, eye-catching upgrades to your vehicle. But experienced enthusiasts know that all that stopping power relies on adequately bled brake lines. Your brake fluid is incompressible, like a metal; but air is compressible, so ridding your lines of this gas is imperative for fully realized braking power and response. ECS has an array of solutions to tighten up your braking system, including a Power Brake Bleeder, multiple synthetic Brake Fluid options, and a premium Schwaben Brake Bleeder Wrench.

If you're looking to replace your thermostat don't forget to also replace your hardware and temperature sensor. Replacing your cooling system components will ensure your M3 has a long life. Avoid headaches altogether and replace all problematic items at once to keep your cooling system running efficiently.

The E36 M3 is a great car to drive, especially when all of your suspension components are fresh, keeping your car tight in the corners. When suspension parts begin to fail in most cases its so gradual that a daily driver has a hard time telling the feel is deteriorating. ECS has developed complete kits to make it easier to find all the necessary components you need to get that great response back. Suspension parts are also known to last longer when done together so other failing parts don't put extra stress on the new ones.

Get subtle but effective suspension upgrades for your M3 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 spring rates. Race springs offer the most lowering with the stiffest spring rates and are designed to be used with more aggressive dampers. Look Better. Handle Better.

The average home mechanic might not even realize the benefit of having a sturdy, hand-height shelf to place tools on in the heat of a project. Instead of carelessly leaving tools on the ground or mixed up in a pile, Schwaben Service Carts bring the professionalism of a reliable mechanic's cart to your own garage. Three series of carts are offered, each featuring a stunning, durable high-gloss powder-coated finish, chrome plated steel handles, and large 4" casters. Heavy-duty Deluxe units are also available, with a third product adding a locking top lid and drawer.

Get subtle but effective suspension upgrades for your E36 M3 with Sport spring & Race spring upgrades from H&R. Sport springs offering additional lowering and stiffer spring rates. Race springs offer the most lowering with the stiffest spring rates and are designed to be used with more aggressive dampers. Look Better. Handle Better.

Finally. Cooling system service solutions for M3. Kits that fit your car, its needs, and your budget. Heat-hardened hoses and plastic pipes are a nightmare in the making on high milers. But piecemeal cooling system repairs are a bad idea and a costly mistake. Plugging leaks as they "pop up" means monster repair bills when engines overheat. We know the problem. We have a cure: Three different service stage kits to match your wallet and vehicle condition.

Utilizing the latest advancements in materials science and manufacturing processes, Cool Carbon has arrived at formulation that provides the ultimate braking experience. Developed to withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 600°C while retaining smooth brake feel and longevity, Cool Carbon Front and Rear Brake Pads display the type of engineering rigor that fits your BMW E36 M3. The low noise and low dust formula reduces brake noise while keeping your wheels clean, adding a welcomed measure of practicality to these outstanding performance brakes.

Utilizing the latest advancements in materials science and manufacturing processes, Cool Carbon has arrived at formulation that provides the ultimate braking experience. Developed to withstand extreme temperatures exceeding 600°C while retaining smooth brake feel and longevity, Cool Carbon Front and Rear Brake Pads display the type of engineering rigor that fits your BMW E9X M3. The low noise and low dust formula reduces brake noise while keeping your wheels clean, adding a welcomed measure of practicality to these outstanding performance brakes.

ECS Exact-Fit stainless reinforced brake lines provide more confident and dependable stopping by maintaining consistent brake pressure, long lasting corrosion resistance, and increased protection from failure. Even when new, factory style fabric mesh lined rubber hoses are prone to expansion under the pressure of hard braking, whether it be highway panic stops or threshold braking at the track. Our lines are braided with stainless steel mesh, affording expansion resistance. This resistance to expansion creates a firmer pedal, and more direct pedal feel.

There are tools that any serious technician will regard as essential to their work - tools that make so many projects faster and simpler that access to a quality set is critical. Schwaben Specialty Tools recognized the need for better designed, more fully-featured puller tool kits; this variety of tool is so frequently used across such a wide variety of projects, mechanics deserve the best engineered product possible. Schwaben Pry Bar and Twin-Arm Puller Kits are highly adjustable, exceptionally durable sets of some of the most versatile tools in any home or professional garage.

The E36 M3 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.

ECS Black Out Grille Sets are distinguished by their full matte black ABS plastic construction. The design means that any chips or scratches on the grille will not reveal a white surface underneath black paint, as the parts are integrally black. Engineered to exact OEM dimensions for precise fitment into the BMW E46 3 series, the grilles are available in a carbon fiber-look, gloss black, or matte black finish.

Replacing cooling system components and performing a proper coolant flush will ensure a long life for your cooling system. Most of the cooling system components are exposed to very high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling. Heat-hardening causes warping and cracking that leads to coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating. Avoid headaches altogether and replace all problematic items at once to keep your cooling system running efficiently.

The E46 generation BMW 3 Series is known for significant cooling system issues, specifically problems surrounding the mechanical fan clutch. Direct-fit replacements intended to resolve these issues have appeared out of place, disrupting the clean look of the BMW's engine bay. Mishimoto has directed significant engineering efforts towards improving the aluminum radiator, eventually deciding to increase the cooling factor by providing a bolt on electric fan shroud. The kits include a 16" high-flow electric fan producing over 1850 cfm, showing a 5whp gain in the 6500-7500rpm range.

To keep your driving machine in top shape, regular maintenance is imperative. BMW recommends the Inspection II at 40,000 miles & at each 40,000 miles thereafter. Doing all of the necessary inspections will keep your vehicle running much longer and cleaner. However, if you're out of warranty, the out of pocket expense from the dealership can be a little hard to handle. Luckily, ECS Tuning is here to help. After consulting with all of BMWs available information, the engineers at ECS Tuning have assembled a comprehensive kit to address all of the issues covered during Inspection II.

Inspection 2 is the most comprehensive element of your BMW maintenance schedule, incorporating each element of Inspection 1 with a few added critical features. ECS assembled and genuine BMW options are available. "Dry" kits address all wearing components affiliated with Inspection II except for fluids - an oil filter, cabin filter, air filter, fuel filter, and all spark plugs are included. The "basic" kits add BMW Castrol Edge TWS engine oil, while ECS assembled "Complete" kits further add Pentosin MTF2 transmission fluid, BMW rear differential fluid, and Pentosin brake fluid.

Designed to reduce body roll, increase lateral stiffness, and improve handling, H&R Sway Bars are crafted from a special 50CrV4 spring steel that is both stronger and more resilient than competitive sway bars. H&R Sway Bars are bent on proprietary machines designed by H&R that seamlessly produce beautiful complex curves making them a perfect fit for your vehicle. They are shot peened and heat treated and feature precision forged ends. The included H&R bushings are made from a Urethane/Teflon composite that eliminates squeaks and don't require lubrication.

A frequent dilemma when fitting an upgraded seat belt to track-prepared street cars is how to balance the needs of daily driving with the demands of performance driving. A dedicated track-day setup is typically impractical, while running without a substantial harness forces the driver to use the steering wheel to hold themselves in place. Schroth Racing Quick Fit Harnesses are fully reversible and anchor to the factory seat belt pre-tensioner, allowing the airbags to deploy as the BMW engineers intended. Both left (driver) and right (passenger) harnesses are available.

A frequent dilemma when fitting an upgraded seat belt to track-prepared street cars is how to balance the needs of daily driving with the demands of performance driving. A dedicated track-day setup is typically impractical, while running without a substantial harness forces the driver to use the steering wheel to hold themselves in place. Schroth Racing Quick Fit Harnesses are fully reversible and anchor to the factory seat belt pre-tensioner, allowing the airbags to deploy as the BMW engineers intended. Both left (driver) and right (passenger) harnesses are available.

Wheel bearings are one of the most crucial components of a car's suspension. They are usually located in the hub or even the brake drum or rotor itself. Wheel bearings allow the wheel to rotate freely as the car travels down the road. Most cars have an inner and an outer bearing on each wheel. Problems with wheel bearings arise from wear, which can be caused by a variety of factors. Symptoms of a bad bearing are noisy rubbing as the car is driven and that usually gets louder as speeds increase. If you are having these issues, be sure to replace them today.

Reduce weight. Reduce heat. Reduce warping. ECS Tuning engineered 2-Piece semi-floating rotors offer real world benefits that can be felt on both the street and track! Our 2-Piece rotors combine the advantages of weight savings and rapid heat dissipation to provide a rotor superior to stock while preventing warping and extending component life. The reduction of unsprung weight improves handling characteristics under all situations. This reduction in rotational inertia allows for quicker acceleration, decreased braking distances, and more responsive handling.