My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon

[jz325i]

Ah, that's the bit i'm struggling with - finding a long lasting glue for the type of plastic. I've just taped mine together with white electrical tape.

Neil_M said:

jz325i said:

How did you seal up the case again?

I haven't done it yet... I'll be gluing it, I noticed that putting too much solder on the battery top, stops it from closing tight.

[Neil_M]

jz325i said:

Ah, that's the bit i'm struggling with - finding a long lasting glue for the type of plastic. I've just taped mine together with white electrical tape.

A combination of both may be the answer. I have some super duper wonderful glue in the garage. I'll see how it works.

If I get any joy I'll post it up.

[ttarpd]

Terrific thread, Neil. I'm seriously impressed with your dedication and the results of your hard work.
Attention to detail is second to none. Keep it up mate!
Can't wait to see it parked up at work sometime soon. :-)

Regards,
David

[Neil_M]

ttarpd said:

Terrific thread, Neil. I'm seriously impressed with your dedication and the results of your hard work.
Attention to detail is second to none. Keep it up mate!
Can't wait to see it parked up at work sometime soon. :-)

Regards,
David

Ta very much David, most appreciated.

MOT booked for the end of the month so she should be on the road then all going well.

[Funk]

Makes me think I'd like my Contours in silver (they're currently anthracite). Lovely-looking M3 and making me want one all the more.

My 328i was bought under 'bangernomics' principles so can't really justify any outlay on it that's not required. Just about to do the front pads and wear sensor in the next week or so. Mine's got some rust bubbling (non-critical areas) and I don't want to start spending out on cosmetics...

[Neil_M]

Funk said:

Makes me think I'd like my Contours in silver (they're currently anthracite). Lovely-looking M3 and making me want one all the more.

My 328i was bought under 'bangernomics' principles so can't really justify any outlay on it that's not required. Just about to do the front pads and wear sensor in the next week or so. Mine's got some rust bubbling (non-critical areas) and I don't want to start spending out on cosmetics...

Thanks very much

I didn't really consider any other colour. Then I'm keeping it as it came out of the factory looks wise.

Fingers crossed the pads and wear sensor don't sting too much.

Hit the rust asap, it only gets worse

[Funk]

Neil_M said:

Thanks very much

I didn't really consider any other colour. Then I'm keeping it as it came out of the factory looks wise.

Fingers crossed the pads and wear sensor don't sting too much.

Hit the rust asap, it only gets worse

£50 for pads, oil and filters (I'm doing the oil and filters whilst it's up in the air with its brakes hanging off - mate has a Halfords trade card...!). Wear sensor is about a tenner, so all-in pretty painless.

The rust doesn't appear to be getting any worse in the couple of years I've owned it but it's in non-structural locations (below the boot lid and a spot on the driver's door) and as such unlikely to be done. As I say, buying a car to run cheaply and then spending money on cosmetics is a little pointless!

It just passed its MOT without any issues a couple of weeks back so all being well at least another year of motoring out it.

[NelsonR32]

Gretchen said:

Have you been watching the market on these recently? I have... Very interesting. Rising fast. And I'm sure again since the anniversary publicity!

There is a low mileage saloon just appeared on PH classifieds for £10,000! Slightly optimistic but a sign of things to come.

My saloon wears the optional polished wheels but I hear these are impossible to refurb to original spec. So I might source and refurb some contours. If I'm honest it was them that attracted me to the saloon in the first place

[Neil_M]

NelsonR32 said:

There is a low mileage saloon just appeared on PH classifieds for £10,000! Slightly optimistic but a sign of things to come.

My saloon wears the optional polished wheels but I hear these are impossible to refurb to original spec. So I might source and refurb some contours. If I'm honest it was them that attracted me to the saloon in the first place

Hopefully it is a sign of things to come.

I've heard the same regarding polished or diamond cut wheels. I can't claim to be an expert but I know many alloy wheel refurbishment companies won't guarantee the finish.

Have you priced them new from BMW ?

[EJH]

NelsonR32 said:

There is a low mileage saloon just appeared on PH classifieds for £10,000! Slightly optimistic but a sign of things to come.

My saloon wears the optional polished wheels but I hear these are impossible to refurb to original spec. So I might source and refurb some contours. If I'm honest it was them that attracted me to the saloon in the first place

If you're looking for a set of Contour IIs (staggered - non-Evos had same f&r), send me a message as I have a set, albeit in need of refurb, that I haven't got around to listing anywhere. Moving house so they need to go...and as I'm in Jersey (refurb options are limited over here) I was lazy and bought a new set from BMW.

Re: Low miles, it's not that low (has 20,000 more than mine...which I don't consider to be particularly low). M3 badge looks to be in the wrong place as well. May just be my tired eyes...but I always worry when a badge is in the wrong place... That said, far be it from me to talk the market down!

Edited by EJH on Sunday 18th May 01:58

[NelsonR32]

EJH said:

NelsonR32 said:

There is a low mileage saloon just appeared on PH classifieds for £10,000! Slightly optimistic but a sign of things to come.

My saloon wears the optional polished wheels but I hear these are impossible to refurb to original spec. So I might source and refurb some contours. If I'm honest it was them that attracted me to the saloon in the first place

If you're looking for a set of Contour IIs (staggered - non-Evos had same f&r), send me a message as I have a set, albeit in need of refurb, that I haven't got around to listing anywhere. Moving house so they need to go...and as I'm in Jersey (refurb options are limited over here) I was lazy and bought a new set from BMW.

Re: Low miles, it's not that low (has 20,000 more than mine...which I don't consider to be particularly low). M3 badge looks to be in the wrong place as well. May just be my tired eyes...but I always worry when a badge is in the wrong place... That said, far be it from me to talk the market down!

Edited by EJH on Sunday 18th May 01:58

How much did they set you back new?

Yeah, don't talk my retirement fund down!

[Gretchen]

EJH said:

NelsonR32 said:

There is a low mileage saloon just appeared on PH classifieds for £10,000! Slightly optimistic but a sign of things to come.

My saloon wears the optional polished wheels but I hear these are impossible to refurb to original spec. So I might source and refurb some contours. If I'm honest it was them that attracted me to the saloon in the first place

If you're looking for a set of Contour IIs (staggered - non-Evos had same f&r), send me a message as I have a set, albeit in need of refurb, that I haven't got around to listing anywhere. Moving house so they need to go...and as I'm in Jersey (refurb options are limited over here) I was lazy and bought a new set from BMW.

Re: Low miles, it's not that low (has 20,000 more than mine...which I don't consider to be particularly low). M3 badge looks to be in the wrong place as well. May just be my tired eyes...but I always worry when a badge is in the wrong place... That said, far be it from me to talk the market down!

Edited by EJH on Sunday 18th May 01:58

I saw that one earlier in the week. Same colour as mine.

EJH - yours is just 55k? That's not even run in!!

[EJH]

NelsonR32 said:

How much did they set you back new?
Yeah, don't talk my retirement fund down!

From a search of my emails, the prices last April were:

Front £230.13 (less 10%) £207.12
Rear £254.63 (less 10%) £229.17

This is in Jersey so 5% GST vs 20% VAT (~14.3% more in the UK)

This was a decision based on being in Jersey as a proper refurb would need to take place off the island, etc..

Gretchen said:

EJH - yours is just 55k? That's not even run in!!

Yep, just clicked over 55,555 the other week when I was in the UK. I have done ~10,000 over them in the last couple of years and did 800+ the other week!

[Palmball]

Great thread - whenever I see this car, I always think it's my idea of what an e36 M3 should be like. Right body style, perfect colour and it looks in great condition. Good work Neil.

[Neil_M]

Palmball said:

Great thread - whenever I see this car, I always think it's my idea of what an e36 M3 should be like. Right body style, perfect colour and it looks in great condition. Good work Neil.

Thanks very much for the kind comments, most appreciated.

Suspension time tomorrow, so currently doing laps of the house stamping my feet!

[Gretchen]

EJH said:

Gretchen said:

EJH - yours is just 55k? That's not even run in!!

Yep, just clicked over 55,555 the other week when I was in the UK. I have done ~10,000 over them in the last couple of years and did 800+ the other week!

Ah. Jersey explains the low mileage

[EJH]

Neil_M said:

Thanks very much for the kind comments, most appreciated.
Suspension time tomorrow, so currently doing laps of the house stamping my feet!

Once again, thank you for sharing!

Suspension makes a massive difference. I just did OEM with some poly-bushing...but it utterly transformed the car and its weight transfer, etc.

Gretchen said:

Ah. Jersey explains the low mileage

For now, Jersey, yes. By the end of August, the car and I shall be in the UK. I'm wondering how un-stolen this car will remain parked in South East London!

This wasn't wildly low mileage for Jersey as the 1996 328i I bought by accident (I needed a sensible car for commuting) had done 41,000 miles when I bought it, despite having spent ~3 years in the north-west of the UK (3 of the services were by Williams in Manchester & Liverpool and it had been UK-registered in that time as well. That was a nice car...but I had wanted an M3 Saloon since I was ~16 when they were current and mine was too good not to buy...despite, in no way, needing it!

Edited by EJH on Monday 19th May 22:30

[Neil_M]

EJH said:

For now, Jersey, yes. By the end of August, the car and I shall be in the UK. I'm wondering how un-stolen this car will remain parked in South East London! :}

I hope you have a garage or a lock-up you can use?

[EJH]

Neil_M said:

I hope you have a garage or a lock-up you can use?

Of course I haven't...

Lock-up is something I need to find..but the 911's need is greater than the M3's, I'm afraid! It has been heavily undersealed and will have some more GTechniq applied so it should be okay. I have allocated (but uncovered) resident's parking for it where it has no risk of knocks or dings so it should be okay...I hope!

[Neil_M]

As a quick recap…

Well the suspension (Bilstein B12) kit has been installed, along with the Rogue Engineering Rear Shock Mounts, new OEM front mounts, new OEM bolts brackets etc.

I’ve also had the coolant replaced. Braided clutch hose installed, braided brake lines installed and 4x new Michelin Pilot Sports.

This was done prior to the MOT.


The MOT test was on Saturday morning. The car was looking the business after a weeks worth of detailing.

She sailed through the MOT, The tester said the car needed nothing at all, much to my delight .

She’s now back on the road and running top titty.


My thoughts so far on some of the tweaks.

The brake lines, well I wouldn’t say there is a night and day difference in the brakes. They probably do feel a little firmer under hard braking. I don’t tend to use the brakes much (it only slows you down haha), but I bought them at a good price and at least the rubber hoses have been replaced. Arguably a safety measure.

The Braided Clutch hose, this has helped drivability. More from it lifting the biting point upwards and the clutch is less of an on/off switch. Much easier to modulate now.

Tyres the Pilot Sport 3s were certainly worth it. Seemingly masses of grip so far. Minimal road noise (less of a concern for me). Partnered with Michelin’s fuel discount deal, it was £70 saved.


Now the detailed ramblings. The Bilstein B12 kit.

I have to say this kit (to me) ooses quality and development. The springs and shocks seem to be very well matched, combining a good ride quality, with a sporty firmness when pushing on.

It doesn’t crash over joints and bumps on the road, it has firmness present, but it doesn’t reverberate over the smaller bumps, it just seems to absorb them. Unlike some OEM setups on cars I have owned.

Pushing on the car has a level of progressiveness to how it responds. If you lean hard on the suspension its nicely firm, pushing back to give a controlled, stable stance mid corner. If you aren’t pushing round the corner it has a smooth comfortable cornering ability.

The car is very very stable, loads of grip and has a great sharp fast road setup. It’s perfectly in keeping with the character of the car too, its firm enough to feel special, but not stupidly stiff.

The B12 kit has impressed me greatly. It’s a great fast road setup, not too firm nor too soft.


Hello to some of the E46 drivers giving the thumbs up out on the roads of the weekend.