My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
Apologies for the lack of updates... Busy times and plenty of driving to be done!
To start with, a cheeky little up-skirt pic of the car showing the Bilstein shock.
The start of another detailing session...
And some fun stuff, out for an evening blast with two mates and a 348. The sauce pipe on the 348 is unreal, epic epic noise.
Have a read / listen here... http://www.crankandpiston.com/journals/1993-ferrar...
This was the first proper outing since getting the suspension replaced. As I now have the confidence in driving the car at pacet, the next jobs are being highlighted. I do see now why people have commented on the OEM brake pads feeling wooden. A little research shows Pagid do a great set of road pads, this is coming from someone that doesn't drive or brake hard... Potentially the pads are a little old and past their best.
I also feel the rear trailing arm bushes are starting to wear... I believe its a common problem. I'll replace these with some rogue engineering shims to stop horizontal movement of the bushings, that should reduce wear, give the rear a slightly more solid feel, without introducing any NVH from Polyurethane bushes.
On to the pics...
Day to day practicality isn't in question, the boot takes a large weekly shop easily.
A few pics outside to show the ride height of the B12 kit. It should have settled by now.
It only rides a little lower, but as discussed before the ride quality is astounding, but still has control when pushing on.
To start with, a cheeky little up-skirt pic of the car showing the Bilstein shock.
The start of another detailing session...
And some fun stuff, out for an evening blast with two mates and a 348. The sauce pipe on the 348 is unreal, epic epic noise.
Have a read / listen here... http://www.crankandpiston.com/journals/1993-ferrar...
This was the first proper outing since getting the suspension replaced. As I now have the confidence in driving the car at pacet, the next jobs are being highlighted. I do see now why people have commented on the OEM brake pads feeling wooden. A little research shows Pagid do a great set of road pads, this is coming from someone that doesn't drive or brake hard... Potentially the pads are a little old and past their best.
I also feel the rear trailing arm bushes are starting to wear... I believe its a common problem. I'll replace these with some rogue engineering shims to stop horizontal movement of the bushings, that should reduce wear, give the rear a slightly more solid feel, without introducing any NVH from Polyurethane bushes.
On to the pics...
Day to day practicality isn't in question, the boot takes a large weekly shop easily.
A few pics outside to show the ride height of the B12 kit. It should have settled by now.
It only rides a little lower, but as discussed before the ride quality is astounding, but still has control when pushing on.
Something a little different today.
I took my car back to the dealership where she was purchased new in 1996.
The great grand kids came out to play too!
Arguably one of the E36 M3s criticisms of subtlety is highlighted here.
Notice the width difference between the two cars too?
I was prepared to hate the M4. I was going to mumble things about noise, driver appeal, naming convention... I quickly forgot all of them. She is an exceptionally quick car, great response and torque (possibly enhanced by the DCT box). While you could argue the noise is a little “enhanced” she does sound good, meaty and aggressive. I felt the chassis was very balanced very quickly, very confidence inspiring. She is quite a wide car, so bombing down country roads can tense a few muscles. I think it would make a great daily driver. Its a new era of M car, arguably something that the E36 was back in the day.
I took my car back to the dealership where she was purchased new in 1996.
The great grand kids came out to play too!
Arguably one of the E36 M3s criticisms of subtlety is highlighted here.
Notice the width difference between the two cars too?
I was prepared to hate the M4. I was going to mumble things about noise, driver appeal, naming convention... I quickly forgot all of them. She is an exceptionally quick car, great response and torque (possibly enhanced by the DCT box). While you could argue the noise is a little “enhanced” she does sound good, meaty and aggressive. I felt the chassis was very balanced very quickly, very confidence inspiring. She is quite a wide car, so bombing down country roads can tense a few muscles. I think it would make a great daily driver. Its a new era of M car, arguably something that the E36 was back in the day.
evojam said:
Great car and a great write up!well worth preserving these cars now,would take your E36 M3 Evo saloon with it's lovely S50B32 N/A powerplant,half a Maclaren F1 engine in fact over that M4 all day long,turbo'd bloated and a vulgar colour...
LOL thanks for the comments.I do have to say I didn't jump in the E36 afterwards and think it was slow, unrefined or made decades ago!
Neil_M said:
evojam said:
Great car and a great write up!well worth preserving these cars now,would take your E36 M3 Evo saloon with it's lovely S50B32 N/A powerplant,half a Maclaren F1 engine in fact over that M4 all day long,turbo'd bloated and a vulgar colour...
LOL thanks for the comments.I do have to say I didn't jump in the E36 afterwards and think it was slow, unrefined or made decades ago!
cerb4.5lee said:
The E36 has always been my favourite and looking at them both side by side just shows how the current model is more 5 series in weight and size and that was always one of the big things I wasn't keen on with my E92 and it just proves that the future isn't always brighter...faster maybe but better not necessarily in my eyes.
Size wise I can't argue, its a wide car.Weights wise, I didn't think there was much according to specs between the two cars? Then again they did say that about the E90, then independent tests stated otherwise...
You are quite right in what you say though. It's just a different type of M car now. However its lost the exotic edge from an engine that they have all had. I can't argue with its performance, it's just lost a little character.
carreauchompeur said:
Good read.
I agree about the Bilstein B12 kit, I've fitted one to mine and it is an excellent upgrade, and gives the car a lot more stability in corners than tired OEM units.
Absolutely. The springs should last longer too (justifying it to myself I agree about the Bilstein B12 kit, I've fitted one to mine and it is an excellent upgrade, and gives the car a lot more stability in corners than tired OEM units.
).Neil_M said:
Notice the width difference between the two cars too?
I read on PH somewhere that the new M235i is the same size as the E36. They're going to need to make a 0.5 series to cater for people who want smaller cars again. I quite fancy an M0.5 complete with 2.4l silly revving na V8, RWD and LSD.
bennyboysvuk said:
I read on PH somewhere that the new M235i is the same size as the E36. They're going to need to make a 0.5 series to cater for people who want smaller cars again.
I quite fancy an M0.5 complete with 2.4l silly revving na V8, RWD and LSD.
Good point, I wouldn't mind an M235i I quite fancy an M0.5 complete with 2.4l silly revving na V8, RWD and LSD.
.Busy times at work and at home meant I haven't done loads apart from getting out and driving the car... No bad thing!
But a random day off work led me to lifting the bonnet and getting stuck in...
I was always embarrassed when lifting the bonnet to have the paint peeling on the rocker covers and inlet plenum, especially when I know it could be easily sorted.
As with most of my jobs, a smallish job lead to a big one.
The lower scuttle / heater enclosure is removed to allow removal of the plenum, while I was there the heater is exposed. I've installed filters on the heater, interestingly BMW out of the factory do not fit filters (according to anyone I spoke to). The lower scuttle has been replaced too, more for good measure.
While the plenum is out, I will service the ICV and oil breather. Cleaning and oiling them up. I will also replace the vacuum hoses which are a known weak point on the car, as they perish.
Lots of cleaning to do too. I'll let the pics do some talking...
The plenum removed. You can see the marks on the fuel rail and vacuum rail, some strange glue...
Part of the parts order, heater filters, hoses, hose clamps, injector clips, throttle trumpet o-rings and a new throttle cable.
Oily bits, good to see all looked immaculate in there...
Some of the removed fittings. Either being cleaned or replaced.
Throttle trumpets after a good clean.
Fuel and vaccum rails removed.
Vaccum rail, still wet after painting.
But a random day off work led me to lifting the bonnet and getting stuck in...
I was always embarrassed when lifting the bonnet to have the paint peeling on the rocker covers and inlet plenum, especially when I know it could be easily sorted.
As with most of my jobs, a smallish job lead to a big one.
The lower scuttle / heater enclosure is removed to allow removal of the plenum, while I was there the heater is exposed. I've installed filters on the heater, interestingly BMW out of the factory do not fit filters (according to anyone I spoke to). The lower scuttle has been replaced too, more for good measure.
While the plenum is out, I will service the ICV and oil breather. Cleaning and oiling them up. I will also replace the vacuum hoses which are a known weak point on the car, as they perish.
Lots of cleaning to do too. I'll let the pics do some talking...
The plenum removed. You can see the marks on the fuel rail and vacuum rail, some strange glue...
Part of the parts order, heater filters, hoses, hose clamps, injector clips, throttle trumpet o-rings and a new throttle cable.
Oily bits, good to see all looked immaculate in there...
Some of the removed fittings. Either being cleaned or replaced.
Throttle trumpets after a good clean.
Fuel and vaccum rails removed.
Vaccum rail, still wet after painting.
A quick update...
The vacuum hoses have been replaced. The ICV and oil breather have been cleaned out and new fittings / hoses have been installed, I will get some pics of these in due course.
However I do have some pics of...
The cam cover, spark plug cover and plenum after the paint has cured.
I just have to remove the tape from the threaded rods, holes and lettering on the spark plug cover.
Plenum support bracket painted (yes I do like painting lol).
The injectors, fuel rail and vacuum rail have been installed, along with new injector clips, new bolts for the rails (stainless steel of course).
Activities tomorrow night are to give the engine bay a quick clean, polish while I have plenty of access.
The vacuum hoses have been replaced. The ICV and oil breather have been cleaned out and new fittings / hoses have been installed, I will get some pics of these in due course.
However I do have some pics of...
The cam cover, spark plug cover and plenum after the paint has cured.
I just have to remove the tape from the threaded rods, holes and lettering on the spark plug cover.
Plenum support bracket painted (yes I do like painting lol).
The injectors, fuel rail and vacuum rail have been installed, along with new injector clips, new bolts for the rails (stainless steel of course).
Activities tomorrow night are to give the engine bay a quick clean, polish while I have plenty of access.
My fairly long winded rocker cover refurb is now complete... The car is running top titty I'm glad to say. The first start up was a squeeky bum moment... I primed the fuel system a few times to make sure all was ok, when starting, she fired up first time without a problem.
A list of what I have done, along with a few pics...
Now some pics...
I'm really chuffed with how it turned out. It's amazing what a little time and paint can do! It's certainly taken a few signs of age off the car, especially with a car that's main selling point is it's engine...
For anyone that hasn't done it yet, replace your throttle cable... I had mine sitting in the house for ages, quite a few people recommended that I should do it. I haven't noticed any difference on WOT however the throttle is much smoother and lighter, so that bit easier to drive.
If anyone is going to replace their lower scuttle panel, BMW have changed its design / presumably due to supplier. The quality of the item can be questionable, so I had to get another one that was not damaged. I have to commend the parts guys at Country Garage BMW, loads of help and very understanding with a pedantic customer.
A little detail I'm not sure I posted before... I had a few spare BMW tools, so I thought a nice touch would be have them as usable tools (keeping the ones in the main tool kit good). The leather tool roll is actually from an E30, so cleaned up and sitting in the boot it looks pretty cool!
A list of what I have done, along with a few pics...
- Rocker cover, spark plug cover and inlet plenum refinished (with a new sticker applied to the inside of the coil cover / electrical warning)
- Rocker cover and spark plug gaskets replaced
- Fuel rail and vacuum rail refinished
- New injector clips installed
- ICV and oil breather cleaned and lubricated as appropriate
- Vacuum, breather and related hoses replaced as necessary, along with new fittings or hose clamps
- Lower scuttle / heater enclosure panel replaced (new stainless steel fittings)
- Heater / pollen filters installed
- Throttle bodies and plates cleaned
- Throttle body to trumpet o-rings replaced
- New throttle cable installed
- Any parts that were removed and were to be refitted were cleaned and treated appropriately
Now some pics...
I'm really chuffed with how it turned out. It's amazing what a little time and paint can do! It's certainly taken a few signs of age off the car, especially with a car that's main selling point is it's engine...
For anyone that hasn't done it yet, replace your throttle cable... I had mine sitting in the house for ages, quite a few people recommended that I should do it. I haven't noticed any difference on WOT however the throttle is much smoother and lighter, so that bit easier to drive.
If anyone is going to replace their lower scuttle panel, BMW have changed its design / presumably due to supplier. The quality of the item can be questionable, so I had to get another one that was not damaged. I have to commend the parts guys at Country Garage BMW, loads of help and very understanding with a pedantic customer.
A little detail I'm not sure I posted before... I had a few spare BMW tools, so I thought a nice touch would be have them as usable tools (keeping the ones in the main tool kit good). The leather tool roll is actually from an E30, so cleaned up and sitting in the boot it looks pretty cool!
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