My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
Hi All, sorry for the lack of replies, so here is a big bumper update...
The rear end rebuild commences...
Rear diff mount painted silver.
New hand brake cables, rear shoes, and abs sensors... It would be rude not to while apart. Actually the whole rear hand brake assembly was replaced.
Lower camber arms and front diff mount painted and good to go. Brand new items of each were used.
The four jack pads were replaced. Prior to fitting them I sealed the jack hole panel edges (a common rust area with several coats of POR15, that should keep rust at bay and all is hidden under the pads.
The rear diff all painted up...
A few pics of my knob collection (wahey). From left to right, my original (broken), one donated from a mates E39 528i (subtly tweaked by me), a rare wooden illuminated knob (note the separation on the decal) and a very good condition standard replacement.
I've yet to decide which to go for, but the E39 custom one carries a little more weight, so its an intriguing option to help the shift feel. Being half wooden it still ties in with the period interior.
The car was left to a specialist to complete the rear end rebuilt, and that's where all went down hill, and the cause of the lack of updates here. The car is absolutely fine, I just have to get the remaining jobs completed elsewhere and buy some parts again, say no more. Thanks to some local members and a local mechanic who were loads of help and advice.
Anyway, a few quick pics of the rear end now to give a quick idea... That's the rear end fully re-bushed, valve clearances checked, new handbrake mechanism and shoes fitted, new abs sensors, all stainless steel fasteners used for non load bearing items, gearbox oil changed plus a few things I will have missed.
Note this was prior to me spending an hour under the car cleaning it
.
While the alignment was done after the rear end was done, it does of course need checked again. However some of it may have to come out again to get some other jobs done... I'll try to put a few miles on the car before hand
.
The annual NI BMW show was last month, so a here is a quick snap of it at the show. Photo credit to Sonny Gorman - https://www.flickr.com/photos/116178546@N08/albums...
A few more bits and bobs were collected...
A front arch liner, more as the other side is brand new, so well, why not. Front and rear bump strips too.
Pending updates are a video of the gutted exhaust (surprisingly subtle) but certainly louder until she's warmed. And of the bump strips fitted. The of course after the remaining rear end jobs have been completed...
The rear end rebuild commences...
Rear diff mount painted silver.
New hand brake cables, rear shoes, and abs sensors... It would be rude not to while apart. Actually the whole rear hand brake assembly was replaced.
Lower camber arms and front diff mount painted and good to go. Brand new items of each were used.
The four jack pads were replaced. Prior to fitting them I sealed the jack hole panel edges (a common rust area with several coats of POR15, that should keep rust at bay and all is hidden under the pads.
The rear diff all painted up...
A few pics of my knob collection (wahey). From left to right, my original (broken), one donated from a mates E39 528i (subtly tweaked by me), a rare wooden illuminated knob (note the separation on the decal) and a very good condition standard replacement.
I've yet to decide which to go for, but the E39 custom one carries a little more weight, so its an intriguing option to help the shift feel. Being half wooden it still ties in with the period interior.
The car was left to a specialist to complete the rear end rebuilt, and that's where all went down hill, and the cause of the lack of updates here. The car is absolutely fine, I just have to get the remaining jobs completed elsewhere and buy some parts again, say no more. Thanks to some local members and a local mechanic who were loads of help and advice.
Anyway, a few quick pics of the rear end now to give a quick idea... That's the rear end fully re-bushed, valve clearances checked, new handbrake mechanism and shoes fitted, new abs sensors, all stainless steel fasteners used for non load bearing items, gearbox oil changed plus a few things I will have missed.
Note this was prior to me spending an hour under the car cleaning it
.While the alignment was done after the rear end was done, it does of course need checked again. However some of it may have to come out again to get some other jobs done... I'll try to put a few miles on the car before hand
.The annual NI BMW show was last month, so a here is a quick snap of it at the show. Photo credit to Sonny Gorman - https://www.flickr.com/photos/116178546@N08/albums...
A few more bits and bobs were collected...
A front arch liner, more as the other side is brand new, so well, why not
. Front and rear bump strips too.Pending updates are a video of the gutted exhaust (surprisingly subtle) but certainly louder until she's warmed. And of the bump strips fitted. The of course after the remaining rear end jobs have been completed...
Edited by Neil_M on Monday 7th September 21:48
An outstanding update this one... :P
The washer fluid level alarm has been stating its been low for a few months, despite being full.
Something was obviously amiss with the float / level sensor. So the reservoir was drained, pump and float disconnected and removed from the tank.
The float had a little big of gunge on it and the magnet was a little crusty. So it was all cleaned up, I taped up the float and connected it up to the car, no error messages... Hooorraaahhh, naturally while everything was out it was cleaned.
Well I did say it was an outstanding one lol! But its one small job off the list.
The washer fluid level alarm has been stating its been low for a few months, despite being full.
Something was obviously amiss with the float / level sensor. So the reservoir was drained, pump and float disconnected and removed from the tank.
The float had a little big of gunge on it and the magnet was a little crusty. So it was all cleaned up, I taped up the float and connected it up to the car, no error messages... Hooorraaahhh, naturally while everything was out it was cleaned.
Well I did say it was an outstanding one lol! But its one small job off the list.
Schermerhorn said:
Wow, I have followed this with great interest! What an incredible job.
Neil, you've probably got a new car there now! If you clock the mileage back I don't think anyone would notice!
PS - Do not sell it. Let it keep appreciating. That thing is going to be worth a fortune one day!
Ta very much Neil, you've probably got a new car there now! If you clock the mileage back I don't think anyone would notice!
PS - Do not sell it. Let it keep appreciating. That thing is going to be worth a fortune one day!
.The joys of starting with a good car in the first place.
The next update will be a pricey one... but slightly more interesting
.A nice little package arrived today, a new sump!
My current one seems to have a crack in it where the drain plug sits.
I decided it would be best to get a new one installed and sell on the old one if its repairable.
I'm just deliberating over painting the sump, its got that bad lol. I believe it may be aluminum, so may need a specific primer before hand, if anyone can confirm either way, do let me know.
I'm keen to get this sorted, as it was noticed and temporarily repaired when the rear end was done... It's now weeping oil.
My current one seems to have a crack in it where the drain plug sits.
I decided it would be best to get a new one installed and sell on the old one if its repairable.
I'm just deliberating over painting the sump, its got that bad lol. I believe it may be aluminum, so may need a specific primer before hand, if anyone can confirm either way, do let me know.
I'm keen to get this sorted, as it was noticed and temporarily repaired when the rear end was done... It's now weeping oil.
Neil_M said:
A nice little package arrived today, a new sump!
Wow, how much did that set you back?Neil_M said:
I'm just deliberating over painting the sump, its got that bad lol. I believe it may be aluminum, so may need a specific primer before hand, if anyone can confirm either way, do let me know.
The one in your photos looks covered.But to give you an idea of painting... aluminium alloys should be primed with an etch primer. And you're always better off starting and finishing with the same paint system (i.e. use the same vendors products).
jz325i said:
Wow, how much did that set you back?
Quite a bit lol 
. But hey its a new genuine item .jz325i said:
The one in your photos looks covered.
But to give you an idea of painting... aluminium alloys should be primed with an etch primer. And you're always better off starting and finishing with the same paint system (i.e. use the same vendors products).
Thanks for the advise But to give you an idea of painting... aluminium alloys should be primed with an etch primer. And you're always better off starting and finishing with the same paint system (i.e. use the same vendors products).
.Covered in oil you mean?
I'd read that they need the specific primer as you say. I just wasn't 100% sure if it was aluminium.
I'm also tempted just to get it clear coated too.
Edited by Neil_M on Friday 11th September 09:00
As part of completing the rear end rebuild, the below parts are waiting to go on.
New oil of course.
I have also had my old rear end powder coated. If anyone needs any of it, drop me a PM.
I'm aiming to get this organised in a few weeks.
- The rear brake lines, a new junction to join them (with a stainless bolt to attach) and attachment clips.
- Powedercoated fuel tank strips, foam pads (they mount between the tank and straps), naturally stainless fittings for these too.
- The rear trailing arm shims from Rogue Engineering.
- Sump gasket
- New o rings for the oil level sensor, dipstick etc... that attach to the sump.
- Oil filter
New oil of course.
I have also had my old rear end powder coated. If anyone needs any of it, drop me a PM.
I'm aiming to get this organised in a few weeks.
Finally some good news, the rear end rebuild is complete .
The car needs an alignment, so that’s hopefully going to be organised for next week.
I went out for a quick blast tonight and found the car to be very stable, the rear end is now much firmer and tighter with much less squat under load. It's been a while since the straight six has been singing down the local back roads, so she was certainly missed.
I'll be intrigued to see what difference the alignment settings make, I've been told a good road setup is (-2 camber front. -1.5 rear. 0.0 toe front and 0.2 total toe in rear.). I hope for a sharper turn in, while remaining stable if at all possible.
Here are some links to my rear end parts if anyone is interested...
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813755926
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Upper Arms / Spring Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813757973
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Lower Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813766255
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Subframe
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813769690
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arm Brackets
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813760113
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Brake Disc Stone Guards
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813763108
.- Rear brake pipes fitted with new connector piece and stainless fastener.
- New powder coated fuel tank straps, with stainless fasteners.
- Rogue Engineering RTAB shims fitted.
- New sump fitted with a new gasket.
- Oil and oil filter change.
The car needs an alignment, so that’s hopefully going to be organised for next week.
I went out for a quick blast tonight and found the car to be very stable, the rear end is now much firmer and tighter with much less squat under load. It's been a while since the straight six has been singing down the local back roads, so she was certainly missed
.I'll be intrigued to see what difference the alignment settings make, I've been told a good road setup is (-2 camber front. -1.5 rear. 0.0 toe front and 0.2 total toe in rear.). I hope for a sharper turn in, while remaining stable if at all possible.
Here are some links to my rear end parts if anyone is interested...
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813755926
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Upper Arms / Spring Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813757973
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Lower Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813766255
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Subframe
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813769690
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arm Brackets
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813760113
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Brake Disc Stone Guards
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813763108
Amazing attention too detail Neil!I did much the same too my Boston green Evo saloon but not too the same level of detail as yours,now sold to make way for an old school E500.Just don't see Evo saloons on the road anymore so it's great too see yours being preserved too such a high standard like this
evojam said:
Amazing attention too detail Neil!I did much the same too my Boston green Evo saloon but not too the same level of detail as yours,now sold to make way for an old school E500.Just don't see Evo saloons on the road anymore so it's great too see yours being preserved too such a high standard like this
Thanks very much . I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. But there is still plenty to do.I've a mate in Dubai that had an E500, loved the car and drove the life out of it constantly!
Neil_M said:
Thanks very much . I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. But there is still plenty to do.
I've a mate in Dubai that had an E500, loved the car and drove the life out of it constantly!
No worries. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. But there is still plenty to do.I've a mate in Dubai that had an E500, loved the car and drove the life out of it constantly!
I hope the chap who bought mine is looking after it.I was planning too keep it long term but a brief drive in a 94 E500 threw a spanner in the works and I just had too have one!
Edited by evojam on Thursday 8th October 17:51
evojam said:
No worries I hope the chap who bought mine is looking after it.I was planning too keep it long term but a brief drive in a 94 E500 threw a spanner in the works and I just had too have one!
I bet you do after the work you put into it? I hope the chap who bought mine is looking after it.I was planning too keep it long term but a brief drive in a 94 E500 threw a spanner in the works and I just had too have one!I'm sure the E500 is a torque monster compared to the M3?
A day of guaranteed sunshine meant the M3 was taken into work.
I met up with a local forum member that works very close by and owns a stunning T350C...
A mini straight six meet!
What a car, the raw rumble of that thing is unreal. I hope to get a better look round it in a forthcoming meet.
I met up with a local forum member that works very close by and owns a stunning T350C...
A mini straight six meet!
What a car, the raw rumble of that thing is unreal. I hope to get a better look round it in a forthcoming meet.
I needed to put a few miles on the car to let everything settle suspension wise.
One included a beer run to Sainsbury's early one Saturday morning...
The same day I spent a little more time cleaning the underside, focusing more on trim, and brackets. I may clean down the painted under body removing the Waxoyl at some stage, probably to use Dinitrol.
I caught a glimpse of the car in the garage from an angle I had to take a photo of...
Alignment time! Neil at Kerr's Tyres in Antrim done a superb job of setting up the car. As he mentioned, I've noticed the stability and greatly increased turn in. The drive home was epic, the car really now is an M3. The alignment process that has really tied together all the recent jobs. She drives like a very fresh car and is now much sharper! I'm chuffed. Easily the best thing I've done to the car.
The only real negative is I've reached the limits of camber adjustment on the rear with the OE lower arms. I'll have to make a decision on whether to accept the compromise and keep the OE look or go after-market...
One included a beer run to Sainsbury's early one Saturday morning...
The same day I spent a little more time cleaning the underside, focusing more on trim, and brackets. I may clean down the painted under body removing the Waxoyl at some stage, probably to use Dinitrol.
I caught a glimpse of the car in the garage from an angle I had to take a photo of
...Alignment time! Neil at Kerr's Tyres in Antrim done a superb job of setting up the car. As he mentioned, I've noticed the stability and greatly increased turn in. The drive home was epic, the car really now is an M3. The alignment process that has really tied together all the recent jobs. She drives like a very fresh car and is now much sharper! I'm chuffed. Easily the best thing I've done to the car.
The only real negative is I've reached the limits of camber adjustment on the rear with the OE lower arms. I'll have to make a decision on whether to accept the compromise and keep the OE look or go after-market...
Edited by Neil_M on Friday 16th October 20:12
Love it. Im in N.I myself and have a red saloon. Currently doing the same myself with it and a full respray. I hope to be out and done by Easter 2016. Expensive but well worth it.
One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
Girthsham said:
Love it. Im in N.I myself and have a red saloon. Currently doing the same myself with it and a full respray. I hope to be out and done by Easter 2016. Expensive but well worth it.
One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
Happy days, would be good to get photos of the two together. Where roughly in NI are you? Any photos of your car?One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
I'm due for some paintwork next month
.The oil topic is a hot topic as I'm sure you know lol!
Neil_M said:
Girthsham said:
Love it. Im in N.I myself and have a red saloon. Currently doing the same myself with it and a full respray. I hope to be out and done by Easter 2016. Expensive but well worth it.
One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
Happy days, would be good to get photos of the two together. Where roughly in NI are you? Any photos of your car?One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
I'm due for some paintwork next month
.The oil topic is a hot topic as I'm sure you know lol!
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