My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
A few more snaps...
These were taken early on a very dull Saturday morning, after the exterior detailing session (a week).
Then it was off to one of the main BMW dealerships in Northern Ireland to have one of the technicians do a health check on the car.
To say I was nervous was an understatement... More a reflection on me than the car.
Anyway, car is absolutely spot on. The car was rigged up to the diagnostics machine and no faults were present. Nor was there a thing found wrong with the car, none of the bushes were shot either. The guy did comment that the car had been lowered on springs (I may change these at some stage).
Anyway I was chuffed to bits. Having it up on the ramps meant I could get a good look at the underside of the car. She's spotless on the underside.
From there it was a blast with a mate down to the dealership that the car was purchased from, when new. That was around a 40min motorway cruse.
Unfortunately the dealership had no information on the car. However the person I was dealing with didn't fill me with confidence, so I may try a different avenue to see what info I can get.
Then it was a blast home delighted that the car is as fit as she ever was.
I have to say the E36 M3s are epic cars. A perfect motorway cruiser bags of grunt to cruise along, with plenty in reserve and an engine that feels like its straight out of a race car. A lovely mechanical gear change (takes a little getting used to), razor sharp throttle response, nicely weighted steering, good brakes too.
Next plan... well the major items have been done... look at a vanos service (bolts and solenoid seals), replace springs, various trim pieces and really keep minting her as best I can.
These were taken early on a very dull Saturday morning, after the exterior detailing session (a week).
Then it was off to one of the main BMW dealerships in Northern Ireland to have one of the technicians do a health check on the car.
To say I was nervous was an understatement... More a reflection on me than the car.
Anyway, car is absolutely spot on. The car was rigged up to the diagnostics machine and no faults were present. Nor was there a thing found wrong with the car, none of the bushes were shot either. The guy did comment that the car had been lowered on springs (I may change these at some stage).
Anyway I was chuffed to bits. Having it up on the ramps meant I could get a good look at the underside of the car. She's spotless on the underside.
From there it was a blast with a mate down to the dealership that the car was purchased from, when new. That was around a 40min motorway cruse.
Unfortunately the dealership had no information on the car. However the person I was dealing with didn't fill me with confidence, so I may try a different avenue to see what info I can get.
Then it was a blast home delighted that the car is as fit as she ever was.
I have to say the E36 M3s are epic cars. A perfect motorway cruiser bags of grunt to cruise along, with plenty in reserve and an engine that feels like its straight out of a race car. A lovely mechanical gear change (takes a little getting used to), razor sharp throttle response, nicely weighted steering, good brakes too.
Next plan... well the major items have been done... look at a vanos service (bolts and solenoid seals), replace springs, various trim pieces and really keep minting her as best I can.
Edited by Neil_M on Sunday 11th August 23:46
Edited by Neil_M on Sunday 11th August 23:46
Cheib said:
That brings back some great memories...I have An E36 Evo Convertible in those colour's back in 1997...R859 ULU where are you?!?! I always preferred Estoril with black leather but the grey leather was much,much more common.
Hahah, tugging on the heart strings?The black leather looks well, especially so with the black headlining.
Neil_M said:
Cheib said:
That brings back some great memories...I have An E36 Evo Convertible in those colour's back in 1997...R859 ULU where are you?!?! I always preferred Estoril with black leather but the grey leather was much,much more common.
Hahah, tugging on the heart strings?The black leather looks well, especially so with the black headlining.
I'd imagine the grey which was very light wouldn't have aged anywhere near as well as that black interior. Lovely looking car.
Still lovely. Sits perfectly on those alloys. 
Are the Vader seats only on the coupe?
I'm damn tempted by one of these next year. I wonder how wobbly the cabrios are. My real concern is that nice examples are getting increasingly very hard to find.
Are the Vader seats only on the coupe?
I'm damn tempted by one of these next year. I wonder how wobbly the cabrios are. My real concern is that nice examples are getting increasingly very hard to find.
Edited by g3org3y on Monday 12th August 16:03
Cheib said:
Totally! Late 20's M3 Evo....life was a lot of fun!
I'd imagine the grey which was very light wouldn't have aged anywhere near as well as that black interior. Lovely looking car.
I immagine so at that age and thank you I'd imagine the grey which was very light wouldn't have aged anywhere near as well as that black interior. Lovely looking car.
.g3org3y said:
Still lovely. Sits perfectly on those alloys.
Are the Vader seats only on the coupe?
I'm damn tempted by one of these next year. I wonder how wobbly the cabrios are. My real concern is that nice examples are getting increasingly very hard to find.
Thank you sir... I agree, the dish on the rear contours is cool as.Are the Vader seats only on the coupe?
I'm damn tempted by one of these next year. I wonder how wobbly the cabrios are. My real concern is that nice examples are getting increasingly very hard to find.
They are the sport seats (they don't have the large head rests). I've no complaints with the sport seats for support. The sports probably suit the more subtle saloon.
They are getting hard to find. Now is arguable the time to buy though. Just do go in with your eyes open and your fingers crossed.
A busy week this one... I was replacing the rear off side door actuator. Absolute sod of a job, especially when its completely failed locking the door shut.
Door card off, weather membrane off, interior handle off, interior handle rod disconnected, door pin rod disconnected, window seals removed, window removed, window runners removed, exterior handle cover removed, exterior handle removed, lock removed... finally the actuator was able to be replaced. You can replace the actuator with the window in place, but one of the pins that the actuator sits on was slightly bent, so out it all comes...
Half way through the job...
Perished door handle seal, replaced with a new one
The exterior handle about to come off / its clean under there!
New front and rear badges...
The lock itself, taken out, cleaned and lubricated
The actuator itself, black box with a blue connection
Wahey its done, time for a good wash and some beading naughtiness
I replaced the OBC bult for the clock too. A two second job.
Door card off, weather membrane off, interior handle off, interior handle rod disconnected, door pin rod disconnected, window seals removed, window removed, window runners removed, exterior handle cover removed, exterior handle removed, lock removed... finally the actuator was able to be replaced. You can replace the actuator with the window in place, but one of the pins that the actuator sits on was slightly bent, so out it all comes...
Half way through the job...
Perished door handle seal, replaced with a new one
The exterior handle about to come off / its clean under there!
New front and rear badges...
The lock itself, taken out, cleaned and lubricated
The actuator itself, black box with a blue connection
Wahey its done, time for a good wash and some beading naughtiness
I replaced the OBC bult for the clock too. A two second job.
melvster said:
Surprise surprise the pics do not fail to amaze. I visited Gaydon today, a few Saloon's on display but comparing my pics to yours, i think yours would have easily been the best E36 M3 on display (excluding the concourse winner which looks as though it is never driven).
Ta very much sir, very kind of you to say so.Mine will certainly be driven, not loads, but it does nothing for the cars sitting under a sheet.
Any photos from Gaydon?
6 months - 1 year and I might taken it to a few shows
.melvster said:
Yes i have some pics, i will upload them into a Photobucket album to save hijacking the thread.
Glad to see she will be driven
cant be doing with this concourse nonsense, if you want to look at a car buy a scale model 
Cheers batman, they would be great to see.Glad to see she will be driven
cant be doing with this concourse nonsense, if you want to look at a car buy a scale model It sounds like its going to be a dry day in NI tomorrow. So she may have to see how she performs in rush hour traffic.
Here you go, small selection but my interests are limited when it comes to Beemers.
http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/AdamMelville/lib...
http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/AdamMelville/lib...
melvster said:
Here you go, small selection but my interests are limited when it comes to Beemers.
http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/AdamMelville/lib...
Great photos thanks for uploading. Love that grey E30.http://s1216.photobucket.com/user/AdamMelville/lib...
I need to get cleaning.
Some more toys arrived today.
A brand spanker first aid kit. The one with my car, while fairly intact, had been used... The fear of catching rabies from it was too much... I don't think these are available from BMW any more, they only sell the soft pouch, pfft!!
Some more odds and sods...
Gearbox plugs. Diff plugs and washers. The remaining three door handle surrounds (rubber gaskets had perished). Exhaust Rings.
A brand spanker first aid kit. The one with my car, while fairly intact, had been used... The fear of catching rabies from it was too much... I don't think these are available from BMW any more, they only sell the soft pouch, pfft!!
Some more odds and sods...
Gearbox plugs. Diff plugs and washers. The remaining three door handle surrounds (rubber gaskets had perished). Exhaust Rings.
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