BMW E36 M3 Evo

[carreauchompeur]

Loving the pics, I'm quite keen on an E36 M3 Evo at the moment... Good inspirational fodder to steer me away from the £5k E46 with 185k on in the classifieds.

[Chunkychucky]

BJT said:

Thanks for the comments!
I'm not really planning on doing much more for a bit now but will look at your ideas.
I think a clutch line is a good idea, think this is easy to do? I have to put it in the garage soon as I need to go away and earn some more money, having spent everything I have on the car and Christmas.

My dad fitted a braided clutch pipe from Bexley Motor Works to his Evo. It was ridiculously bad as the car had done a lot of town driving with the previous owner, and as such the heat from the exhaust had totally buggered the standard rubber pipe, to the extent that sometimes it was a difficulty getting a gear. Braided pipe installed and the clutch pedal travel is fine, plus under hard use you know it won't get damaged. I think from memory it took a local garage an hour or 2 to install it, removing all the plastic underbody protective panels took a while..

[Ferosferio]

Chunkychucky said:

My dad fitted a braided clutch pipe from Bexley Motor Works to his Evo. It was ridiculously bad as the car had done a lot of town driving with the previous owner, and as such the heat from the exhaust had totally buggered the standard rubber pipe, to the extent that sometimes it was a difficulty getting a gear. Braided pipe installed and the clutch pedal travel is fine, plus under hard use you know it won't get damaged. I think from memory it took a local garage an hour or 2 to install it, removing all the plastic underbody protective panels took a while..

As a above, it's a relatively simple job, just a touch fiddly.

The benefits of the braided line over the OEM item are significant - as Chunky mentioned, the braided line will suffer less deformation over time, pedal travel & feel are both improved & it's an opportunity to get shot of the clutch delay valve which is integrated into the OEM line - you can retain this if you like but you'll need to ensure you get the appropriate fittings (I'm sure there's the option of a 't-piece' part in some kits). With yours being a track car, I'd recommend getting rid of the valve. Easy job to do for which there are plenty of guides online.

[les3002]

M3 Evos don't have a CDV mate, the extra part attached to the clutch line is a pressure sensor. E46 M3s do have a CDV though.

Number 25 here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CD92...

[BJT]

Thanks for all the info. I seem to recall that the E46 and the Z4 I had had the Delay Valves.
Think I will do the clutch pipe at some time.

Spent the whole day refitting as much interior trim as possible around the cage.
I think it looks great.
Pictures probably tomorrow as my camera has no power and my resident photographer (wife) is shooting a wedding.

[les3002]

Yeah most do have them, the US M3 and euro 328s have them.

Need to get my Evo back on the road, stupid house move is spoiling the party!

[Ferosferio]

les3002 said:

M3 Evos don't have a CDV mate, the extra part attached to the clutch line is a pressure sensor. E46 M3s do have a CDV though.

Number 25 here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CD92...

My mistake, thanks for clarifying les.

Am I right in saying it's got something to do with the map the ECU selects for a given situation? e.g. When in gear & idling, the ECU selects a map appropriate for pulling away?

[andygtt]

BJT said:

rb5er said:

Nice car. Bet its great fun on track. Are the brakes up to it though?

I think it has standard brakes on at the moment. They were good but got very hot.
I have some EBC disks and some Blue Stuff pads to put on the front.

Can't really comment on the running costs just yet, not really had it long.
I will keep updating here however.

do not put the EBC discs and pads on front... I fitted some and they wobbled through the wheel from get go and never got better.

Std M discs are floating, the ebc ones are not hence are cheap... I hate them (still fitted to mine and its a track car now as well)

Should be noted that my car has cost nothing more than servicing and a couple of bushes in the 7-8 years I have had it... its done 165k now and is an awsome track tool bespite mostly sitting for last 3 years

[les3002]

Ferosferio said:

My mistake, thanks for clarifying les.

Am I right in saying it's got something to do with the map the ECU selects for a given situation? e.g. When in gear & idling, the ECU selects a map appropriate for pulling away?

Yeah it's something along those lines mate. A lot of people seem to think they're torque limited in the first few gears too, I'm not sure if it's ever been confirmed.

[BJT]

Well, it has been quite a job but I have now got as much of the interior in as possible.
The headlining just fitted back in one piece and I have had to cut the rear side cards to fit them.

The back seat is not going to stay in but it seems a good idea for now to keep the noise down and the cold out.
I'm happy with the paint finish but have a couple of dribbles that need sorting out one day







Ben

[Adz The Rat]

It looks great with the cage in, almost like it should have been there from the factory.

[BJT]

Adz The Rat said:

It looks great with the cage in, almost like it should have been there from the factory.

Thanks. That is what I wanted really.
I just need to decide what to do instead of the back seat. I have to keep the space however for my track wheels.

[Chunkychucky]

Adz The Rat said:

It looks great with the cage in, almost like it should have been there from the factory.

I agree, that's how I would want a car of mine to look. OP looks great, must take a bit of effort to make sure all the trim goes back in though!

[mig25_foxbat2003]

BJT said:

Adz The Rat said:

It looks great with the cage in, almost like it should have been there from the factory.

Thanks. That is what I wanted really.
I just need to decide what to do instead of the back seat.

Maybe carpet the whole area for the DBS/ AMG Black look?

[Ferosferio]

les3002 said:

Yeah it's something along those lines mate. A lot of people seem to think they're torque limited in the first few gears too, I'm not sure if it's ever been confirmed.

From memory, first gear in particular always felt like it should have had more to give if that makes sense? That said, I can't say I noticed any difference when the pressure sensor was disconnected.

OP, looking good with the interior in. I meant to say originally, that's probably the nicest colour the E36 was available in, my favourite anyway!

[bakerstreet]

Sidewindow said:

That's the way E46 M3s are heading too no doubt

I'm quite surprised how quick the values on the E46 are falling. Used leggy ones now start at £5500. E36 M3s seem to be a bit more stable. They start at around £2750-£3000. They've been like that for a few years now.

[Windymiller]

bakerstreet said:

I'm quite surprised how quick the values on the E46 are falling. Used leggy ones now start at £5500. E36 M3s seem to be a bit more stable. They start at around £2750-£3000. They've been like that for a few years now.

I'd not be too keen on a £5,500 E46 M3... hell of a lot to go wrong I'd guess if someone's selling for that price. Parts are still mighty expensive if you plan to track one compared to those for an E36. Mine ate brakes and tyres at an alarming rate whereas my E36 is pretty 'cheap' in comparison.

[BJT]

Well, the car is all tucked up in the garage now for a few months. Got a few quid back from the road tax!
Next updates will be in April/May when I get it out for some track day action.

[joesnow]

Looks excellent Ben, look forward to your updates.
Any interest on the PSS9 Bilsteins?
Thinking of ebaying if not.

[BJT]

joesnow said:

Looks excellent Ben, look forward to your updates.
Any interest on the PSS9 Bilsteins?
Thinking of ebaying if not.

Alright mate, glad you like the look. I'm not really looking at doing the suspension for a bit. She rides really well.
Best bet is eBay. Cheers anyway.
Ben