BMW e36 316 Compact Modified
Discussion
I thought my first post should really be about my own car. I have been a hanger arounder in the shadows for a while but thought I should sign up.
My car is a 1998 316 compact with a few mods
328 m52 engine conversion (Edited to now say it has an M3 Evo engine fitted)
M50 manifold
Dual remapped ECU
It has not been on a rolling road yet but I would guess at maybe 220 – 230bhp
Z3 gearbox
Up rated clutch
Custom exhaust
328 front brakes
And lots more I can’t remember now
Apologies for being horrible at taking pictures
My car is a 1998 316 compact with a few mods
328 m52 engine conversion (Edited to now say it has an M3 Evo engine fitted)
M50 manifold
Dual remapped ECU
It has not been on a rolling road yet but I would guess at maybe 220 – 230bhp
Z3 gearbox
Up rated clutch
Custom exhaust
328 front brakes
And lots more I can’t remember now
Apologies for being horrible at taking pictures
Edited by Fab32 on Sunday 14th July 17:49
It’s defiantly the most disliked all of the e36s. I’m not sure if it because they only did them in small engines or because it looks more ‘box like’ than the others but it is certainly more disliked. The term ‘polish a turd’ I have had said to me a few times!
Wouldn’t be good if we all like the same thing though
Wouldn’t be good if we all like the same thing though
Caddyshack said:
Much underrated car IMO, people love the E30 and even M3 and then slate the compact but they have a lot in common and I remember driving one of the first compacts when I had a 325i sport E30 and the compact made my car feel like a pile of rubbish.
the compact had old tech rear suspension and was pretty much an after thought.nice car, wheel colour look odd thou
The Spruce goose said:
the compact had old tech rear suspension and was pretty much an after thought.
nice car, wheel colour look odd thou
I think it's got the e 30 rear end, so people slated it? But as above, people rate the e30, so why does it get slated?nice car, wheel colour look odd thou
Personally like both e36 and 46 compacts, just off to classifieds to see how 325 e46 are holding up!!!
OP I like yours, go get better pics!!!
Congrats OP, that's a lot of work you've put in. Bet it's a hoot to drive
BTW, a reader's thread isn't the place for a debate on the merits of the E36 Compact, but as an ex-owner suffice it to say I think these are a very misunderstood car, generally by people who've never driven one. Best of luck with it!
BTW, a reader's thread isn't the place for a debate on the merits of the E36 Compact, but as an ex-owner suffice it to say I think these are a very misunderstood car, generally by people who've never driven one. Best of luck with it!
I had searched a few times to try and find out what the five spokes were without success, thanks for identifying them for me, I have them on my daily (e36 328 Auto) now.
The gold wheels seem to be marmite, personally I think they look good. You can’t tell from the pictures but the bolts are sprayed to match the bodywork.
The gold wheels seem to be marmite, personally I think they look good. You can’t tell from the pictures but the bolts are sprayed to match the bodywork.
...
OK updated spec
BMW 316 compact
M52 engine conversion with modded loom to keep the battery in the engine bay
M50 manifold with custom fit kit
Duel remapped ecu by End Tuning to run a high octane map specifically for the M50 manifold
Up rated clutch
Z3 2.3 gearbox
A full custom exhauste - semi bodged half 328i saloon and half 316i compact
328i complete front brake setup
Coilovers
Staggered BBS RC04 alloys
Half hearted weight strip
Plans for future modifications
Limited slip dif
Roll Cage
Bucket Seat
Revisit the exhaust
A few more pictures of the car including one when I ran out of talent (notice the lack of tarmac)
BMW 316 compact
M52 engine conversion with modded loom to keep the battery in the engine bay
M50 manifold with custom fit kit
Duel remapped ecu by End Tuning to run a high octane map specifically for the M50 manifold
Up rated clutch
Z3 2.3 gearbox
A full custom exhauste - semi bodged half 328i saloon and half 316i compact
328i complete front brake setup
Coilovers
Staggered BBS RC04 alloys
Half hearted weight strip
Plans for future modifications
Limited slip dif
Roll Cage
Bucket Seat
Revisit the exhaust
A few more pictures of the car including one when I ran out of talent (notice the lack of tarmac)
A quick update:
Taxed the car at the beginning of May and the first outing was a trip to the Pod with a new friend (the caddy)
I was bitterly disappointed that I was not able to beat last years best time. Since then I have had the car remapped, an m50 manifold fitted and a full set of R888's fitted.
At the end of last summer I blew the engine up so this is a new 328 engine and there is a sizable hole in the exhaust near the back box.
A new back box is on the way and a rolling road session is required I think.
The first run I nearly stalled on the line! Runs two and three I missed changes and the final run on this card was against a modified Nissan GTR.
Anybody running a 328 with better times?
Taxed the car at the beginning of May and the first outing was a trip to the Pod with a new friend (the caddy)
I was bitterly disappointed that I was not able to beat last years best time. Since then I have had the car remapped, an m50 manifold fitted and a full set of R888's fitted.
At the end of last summer I blew the engine up so this is a new 328 engine and there is a sizable hole in the exhaust near the back box.
A new back box is on the way and a rolling road session is required I think.
The first run I nearly stalled on the line! Runs two and three I missed changes and the final run on this card was against a modified Nissan GTR.
Anybody running a 328 with better times?
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