Yet another rescued E36 328i M Sport project...
Discussion
2013BRM said:
what difference did the manifold swap make? thinking of doing it on my girlfriends Z3
NECROPOST but I've just done the M50 swap on my Z3 and it's still a great mod but less awesome on the Z than on the 328i imo the extra pull really helps with the long gearing on the 328i but I find in the Z I start to run out of gear before the engine runs out of pull. 
vsonix said:
NECROPOST but I've just done the M50 swap on my Z3 and it's still a great mod but less awesome on the Z than on the 328i imo the extra pull really helps with the long gearing on the 328i but I find in the Z I start to run out of gear before the engine runs out of pull.
DON'T quote me but, the only input I have to your post is that I remember reading somewhere that the 328 sport had the same 5 speed gearbox fitted as the 3 litre E36 M3. May explain the difference in pulling power.Edited by RickBristol on Sunday 28th February 14:31
olly22n said:
Nice engine building bench.
I know you're only taking it apart and the arches are full of snot but give the f
ker a fighting chance!
Look, if my mate wants to do the rebuild in his bedroom, that's up to him. Its HIS problem how he gets the engine down the stairs! And DON'T start on the wheel arch crap again. That's so last year... I know you're only taking it apart and the arches are full of snot but give the f
ker a fighting chance!
I love E36s and it's great to see so much work being put into one. A question though: How do you mitigate the cost of a total loss on a vehicle which has a market value significantly lower than the money you've spent on it? I have a low mileage E36 318iS Sport which I'd like to spend about £5k getting perfect, but even then it'd be unlikely to be worth more than half that. If it got written off after I'd had the work done and I could only get a fraction of what I'd spent on it I'd be pretty unhappy! Can a cherished car which you've restored to mint condition be insured for more that its 'market value' on the basis of what you've spent on it?
MitchT said:
I love E36s and it's great to see so much work being put into one. A question though: How do you mitigate the cost of a total loss on a vehicle which has a market value significantly lower than the money you've spent on it? I have a low mileage E36 318iS Sport which I'd like to spend about £5k getting perfect, but even then it'd be unlikely to be worth more than half that. If it got written off after I'd had the work done and I could only get a fraction of what I'd spent on it I'd be pretty unhappy! Can a cherished car which you've restored to mint condition be insured for more that its 'market value' on the basis of what you've spent on it?
Good question, this is at the heart of being passionate about vehicles. All i can tell you from experience is to do it because it makes you happy, and for no other reason. If the car lives long enough, rarity will pay it back for you and if not, you learnt a lot, had the zen experience of built not bought, and got to drive your own style.
Also worth considering is that the e36 in two door form is on the way up. Slowly, for entry level models, but definitely moving. As an example i bought an old capri 2.8i in 1995 for 550 quid (about right, given the condition) and the same car recently sold on ebay for 5500. I did a lot to it over the years and it ended up pretty much cash neutral. I'm now doing the same with my e36 m3 evo. I've had to put quite a bit into it but it's doubled in value in the five years i've had it.
If you want to get the real feel for this, go to youtube and watch some of the short Petrolicious videos.
MitchT said:
I love E36s and...
If it got written off after I'd had the work done and I could only get a fraction of what I'd spent on it I'd be pretty unhappy!
...
Having started down the route of looking at classic car insurance - in preparation for when mine is finished - it is possible to insure your cherished 'whatever' with an insurer the will take into account the possible value of something that you have put a lot of time / work / cash into. They are well used to dealing with non-standard classic vehicles and will cover you adequately should your vehicle be written-off...If it got written off after I'd had the work done and I could only get a fraction of what I'd spent on it I'd be pretty unhappy!
...
And to answer your last question,
MitchT said:
... Can a cherished car which you've restored to mint condition be insured for more that its 'market value' on the basis of what you've spent on it?
yes!Take a look at https://www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk/insurance/cla... for example. So not too bad after all!
Edited by RickBristol on Sunday 28th February 19:33
You also have to be weary about what the actual 'market' value is. My 328 sport was rear ended last year. Relatively minor damage but 'not financially viable' to repair. The industry book said £1200 pounds. I argued the point that those for sale were few and far between, as well as sending links to the ads that I did find. The cheapest of those was £2200, with no history, horrible banded wheels and fairly basic spec.
The reply was basically ' the industry is not interested in what cars are advertised for, people inflate the prices', it is worth what we say'. I did not want the car written off, but was told 'it's not your descision'. I then went to the insurance ombudsman , who nformed me that insurance companies are only obliged to go by the book value.
Regarding the specialist policies, none that I tried were interested because it was and everyday car doing 12k miles a year.
Anyway, back on topic, a car's value will never reflect money spent on what would be considered maintenance. We do it, generally accepting this because to us the cars are more that just transport. We enjoy them and swallow whatever financial penalties result.
The reply was basically ' the industry is not interested in what cars are advertised for, people inflate the prices', it is worth what we say'. I did not want the car written off, but was told 'it's not your descision'. I then went to the insurance ombudsman , who nformed me that insurance companies are only obliged to go by the book value.
Regarding the specialist policies, none that I tried were interested because it was and everyday car doing 12k miles a year.
Anyway, back on topic, a car's value will never reflect money spent on what would be considered maintenance. We do it, generally accepting this because to us the cars are more that just transport. We enjoy them and swallow whatever financial penalties result.
LanceRS, as always, point(s) well made! One of the things that I enjoy about these forums, and doing my own thread, is that it brings up issues other than just the purely technical aspects of owning one of these...
With regard to your car being written-off, I'm sure that insurance companies across the board, run a very tight ship these days. Many years ago, I had a 535i that took a knock on the front wing and bumper - the insurance company told me it was a financial write-off, but made me an offer for me to keep the car and offered me half of the insurance price as well - which I accepted, and then got the car repaired for the same money. Happy days! Not sure they would do that now...
I do, however, intend to go for one of the specialist classic car insurance policies, once my car is finished, as I now have another day-to-day run around and DON'T intend to use this car apart from weekends. As long as I keep the mileage down to less than around 3k per year, the companies that I have looked at so far, accept that your car may have been renovated and modified and will happily insure it for something like what it is actually worth, rather than the standard book price. However, doing this online, I haven't yet been given a quote as each time I complete the process it ends in a 'Call Us'...
Once I have rung a few of them to find out prices, I will update this thread with my findings.
With regard to your car being written-off, I'm sure that insurance companies across the board, run a very tight ship these days. Many years ago, I had a 535i that took a knock on the front wing and bumper - the insurance company told me it was a financial write-off, but made me an offer for me to keep the car and offered me half of the insurance price as well - which I accepted, and then got the car repaired for the same money. Happy days! Not sure they would do that now...
I do, however, intend to go for one of the specialist classic car insurance policies, once my car is finished, as I now have another day-to-day run around and DON'T intend to use this car apart from weekends. As long as I keep the mileage down to less than around 3k per year, the companies that I have looked at so far, accept that your car may have been renovated and modified and will happily insure it for something like what it is actually worth, rather than the standard book price. However, doing this online, I haven't yet been given a quote as each time I complete the process it ends in a 'Call Us'...
Once I have rung a few of them to find out prices, I will update this thread with my findings.
Well, after a few more weeks have passed, I now have some more pics of the engine work - thanks Sam.
First up are some pics of the cams being removed from my old engine before being sent off to Piper for re-profiling.
A nice shot of the cams after the covers and VANOS have been removed.
They don't look to be in too bad condition at all - very little wear on the cam profiles themselves.
Cams removed with their relevant bearing caps - in correct order.
And hooray! My re-profiled cams back from Piper and ready to be fitted - pic also shows the Cam fitting kit (red box).
Will go up to my mate's in Southampton in a couple of weeks, when he is back from thrashing his 328i Touring around Nurnberg, so that we can actually start rebuilding my engine...
N.B. He said that a set of Cams that have been re-profiled the same as mine have been installed on his mate's car and are amazing!!! Happy days...
First up are some pics of the cams being removed from my old engine before being sent off to Piper for re-profiling.
A nice shot of the cams after the covers and VANOS have been removed.
They don't look to be in too bad condition at all - very little wear on the cam profiles themselves.
Cams removed with their relevant bearing caps - in correct order.
And hooray! My re-profiled cams back from Piper and ready to be fitted - pic also shows the Cam fitting kit (red box).
Will go up to my mate's in Southampton in a couple of weeks, when he is back from thrashing his 328i Touring around Nurnberg, so that we can actually start rebuilding my engine...
N.B. He said that a set of Cams that have been re-profiled the same as mine have been installed on his mate's car and are amazing!!! Happy days...
Well after even more of my life has evaporated into the mists of time, I have an update on my project...
The replacement engine is now starting to be put back together. So let's start with the block. Here it has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out, after it came back from the engineering works.
Sorry, but at the risk of sounding 'wrong', that's a bit of petrol head porn right there!
Next, the pistons have had their new rings fitted and are about to be installed in the block.
Here, the first is being fitted.
And installed, in its new home.
The new shell bearings have been fitted and oiled, ready for the crank installation.
The main caps have been cleaned.
Next, the crank is placed in the prepped block.
Getting ready to tighten the support brackets.
Here you can see the lovely clean crank journals that have no scoring whatsoever - almost unheard of.
New rod bolts.
Being fitted.
Overview of the built block.
Next, refitting the refurbished oil pump.
The oil pump and baffle plates installed.
Now the short block has been built, it's time to move onto the head...
The replacement engine is now starting to be put back together. So let's start with the block. Here it has been thoroughly cleaned inside and out, after it came back from the engineering works.
Sorry, but at the risk of sounding 'wrong', that's a bit of petrol head porn right there!
Next, the pistons have had their new rings fitted and are about to be installed in the block.
Here, the first is being fitted.
And installed, in its new home.
The new shell bearings have been fitted and oiled, ready for the crank installation.
The main caps have been cleaned.
Next, the crank is placed in the prepped block.
Getting ready to tighten the support brackets.
Here you can see the lovely clean crank journals that have no scoring whatsoever - almost unheard of.
New rod bolts.
Being fitted.
Overview of the built block.
Next, refitting the refurbished oil pump.
The oil pump and baffle plates installed.
Now the short block has been built, it's time to move onto the head...
Edited by RickBristol on Friday 29th July 16:29
Now its time for the head rebuild.
What we started the day with.
Tools for the day ahead.
First, a couple of pics of the 'before and after' cleaning of the valves.
The exhaust ports have been cleaned.
Outside.
And inside.
Ports after the valves have been lapped in.
Fresh, non-BMW Buna, valve stem seals have now been fitted.
Refitting the valves and valve springs.
Intake valves fitted.
From the inside.
And from above.
All valves now installed.
Job done! Next, I'm gonna puts up all the pics of the head and block going back together, stay tuned for the next thrilling installment fokes...
What we started the day with.
Tools for the day ahead.
First, a couple of pics of the 'before and after' cleaning of the valves.
The exhaust ports have been cleaned.
Outside.
And inside.
Ports after the valves have been lapped in.
Fresh, non-BMW Buna, valve stem seals have now been fitted.
Refitting the valves and valve springs.
Intake valves fitted.
From the inside.
And from above.
All valves now installed.
Job done! Next, I'm gonna puts up all the pics of the head and block going back together, stay tuned for the next thrilling installment fokes...
Edited by RickBristol on Friday 29th July 16:32
Back on the above mentioned classic car insurance tip. I spoke to Adrian Flux classic car insurers, who advertise on Piston Heads. Went through all the restoration work that I have done to this car - the bodywork, replacement interior, general maintenance, all the mods that have also been done to the car, and they asked for my evaluation - which I put at around £7.5k and they came back to me and said that their underwriters had evaluated everything and would happily reimburse me with £7.5k if the car got written-off. They limit the milage to 5k per year though but said they were more than happy to do that, all for £316 per year, fully comp too!
Very happy days indeed.... I was expecting arounf £800 for that.
Very happy days indeed.... I was expecting arounf £800 for that.
RickBristol said:
Back on the above mentioned classic car insurance tip. I spoke to Adrian Flux classic car insurers, who advertise on Piston Heads. Went through all the restoration work that I have done to this car - the bodywork, replacement interior, general maintenance, all the mods that have also been done to the car, and they asked for my evaluation - which I put at around £7.5k and they came back to me and said that their underwriters had evaluated everything and would happily reimburse me with £7.5k if the car got written-off. They limit the milage to 5k per year though but said they were more than happy to do that, all for £316 per year, fully comp too!
Very happy days indeed.... I was expecting arounf £800 for that.
superb price!Very happy days indeed.... I was expecting arounf £800 for that.
Your money, your choice......
But having read through this, you've bought a car, had rust repair/respray, changed the suspension, bought the wheels it should have came on, changed engine components, stopped using it as it had a fault, and are now reconditioning the engine....
Seems like a fking nightmare tbh.....you'd have been better off just starting with a better car.
But having read through this, you've bought a car, had rust repair/respray, changed the suspension, bought the wheels it should have came on, changed engine components, stopped using it as it had a fault, and are now reconditioning the engine....
Seems like a f
king nightmare tbh.....you'd have been better off just starting with a better car.f1nn said:
Your money, your choice......
But having read through this, you've bought a car, had rust repair/respray, changed the suspension, bought the wheels it should have came on, changed engine components, stopped using it as it had a fault, and are now reconditioning the engine....
Seems like a fking nightmare tbh.....you'd have been better off just starting with a better car.
As you say, you pay your money, you make your choice. If people didn't commit to these challenges, there would be no interesting older cars left for the rest of us to enjoy, they would all be scrapped as soon as they were 'no longer financially viable'. I for one find it very depressing that the scrapage scheme rid us of so many little gems.But having read through this, you've bought a car, had rust repair/respray, changed the suspension, bought the wheels it should have came on, changed engine components, stopped using it as it had a fault, and are now reconditioning the engine....
Seems like a f
king nightmare tbh.....you'd have been better off just starting with a better car.I've just read the whole thread from the start and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the labour of love that's gone into saving this motor from the scrap heap.
When it's complete and running smoothly it'll be worth every penny of the £8-9k that will no doubt have been spent by that point, if not in terms of the intrinsic value of the car then in the feeling of pride and reward you'll get from owning something that you've put so much work into and the journey you've been on.
Well done, Rick.
When it's complete and running smoothly it'll be worth every penny of the £8-9k that will no doubt have been spent by that point, if not in terms of the intrinsic value of the car then in the feeling of pride and reward you'll get from owning something that you've put so much work into and the journey you've been on.
Well done, Rick.
DRFC1879 said:
I've just read the whole thread from the start and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the labour of love that's gone into saving this motor from the scrap heap.
When it's complete and running smoothly it'll be worth every penny of the £8-9k that will no doubt have been spent by that point, if not in terms of the intrinsic value of the car then in the feeling of pride and reward you'll get from owning something that you've put so much work into and the journey you've been on.
Well done, Rick.
Thanks for your positive input. It was never a car that I bought as an on-going project. I managed to get it fairly cheaply, originally, but once I started to look for help / advice with some of the issues that the car had on Piston Heads, you kind of end up getting 'drawn in'. And before you know it, you get bitten, I suppose, and it then becomes a 'journey' that can be as facinating as much as stressful...When it's complete and running smoothly it'll be worth every penny of the £8-9k that will no doubt have been spent by that point, if not in terms of the intrinsic value of the car then in the feeling of pride and reward you'll get from owning something that you've put so much work into and the journey you've been on.
Well done, Rick.
As far as 'buying a better car' goes, there have many people that have parted with good money for a lovely looking E36 M3, only to discover later that they have been stitched up with car that then costs them many thousands to sort out.
For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10tlnACEhqw
Its not always a case of 'you pays your money...'
Edited by RickBristol on Monday 1st August 13:58
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