Yet another rescued E36 328i M Sport project...
Discussion
olly22n said:
£8k?
These are firmly £4k territory for a good one?
How come yours is worth £8-9k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-Coupe-M-Sport-S...
Well mate... I bought mine for a reasonable price - so I thought - around £800 after wrangling about issues that the car had, over two years ago. The average price then was around £1,200. I was also looking at E36 M3s which were going for around £6k to £7.5k at that time. Have you looked at them lately... £8k up to £16k for a low milage ultra clean example of an E36 M3. You can currently buy an E46 M3 for around £5k - say's so much for their 'desirability' does it not? I'm not interested in getting into a stupid tennis match over this, but have already been offered a firm £7.5k for mine after the engine work and interior replacement have been done. The underwriters at Adrian Flux were more than happy to guaruntee around £8k reimbursement if the car got written off in recognition for the work, money and care that has been put into it. These things are becoming rarer and rarer and are only going to go up in price...These are firmly £4k territory for a good one?
How come yours is worth £8-9k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-Coupe-M-Sport-S...
Take a look into why this might be. One of the best chasis that BMW have ever produced! Why do so many people want them for track car projects? Have been dismissed in the past as an ugly duckling, but are now starting to be appreciated for what they are.
I don't care about the monetary value - I'm not selling mine after what I've put into it. Just proud to own it and happy to have the pleasure of taking it for a spin once a week... How many good examples of these do you see on the road these days? That's worth lots in itself!
RickBristol said:
Well mate... I bought mine for a reasonable price - so I thought - around £800 after wrangling about issues that the car had, over two years ago. The average price then was around £1,200. I was also looking at E36 M3s which were going for around £6k to £7.5k at that time. Have you looked at them lately... £8k up to £16k for a low milage ultra clean example of an E36 M3. You can currently buy an E46 M3 for around £5k - say's so much for their 'desirability' does it not? I'm not interested in getting into a stupid tennis match over this, but have already been offered a firm £7.5k for mine after the engine work and interior replacement have been done. The underwriters at Adrian Flux were more than happy to guaruntee around £8k reimbursement if the car got written off in recognition for the work, money and care that has been put into it. These things are becoming rarer and rarer and are only going to go up in price...
Take a look into why this might be. One of the best chasis that BMW have ever produced! Why do so many people want them for track car projects? Have been dismissed in the past as an ugly duckling, but are now starting to be appreciated for what they are.
I don't care about the monetary value - I'm not selling mine after what I've put into it. Just proud to own it and happy to have the pleasure of taking it for a spin once a week... How many good examples of these do you see on the road these days? That's worth lots in itself!
But what you have to remember is that just because E36 M3s are being advertised up to £16k doesn't mean that's what they're going for. Although you are correct in saying that all E36s in general are appreciating and the work you've put into this one will of course only help it's value, by rather a lot seeing the extent of the resto you've done! It seems a big factor on price is mileage, what "classic" price isn't affected by mileage though eh, what's the mileage on yours now? From what I've seen you can get exceptionally tidy ones for sub £5k - I was also in the market for one of these over the last year or two so have been watching values since.Take a look into why this might be. One of the best chasis that BMW have ever produced! Why do so many people want them for track car projects? Have been dismissed in the past as an ugly duckling, but are now starting to be appreciated for what they are.
I don't care about the monetary value - I'm not selling mine after what I've put into it. Just proud to own it and happy to have the pleasure of taking it for a spin once a week... How many good examples of these do you see on the road these days? That's worth lots in itself!
Chris77 said:
olly22n said:
Nice argument.
If you sell your car for £8k i will s
t in my hands and clap.
If you sell your car for £8k i will s
t in my hands and clap.
I'm all for applauding people treating cars as a hobby (and spending money in exchange for pleasure), particularly in the case of a sympathetic restoration such as this. However, when owners start straying into the realms of fantasy with valuations, in the hope that they will recoup some of their outlay, it tends to end up in disappointment.
OP - You seem oddly protective over your car and choice of hobby. Just relax and enjoy it, for everyone's sake.
Anyway guys, the above 'cash sensitive' hyperbole started with a post I put up demonstrating that you can get adequate classic car insurance cover that should go most, if not all, of the way to ensure that you get reimbursed sufficiently should you lose your 'precious' to some idiot not paying attention at lights, or whatever...
Now let's please get back on topic....
The next, the union of the head and block...
First up, here's a look at the timing chain cover and water pump housing before cleaning. It still has the old water pump fitted. This is gonna be replaced with the aluminium impeller upgrade that was fitted to the old engine last year.
After removing the old water pump and a bit of elbow grease later...
And paying the same attention to the inside of the casing.
Next the new timing chain casing oil seals are fitted in place.
And here is a lovely shot of the cleaned'ish' crank shaft timing chain gear.
I hope this isn't boring anyone out there, but a shot of the crank shaft timing chain gear about to be fitted to the crank...
What follows is a lovely shot of the timing chain and its guide after fitting.
Next, the oil sump gaskets are fitted.
We then turned our attention to cleaning the oil sump itself.
Once that has been done, the sump is now fitted to the block.
Now it feels like we're getting somewhere - the timing gear cover and oil sump fitted...
The head gasket is put in place in anticipation of 'the union'...
The head is now fitted to the block.
And tightening down the head bolts.
A view from below, showing the block and head engine numbers...
Detail showing the head gasket.
And finally, ready for the cams to go in.
Well, that was an exciting installment! Well it was for me, after what seems like an age, to get to this point. Next I should have some pics of the cams to put up for the next installment - shouldn't I Sam!?!
Now let's please get back on topic....
The next, the union of the head and block...
First up, here's a look at the timing chain cover and water pump housing before cleaning. It still has the old water pump fitted. This is gonna be replaced with the aluminium impeller upgrade that was fitted to the old engine last year.
After removing the old water pump and a bit of elbow grease later...
And paying the same attention to the inside of the casing.
Next the new timing chain casing oil seals are fitted in place.
And here is a lovely shot of the cleaned'ish' crank shaft timing chain gear.
I hope this isn't boring anyone out there, but a shot of the crank shaft timing chain gear about to be fitted to the crank...
What follows is a lovely shot of the timing chain and its guide after fitting.
Next, the oil sump gaskets are fitted.
We then turned our attention to cleaning the oil sump itself.
Once that has been done, the sump is now fitted to the block.
Now it feels like we're getting somewhere - the timing gear cover and oil sump fitted...
The head gasket is put in place in anticipation of 'the union'...
The head is now fitted to the block.
And tightening down the head bolts.
A view from below, showing the block and head engine numbers...
Detail showing the head gasket.
And finally, ready for the cams to go in.
Well, that was an exciting installment! Well it was for me, after what seems like an age, to get to this point. Next I should have some pics of the cams to put up for the next installment - shouldn't I Sam!?!
Edited by RickBristol on Thursday 18th August 10:50
olly22n said:
Just a quick note - I very much doubt AF will pay out anything like what you say. This isn't a dig, just making you aware that they will pay you a book price. Which will be about £2k.
After spending a couple of hours on the phone with AF, going through everything that's been done to the car, and voicing my concerns about the paultry sum that ordinary insurance policies would reimburse me with. One of their underwriters called me back and assured me that I would get the full £8k back if it was written off / stolen - as they said "in recognition of all the work / money / care that has been put into it". If you want to take that up with them yourself, feel free...
Edited by RickBristol on Monday 8th August 17:07
olly22n said:
£8k?
These are firmly £4k territory for a good one?
How come yours is worth £8-9k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-Coupe-M-Sport-S...
Perhaps the owner has been watching ALOT of Wheeler Dealers on TV? These are firmly £4k territory for a good one?
How come yours is worth £8-9k
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-Coupe-M-Sport-S...
Ed China would have done the whole restoration himself, with no additional expenses to other garages, apart from the original purchase price obviously! I'd only buy a Convertible one, they look lovely in that Spec.
However good on you for turning around a classic and bringing it back to a mint ride! B)
I'm not trying to get on the OP's case here in any way, I wish him the best of luck.....
But.....are these one of the best chassis BMW have ever made? I'm not suggesting they are not a fine handling car, but one of the finest chassis BMW have ever made? I don't recall reading that from contemporary road tests.
And as for why they are popular as track cars....it's obvious isn't it, they are rear drive but more importantly, have been worth the square root of fk all for the last few years, making them next to disposable.
But good luck to you, if you find someone who is willing to give you 8k for it when it's fixed then you've done well.
But.....are these one of the best chassis BMW have ever made? I'm not suggesting they are not a fine handling car, but one of the finest chassis BMW have ever made? I don't recall reading that from contemporary road tests.
And as for why they are popular as track cars....it's obvious isn't it, they are rear drive but more importantly, have been worth the square root of f
k all for the last few years, making them next to disposable.But good luck to you, if you find someone who is willing to give you 8k for it when it's fixed then you've done well.
jas xjr said:
just read the whole thread from begining to end, fantastic project.
i dont know why people are getting hung up on the money being spent on this car. when it is finished to the owners satisfaction he will have a pretty much new car built to his spec. what is wrong with that ?
Enough said! So as none of you lot seem interested in the actual technical restoration / build stuff that I've been doing, even though your comentsare valid, why don't you all go and 'hang out together' on someone else's thread...i dont know why people are getting hung up on the money being spent on this car. when it is finished to the owners satisfaction he will have a pretty much new car built to his spec. what is wrong with that ?
Really enjoying this thread, keep up the good work.
I bought a manual 328i convertible for a packet of crisps earlier this year. Ive pumped maybe 1k into it, full insp2 service, brakes, suspension, trying to get it back to OE as much as possible, I don't pootle about in it, Its a great car to drive and still quick enough for todays roads, an awful lot of value for money. Slush fun aside these are depreciation proof now and its a lot of fun for sod all really.
Good luck with it.
I bought a manual 328i convertible for a packet of crisps earlier this year. Ive pumped maybe 1k into it, full insp2 service, brakes, suspension, trying to get it back to OE as much as possible, I don't pootle about in it, Its a great car to drive and still quick enough for todays roads, an awful lot of value for money. Slush fun aside these are depreciation proof now and its a lot of fun for sod all really.
Good luck with it.
bungz said:
On first look does seem like a bit of a money pit but I take my hat off to the OP to sticking with it.
Hope the rebuild sorts your running issues.
Well to be honest, it was a bit of an unexpected money pit but, engine, gearbox, L.S.D, suspension, engine mods, wheels, body work, suspension bushes, brakes - all but new EBC Red Stuff ceramic pads yet to do, interior soon to be replaced along with sorting a couple of gremlins in the electrics... All done! So 'money pit' is a bit past tense now. Thanks for support / taking your time to be interested... Hope the rebuild sorts your running issues.
M3333 said:
Really enjoying this thread, keep up the good work.
I bought a manual 328i convertible for a packet of crisps earlier this year. Ive pumped maybe 1k into it, full insp2 service, brakes, suspension, trying to get it back to OE as much as possible, I don't pootle about in it, Its a great car to drive and still quick enough for todays roads, an awful lot of value for money. Slush fun aside these are depreciation proof now and its a lot of fun for sod all really.
Good luck with it.
Nice one and, once again, thanks for taking time to be interested and for your appreciation...I bought a manual 328i convertible for a packet of crisps earlier this year. Ive pumped maybe 1k into it, full insp2 service, brakes, suspension, trying to get it back to OE as much as possible, I don't pootle about in it, Its a great car to drive and still quick enough for todays roads, an awful lot of value for money. Slush fun aside these are depreciation proof now and its a lot of fun for sod all really.
Good luck with it.
Was that Walkers Cheese and Onion perchance?...
Good luck with your project. BTW, I've found time and time again, that it more than pays to go to your local BMW dealer for parts and then fit them / take them to your mechanic for fitting. Surprisingly reasonable on price - cheaper than a Mondeo and that's from direct experience! And you have a much better warranty and the peace of mind that the replacement water pump you just fitted won't go bang three months after having it fitted... Also from direct experience of being a cheap skate and using Euro Parts... Just an aside, I know....
Edited by RickBristol on Tuesday 9th August 14:59
Camoradi said:
I've enjoyed reading this thread too. Nice to see the work which has gone into the car. How people find the time to do it all and the inclination to post up pictures and description on here for a sometimes ungrateful audience is beyond me, so thanks OP.
Once again, thanks!As far as the inclination to post pictures / descriptions goes... Its partly as a record / evidence of what has been done to the car and also, occasionally, it may give people some technical insight into what is involved in certain jobs that others may be considering. Its also a lot more interesting IMO than banging on about how many times some dude has washed under the wheel arches of his recently acquired old M3 - which I've seen! If you're gonna start a thread it's good to put stuff up about the nitty gritty bits...
RickBristol said:
Once again, thanks!
As far as the inclination to post pictures / descriptions goes... Its partly as a record / evidence of what has been done to the car and also, occasionally, it may give people some technical insight into what is involved in certain jobs that others may be considering. Its also a lot more interesting IMO than banging on about how many times some dude has washed under the wheel arches of his recently acquired old M3 - which I've seen! If you're gonna start a thread it's good to put stuff up about the nitty gritty bits...
Good point well made. I find threads with exactly this sort of "first hand experience" both informative and encouraging with projects I've done on cars. I've just never felt confident to put my work up for public scrutiny As far as the inclination to post pictures / descriptions goes... Its partly as a record / evidence of what has been done to the car and also, occasionally, it may give people some technical insight into what is involved in certain jobs that others may be considering. Its also a lot more interesting IMO than banging on about how many times some dude has washed under the wheel arches of his recently acquired old M3 - which I've seen! If you're gonna start a thread it's good to put stuff up about the nitty gritty bits...
RickBristol said:
olly22n said:
Just a quick note - I very much doubt AF will pay out anything like what you say. This isn't a dig, just making you aware that they will pay you a book price. Which will be about £2k.
After spending a couple of hours on the phone with AF, going through everything that's been done to the car, and voicing my concerns about the paultry sum that ordinary insurance policies would reimburse me with. One of their underwriters called me back and assured me that I would get the full £8k back if it was written off / stolen - as they said "in recognition of all the work / money / care that has been put into it". If you want to take that up with them yourself, feel free...
Edited by RickBristol on Monday 8th August 17:07
OP, keep up the good work. The concept of others making money does seem to annoy people.
Let's see how much money is made by the time it is on the road complete.
I'm not having a pop, nothing to do with me how some one chooses to spend their money, and the OP has already said he's not in this for the money so fair play to him.
But, I must be missing a trick with these cars....4K for a mint one, fair enough, but any more than that and I'm struggling to see to see the appeal TBH.
Still, good luck with it OP.
I'm not having a pop, nothing to do with me how some one chooses to spend their money, and the OP has already said he's not in this for the money so fair play to him.
But, I must be missing a trick with these cars....4K for a mint one, fair enough, but any more than that and I'm struggling to see to see the appeal TBH.
Still, good luck with it OP.
Edited by f1nn on Tuesday 9th August 17:56
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