BMW E36 328i Sport Coupe
Discussion
Apologies Sam, that Santorini is lovely.
I've had a look at your Facebook page and I'm sure we'll be talking in the future.
Started by getting the bits of engine out of the boot today, got to try and get an engine from Gosport to Worthing on Sunday so currently trying to convince the Mrs it'll be fine in the back of her Zafira but I'm not winning that one. Hopefully the engine I have bought fits straight in and she fires up ok.
Looks like the bodywork needs a good detail, but that will come once the car is running.
Then to decide how to refinish the wheels, got a couple of options on the table but I'm pretty sure I'll go back to original with them, was considering a two tone painted effect (high power solver lip and colour coded centres) but might just have the lip diamond cut again and paint the centres silver.
I've had a look at your Facebook page and I'm sure we'll be talking in the future.
Started by getting the bits of engine out of the boot today, got to try and get an engine from Gosport to Worthing on Sunday so currently trying to convince the Mrs it'll be fine in the back of her Zafira but I'm not winning that one. Hopefully the engine I have bought fits straight in and she fires up ok.
Looks like the bodywork needs a good detail, but that will come once the car is running.
Then to decide how to refinish the wheels, got a couple of options on the table but I'm pretty sure I'll go back to original with them, was considering a two tone painted effect (high power solver lip and colour coded centres) but might just have the lip diamond cut again and paint the centres silver.
ChrisDT said:
Apologies Sam, that Santorini is lovely.
I've had a look at your Facebook page and I'm sure we'll be talking in the future.
Started by getting the bits of engine out of the boot today, got to try and get an engine from Gosport to Worthing on Sunday so currently trying to convince the Mrs it'll be fine in the back of her Zafira but I'm not winning that one. Hopefully the engine I have bought fits straight in and she fires up ok.
Looks like the bodywork needs a good detail, but that will come once the car is running.
Then to decide how to refinish the wheels, got a couple of options on the table but I'm pretty sure I'll go back to original with them, was considering a two tone painted effect (high power solver lip and colour coded centres) but might just have the lip diamond cut again and paint the centres silver.
I've had a full 2.8 in the boot of my Octavia vRS and it was fine (it's Sams old engine actually!). Zafira should be fine. Just make sure you wedge it properly as mine moved and spilt a load of oil over the boot carpet!!I've had a look at your Facebook page and I'm sure we'll be talking in the future.
Started by getting the bits of engine out of the boot today, got to try and get an engine from Gosport to Worthing on Sunday so currently trying to convince the Mrs it'll be fine in the back of her Zafira but I'm not winning that one. Hopefully the engine I have bought fits straight in and she fires up ok.
Looks like the bodywork needs a good detail, but that will come once the car is running.
Then to decide how to refinish the wheels, got a couple of options on the table but I'm pretty sure I'll go back to original with them, was considering a two tone painted effect (high power solver lip and colour coded centres) but might just have the lip diamond cut again and paint the centres silver.
I've got a tarp and a bit of wood to put it on so should be ok. Can't wait to get the old block out and de-grease the engine bay! Still, i'll be a lot happier with it once the engine is in and running, and as i've never attempted anything like this before i'll be satisfied with it. Going to get it in and running and use it for a couple of months before starting the bodywork side of things in case it implodes or something.
Good luck with this and well done for saving one. These are getting really thin on the ground now.
I miss mine, all in all I prefer it to the e46 330 that I had to replace it with. I'm glad that you want to keep with it's original looks.
I never had any problems with tramlining on the 17s once the KDS alignment was done, and the Pilot sports were on. I did 110k happy miles in it, hope you get to enjoy your's as much. Anyway a couple of pictures
I miss mine, all in all I prefer it to the e46 330 that I had to replace it with. I'm glad that you want to keep with it's original looks.
I never had any problems with tramlining on the 17s once the KDS alignment was done, and the Pilot sports were on. I did 110k happy miles in it, hope you get to enjoy your's as much. Anyway a couple of pictures
Stunning looking car, thanks very much!
Don't get me wrong it's never going to be concorse but if it's smart and presentable and reliable i'll be a happy bunny. Just got to find an original head unit to go in it to work with the Harmon Kardon audio as it currently doesn't have a head unit but let's be honest, i need to get the engine in it first!
Don't get me wrong it's never going to be concorse but if it's smart and presentable and reliable i'll be a happy bunny. Just got to find an original head unit to go in it to work with the Harmon Kardon audio as it currently doesn't have a head unit but let's be honest, i need to get the engine in it first!
Little update, sorry lack of pics again - managed to get the engine thats going in it back to mine and turn the car round so that the engine front is facing into the garage.
Here is the result of the engine overheating!
Here is a pic of the engine bay so far, started cleaning up years of grime and oil from the hard to reach places - not going to get it concourse but make it presentable before the replacement engine goes in.
Next step, clear out the garage and remove the front end.
Here is the result of the engine overheating!
Here is a pic of the engine bay so far, started cleaning up years of grime and oil from the hard to reach places - not going to get it concourse but make it presentable before the replacement engine goes in.
Next step, clear out the garage and remove the front end.
I cannot help but agree with a lot of the comments here.
My e36 328i sport needs a little work OP too, but you will have a drivers car that is really appreciated on PistonHeads.
CAR magazine and other reviews at the time said it flowed better on the road and had less under steer as standard than the M3 evo. When speaking to BMW technicians who drove these cars when new I found they also preferred to drive the 328is in the real world rather than the M3 variants. A lot have been ruined trying to improve, others have been regretfully sold, so enjoy your project. I have grown to love mine despite it being a slightly worn expensive garage ornament at present.
Mine needs fresh suspension, new clutch, rear wings repair and suffers from suspected engine bore wear etc etc but am determined to get back on the road in factory spec in a few months as I have been missing it for a long while. I got lucky in some respects as its a very early Mark 1 with the limited slip diff and blue leather sports seats.
Its still on 16" BMW e36 late option wheels presently as I prefer the handling and ride and steering feel in some respects. It feels nimble and more chuckable to me, especially compared to the heavy 18" it came on. Not 100% sure about the rear spoiler on the smaller wheels, will decide when the BBS go on; but love amber indicators on a BMW.
I will follow with interest and hope to get my light restoration pics/fan boy story on PH at some point.
My e36 328i sport needs a little work OP too, but you will have a drivers car that is really appreciated on PistonHeads.
CAR magazine and other reviews at the time said it flowed better on the road and had less under steer as standard than the M3 evo. When speaking to BMW technicians who drove these cars when new I found they also preferred to drive the 328is in the real world rather than the M3 variants. A lot have been ruined trying to improve, others have been regretfully sold, so enjoy your project. I have grown to love mine despite it being a slightly worn expensive garage ornament at present.
Mine needs fresh suspension, new clutch, rear wings repair and suffers from suspected engine bore wear etc etc but am determined to get back on the road in factory spec in a few months as I have been missing it for a long while. I got lucky in some respects as its a very early Mark 1 with the limited slip diff and blue leather sports seats.
Its still on 16" BMW e36 late option wheels presently as I prefer the handling and ride and steering feel in some respects. It feels nimble and more chuckable to me, especially compared to the heavy 18" it came on. Not 100% sure about the rear spoiler on the smaller wheels, will decide when the BBS go on; but love amber indicators on a BMW.
I will follow with interest and hope to get my light restoration pics/fan boy story on PH at some point.
Thanks Skylarking, we may have the same color interior?
Not much of an update, but managed to get some better interior pics this time, was going to make a start stripping the front end but what with the poor weather the last couple of days and lack of space in the garage to get the car in it's just been parked. Anyway, here are some gratuitous pics:
Not much of an update, but managed to get some better interior pics this time, was going to make a start stripping the front end but what with the poor weather the last couple of days and lack of space in the garage to get the car in it's just been parked. Anyway, here are some gratuitous pics:
Haha yes the same seats OP
Mine are in need of a little tlc though. They suit the Arctic Silver paintwork, especially in the sun when it has a blue tint to it It was a classic/ traditional BMW sports colour combo, especially in the eighties. Adds to the old skool feel to me and makes a change to the ubiquitous black. The early cars came seem to come with red, yellow and blue seats as options. I also like the green paint/tan leather option an a e36 coupe.
Mind you trying to find a decent set of newish blue carpet mats took me a while - pic shows the old ones
Mine are in need of a little tlc though. They suit the Arctic Silver paintwork, especially in the sun when it has a blue tint to it It was a classic/ traditional BMW sports colour combo, especially in the eighties. Adds to the old skool feel to me and makes a change to the ubiquitous black. The early cars came seem to come with red, yellow and blue seats as options. I also like the green paint/tan leather option an a e36 coupe.
Mind you trying to find a decent set of newish blue carpet mats took me a while - pic shows the old ones
Here's mine. Bought last year, paid too much for it but it's a long term car.. Would like a CD43 for it but ebay ones are stupid money. M50 planned etc when I can get round to it.
Edit: Just been reading about those cams.. Sound tasty
Edited by nosuchuser on Saturday 4th February 13:21
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