My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
Finally some good news, the rear end rebuild is complete 
.
The car needs an alignment, so that’s hopefully going to be organised for next week.
I went out for a quick blast tonight and found the car to be very stable, the rear end is now much firmer and tighter with much less squat under load. It's been a while since the straight six has been singing down the local back roads, so she was certainly missed.
I'll be intrigued to see what difference the alignment settings make, I've been told a good road setup is (-2 camber front. -1.5 rear. 0.0 toe front and 0.2 total toe in rear.). I hope for a sharper turn in, while remaining stable if at all possible.
Here are some links to my rear end parts if anyone is interested...
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813755926
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Upper Arms / Spring Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813757973
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Lower Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813766255
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Subframe
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813769690
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arm Brackets
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813760113
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Brake Disc Stone Guards
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813763108
.- Rear brake pipes fitted with new connector piece and stainless fastener.
- New powder coated fuel tank straps, with stainless fasteners.
- Rogue Engineering RTAB shims fitted.
- New sump fitted with a new gasket.
- Oil and oil filter change.
The car needs an alignment, so that’s hopefully going to be organised for next week.
I went out for a quick blast tonight and found the car to be very stable, the rear end is now much firmer and tighter with much less squat under load. It's been a while since the straight six has been singing down the local back roads, so she was certainly missed
.I'll be intrigued to see what difference the alignment settings make, I've been told a good road setup is (-2 camber front. -1.5 rear. 0.0 toe front and 0.2 total toe in rear.). I hope for a sharper turn in, while remaining stable if at all possible.
Here are some links to my rear end parts if anyone is interested...
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813755926
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Upper Arms / Spring Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813757973
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Lower Arms
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813766255
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Subframe
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813769690
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Trailing Arm Brackets
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813760113
Powdercoated E36 M3 Evo Rear Brake Disc Stone Guards
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281813763108
evojam said:
Amazing attention too detail Neil!I did much the same too my Boston green Evo saloon but not too the same level of detail as yours,now sold to make way for an old school E500.Just don't see Evo saloons on the road anymore so it's great too see yours being preserved too such a high standard like this
Thanks very much . I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. But there is still plenty to do.I've a mate in Dubai that had an E500, loved the car and drove the life out of it constantly!
evojam said:
No worries I hope the chap who bought mine is looking after it.I was planning too keep it long term but a brief drive in a 94 E500 threw a spanner in the works and I just had too have one!
I bet you do after the work you put into it? I hope the chap who bought mine is looking after it.I was planning too keep it long term but a brief drive in a 94 E500 threw a spanner in the works and I just had too have one!I'm sure the E500 is a torque monster compared to the M3?
A day of guaranteed sunshine meant the M3 was taken into work.
I met up with a local forum member that works very close by and owns a stunning T350C...
A mini straight six meet!
What a car, the raw rumble of that thing is unreal. I hope to get a better look round it in a forthcoming meet.
I met up with a local forum member that works very close by and owns a stunning T350C...
A mini straight six meet!
What a car, the raw rumble of that thing is unreal. I hope to get a better look round it in a forthcoming meet.
I needed to put a few miles on the car to let everything settle suspension wise.
One included a beer run to Sainsbury's early one Saturday morning...
The same day I spent a little more time cleaning the underside, focusing more on trim, and brackets. I may clean down the painted under body removing the Waxoyl at some stage, probably to use Dinitrol.
I caught a glimpse of the car in the garage from an angle I had to take a photo of...
Alignment time! Neil at Kerr's Tyres in Antrim done a superb job of setting up the car. As he mentioned, I've noticed the stability and greatly increased turn in. The drive home was epic, the car really now is an M3. The alignment process that has really tied together all the recent jobs. She drives like a very fresh car and is now much sharper! I'm chuffed. Easily the best thing I've done to the car.
The only real negative is I've reached the limits of camber adjustment on the rear with the OE lower arms. I'll have to make a decision on whether to accept the compromise and keep the OE look or go after-market...
One included a beer run to Sainsbury's early one Saturday morning...
The same day I spent a little more time cleaning the underside, focusing more on trim, and brackets. I may clean down the painted under body removing the Waxoyl at some stage, probably to use Dinitrol.
I caught a glimpse of the car in the garage from an angle I had to take a photo of
...Alignment time! Neil at Kerr's Tyres in Antrim done a superb job of setting up the car. As he mentioned, I've noticed the stability and greatly increased turn in. The drive home was epic, the car really now is an M3. The alignment process that has really tied together all the recent jobs. She drives like a very fresh car and is now much sharper! I'm chuffed. Easily the best thing I've done to the car.
The only real negative is I've reached the limits of camber adjustment on the rear with the OE lower arms. I'll have to make a decision on whether to accept the compromise and keep the OE look or go after-market...
Edited by Neil_M on Friday 16th October 20:12
Girthsham said:
Love it. Im in N.I myself and have a red saloon. Currently doing the same myself with it and a full respray. I hope to be out and done by Easter 2016. Expensive but well worth it.
One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
Happy days, would be good to get photos of the two together. Where roughly in NI are you? Any photos of your car?One of my best mates is a BMW mechanic and I arrived out with the same oil as i got new shells and ARP rod bolts done on the bottom end. He told me he would put that in but that the 10w60 TWS stuff is better suited. I cannot see what people put in them back in 1997 from the dealer. That would be good to know. I also was on the German M forums and the guys there all use 10W60 and have never had any issue with bottom ends going on them yet in the UK we hear of it and run around with different oils the forums have advised.
I'm due for some paintwork next month
.The oil topic is a hot topic as I'm sure you know lol!
ArmaghMan said:
Hi Neil, I have a nice, tidy 98 AMG Merc but it pales into insignificance when compared to your "project"
Simply stunning level of perfection on absolutely everything.
Hopefully we'll get a run organised next year and you can show her off.
Any pics of the wagon sir?Simply stunning level of perfection on absolutely everything.
Hopefully we'll get a run organised next year and you can show her off.
I was always taught to do things properly, I may have taken that to extremes haha!
I'll be at the RMS BBQ on Sunday if you are?
I bought new o-rings for both cam sensors. The exhaust cam sensor seemed to be weeping a little oil, so time to get that sorted. Naturally new uprated bolts were fitted too, high tensile for these of course.
Exhaust cam sensor, you can see the two cuts / pinches on the o-ring.
Innuendo city!
New bolt vs old bolt.
Exhaust side done, now to the inlet side.
There isn't much clearance between the injector and inlet cam sensor bolt. So a hex key was cut down to size (it suprisingly worked a treat). The magical tool and new bolt...
All fitted with a new o-ring. I'm glad to get that job out of the way...
I also gave the vanos unit a quick "wipe down"...
Exhaust cam sensor, you can see the two cuts / pinches on the o-ring.
Innuendo city!
New bolt vs old bolt.
Exhaust side done, now to the inlet side.
There isn't much clearance between the injector and inlet cam sensor bolt. So a hex key was cut down to size (it suprisingly worked a treat). The magical tool and new bolt...
All fitted with a new o-ring. I'm glad to get that job out of the way...
I also gave the vanos unit a quick "wipe down"...
I decided the original exhaust needed a bit of a restoration... Sitting in primer here.
Brand new exhaust brackets sitting in primer too. They have been painted silver.
Then this happened... The car was stripped of it's trim to get some paint work tidied up.
I enquired about a full respray but was told the car didn't need it. So really to remove the stone chips and marks, the front bumper, bonnet, front wings, rear bumper, wheel well and a new sunroof panel would be painted.
Not too many body shops invite you in to see the car, take photos and ask 101 questions.
It's great to see what goes into the painting process, never mind seeing the car in bits!
I'm glad to say no sign of rust or accident damage were found.
Actually they discovered the original build sheet for the car on the underside of the bonnet. It can only be a good sign!
.jpg)
I decided to get a photobook made from the shots taken by Sonny from the previous update.
The car back from the body shop, it was a pretty bad day.
The wheel well painted, it had a few marks from the spare wheel being removed over its life...
The car washed, dried and put back into the garage.
A few quick photos to show the quality of the paint job / match.
As Christmas is a family reunion time, a distant relative popped round, so the M3 was wheeled out.
I'll get some better shots uploaded of the car since being painted. I have to say I'm very impressed with WJ Blair in Doagh, Andy, Bill and the guys couldn't have been more helpful. The standard of work is excellent, I can see why the workshop was full of some very tasty motors (three door Cossies, Mk2 Escorts, 911s, M5s etc etc). The paint match is perfect, I can't find any paint lines, so absolutely what I was after.
Brand new exhaust brackets sitting in primer too. They have been painted silver.
Then this happened... The car was stripped of it's trim to get some paint work tidied up.
I enquired about a full respray but was told the car didn't need it. So really to remove the stone chips and marks, the front bumper, bonnet, front wings, rear bumper, wheel well and a new sunroof panel would be painted.
Not too many body shops invite you in to see the car, take photos and ask 101 questions.
It's great to see what goes into the painting process, never mind seeing the car in bits!
I'm glad to say no sign of rust or accident damage were found.
Actually they discovered the original build sheet for the car on the underside of the bonnet. It can only be a good sign!
I decided to get a photobook made from the shots taken by Sonny from the previous update.
The car back from the body shop, it was a pretty bad day.
The wheel well painted, it had a few marks from the spare wheel being removed over its life...
The car washed, dried and put back into the garage.
A few quick photos to show the quality of the paint job / match.
As Christmas is a family reunion time, a distant relative popped round, so the M3 was wheeled out.
I'll get some better shots uploaded of the car since being painted. I have to say I'm very impressed with WJ Blair in Doagh, Andy, Bill and the guys couldn't have been more helpful. The standard of work is excellent, I can see why the workshop was full of some very tasty motors (three door Cossies, Mk2 Escorts, 911s, M5s etc etc). The paint match is perfect, I can't find any paint lines, so absolutely what I was after.
bobbyjoe77 said:
Really great work on that E36, lovely to see these cars being cherished and kept for those young now to appreciate when they're older. Where did you get that photobook done/from? I have had similar done to my E39 M5 and would love to get some photos in a book like that!
Thanks very much . It's very much a case of any job is done right .That was from PhotoBox.
Some better photos from the DSLR as promised. Really chuffed with the paint job. You pay for what you get as they say...
This photo also shows off the rear muffler well, or well it shows how discreet it is when painted.
The sun roof panel ready to fit. That's on the to do list, along with a new gasket.
I'm laughing as I type this... The jack was a little scuffed and showing signs of use. So it was stripped, primed and painted, looks good as new.
I used Ed China's favourite Satin Black, as I felt it looked a little fresher than the OE matt black.
Fitted in the boot, never to be seen again haha!
I also picked up a set of new carpet mats. I'll fit these after giving the inside a good clean (it's still a little dusty from the body shop).
This photo also shows off the rear muffler well, or well it shows how discreet it is when painted.
The sun roof panel ready to fit. That's on the to do list, along with a new gasket.
I'm laughing as I type this... The jack was a little scuffed and showing signs of use. So it was stripped, primed and painted, looks good as new.
I used Ed China's favourite Satin Black, as I felt it looked a little fresher than the OE matt black.
Fitted in the boot, never to be seen again haha!
I also picked up a set of new carpet mats. I'll fit these after giving the inside a good clean (it's still a little dusty from the body shop).
A few people have asked to hear what the gutted muffler sounds like. Here is a brief video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJoP4QPwsk
Lack of time hasn't allowed me to do much to the car...
Hand brake leather gaiter replaced.
Radio button and screw covers replaced (must clean the LCD screen).
BMW lead sound insulation applied to the wheel well and wheel put back into place (makes a little more space in the garage).
My next port of call is the under bonnet seals and fit the new sunroof panel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJoP4QPwsk
Lack of time hasn't allowed me to do much to the car...
Hand brake leather gaiter replaced.
Radio button and screw covers replaced (must clean the LCD screen).
BMW lead sound insulation applied to the wheel well and wheel put back into place (makes a little more space in the garage).
My next port of call is the under bonnet seals and fit the new sunroof panel.
Time to lob in the sunroof panel. The brand new BMW panel was painted when the car was done. It's been sat on the back seat for too long!
The new panel after a quick machine polish and wax.
The sunroof motor being manually turned to give more control of opening the roof, so I can gain access to the securing nuts and bolts.
The sunroof headlining pushed back revealing some of the three retaining nuts (see black metal strip).
The panel removed.
The underside of the old panel. This is for sale if anyone is interested?
Note the original sticker, showing build date and chassis number of the car.
Air deflector painted up (well I did have to).
Sound deadening attached to the new sunroof with contact adhesive.
New sunroof with build sticker transferred over.
Air deflectors attached to the side of the sunroof panel.
A closer view of the air deflectors. Naturally these were thoroughly cleaned up, treated and sealed.
Weather seal starting to be removed.
The new sunroof panel is installed along with a new weather seal. It needs a little adjustment to perfect it's resting height, but the mechanism works fine and it has full movement (phew). The adjustment is fairly straight forward, and allows me to raise and lower the front and rear of the panel.
The new panel after a quick machine polish and wax.
The sunroof motor being manually turned to give more control of opening the roof, so I can gain access to the securing nuts and bolts.
The sunroof headlining pushed back revealing some of the three retaining nuts (see black metal strip).
The panel removed.
The underside of the old panel. This is for sale if anyone is interested?
Note the original sticker, showing build date and chassis number of the car.
Air deflector painted up (well I did have to).
Sound deadening attached to the new sunroof with contact adhesive.
New sunroof with build sticker transferred over.
Air deflectors attached to the side of the sunroof panel.
A closer view of the air deflectors. Naturally these were thoroughly cleaned up, treated and sealed.
Weather seal starting to be removed.
The new sunroof panel is installed along with a new weather seal. It needs a little adjustment to perfect it's resting height, but the mechanism works fine and it has full movement (phew). The adjustment is fairly straight forward, and allows me to raise and lower the front and rear of the panel.
Sorry for the lack of updates here, I haven't had much time to spend on the old girl.
However I did remote the under bonnet insulatoion.
Polished the underside of the bonnet, lol yes I had to. Note the original build sheet on the left hand side.
Insulation cleaned up, refitted with new clips and a new front bonnet seal.
I made it to a local car show, Harmony Hill. It was great chatting to a few fellow owners and enthusiasts!
I still have to do the coolant system, the belts, and fit the rest of the bonnet seals.
However I did remote the under bonnet insulatoion.
Polished the underside of the bonnet, lol yes I had to. Note the original build sheet on the left hand side.
Insulation cleaned up, refitted with new clips and a new front bonnet seal.
I made it to a local car show, Harmony Hill. It was great chatting to a few fellow owners and enthusiasts!
I still have to do the coolant system, the belts, and fit the rest of the bonnet seals.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff