E36 Cabriolet rennovation

[Vidal Baboon]

Hi, just enquiring as to how much it would roughly cost to rennovate my dad's '98 323i 'vert.

He's toying with selling up his dream car he bought nearly 10 years ago.
The only reason for this is, it's starting to get a little tired & he's being lured towards newer machinery.

I'm trying to persuede him to keep it & do a partial resto on it.

Bodywork wise it's fine but mechanically it's going to go down hill.
I'm proposing he nips it in the bud before it gets beyond economical repair & ends up as a scrappage deal trade in.


The engine is smoking slightly- i'm guessing it's loosing compression- poss nikasil?
That or stem seals.

Would it be worth doing an overhaul on the engine, or would it be worthwhile dropping in a second hand 323i unit (or seeing as this is PH, drop in a 2.8 & tell him after regarding this, what upgrades- ECU, exhaust etc would I need to make to get it to fit?)

The suspension looks like it's had it's day- really sagging- think Rick Waller residing in the boot!
It's comfy on a run, but not very dynamic!

Any rough price guide for new bushes & shockers?
Also, are there any worthwhile M-Sport upgrades while i'm at it?

Tyres all need ditching for some decent ones, can anyone recommend a good tyre for the E36? I was thinking along the lines of a Continental type tyre- i.e. something thats not track orientated.

Thanks in advance.