The Purple Panzer

The Purple Panzer

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custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Thursday 11th August 2011
quotequote all
I've ether done something that is going to be amazing... or something silly!

this Purple Panzer now sits on my drive:


1995 145,000 mile 3.0 M3 saloon

there is a couple of rust patches in the rear arches, the suspension bushes feel like they need replacing, but apart from that it seems to have warn its 16years and miles well.
it feels rock steady on the motorway and sprightly on the twisties.
Compared to the Z4M 3.2 the 3.0 doesn't get going until after 5500 ish rpm.

The Plan:
to slowly turn it into a road legal track car, as money and time allows.

order of play:
-renew bushes and check everything over
-Add lightness (grey leather interior anyone?)
-upgrade suspension dampers and roll bars
- Cage

this will be a learning experience from a mechanical and track perspective, so any advice welcome.

first question - OEM suspension bushes seem cheap compared to Power flex ones.. is it worth getting the powerflex bushes

updates to follow

Cheers
Custard

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Thursday 11th August 2011
quotequote all
Anyone know what the colour is?

ryanm3evo

66 posts

188 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
technoviolet mate

Looks nice

Have fun

Crackie

6,386 posts

241 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
The Purple Panzer ~ I like it thumbup

I'm not sure if the X-brace fits the 4 door but I fitted one, from the M3 convertible, to my ( purple wink ) EVO coupe and it improved the turn in enormously. Can anyone confirm if the X brace fits the saloon ??

The 3.0 rack's gearing isn't great for track work & fitting a quicker steering rack, in conjunction with the ARBs, suspension work & bushes you're already planning, will make a huge difference to how alert & agile the car feels. The standard rear shock mounts aren't really up to track work, they certainly won't cope too well with uprated suspension. You can either fit Z3 type reinforcement plates or fit custom mounts. i.e http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/RSM.html

For reference
M3 3.0 rack - 39 mm/rev - I believe this is a variable ratio rack and is even slower than standard E36 rack until 200 deg steering wheel angle. Weakest point of the 3.0 imho.

M3 3.2 rack - 45.5 mm/rev. 16% quicker than the 3.0 but still not exactly quick witted.

E46 compact rack - 50 mm/rev - This rack is also used on sport versions of E46 saloon and coupe. I have one of these on my EVO and I think its a good compromise for road work; I've never been on track with mine though. 28% faster than 3.0 rack. Rack part number I used was 32136755068 and is a straight swap into an EVO but I couldn't say if its as easy to fit to 3.0. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AT32...
I used a S/H rack from a 325Ti compact which cost £80.00 and had the 4WA laser alignment done by Murketts BMW in Huntingdon at £79.99 inc VAT.

Z3 rack - 53.5 mm/rev - quickest rack you can fit i believe. 37% faster than the original 3.0 M3 rack but may be a step too far if you are using on the road as well as track. Very hard to get hold of too iirc.

This thread has some useful info .....
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&amp...

Panzer looks great by the way ~ Have fun !!!



Edited by Crackie on Friday 12th August 16:22

_Neal_

2,658 posts

218 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Very nice indeed, should be a cracking car. I also heard the coolant system on these can need upgrading for track work - 325 diesel parts are an upgrade IIRC.

I had a (purple)M3 Evo Coupe, and it was Individual Mure Metallic (not Technoviolet, as I originally thought) - check front strut top smile The other dark purple was Daytona Violet, but it doesn't look like that I don't think.

Edited by _Neal_ on Friday 12th August 16:03

F2CSL

55 posts

152 months

Friday 12th August 2011
quotequote all
Nice one,.something id like to do if I wasn't up to my ears in toddlers and work. Should have don't before, my car resume has a big pure trackday car hole in it.

(steven)

446 posts

213 months

Sunday 14th August 2011
quotequote all
Come on custard. Pads, discs, fluid and get it out on track.

The need or importance of any other changes will become clear........

I might even join you if I finish replacing my track car.

MR2_SC

316 posts

183 months

Sunday 14th August 2011
quotequote all
On a 1995 it's probably daytona purple, techno violet came out a bit later. You can check the paint code to confirm.

MR2_SC

316 posts

183 months

Sunday 14th August 2011
quotequote all
On a 1995 it's probably daytona purple, techno violet came out a bit later. You can check the paint code to confirm.

taz devil

74 posts

161 months

Sunday 14th August 2011
quotequote all
i have the original sales brouche in front of me
and if not a special order it will be daytona violet 283
that was the only purple paint one on a m3
evo had techno violet 299
also they only built 415 rhd m3 3.0 world wide

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
update 15-8-2011

Had bit of chance to get under the car an look around.

-bit of rust in the front inner arches, mainly where the alarm had just been screwed into the body work... a bit worrying
-what looks like a leaky oil cooler - the rad and AC condenser look new ish in comparison
-leakiness round rear diff... further investigation required
-one new rear shock
-no AC auxiliary belt, (explains why the AC wasn’t working), I assume i can just remove the two bits driven off this belt, AC compressor and Air pump?

£500 down and it’s not gone anywhere yet...
New oil cooler ~£220
Service filters etc ~£100
Polly bushes £195

Where is the best place to look at braded Brake lines and pads? (RS29? EBC enduro?)

(will get some more pictures soon)

Cheers
Custard

Crackie

6,386 posts

241 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
custardkid said:
update 15-8-2011

Had bit of chance to get under the car an look around.

-bit of rust in the front inner arches, mainly where the alarm had just been screwed into the body work... a bit worrying
-what looks like a leaky oil cooler - the rad and AC condenser look new ish in comparison
-leakiness round rear diff... further investigation required
-one new rear shock
-no AC auxiliary belt, (explains why the AC wasn’t working), I assume i can just remove the two bits driven off this belt, AC compressor and Air pump?

£500 down and it’s not gone anywhere yet...
New oil cooler ~£220
Service filters etc ~£100
Polly bushes £195

Where is the best place to look at braded Brake lines and pads? (RS29? EBC enduro?)

(will get some more pictures soon)

Cheers
Custard
I got the Goodridge braided brake lines for mine from e-bay. Bexley Motors http://www.bmsport.com/ do a braided clutch hose which improves the biting point on the original rubber E36 item which baloons when warm. Not sure about the best source for pads.

_Neal_

2,658 posts

218 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
Are you on the e36coupe.com forum? If not, get on there - loads of info on lots of areas, including brake pads. One of the specialists on there should sort you out smile

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Tuesday 16th August 2011
quotequote all
some before pictures








and the rust....

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Wednesday 17th August 2011
quotequote all
first none standard 'mod' biggrin


swight

35 posts

174 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Hi, I am reading this thread with interest as I have just recently bought a 95 M3 3.0 Saloon. I have spent a bit more than anticipated so far:

She is in Avus Blue, one lady owner for the last 12 years and averaged 5000 miles a year.

Work done:

Constant pressure valve, braided clutch hose, two front struts, two rear springs, full service, valve clearances checked and adjusted, air con condenser and air dryer and service, heater resistor, brake fluid service and she goes for a MOT next week! Finger crossed it wont be too expensive.

But totally rust free and has not been abused.

Keep up the good work!

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
she sounds very nice... probably much tidier than mine...

whats you plan for her?
sounds like its too nice to strip into a track car.

-- pictures required

Custard

swight

35 posts

174 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
It's going to be used as a second car, used only in summer and good weather, if we get any!

shibby!

921 posts

197 months

Thursday 18th August 2011
quotequote all
Love the Techno Violet colour!

Nearly bought one AGES ago... Ended up with a freakin Civic Type R..... It last 1 month before i sold it.

custardkid

Original Poster:

2,514 posts

223 months

Sunday 21st August 2011
quotequote all
According to the sticker its Daytona purple....

any one know where to get a rattle can or it??
i need some having attached the arches with a wire brush!


This lot arrived on friday, in time for the weekend:


Roll bar brushed down and painted with anti rust paint and new rubbers fitted.
to be fair the old rubbers seemed fine... but i guess the new ones are stiffer.


I need a bigger garage!


Oil cooler replaced as the old one leaked and looked pretty blocked


air con stuff removed (any one need it?)


but with out taking the main pully off i couldnt remove the mounting plate frown


it all looks good underneath, the only worrying thing ive found is this plate screwed to the side of the gear box... any ideas? is this why 2nd to 3rd is abit difficult to get???


time to get back under the car and put the front end back together..

custard