My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
Time for a long over due update...
I've been building a track car (not the M3) so thats taken up most of my spare time... But back to the E36.
I met up with a local chape thats just picked up a very cool '95 Coupe! So a mini E36 meet was organised!
That was my own M3's first start since winter, which went without a hitch. She was due a clean up, hence I didn't mind getting caught in the rain too much!
The show season was starting, with the JPCCNI Loughgall Motorsport Festival starting it off... Time for some cleaning.
The underbody was getting a good wash and wax...
The undertray was removed for a proper job!
Interior looking pretty clean after a quick hoover.
Undertray going back on.
Rear wheel removed for cleaning along with the wheel well.
The calipers all got a good scrub!
As did the front wheel wells.
Everyone loves snow foam pics, so I'll let these do the talking.
I've been building a track car (not the M3) so thats taken up most of my spare time... But back to the E36.
I met up with a local chape thats just picked up a very cool '95 Coupe! So a mini E36 meet was organised!
That was my own M3's first start since winter, which went without a hitch. She was due a clean up, hence I didn't mind getting caught in the rain too much!
The show season was starting, with the JPCCNI Loughgall Motorsport Festival starting it off... Time for some cleaning.
The underbody was getting a good wash and wax...
The undertray was removed for a proper job!
Interior looking pretty clean after a quick hoover.
Undertray going back on.
Rear wheel removed for cleaning along with the wheel well.
The calipers all got a good scrub!
As did the front wheel wells.
Everyone loves snow foam pics, so I'll let these do the talking.
Starting into the engine bay here, it was still pretty clean though.
Sealant being applied and curing on the paint.
Thats the paint work waxed up and finished.
I love how well these wheels come up...
Not the best photo, but thats the interior after the leather has been treated. I was checking the tyre pressures too.
That should be her good to go for the show the following morning.
The following morning in sharper light!
I caught up with three other members of NI BMW on the way to the show. The 335i is just out of the shot.
Back home after a nice sunny blast back from the show. It was roughly an hour away for me. The M3 really does make mile muching an easy task. Very easy on fuel and a very potent motorway companion.
A few drinks later that day!
All cleaned up ready for more shows.
I'm nearing the end of building the track car, so it should just be a case of racing and maintaining it. That means the M3 should start getting the attention it deserves.
It's nice just driving the car, certainly after spending so much time working on the car.
I'll end with a photo of the M3 at the show. Thanks to Renegades for the photo!
Sealant being applied and curing on the paint.
Thats the paint work waxed up and finished.
I love how well these wheels come up...
Not the best photo, but thats the interior after the leather has been treated. I was checking the tyre pressures too.
That should be her good to go for the show the following morning.
The following morning in sharper light!
I caught up with three other members of NI BMW on the way to the show. The 335i is just out of the shot.
Back home after a nice sunny blast back from the show. It was roughly an hour away for me. The M3 really does make mile muching an easy task. Very easy on fuel and a very potent motorway companion.
A few drinks later that day!
All cleaned up ready for more shows.
I'm nearing the end of building the track car, so it should just be a case of racing and maintaining it. That means the M3 should start getting the attention it deserves.
It's nice just driving the car, certainly after spending so much time working on the car.
I'll end with a photo of the M3 at the show. Thanks to Renegades for the photo!
It looks like my old E36 saloon is up for sale again. Sold in 2014 as I moved back to the UK and have 2 other cars in London...and don't really need any cars (at the time I had no garaging and now I have 2 garage spaces).
https://www.classicheroes.co.uk/bmw-e36-m3-evo-sal...
Most of the work detailed (aside from the clutch) was done by me (okay, most of it at my behest...) in 2013.
I still miss this car a bit; such an excellent 2 1/2 years and ~15,000 miles.
https://www.classicheroes.co.uk/bmw-e36-m3-evo-sal...
Most of the work detailed (aside from the clutch) was done by me (okay, most of it at my behest...) in 2013.
I still miss this car a bit; such an excellent 2 1/2 years and ~15,000 miles.
This will be an award winning update.
MOT time.
The cover was removed, the car was started, driven to the MOT centre, driven back home (a years ticket in hand) and put back into the garage.
I didn't even get a chance to take the esential car on ramps MOT photo. I was too busy chatting to the tester about his E36 328i and E30.
MOT time.
The cover was removed, the car was started, driven to the MOT centre, driven back home (a years ticket in hand) and put back into the garage.
I didn't even get a chance to take the esential car on ramps MOT photo. I was too busy chatting to the tester about his E36 328i and E30.
Time to start working on the M3 again and to get her out for a drive.
A very kind fellow enthusiast pointed out the kidney grilles were mismatched, one from a four cylinder car and one from a six cylinder car.
I genuiney had never noticed this, so a replacement set were ordered (yet I done both sides for good measure).
The new grilles have arrived.
With a car show coming up at Castlewellan, it was time to get the car washed before fitting the grilles.
This was her filthy before starting to wash
.
Before.
During.
After. The grilles were coated in Gtechniq for some added protection before fitting.
A comparison in the grilles. Note the inner lip on the chrome of the upper grille and the lack of lip on the lower. Phew, at least the car can be seen in public now.
I was in good company with another saloon on the way to Castlewellan.
The M3 parked up looking pretty!
A few cars that caught my eye from the show.
A very clean 996 Turbo.
A lovely, clean Mk4 R32.
I'm sure this Mk2 Golf goes quite well!
A quattro is always worth a photo.
A lovely R32 GTR.
Another very clean car, with some finely chosen mods.
Love those brakes!
A lovely classic Scooby!
The traffic leaving the show on a very hot day!
A very kind fellow enthusiast pointed out the kidney grilles were mismatched, one from a four cylinder car and one from a six cylinder car.
I genuiney had never noticed this, so a replacement set were ordered (yet I done both sides for good measure).
The new grilles have arrived.
With a car show coming up at Castlewellan, it was time to get the car washed before fitting the grilles.
This was her filthy before starting to wash
.Before.
During.
After. The grilles were coated in Gtechniq for some added protection before fitting.
A comparison in the grilles. Note the inner lip on the chrome of the upper grille and the lack of lip on the lower. Phew, at least the car can be seen in public now.
I was in good company with another saloon on the way to Castlewellan.
The M3 parked up looking pretty!
A few cars that caught my eye from the show.
A very clean 996 Turbo.
A lovely, clean Mk4 R32.
I'm sure this Mk2 Golf goes quite well!
A quattro is always worth a photo.
A lovely R32 GTR.
Another very clean car, with some finely chosen mods.
Love those brakes!
A lovely classic Scooby!
The traffic leaving the show on a very hot day!
Not much change with the M3, but it was time for the NI-BMW Annual Show!
Roll on some cleaning / car show prep.
Essential night before prep.
All parked up.
A few snaps of the other cars at the show.
As always the NI-BMW show is a very well oraganised event that brings new and old school BMWs together, along with some other marques. The variety is always welcome. The location (the Pitts on the North West 200 circuit) is also very cool.
I'm glad to say the M3 picked up an award from the Top 10 cars at the show! Absolutely delighted, thank you to all the voters.
It was a pleasure driving the M3 up to the North Coast on Sunday morning... I've been driving a track car as the daily over the past two weeks, getting back into an refined car was a pleasure! I can see why many are used as a track / ring tool. Some track based suspension and changing the final drive would create a serious tool!
It speaks volumes about the M3, that after a few months of zero use, it started, fired and beyond a wash and pre-flight checks, she drove an hour to the coast without fault.
I've been clearing more and more space in the garage and fixing a few other cars... all with the aim of getting some more time to get stuck back into the M3.
It would be rude not to have a wee beer to celebrate.
A few other awesome photos of the show from Jamie Graham. Full Gallery link to FaceBook here - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.16236573...
Roll on some cleaning / car show prep.
Essential night before prep.
All parked up.
A few snaps of the other cars at the show.
As always the NI-BMW show is a very well oraganised event that brings new and old school BMWs together, along with some other marques. The variety is always welcome. The location (the Pitts on the North West 200 circuit) is also very cool.
I'm glad to say the M3 picked up an award from the Top 10 cars at the show! Absolutely delighted, thank you to all the voters.
It was a pleasure driving the M3 up to the North Coast on Sunday morning... I've been driving a track car as the daily over the past two weeks, getting back into an refined car was a pleasure! I can see why many are used as a track / ring tool. Some track based suspension and changing the final drive would create a serious tool!
It speaks volumes about the M3, that after a few months of zero use, it started, fired and beyond a wash and pre-flight checks, she drove an hour to the coast without fault.
I've been clearing more and more space in the garage and fixing a few other cars... all with the aim of getting some more time to get stuck back into the M3.
It would be rude not to have a wee beer to celebrate.
A few other awesome photos of the show from Jamie Graham. Full Gallery link to FaceBook here - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.16236573...
Not much of a major update as I haven't had time to do much to the car beyond drive it.
The fleet all cleaned up a few months ago.
The garage floor all cleaned down.
I took the car out for a quick blast on Saturday prior to hibernation.
It was a pretty terrible day for it, but she needed washed up and a drive always does her good.
The interior after a quick hoover. Don't worry those are the original mats used as over mats.
Excuse the terrible photos, it was a sodding wet day and I'd a few other family cars to work on before going in.
Sods law of course, I'd just finished drying the car outside and it started raining. So in the garage to dry her again.
All garaged up, and the tools out for the next job.
All wrapped up for the winter and put onto the battery tender.
I'm actually contemplating putting her up for sale in the new year. I really struggle to get the time to keep tinkering with her. Not that she needs it of course. Naturally any genuine offers are welcome.
In saying that hopefully getting a few jobs sorted around the house and other cars, gives me some time over Christmas to get the OCD out again...
The fleet all cleaned up a few months ago.
The garage floor all cleaned down.
I took the car out for a quick blast on Saturday prior to hibernation.
It was a pretty terrible day for it, but she needed washed up and a drive always does her good.
The interior after a quick hoover. Don't worry those are the original mats used as over mats.
Excuse the terrible photos, it was a sodding wet day and I'd a few other family cars to work on before going in.
Sods law of course, I'd just finished drying the car outside and it started raining. So in the garage to dry her again.
All garaged up, and the tools out for the next job.
All wrapped up for the winter and put onto the battery tender.
I'm actually contemplating putting her up for sale in the new year. I really struggle to get the time to keep tinkering with her. Not that she needs it of course. Naturally any genuine offers are welcome.
In saying that hopefully getting a few jobs sorted around the house and other cars, gives me some time over Christmas to get the OCD out again...
The M3 was very lucky to be invited to the launch of the new 3 series at JKC in Coleraine - www.facebook.com/jkcbmw/.
Friday was booked off work to check over the M3 and get it cleaned up. However the weather was against me, and it rained heavily the first half of the day.
Taking a risk to take the car out after a rain storm, I left the car idling while checking tyre pressures... Then the sun came out, it must be a sign!
A quick test run and fuel stop showed the car was performing faultlessly! Time for a quick clean ready for tomorrow.
I was up very early on Saturday morning, opened the curtains to see I was snowed in! I'm not one to let people down, so I waited to the last minute to see what the weather was doing... It was melting pretty fast, so lets do it!
I'd already requested facilities to wash the car, so Jordan from JKC took me round and helped me get set up.
Damm I really need a heated power washer!
The car was cleaned then moved round to a prime position in the showroom. I was very happy with how she was looking.
I didn't really take any photos or even look at the new 3 series. Oops!
A few random photos from the car park...
Then back home after the ~95 mile round trip to get scrubbed up, back into the garage as it was time for beer and a steak!
Jamie Graham also took this fantastic photo below.
https://flic.kr/p/2dHzgNB
A different day for me and great to see the M3 in a showroom after ~ 23 years.
A big thanks to Jordan and Aidan @ JKC!
Friday was booked off work to check over the M3 and get it cleaned up. However the weather was against me, and it rained heavily the first half of the day.
Taking a risk to take the car out after a rain storm, I left the car idling while checking tyre pressures... Then the sun came out, it must be a sign!
A quick test run and fuel stop showed the car was performing faultlessly! Time for a quick clean ready for tomorrow.
I was up very early on Saturday morning, opened the curtains to see I was snowed in! I'm not one to let people down, so I waited to the last minute to see what the weather was doing... It was melting pretty fast, so lets do it!
I'd already requested facilities to wash the car, so Jordan from JKC took me round and helped me get set up.
Damm I really need a heated power washer!
The car was cleaned then moved round to a prime position in the showroom. I was very happy with how she was looking.
I didn't really take any photos or even look at the new 3 series. Oops!
A few random photos from the car park...
Then back home after the ~95 mile round trip to get scrubbed up, back into the garage as it was time for beer and a steak!
Jamie Graham also took this fantastic photo below.
https://flic.kr/p/2dHzgNB
A different day for me and great to see the M3 in a showroom after ~ 23 years.
A big thanks to Jordan and Aidan @ JKC!
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