My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
832ark said:
I bet less than 500.
Here's mine - its on genuine Alpina multispokes and debadged. No one has a clue what it is:
That's proper cool! Love it. Any more?Here's mine - its on genuine Alpina multispokes and debadged. No one has a clue what it is:
I'd be tempted by a set of period rims for it, however the love of the contours is too much lol. Never mind having six of them.
Debadged or not, they sure are sleeper cars.
EJH said:
They only made 694 RHD Evo Saloons...? I knew there weren't that many but really...?
I'm still very much in love with mine, bought last April with 46,000 miles and it's now about to hit 53,000. Best work so far was new bushes and dampers (all BMW aside from some poly for ARB). When properly sorted these are lovely cars!
I'd say the figure is accurate. As I believe just over 1000 saloons were made in total. Whether that is RHD only, or 3.0 and 3.2 versions I'm not sure.I'm still very much in love with mine, bought last April with 46,000 miles and it's now about to hit 53,000. Best work so far was new bushes and dampers (all BMW aside from some poly for ARB). When properly sorted these are lovely cars!
Interesting you say about the dampers, I'm quite tempted by the Bilstein B12 kit. I'm an OEM fan boy by all means, but the B12 kit is very high quality and may add to the car?!?!?!
EJH said:
I decided to OEM (or OEM+) on mine as I thought that which was on there would be well past its best. As such, I thought going to back to stock would probably deliver the improvements that I wanted (and it did). The car is also my dally driver and so I wanted to keep ride height as it was and didn’t want the suspension to be any harder, etc.
A précis of my "OWM+," setup is:
Dampers Sachs (original units but rather less than if in a BMW box)
Most bushes BMW OE
Some Bushes Powerflex
Rear Top Mounts E46 Cabrio (tougher than E36 standard)
This was then aligned as stock but with a little less camber and slightly more rear toe-in.
I left the brakes as stock (all parts bought from local BMW dealer - they give a decent enough discount and not sure who else sells floating front discs!) aside from the addition of braided brake hoses which, to my mind at least, improve pedal feel greatly.
Full details of the work done to my car is here: http://www.iridiumengineering.co.uk/casebook9.html I have no affiliation with Iridium but am a very satisfied customer.
Thanks for all the info sir, I'll have a look at the link shortly.A précis of my "OWM+," setup is:
Dampers Sachs (original units but rather less than if in a BMW box)
Most bushes BMW OE
Some Bushes Powerflex
Rear Top Mounts E46 Cabrio (tougher than E36 standard)
This was then aligned as stock but with a little less camber and slightly more rear toe-in.
I left the brakes as stock (all parts bought from local BMW dealer - they give a decent enough discount and not sure who else sells floating front discs!) aside from the addition of braided brake hoses which, to my mind at least, improve pedal feel greatly.
Full details of the work done to my car is here: http://www.iridiumengineering.co.uk/casebook9.html I have no affiliation with Iridium but am a very satisfied customer.
I wouldn't touch the brakes, apart from as you say the braided hoses.
The suspension needs changed now, so I'll have to decide what route to go down.
Mine however is not a daily driver, nor do I wish to ruin it with no ride comfort at all.
It's all been BMW parts so far too
EJH said:
Meant to say earlier; this is a feeling I know well.
When I bought mine it had a FUBAR Alpine in it. After some careful consideration of fitting a new Alpine, an amplifier under the passenger seats, a set of components in the front and a pair of JL Stealthboxes(1) in the back, I ended up buying one of these:
(image borrowed from Google)
Yes, I know that they can be bought for just over 1/3 of the price with a Rover badge on them...but that's really not the point when one is trying to do these things right!(2)
(1) If anyone knows where these can be bought, I could still be tempted. Seemingly they're crafted from pure unobtanium!
(2) For similar reasons, I bought a set of M Contour IIs new from BMW. Impossible to get wheels properly refurbed over here and, with shipping factored in, new ones cost about the same. This means that I have a spare set to sell or refurb for track or winter rubber. The ultimate skiing machine...?
Have you priced those head units, I looked at them too... Quite a few hundred for a used one When I bought mine it had a FUBAR Alpine in it. After some careful consideration of fitting a new Alpine, an amplifier under the passenger seats, a set of components in the front and a pair of JL Stealthboxes(1) in the back, I ended up buying one of these:
(image borrowed from Google)
Yes, I know that they can be bought for just over 1/3 of the price with a Rover badge on them...but that's really not the point when one is trying to do these things right!(2)
(1) If anyone knows where these can be bought, I could still be tempted. Seemingly they're crafted from pure unobtanium!
(2) For similar reasons, I bought a set of M Contour IIs new from BMW. Impossible to get wheels properly refurbed over here and, with shipping factored in, new ones cost about the same. This means that I have a spare set to sell or refurb for track or winter rubber. The ultimate skiing machine...?
. I do keep looking at them too.I didn't realise they are difficult to refurbish??
A bit of a busy week this one, so I'll scratch my head here and note down what I got organised.
First stop was back to the dealership where the car was bought from when new. Luckily it is only 20-25 mins away from me.
Unfortunately the main aim was to get the cars history. However due to a change to a computerised system, all they can provide is a list of dates and mileages.
I also got the dealer plates while I was there, all FOC. So thanks Country Garage for that.
Moving on to exhaust bushes. These sit in the middle of the car, you can see the old torn one on the left and of course the new one on the right.
Being super anal, I couldn't just fit the mounts and be done with it, the brackets were removed, wire-brushed and painted up.
Oh and lack of updates have also been due to this...
It arrived with a mate next door yesterday. Takes a breath, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, or close enough...
Horrendously fast, noisy piece of machinery.
First stop was back to the dealership where the car was bought from when new. Luckily it is only 20-25 mins away from me.
Unfortunately the main aim was to get the cars history. However due to a change to a computerised system, all they can provide is a list of dates and mileages.
I also got the dealer plates while I was there, all FOC. So thanks Country Garage for that.
Moving on to exhaust bushes. These sit in the middle of the car, you can see the old torn one on the left and of course the new one on the right.
Being super anal, I couldn't just fit the mounts and be done with it, the brackets were removed, wire-brushed and painted up.
Oh and lack of updates have also been due to this...
It arrived with a mate next door yesterday. Takes a breath, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, or close enough...
Horrendously fast, noisy piece of machinery.
I picked up the new exhaust mounts today. A complete ripp off from BMW. However I'll make sure they last at least another 16 years....
They have been cleaned, keyed and sprayed as you can see.
I have taken the mounts into the house, the heat should help the paint cure over night. I may add another coat tomorrow.
At the same time I bought new bolts, bushes etc as part of the fitting kit for the rear exhaust section.
They have been cleaned, keyed and sprayed as you can see.
I have taken the mounts into the house, the heat should help the paint cure over night. I may add another coat tomorrow.
At the same time I bought new bolts, bushes etc as part of the fitting kit for the rear exhaust section.
EJH said:
Seeing this, I feel like I really need to up my game. I'm using mine as a daily...and I live in the country; for 9 months of the year mine is covered in mud for 6 days of the week!
Don't see it as a bad thing... They really are fantastic daily drivers. Mine needs driven more often.EJH said:
Seeing as you seem to be more of a parts guru for this car than I am, any idea where a new (or spare to be refurbished) gear knob can be found? One of my car's previous owners had a wedding ring...and whilst the wood is quite hideous, it's rather nicely done and was factory compulsory so mine is staying!
I'm learning on my feet as I go, no guru about it ...I'd be checking out eBay, its an Aladdin's cave for e36 parts.
BMW themselves may be able to help too.
Otherwise a breakers yard, though many advertise on eBay anyway.
All door handle seals have been replaced. Quite an easy job after you get the nack / tools.
I've replaced the diff oil with Castrol's finest. It was actually one of the first things I bought for the car, but only getting round to replacing it now.
You can see the stains of the WD40 round the diff bolts, it must react with the wax-oil?!?
The tool kit gas also been cleaned up (OCD). I've the two spark plug tools ordered. More the pin tool is a bit worn.
I'd got a good 2-3 hour drive in the car with a few mates this week too. Up around the north coast and hills of Northern Ireland. Absolutely brilliant roads, the car was flawless, no problems with her at all. Bags of power and a fairly safe balance. You do feel the weight of the steering after a while, probably something I'll get used to.
Today I was at a charity Super Car event, passenger rides in various super cars are auctioned off. All hail the mighty F40! Sounds great on the over run.
http://youtu.be/RiS9rWk9BBc
I've replaced the diff oil with Castrol's finest. It was actually one of the first things I bought for the car, but only getting round to replacing it now.
You can see the stains of the WD40 round the diff bolts, it must react with the wax-oil?!?
The tool kit gas also been cleaned up (OCD). I've the two spark plug tools ordered. More the pin tool is a bit worn.
I'd got a good 2-3 hour drive in the car with a few mates this week too. Up around the north coast and hills of Northern Ireland. Absolutely brilliant roads, the car was flawless, no problems with her at all. Bags of power and a fairly safe balance. You do feel the weight of the steering after a while, probably something I'll get used to.
Today I was at a charity Super Car event, passenger rides in various super cars are auctioned off. All hail the mighty F40! Sounds great on the over run.
http://youtu.be/RiS9rWk9BBc
Updates this time were to look at the bonnet pins / catches.
Looking slightly rusty here...
Sanded back for good measure and to provide a key for the paint.
A fresh coat of paint curing
Guy a fellow member of pistonheads had sent me a gear knob. Exactly the same as I have, just much better condition.
The final coat pretty much dry
Fitted
The next victim...
Painted
Both now fitted
A close up for the bonnet catch
A better shot of the two fitted
I also installed an OEM head unit. Fairly good condition.
Half way through the operation of fitting the above...
Looking slightly rusty here...
Sanded back for good measure and to provide a key for the paint.
A fresh coat of paint curing
Guy a fellow member of pistonheads had sent me a gear knob. Exactly the same as I have, just much better condition.
The final coat pretty much dry
Fitted
The next victim...
Painted
Both now fitted
A close up for the bonnet catch
A better shot of the two fitted
I also installed an OEM head unit. Fairly good condition.
Half way through the operation of fitting the above...
Bit of a big update, as well I have been working away on the car, I just haven't updated the thread in a while...
Anyway after not running the car for a while, life support was required a bargain at half price...
After much abuse, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century
with a CD player. That is indeed an OEM BMW one, not a Rover badged one. A steal on eBay.
I put some flooring down for the car, or well for me... It's a tad softer than cold concrete!
A quick blast into town with my brother and a friend to the cinema. It was a cold dry night, so she needed to get out for a run!
The passenger mirror wasn't moving electronically... I traced it back to a shorted motor. One of the pins became dislodged and shorted over another pin. Motor replaced and working fine.
I'd noticed the last few times I was out in the car, the Vanos wasn't engaging. I'm glad to say it was always very quiet, however the solenoid covers were leaking a little oil. A seal kit was ordered, including uprated seals and new high tensile bolts.
These are the infamous solenoids, These were removed, old seals removed, cleaned and new seals fitted.
You can see one of the torn seals below. The round o-ring had flattened out and as you can see started to tear / break down.
Some new shiny bolts! Worth it for the looks alone!
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Pressure valve seals replaced too.
Now the vanos is working better than new. Nice smooth engagement and much more drivable at low speed too.
A good friend helped me out with a little idea I was after should I start showing the car / rob banks etc...
This was me warming the car before starting into the vanos job. The BMW Business CD head unit is a great match. A nice uncomplicated dash!
I've refurbished a new cam cover and rocker cover for the car. It looks great if I say so myself. I have it up for sale on eBay if anyone is interested? I was professionally blasted back to bare metal, refinished and the paint has been baked on http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281209726446
A new toy / upgrade. A second hand x-brace that had covered 100 miles. Like new as you can see. I'd ordered new fittings for it too, new bolts really... My subframe was pre-drilled for it, so no messing about with nutcerts.
A comparison between the x-brace and the standard bar.
This is a rubber stop that fits to the newer versions of the x-brace. This attaches to the x-brace and under heavy load this will stop the engine and drive train twisting too much on its mounts, by butting against the sump.
The x-brace fitted. Without teaching anyone to suck eggs, this locks the subframe (engine, suspension etc) to the shell of the car.
Time for some fresh go-go juice at the petrol station. Always a cheat to make a car look good under the forecourt lights...
I'm a big sceptic about improving cars, so very opinionated about things... So I can genuinely say the x-brace made a massive improvement to the car. The best way to describe it is much quicker turn in when putting load onto the chassis. I am very very impressed. It's certainly transformed the car into something much shaper and has made me very keen to refresh the shocks and springs.
Anyway after not running the car for a while, life support was required a bargain at half price...
After much abuse, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century
with a CD player. That is indeed an OEM BMW one, not a Rover badged one. A steal on eBay.I put some flooring down for the car, or well for me... It's a tad softer than cold concrete!
A quick blast into town with my brother and a friend to the cinema. It was a cold dry night, so she needed to get out for a run!
The passenger mirror wasn't moving electronically... I traced it back to a shorted motor. One of the pins became dislodged and shorted over another pin. Motor replaced and working fine.
I'd noticed the last few times I was out in the car, the Vanos wasn't engaging. I'm glad to say it was always very quiet, however the solenoid covers were leaking a little oil. A seal kit was ordered, including uprated seals and new high tensile bolts.
These are the infamous solenoids, These were removed, old seals removed, cleaned and new seals fitted.
You can see one of the torn seals below. The round o-ring had flattened out and as you can see started to tear / break down.
Some new shiny bolts!
Worth it for the looks alone!Pressure valve seals replaced too.
Now the vanos is working better than new. Nice smooth engagement and much more drivable at low speed too.
A good friend helped me out with a little idea I was after should I start showing the car / rob banks etc...
This was me warming the car before starting into the vanos job. The BMW Business CD head unit is a great match. A nice uncomplicated dash!
I've refurbished a new cam cover and rocker cover for the car. It looks great if I say so myself. I have it up for sale on eBay if anyone is interested? I was professionally blasted back to bare metal, refinished and the paint has been baked on http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281209726446
A new toy / upgrade. A second hand x-brace that had covered 100 miles. Like new as you can see. I'd ordered new fittings for it too, new bolts really... My subframe was pre-drilled for it, so no messing about with nutcerts.
A comparison between the x-brace and the standard bar.
This is a rubber stop that fits to the newer versions of the x-brace. This attaches to the x-brace and under heavy load this will stop the engine and drive train twisting too much on its mounts, by butting against the sump.
The x-brace fitted. Without teaching anyone to suck eggs, this locks the subframe (engine, suspension etc) to the shell of the car.
Time for some fresh go-go juice at the petrol station. Always a cheat to make a car look good under the forecourt lights...
I'm a big sceptic about improving cars, so very opinionated about things... So I can genuinely say the x-brace made a massive improvement to the car. The best way to describe it is much quicker turn in when putting load onto the chassis. I am very very impressed. It's certainly transformed the car into something much shaper and has made me very keen to refresh the shocks and springs.
milu said:
Great car and a credit to you and previous owners.
Looking at the dash...no air con?? Surprised at that if it's not present although it's probably a blessing!
Thanks mate Looking at the dash...no air con?? Surprised at that if it's not present although it's probably a blessing!
.Nope no air con as you say it could well be a blessing. I believe they can be... quirky.
No ac weight reduction and no power drain coupled with the stiffer saloon chassis its like a csl
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