BMW E36 M3 - Reckless Restoration
Discussion
Fantastic work and I am sure now highly collectible.
I had a 97 Evo from 2004-2009. Really enjoyed that car and I tweaked it a little over the time that I had it. Suspension and brakes, nothing cosmetic. S50B32 - that engine is an absolute masterpiece.
On reflection, the one change that I would make if I had another would be to fit a faster steering rack. Is that something you have looked at? Even back then the steering felt a little slow.
I had a 97 Evo from 2004-2009. Really enjoyed that car and I tweaked it a little over the time that I had it. Suspension and brakes, nothing cosmetic. S50B32 - that engine is an absolute masterpiece.
On reflection, the one change that I would make if I had another would be to fit a faster steering rack. Is that something you have looked at? Even back then the steering felt a little slow.
Tommie38 said:
Fantastic work and I am sure now highly collectible.
I had a 97 Evo from 2004-2009. Really enjoyed that car and I tweaked it a little over the time that I had it. Suspension and brakes, nothing cosmetic. S50B32 - that engine is an absolute masterpiece.
On reflection, the one change that I would make if I had another would be to fit a faster steering rack. Is that something you have looked at? Even back then the steering felt a little slow.
The S50, when in good health, is a wonderful thing indeed.I had a 97 Evo from 2004-2009. Really enjoyed that car and I tweaked it a little over the time that I had it. Suspension and brakes, nothing cosmetic. S50B32 - that engine is an absolute masterpiece.
On reflection, the one change that I would make if I had another would be to fit a faster steering rack. Is that something you have looked at? Even back then the steering felt a little slow.
In terms of the steering, I agree the standard Evo rack (not to mention the non-Evo) is pretty ponderous. I’ve had a couple of 911s in the past and get to drive McLarens regularly so my expectations are probably even more unrealistic! In any case during the restoration I did fit a fully rebuilt 1.9 Z3 steering rack so once the wheel geometry is sorted it should be better than stock even if not perfect.
Beautiful - one of my dream cars, in the best colour! I remember when BMW launched the Evo, Autocar had a red saloon and an Estoril coupe on the cover. Both stunning and both colours suited their shape. I was lucky enough to be a passenger in a Techno Violet Evo a few years later, went like stink, sounded incredible but what really stuck with me was the brutal braking.
Having only now seen the actual calipers I’m astounded they’re not that beefy at all! Incredible cars and this is a credit to you. Sadly one of the long list of my youth’s dream cars that I’ve missed the boat on.
Having only now seen the actual calipers I’m astounded they’re not that beefy at all! Incredible cars and this is a credit to you. Sadly one of the long list of my youth’s dream cars that I’ve missed the boat on.
Thanks for the nice comments everyone and great to hear some of the memories linked to these old things.
In terms of an update and despite the car being very close to being finished, here’s what I’ve been up to lately.
The headlining and A/B/C pillar trims are away being recovered so in the meantime I turned my attention to giving the interior a really deep clean. The seats will go off to be refurbished towards the end of the year but for now I just wanted them looking a bit more loved - even if not perfect.
Seats out, exposing 24 years of crud and grime.
Mats removed for separate cleaning and then the carpets were given a good hard vacuum, brushed and vacuumed again. Then in with detergent, warm water and a wet vac, plus more gentle brushing.
Looking much better
Then front and rear seats were given a very deep clean, using a good diluted detergent and medium/soft brushes. Left to dry they were then given a coat of Swissvax Leather Milk. As you’ll notice the drivers seat is in need of some work, but for now very much better.
Before
After
The final results
Then on Tuesday she was (nervously) packed off to spend the day at a local BMW specialist for full suspension geometry and air on regas. The owner is 8yrs into restoring an E36 M3 GT so we had plenty to talk about - we even worked for the same BMW dealer group it turns out! Small world.
Fully aligned and driving beautifully
So that brings us up to the present, my aim is to get a couple of hundred miles under her wheels over the next few weeks as part of a shakedown. I’ll then crawl underneath and retorque everything, change the diff oil and check for leaks etc (in truth I’m checking for leaks far more often than that!!). Then in a couple of weeks she’ll go for full ceramic coating and all being well a trip to the Le Mans 24.
In terms of an update and despite the car being very close to being finished, here’s what I’ve been up to lately.
The headlining and A/B/C pillar trims are away being recovered so in the meantime I turned my attention to giving the interior a really deep clean. The seats will go off to be refurbished towards the end of the year but for now I just wanted them looking a bit more loved - even if not perfect.
Seats out, exposing 24 years of crud and grime.
Mats removed for separate cleaning and then the carpets were given a good hard vacuum, brushed and vacuumed again. Then in with detergent, warm water and a wet vac, plus more gentle brushing.
Looking much better
Then front and rear seats were given a very deep clean, using a good diluted detergent and medium/soft brushes. Left to dry they were then given a coat of Swissvax Leather Milk. As you’ll notice the drivers seat is in need of some work, but for now very much better.
Before
After
The final results
Then on Tuesday she was (nervously) packed off to spend the day at a local BMW specialist for full suspension geometry and air on regas. The owner is 8yrs into restoring an E36 M3 GT so we had plenty to talk about - we even worked for the same BMW dealer group it turns out! Small world.
Fully aligned and driving beautifully
So that brings us up to the present, my aim is to get a couple of hundred miles under her wheels over the next few weeks as part of a shakedown. I’ll then crawl underneath and retorque everything, change the diff oil and check for leaks etc (in truth I’m checking for leaks far more often than that!!). Then in a couple of weeks she’ll go for full ceramic coating and all being well a trip to the Le Mans 24.
Edited by T-bagger on Wednesday 4th May 22:39
guards red said:
Hello OP,
I have a 97 M3 Evo saloon to recommission (no pressue then), my question is, where did you store all that came off the car as you restored it?
You appear to have carried out all the work in a single garage - the bits soon build up. How did you manage it all?
That’s a very pertinent question. I did restore mine in a single garage and must say that at the height of the strip down it needed some very careful planning. In general I had the car on 4 axle stands so was able to store some parts under the car. I also had a sheet on the roof with a foam cot mattress on the roof, upon which I stored other parts. The rest of the parts were boxed up and put in the shed!I have a 97 M3 Evo saloon to recommission (no pressue then), my question is, where did you store all that came off the car as you restored it?
You appear to have carried out all the work in a single garage - the bits soon build up. How did you manage it all?
Evening All. It feels like a while since I’ve provided an update on the car, to be truthful: I’ve actually been out and about enjoying the drive aswell as showing her off at shows, car & coffee meets and breakfast drive-outs. Since getting the car back in the road, I’ve racked up over 800 miles. As odd as it sounds, it’s been a period of getting to know the car again - a combination of remembering how to drive these things well and learning how to get the most out of the chassis and powertrain. After all, she was off the road for 6 years. The last job to be done is a reconditioning of the seats, steering wheel and parcel shelf retrim. For this the car will go to my trusted trimmer in March next year.
To protect the new paintwork I had a detailer buddy of mine spend 13 hours improving the paint still further and applying 2 coats of ceramic product. I didn’t think the paint could look any better - I was wrong! It looks stunning.
Well protected here’s a few shots of her out and about. As always, thanks for reading.
Representing the BMW Car Club Wessex Region at Donnington BMW Sommerfest:
Seeing double at a breakfast meet and hassling a lovely CSL.
Simply BMW at Beaulieu
Cars & Coffee day at work
To protect the new paintwork I had a detailer buddy of mine spend 13 hours improving the paint still further and applying 2 coats of ceramic product. I didn’t think the paint could look any better - I was wrong! It looks stunning.
Well protected here’s a few shots of her out and about. As always, thanks for reading.
Representing the BMW Car Club Wessex Region at Donnington BMW Sommerfest:
Seeing double at a breakfast meet and hassling a lovely CSL.
Simply BMW at Beaulieu
Cars & Coffee day at work
Top work OP it’s looking great, the Vader seats in these are fantastic, they’ve really come up well with the deep clean.
Nearly swapped a leggy X-Type+£1k for a 3.0 non Evo Dakar yellow coupe circa 2007, they were criminally undervalued then though tbf a lot were complete dogs, how times have changed
Did manage to get my hands on an E46 M3 a couple of years later and to be honest this thread is really got me thinking about getting another
Nearly swapped a leggy X-Type+£1k for a 3.0 non Evo Dakar yellow coupe circa 2007, they were criminally undervalued then though tbf a lot were complete dogs, how times have changed
Did manage to get my hands on an E46 M3 a couple of years later and to be honest this thread is really got me thinking about getting another
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff