Unloved e36 328 sport revival
Discussion
Thought i'd share the journey - it's going to be a long one!
In deep with this & i'm going to end up with shares in Eng Weld but I'm refusing to let this thing go to the scrap yard in the sky!
She's been unloved for years, blatantly been through a couple of Dodgy MOT's but i'm hoping will be a little beauty when it's resurrected!
Looked half decent when I fell for it and took the plunge. No MOT fails on rust he said, just a bit of crust on the arch he said.
I took the skirts off, had a good prod around and reality sunk in pretty quick!
A few months have elapsed, whilst I composed myself in preparation for what was coming!
Long story short - sills are shot, rear arches are pretty shot. Oh boy, we've all seen this before!
Has also had a questionable repair on the O/S rear quarter. The amount of filler in the arch was absurd, some near enough 10mm thick. I'm almost ashamed to say I didn't notice this before I bought it. I've had my hand up inside the panel and the spot welds are still there from when it was pulled out.. the panel is scrap.
The damage covers a larger area than repair panels cover so it's a full rear quarter to repair this side.
Onto today - Dash out to remove the damn carpet and check the rest out.
I had already noticed some damage to the floor (It's sat way too low) However wasn't really expecting to find this.
O/S
N/S
I haven't finished poking around on the O/S but there's not much point really, I'll just wait until I cut both of the sills off.
My guess - It's had a few wallops on the floor pan from being so low - it's split the seam sealer and however long it's been at this height for the water has seeped in and done it's worst!
Was surprised to see this though - The front of the sills on the outside show near enough no rust, just goes to show there are probably lots of e36 with hidden rot!
So the list grows.
2x new sills (potentially looking like bmw genuine)
2x new inner rears
1x O/S rear quarter
1x N/S rear arch repair panel
I am certainly going to cut out all of the offending warped floor pan and see what the front inner sills hold when Gary grinder comes out to play!
Daren't tell anyone how much I paid for the car
In deep with this & i'm going to end up with shares in Eng Weld but I'm refusing to let this thing go to the scrap yard in the sky!
She's been unloved for years, blatantly been through a couple of Dodgy MOT's but i'm hoping will be a little beauty when it's resurrected!
Looked half decent when I fell for it and took the plunge. No MOT fails on rust he said, just a bit of crust on the arch he said.
I took the skirts off, had a good prod around and reality sunk in pretty quick!
A few months have elapsed, whilst I composed myself in preparation for what was coming!
Long story short - sills are shot, rear arches are pretty shot. Oh boy, we've all seen this before!
Has also had a questionable repair on the O/S rear quarter. The amount of filler in the arch was absurd, some near enough 10mm thick. I'm almost ashamed to say I didn't notice this before I bought it. I've had my hand up inside the panel and the spot welds are still there from when it was pulled out.. the panel is scrap.
The damage covers a larger area than repair panels cover so it's a full rear quarter to repair this side.
Onto today - Dash out to remove the damn carpet and check the rest out.
I had already noticed some damage to the floor (It's sat way too low) However wasn't really expecting to find this.
O/S
N/S
I haven't finished poking around on the O/S but there's not much point really, I'll just wait until I cut both of the sills off.
My guess - It's had a few wallops on the floor pan from being so low - it's split the seam sealer and however long it's been at this height for the water has seeped in and done it's worst!
Was surprised to see this though - The front of the sills on the outside show near enough no rust, just goes to show there are probably lots of e36 with hidden rot!
So the list grows.
2x new sills (potentially looking like bmw genuine)
2x new inner rears
1x O/S rear quarter
1x N/S rear arch repair panel
I am certainly going to cut out all of the offending warped floor pan and see what the front inner sills hold when Gary grinder comes out to play!
Daren't tell anyone how much I paid for the car
tvrfan007 said:
Crikey that's grim! Kudos for taking that on, most would've abandoned track slagging that!
If this was 5 years ago I would of already driven it straight to the scrap yard.However soaring prices on these and the simple fact they are getting thin on the ground leaves me no option, unless I find any more seriously hidden nasties!
It's ridiculous to think I um'd and ah'd over buying an E36 M3 circa 5 years ago for 5k and some of these sport's have already surpassed that!
I've had a quote from BMW;
Rear quarter - £405
Rear inner sills - £103 (each)
I Will get away with a pattern repair panel on the N/S for the rear arch.
Outer sills I have been quoted £498 from BMW, which I really don't want to end up succumbing too - I was hoping to make pattern Saloon sills work but it totally depends how bad the inner sills are at the front.
The scary thing is from the outside (at the front) It doesn't look half as bad as some I have seen.
These E36 really hide their rot very well - and I must advise anyone who is serious about repairing one or buying with the intention to keep must pull the carpets or get up on a ramp to have a proper nosey.
I did have the intention of restoring it back to full factory (ish) spec with sports interior as it came with base spec front seats and no rears.
However I'm going to have to spend a massive chunk on panels alone so I'll be happy just to have a rot free chassis, Will probably throw my trusty old corbeau in there and enjoy it for what it is!
If I wasn't such an anal b*****d It would make much more sense just to patch and send, but it would bug me knowing it's not right!
Rome wasn't built in a day - although i'd like to drive it this side of 2030 LOL
Kettmark said:
How come its badges as a 318is? Replacement bootlid?
I've a soft spot for e36s too.
Yes mate. I've a soft spot for e36s too.
It had an awful black bootlid when I bought it. Managed to find this with OEM spoiler off a 4 pot with no rust.
However when i went to fit it i noticed that around the lock mechanism was cracked on both sides, another 'doh' moment.
Pretty hefty bootlids these though so i'm guessing another common problem from years of being slammed.
Will weld it up or look for another lid once i've seen the light at the end of the tunnel!
This is just from the O/S poking!
Edited by bombercountynick on Thursday 2nd July 20:33
I'll be watching this with great interest as I have a 318iS which I've owned from new and which now needs a lot of work. It keeps getting put off as all the classic car people I approach seem to expect me to source replacement parts myself. I have no car related connections whatsoever, while I'd expect them to have many, so quite why they want me to try to get the bits I need when they could probably do it a whole lot easier is a puzzle to me and has stalled proceedings somewhat.
MitchT said:
I'll be watching this with great interest as I have a 318iS which I've owned from new and which now needs a lot of work. It keeps getting put off as all the classic car people I approach seem to expect me to source replacement parts myself. I have no car related connections whatsoever, while I'd expect them to have many, so quite why they want me to try to get the bits I need when they could probably do it a whole lot easier is a puzzle to me and has stalled proceedings somewhat.
Would love to hear more about your car. I have the same model, registered 1993 with 25k on the clock.PurpleTurtle said:
Looks like you’ve got your work cut out OP!
What’s your budget on this if you don’t mind me asking? Or has man maths taken over?
My heart usually rules my head (how i got myself into this!) So i can almost guarantee i'll end up spending more than I should.What’s your budget on this if you don’t mind me asking? Or has man maths taken over?
I paid £2200 for the car *sigh*
Initially the plan was to find a nice sport interior and just maintain / use the car as it is.
However It wasn't until I started looking for interiors that i realised how much good sets can fetch!
I haven't had a toy since i sold my impreza Ra a few years back, i'd not even looked and cannot believe the hike in prices in just 3/4 years for sought after parts across the board.
Micras to e30 m3s the prices are insane! I took redundancy and bought this on a whim !
Realistically just to get the chassis solid is probably going to end up costing me the best part of 2k. I'm tackling the welding myself with the help of a wise man, however i'm still undecided on whether I'll leave the rear quarter to a proper bodyshop, which will add £££
The car has covered 180k & although it has a partial bmw history (up to 140k) i can't see it ever being worth top money, especially with me being the 13th owner, regardless of how nice it turns out. This is why i'm yet to decide whether to restore and return to oem, with interior or restore, cage and just use as a fast road car.
I'm not in it for the money, i've always had a soft spot for these cars and realistically i've priced myself out of ever owning an M3 now unless i go see the bank!
Even if it takes me 2 years, the blow will be cushioned a little money wise, but i think we all know to do this properly i can bet my bottom dollar the receipts at the end are gonna be £5k+
Edited by bombercountynick on Thursday 2nd July 21:27
MitchT said:
I'll be watching this with great interest as I have a 318iS which I've owned from new and which now needs a lot of work. It keeps getting put off as all the classic car people I approach seem to expect me to source replacement parts myself. I have no car related connections whatsoever, while I'd expect them to have many, so quite why they want me to try to get the bits I need when they could probably do it a whole lot easier is a puzzle to me and has stalled proceedings somewhat.
Where are you Mitch? Im no expert but i know where to look for rust on these now! Bmw still offer all the panels mate, just make sure you're sat down in the comfy chair when they pass you the quotes!bombercountynick said:
Where are you Mitch? Im no expert but i know where to look for rust on these now! Bmw still offer all the panels mate, just make sure you're sat down in the comfy chair when they pass you the quotes!
I'm in Bingley in West Yorkshire. I do know quite a lot about the extent of the rust problems on these cars as I know someone who knows them inside out. He could do the work but hasn't been able to get started in the five years or so that I've been pestering him. I also had a couple of eye-watering quotes for doing it and a couple of affordable ones, but both of the latter insisted that I source parts that are needed, such as a new bonnet, as did one of the expensive places too! I did find a bonnet and doors in the correct colour on eBay but they were "collection only". I also need a new boot lid but these seem to be as rare as hen's teeth! I know what you mean about new BMW parts too - I've seen the prices!!!bombercountynick said:
PurpleTurtle said:
Looks like you’ve got your work cut out OP!
What’s your budget on this if you don’t mind me asking? Or has man maths taken over?
My heart usually rules my head (how i got myself into this!) So i can almost guarantee i'll end up spending more than I should.What’s your budget on this if you don’t mind me asking? Or has man maths taken over?
I paid £2200 for the car *sigh*
Initially the plan was to find a nice sport interior and just maintain / use the car as it is.
However It wasn't until I started looking for interiors that i realised how much good sets can fetch!
I haven't had a toy since i sold my impreza Ra a few years back, i'd not even looked and cannot believe the hike in prices in just 3/4 years for sought after parts across the board.
Micras to e30 m3s the prices are insane! I took redundancy and bought this on a whim !
Realistically just to get the chassis solid is probably going to end up costing me the best part of 2k. I'm tackling the welding myself with the help of a wise man, however i'm still undecided on whether I'll leave the rear quarter to a proper bodyshop, which will add £££
The car has covered 180k & although it has a partial bmw history (up to 140k) i can't see it ever being worth top money, especially with me being the 13th owner, regardless of how nice it turns out. This is why i'm yet to decide whether to restore and return to oem, with interior or restore, cage and just use as a fast road car.
I'm not in it for the money, i've always had a soft spot for these cars and realistically i've priced myself out of ever owning an M3 now unless i go see the bank!
Even if it takes me 2 years, the blow will be cushioned a little money wise, but i think we all know to do this properly i can bet my bottom dollar the receipts at the end are gonna be £5k+
Edited by bombercountynick on Thursday 2nd July 21:27
I run an E46 M3 which I love, but only do 4k miles a year so can't really justify anything else. I'd always hankered after an E36 (my old flatmate had an E35 328i coupe from new, fabulous car) but by the time I assembled the cash the E46 had come along so I went with the newer version. E36s in good order are getting rare, so good to see you taking this on. Will watch the thread with interest, good luck!
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