BMW E36 Touring with M3 conversion

[speedmachine]

I recently came across a BMW e36 Touring that had undergone an engine transpant. It had been fitted with a 3.0 M3 engine along with other parts required from the M3 such as the gearbox, rear axle, diff etc..It even had the Vadar seats from the M3 Couple

This got me thinking about the idea of buiyng an e36 touring in sport guise for a daily and perhaps doing an M3 conversion in the future if circumstances allow.

What do you guys think? I have very little knowledge of what is required but it doesn't strike me as a very complicated, or even hugely expensive task.

Even if I didn't perform the conversion, I think I could live with a 328i Sport Touring. Anyone ever owned one of these? What are they like? I've been searching the classifieds but they seem really rare!

I know I could easily just opt for a coupe or even the 4 door M3 but for some reason 'sporty' estate cars a really beginning to appeal to me and the extra boot space would be ideal!

[declasm]

Hello,

this might not be your cup of tea but I just bought an E34 540i touring - I picked it up for just over £1K, I would have thought with a sportier diff and some choice suspension upgrades it might have the same effect as your E36 conversion without the engine swap hassle, easy to debadge and make very anonymous but still with a nice 286bhp for when you want it

Edited by declasm on Monday 26th April 15:29

[VladD]

This guy put the V12 from a 7 series into a 3 series shell. Better suited to an estate than the M3 engine I'd suggest.

350i

[theboymoon]

there are a few people on here for whom an E36 M3 wagon would be a nigh-on ideal, err, wagon.

me included.

[dan101smith]

A few have floated around over the last couple of years. I'd definitely have one in my garage, given the opportunity.

There seem to be some E46 Tourings with M3 conversions around now, too.

[speedmachine]

declasm said:

Hello,

this might not be your cup of tea but I just bought an E34 540i touring - I picked it up for just over £1K, I would have thought with a sportier diff and some choice suspension upgrades it might have the same effect as your E36 conversion without the engine swap hassle, easy to debadge and make very anonymous but still with a nice 286bhp for when you want it

Edited by declasm on Monday 26th April 15:29

I love the E34 shape but the slightly more compact shape of the E36 Touring appeals to me more. I'd also be quite content to leace it standard for the forseeable future if I find a nice touring with all the sport trim