My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon

[Neil_M]

Hi Folks,

I've recently joined the site and as of Saturday I am now the proud owner of a 1996 M3 Evo Saloon, with 76,000 miles.

This is a second car to me and the aim is to get the car better than new.

Mechanically the car seems spot on, minimal rust (which surprised me). Its really been babied and garaged all its life.

From reading through the car's history, it has a full dealership service history, until 10,000 miles ago. I have since discovered it was owned from new (for 6 years) by my brothers, ex girlfriends father (small world).

Some pics...









Thanks,
Neil

[Neil_M]

Thanks mate ... The coupe / saloon never really bothered me either way. I do have to say the saloon with no spoiler has a very sharp waist line on it that follows from the boot lid forwards.

[Neil_M]

Thanks Martin. I can't wait to get it looking good as new.

[Neil_M]

quavey said:

Lovely looking car. It wasn't owned by a chap called Bob/Robert was it?

I don't believe so, but one of the owner's I don't have the name of.

NelsonR32 said:

Was that the one in Northern Ireland or the one in Wales?

Picked up mine too on Sunday from Leeds. Full BMWSH histroy. With £18500 spent at Dealers in the last 10 years. Not perfect mechanically but faultless bodywork wise.

No spoiler (woohoo) and of course the best E36 colour. Techno Violet

I'm from Northern Ireland and it was for sale here. Do you know the car? Get pics of yours up !

melvster said:

That is lovely, the super saloon of the 90's; the no spoiler look suits the car perfectly.

Thanks very much. I can't wait to get it show room fresh and roll down the road raising a few eye brows!

clarkmagpie said:

Really like it, also a big fan of the saloon rather than coupe.
Great colour.
It's really frustrating seeing how many lovely cars are out there for roughly my last repair bill

Thanks mate. This for me is a project car and also the "need" for a drivers car. Firing up the straight six still makes bits of me tingle!!

[Neil_M]

Thanks again for all the positive comments.

Unfortunately a lack of time due to work hasn't allowed the M3 to move over the past few days. Bursting to get a drive in it.

I'm also hoping to pop down to the local BMW specialist (handily 15mins away) to see what he has to say.

[Neil_M]

jbaddeley said:

Looks in lovely condition. I've recently bought one and love it. Brilliant value and very quick with a suspension refresh.

Here's mine.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Regards Jbad.

Thank you sir.

Just left you a comment on your thread.

[Neil_M]

Spent the last 3 - 4 hours this evening filling in any stone chips and marks on the paint work.

All in preparation of a major detailing session.

Picked up the paint and a rear window seal from bmw today.

[Neil_M]

Some people were asking about interior shots...

I personally love the wood (wahey). Its very period, suits the car and its image.

[Neil_M]

My job for this evening was to continue to work on scores and paint chips on the car. But mainly to replace the rear window seal. A very easy job actually, my father helped towards the end to fit the new one. The thin handles of a set of draper circlip pliers helped to seat the seal, top tip!

The common problem... The corners of the seal are made from different material to the rubber seals. Over time they disintegrate. I removed it and was left with this...





The new and old seal. Yes that big cardboard box for the little seal!



The seal removed, ahhh the dirt (this is after a quick wipe).



A better clean. It's not rusted to pieces back here, PHEW!




The new seal fitted. That will do another sixteen years!

[Neil_M]

melvster said:

Nice job, not many saloon's out there in this condition. I want it !!!

Ta very much sir.

It's a busy weekend so won't be doing much to the car.

Next weeks plan is to get the differential fluid changed and the differential seals which I believe are a weak point.

After that I'll do a quick service. Oil, oil filter, vanos filter and plugs.

[Neil_M]

BullyB said:

Looks great!
I may have to do the seal on my rear window now you have shown me how.

£18 you can't really go wrong!

[Neil_M]

melvster said:

You heading down to Gaydon next month for the annual Beemer show ?

I'm afraid not sir. Busy times ahead this month and next .

NelsonR32 said:

I found sunroof grease worked a treat getting mine in. I couldn't believe how well packaged it was for £16 (inc discount). They must only make 50p on each one they sell!

LOL probably!

[Neil_M]

A little update from the weekend.

The plugs have now been changed. The old plus were in fairly good condition and nothing on the plugs seemed to say anything was amiss with how the engine was running. After changing the plugs I'm delighted to say the car started, phew! I'd almost say it seems to rev / pick up a little better...



While the spark plug cover was off, I gave it a quick clean up, most of the time was spent on the lettering... It really needs another going over and the black area repainted.

[Neil_M]

g3org3y said:

Lovely car, congrats. Estoril is a fabulous colour too.

Surprised at the lack of aircon though.

Would love an E36 M3, just concerned that finding a decent example is getting increasingly difficult. Maybe next year as a treat if I pass my exams.

Thanks very much . I'm bursting to get it polished up.

I'm surprised too, however its not a big issue for me as the digital climate control can be a weak point. When I picked up the car it was a scorcher of a day, the fans were more than up to the job of keeping me cool. To the point I doubted myself and thought it must have manual a/c. A/C adds a lot of weight too, so no bad thing at all .

It is getting very difficult. It's really going to have to be bought from an enthusiast. Anyone maintaining one on a shoe string, well, is not going to help the car at all.

[Neil_M]

I've pretty much finished the quick service of the car.

Completed so far:

• Oil
• Oil filter
• Air filter
• Spark plugs
• Vanos filter

To do in the immediate future:

• Reset oil service
• Take car for a run to operating temp to ensure oil is a-ok.

I have also got the car booked in to get the diff seal replaced and of course the diff fluid.

Then its doing the remainder of an inspection 2.

I'll also for good measure change the vanos bolts, the two cover gaskets and the solenoid seals.

[Neil_M]

BullyB said:

You can reset the oil service light with a paper clip.
Just Google it

I have the tool to do it anyway . Just doing all these things for good measure

[Neil_M]

She got out for a drive to get the new Fuchs oil up to temp and check all is ok...

She made a friend at the local scrap yard... The owner may / not comment in this thread. Needless to say the coupé is factory fresh!











Engine definately seems to be running sweet as a nut after the Fuchs oil. Thanks to Opie Oils for that.

[Neil_M]

BullyB said:

wow, they both look fantastic!
Can't wait to get mine out from under the cover next week

I'm sure you will be looking forward to it. Brilliant cars. Engine is second to none.

evo96 said:

Scrap yard? Really Neil? Great pics cars look really well. Strange that the four door appears to be a smaller car! Very cool. Keep the tread going. Your car has improved so much from the day you bought it and the service made a big difference to that engine. Be up to spec in no time.

Your still playing catch up tho!

Haha thought that would make you post. It does seem to be quite small indeed.

A day out would make for a nice retro coast road run!

[Neil_M]

melvster said:

Great pics. Is the silver example one that was recently for sale on eBay ? seem to remember an E36 M3 for sale on there not long ago with Ox-Blood Leather Vadars which look stunning.

It wasn't, I believe the owner has had this for 3 ish years?

I'll let him give you the run down.

declasm said:

Where did you get the rear window seal from? From the dealer or elsewhere? Do you hapeen to have the part no. to hand?

The dealer themselves. Head over to your local dealership, with the last seven digits of your cars VIN. They will be able to find the suitable part. Note the coupe and saloon has a different seal.

I believe my saloon's part number is 51311977277 (courtesy of http://www.realoem.com)

[Neil_M]

It's been a busy week...

I had the Differential Input and Gearbox Output seals replaced. The diff was starting to drip a little too much for my liking.

I've also replaced one of the arch liners, it had cracked around one of the mounting bolts. While I was at it, I replaced the support bracket for the arch liner which mounts to the bottom of the front bumper, it's in place so far. However I need to replace the rusted "longer" bolts, these have been ordered so as soon as they arrive they will be fitted.

Also a photo of the legendary Fuch's oil, that people rave about for the E36. The oil was changed a few weeks ago.