BMW E36 328i Sport Coupe

[ChrisDT]

So, browsing the BMW section of this forum i noticed a post looking for an engine for a 328.

I sent fellow PHer a message saying that I don't have an engine, but I am looking for a 328 E36 Sport Coupe as a project, it turns out this was a manual E36 sport coupe!

After a couple of emails/texts and calls back and forth we agreed a price and I hired a car transporter and drove the 180 miles to collect the car.

This was Sunday, my wife thinks that it is just going to sit on the driveway and do nothing, I on the other hand have been busy trying to source engines/donor cars etc.

I have managed to track down part of an engine which I hope will suffice to repair the car (appears the cylinders have had some heat introduced to them) and then work on the outside of the car!

So, this is the picture I decided to buy the car from:



This is the collection (Sorry have nothing more exciting yet)



Work is to start soon, hopefully collecting the engine on Sunday and with this being the Non TU version it has made finding a replacement engine a little easier! (I'm sure it'll turn out to be a TU model and i've wasted money on a useless engine!)

[ChrisDT]

Will do, don't have a timescale as yet but aim to have it on the road by March.

[ChrisDT]

I was under impression all 10/98 onward were TU and when it went into the E46 it became the M54?

Could have misread it, but either way, it's underway.
Went to remove all the engine parts from the boot and start cleaning them out last night and the battery is flat and can't open the boot because the key doesn't appear to operate the boot. Bit annoying but just means I have to use a jump pack.

Oh, if anyone is interested here is the spec:

Automatic Stability Control+traction

246 Steering Column Adjustment Mechanical
285 Lt/aly Wheels Bmw Styling
410 Window Lifts, Electric At Front
440 Non-smoker Package
465 Through-load System
510 Headlight Beam-throw Contr. F Low Beam
520 Foglights
542 Check Control
853 Language Version English


314 Heated Windscreen Washer Nozzles
337 M Sport Package
354 Green Stripe Windscreen
428 Warning Triangle
431 Interior Rr Vw Mirror W Aut Anti-d
473 Armrest, Front
481 Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger
494 Seat Heating F Driver/front Passenger
498 Headrests In Rear, Mechanic. Adjustable
528 Automatic Air Recirculation Control(auc)
534 Automatic Air Conditioning
554 On-board Computer
669 Radio Bmw Business Rds
674 Hifi Loudspeaker System Harman Kardon
694 Preparation For Cd Changer
704 M Sport Suspension
710 M Leather Steering Wheel
767 Individualserie Schweiz
785 White Direction Indicator Lights
786 Measures 17"-wheels
812 England Version England
850 Add Fuel Tank Filling For Export
863 Europe/dealer Directory Service
880 English / On-board Documentation

[ChrisDT]

I was trying to buy a Technoviolet one that is round the corner from me, but never managed to strike a deal.

From what i've read your right on the engine change front, just have to put it into practice!

[ChrisDT]

Dannbodge said:

Lovely.
Get rid of the spoiler, the wheels refurbed and amber indicators fitted and you've won.

The spoiler was a dealer fit option and I quite like it so it'l stay on, i know what your saying about amber indicators but they are horribly dated so i'll leave the clear ones on as it looks a lot neater - but it's all personal choice!

Thanks Matt, picking up most of an engine on Sunday (If I can get a van) and thanks for the advice on the boot - i'm sure we will talk during the process, i'm only in Worthing anyway!

[ChrisDT]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Or, keep it the way it came from the factory. PROPER clear indicators were standard on the Sport, and the spoiler was an official option and is in keeping with the car IMHO - just make sure it was fitted properly and rustproof the holes. Your car of course but these cars look great as BMW intended - so sick of seeing them on cheap ebay coilovers and a "hydro & welded diff for skidz"

Keep the BBS wheels for summer and get some 16" style 30s for the winter. My brother reckons the ride is far better on the 16s and it tramlines less.

I'm going to get the original ones refurbished and leave it as standard really - just have fun in it and a nice European trip!

[ChrisDT]

Apologies Sam, that Santorini is lovely.

I've had a look at your Facebook page and I'm sure we'll be talking in the future.

Started by getting the bits of engine out of the boot today, got to try and get an engine from Gosport to Worthing on Sunday so currently trying to convince the Mrs it'll be fine in the back of her Zafira but I'm not winning that one. Hopefully the engine I have bought fits straight in and she fires up ok.

Looks like the bodywork needs a good detail, but that will come once the car is running.

Then to decide how to refinish the wheels, got a couple of options on the table but I'm pretty sure I'll go back to original with them, was considering a two tone painted effect (high power solver lip and colour coded centres) but might just have the lip diamond cut again and paint the centres silver.

[ChrisDT]

I've got a tarp and a bit of wood to put it on so should be ok. Can't wait to get the old block out and de-grease the engine bay! Still, i'll be a lot happier with it once the engine is in and running, and as i've never attempted anything like this before i'll be satisfied with it. Going to get it in and running and use it for a couple of months before starting the bodywork side of things in case it implodes or something.

[ChrisDT]

Stunning looking car, thanks very much!

Don't get me wrong it's never going to be concorse but if it's smart and presentable and reliable i'll be a happy bunny. Just got to find an original head unit to go in it to work with the Harmon Kardon audio as it currently doesn't have a head unit but let's be honest, i need to get the engine in it first!

[ChrisDT]

Little update, sorry lack of pics again - managed to get the engine thats going in it back to mine and turn the car round so that the engine front is facing into the garage.

Here is the result of the engine overheating!



Here is a pic of the engine bay so far, started cleaning up years of grime and oil from the hard to reach places - not going to get it concourse but make it presentable before the replacement engine goes in.



Next step, clear out the garage and remove the front end.

[ChrisDT]

Thats exactly what i'm looking for, once the car is out and running I have no idea what i'm doing with the other bits. I'm using the current intake and some small parts on the replacement engine.

[ChrisDT]

Me too, part of the reason i've jumped in now rather than buying in a couple of years and kicking myself for not getting this one!

[ChrisDT]

Thanks Skylarking, we may have the same color interior?

Not much of an update, but managed to get some better interior pics this time, was going to make a start stripping the front end but what with the poor weather the last couple of days and lack of space in the garage to get the car in it's just been parked. Anyway, here are some gratuitous pics:

[ChrisDT]

The interior in mine really isn't too bad. Leather could do with a bit of TLC but nothing a weekend on it wouldn't sort.

[ChrisDT]

Love the fact you knowingly paid too much for it, but I can see mine being a money pit soon!

Ordered the gaskets for the inlet and exhaust manifolds yesterday for delivery today - chased them up and they are not in yet so won't be putting it together this weekend.

[ChrisDT]

Luckily the manifolds are already off the old engine and on my workbench so all I ahve to do is find the correct bolts from the box of assorted nuts and bolts left over from the engine dismantle (not done by me but the garage that did the work) and put it together. Gaskets turned up today and grabbing an engine lift on the way home!

It' a pretty boring update but I had a go at the bootlid and rear 1/4 with a clay bar.

[ChrisDT]

Thanks Paul, going to be leaving them on - i quite like them.

[ChrisDT]

Not much of an update sadly, started tearing down the front end but my toes and fingers started to freeze yesterday so this is about as far as I got. Aim to have it all stripped down for Sunday and would be amazing to get the engine out and new one in Sunday but thats not going to happen!

[ChrisDT]

Thanks Vince70 - I'm unsure on the headunit roue as yet but be nice t have something that looks original but has better sound quality. That's all to be decided when it's running and with it being this cold down here there is little chance of that happening this weekend... boo!

[ChrisDT]

Didn't get a lot done yesterday as it was so cold and sleeting a little but managed to get the front end off - No idea if it will go back together properly or not yet and the intake manifold off to start building the new engine in the garage to put back in it.

It has created room for me to get in the and degrease most of it before the new engine goes in though.

So, standard E36 engine swap pic alert!