My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon
Discussion
MarkwG said:
I had a quick look at yours when I stopped by to pick up my rebuilt manifold - looks lovely, I'm going through the same process in slow motion, dampers & drop links next...Iridium are a very good team, really know their stuff.
Thank you!I almost feel (odd as this sounds) a bit guilty using mine; it only had 45ish thousand miles on it when I bought it (April '12) and it's about to hit 53,000 now. That said, I always wanted an E36 M3 (especially the Saloon) and if I pay the bills and get the work done, there are *many* more miles / years in the car!
One of the main reasons to get all the works done at once were that I had to ship the car over to Iridium (Overnight boat, flew back the next lunchtime...and spent the next 2 weeks in a rental car as my other Jersey car was off the road at the same time) and so doing everything at the same time made sense. I'm very glad I did all the work as the state of the old top-mounts and bushes was, well, sobering!
I found Iridium with some light googling; a couple of emails later and my warm fuzzy feelings were very warm and fuzzy and I'm overjoyed with the work they did on the car. I shall be back to see them for lots of future work!
Neil_M said:
I didn't realise they are difficult to refurbish??
I think he means in (add) 'geographical' terms: they're pretty simple compared to most, standard is one colour silver with new "M" badges.If it's not too late, bear in mind I'm on the south coast & happy to help if I can.
(edit to make more sense, sorry smartphone/fat fingers...
Edited by MarkwG on Tuesday 27th August 23:10
M Contour IIs are, when in civilisation, a complete doddle to refurb (standard silver). Being in Jersey, what passes for a refurb here is £80-£100 a corner and some pretty ordinary or ordinary- paintwork to the front of the wheel, just breaking the front bead.
My original wheels have a healthy dose of kerb-rash (thanks to the previous owner who also liked chrome interior trim. The chrome trim lasted the 2 days it took for the OE parts to arrive at the BMW dealer here...), one of the rears is v slightly buckled and they have slight corrosion (so a face-only refurb would be even more wrong than usual).
The new wheels were about £200 a corner from BMW by the time a little discount had been applied (but this is with 5% GST vs. 20% VAT).
The old ones are currently in boxes in the corner of my garage and when I next have space in the car or can find a non-ruinous courier, theyI will be going to the UK to be straightened, powdered and painted. Part of me wonders what they would look like in E39 M5 finish or in pale grey with the rim in silver...but they will probably end up refinished as OE!
My original wheels have a healthy dose of kerb-rash (thanks to the previous owner who also liked chrome interior trim. The chrome trim lasted the 2 days it took for the OE parts to arrive at the BMW dealer here...), one of the rears is v slightly buckled and they have slight corrosion (so a face-only refurb would be even more wrong than usual).
The new wheels were about £200 a corner from BMW by the time a little discount had been applied (but this is with 5% GST vs. 20% VAT).
The old ones are currently in boxes in the corner of my garage and when I next have space in the car or can find a non-ruinous courier, theyI will be going to the UK to be straightened, powdered and painted. Part of me wonders what they would look like in E39 M5 finish or in pale grey with the rim in silver...but they will probably end up refinished as OE!
EJH said:
Thank you!
I almost feel (odd as this sounds) a bit guilty using mine; it only had 45ish thousand miles on it when I bought it (April '12) and it's about to hit 53,000 now. That said, I always wanted an E36 M3 (especially the Saloon) and if I pay the bills and get the work done, there are *many* more miles / years in the car!
One of the main reasons to get all the works done at once were that I had to ship the car over to Iridium (Overnight boat, flew back the next lunchtime...and spent the next 2 weeks in a rental car as my other Jersey car was off the road at the same time) and so doing everything at the same time made sense. I'm very glad I did all the work as the state of the old top-mounts and bushes was, well, sobering!
I found Iridium with some light googling; a couple of emails later and my warm fuzzy feelings were very warm and fuzzy and I'm overjoyed with the work they did on the car. I shall be back to see them for lots of future work!
No prob, credit where it's due I almost feel (odd as this sounds) a bit guilty using mine; it only had 45ish thousand miles on it when I bought it (April '12) and it's about to hit 53,000 now. That said, I always wanted an E36 M3 (especially the Saloon) and if I pay the bills and get the work done, there are *many* more miles / years in the car!
One of the main reasons to get all the works done at once were that I had to ship the car over to Iridium (Overnight boat, flew back the next lunchtime...and spent the next 2 weeks in a rental car as my other Jersey car was off the road at the same time) and so doing everything at the same time made sense. I'm very glad I did all the work as the state of the old top-mounts and bushes was, well, sobering!
I found Iridium with some light googling; a couple of emails later and my warm fuzzy feelings were very warm and fuzzy and I'm overjoyed with the work they did on the car. I shall be back to see them for lots of future work!
. Mine's on double yours, & still puts a smile on my face every trip. They repay the tlc, in my experience & also being used - mine only gets stroppy if I have to leave it for a whileMy first contact with Sean was a late night web enquiry, on a bank holiday. I didn't expect anything, before the Tuesday, he was in touch within the hour, & it turned out he was on holiday out of the country! Since I tend to stick the "out of office" on when I nip to the loo, I learned what customer service really means...!
Neil_M said:
Have you priced those head units, I looked at them too... Quite a few hundred for a used one 
. I do keep looking at them too.
I paid about £200 for mine. Rover ones (with horrid M badge - knock-off of the wheel badges, I think) were about £80. . I do keep looking at them too.Man maths kicked in with this; whatever I did, I wanted to be right...and £200ish is a lot less than the mad Alpine HU, Alpine Amp, DLS Speakers and JL Subs that would have been option II!
Now, all I need is the original car-phone. Does anyone have one for sale...?
MarkwG said:
No prob, credit where it's due . Mine's on double yours, & still puts a smile on my face every trip. They repay the tlc, in my experience & also being used - mine only gets stroppy if I have to leave it for a while
My first contact with Sean was a late night web enquiry, on a bank holiday. I didn't expect anything, before the Tuesday, he was in touch within the hour, & it turned out he was on holiday out of the country! Since I tend to stick the "out of office" on when I nip to the loo, I learned what customer service really means...!
My experience was very similar. Email late one night returned the next morning! . Mine's on double yours, & still puts a smile on my face every trip. They repay the tlc, in my experience & also being used - mine only gets stroppy if I have to leave it for a whileMy first contact with Sean was a late night web enquiry, on a bank holiday. I didn't expect anything, before the Tuesday, he was in touch within the hour, & it turned out he was on holiday out of the country! Since I tend to stick the "out of office" on when I nip to the loo, I learned what customer service really means...!
When the work was being done, it was like I was there; I'm an accountant (and thus not that handy - I can do a few bits & pieces...but need supervision!). Each day work was taking place, I had an email and photos to show me what had been done and when I picked the car up Sean gave me a CD of photos of all the work that had been done. It was a *really* nice touch!
Mine is getting plenty of use at the moment. My 911 is continually MIA (respray and a few bits and pieces which are taking waaaaaaay longer than they should). With the E36 to schlep about it, much of the pain of the sorry 911-saga is taken away!
A bit of a busy week this one, so I'll scratch my head here and note down what I got organised.
First stop was back to the dealership where the car was bought from when new. Luckily it is only 20-25 mins away from me.
Unfortunately the main aim was to get the cars history. However due to a change to a computerised system, all they can provide is a list of dates and mileages.
I also got the dealer plates while I was there, all FOC. So thanks Country Garage for that.
Moving on to exhaust bushes. These sit in the middle of the car, you can see the old torn one on the left and of course the new one on the right.
Being super anal, I couldn't just fit the mounts and be done with it, the brackets were removed, wire-brushed and painted up.
Oh and lack of updates have also been due to this...
It arrived with a mate next door yesterday. Takes a breath, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, or close enough...
Horrendously fast, noisy piece of machinery.
First stop was back to the dealership where the car was bought from when new. Luckily it is only 20-25 mins away from me.
Unfortunately the main aim was to get the cars history. However due to a change to a computerised system, all they can provide is a list of dates and mileages.
I also got the dealer plates while I was there, all FOC. So thanks Country Garage for that.
Moving on to exhaust bushes. These sit in the middle of the car, you can see the old torn one on the left and of course the new one on the right.
Being super anal, I couldn't just fit the mounts and be done with it, the brackets were removed, wire-brushed and painted up.
Oh and lack of updates have also been due to this...
It arrived with a mate next door yesterday. Takes a breath, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, or close enough...
Horrendously fast, noisy piece of machinery.
I picked up the new exhaust mounts today. A complete ripp off from BMW. However I'll make sure they last at least another 16 years....
They have been cleaned, keyed and sprayed as you can see.
I have taken the mounts into the house, the heat should help the paint cure over night. I may add another coat tomorrow.
At the same time I bought new bolts, bushes etc as part of the fitting kit for the rear exhaust section.
They have been cleaned, keyed and sprayed as you can see.
I have taken the mounts into the house, the heat should help the paint cure over night. I may add another coat tomorrow.
At the same time I bought new bolts, bushes etc as part of the fitting kit for the rear exhaust section.
EJH said:
Seeing this, I feel like I really need to up my game. I'm using mine as a daily...and I live in the country; for 9 months of the year mine is covered in mud for 6 days of the week!
Don't see it as a bad thing... They really are fantastic daily drivers. Mine needs driven more often.Seeing as you seem to be more of a parts guru for this car than I am, any idea where a new (or spare to be refurbished) gear knob can be found? One of my car's previous owners had a wedding ring...and whilst the wood is quite hideous, it's rather nicely done and was factory compulsory so mine is staying!
EJH said:
Seeing as you seem to be more of a parts guru for this car than I am, any idea where a new (or spare to be refurbished) gear knob can be found? One of my car's previous owners had a wedding ring...and whilst the wood is quite hideous, it's rather nicely done and was factory compulsory so mine is staying!
I'm learning on my feet as I go, no guru about it ...I'd be checking out eBay, its an Aladdin's cave for e36 parts.
BMW themselves may be able to help too.
Otherwise a breakers yard, though many advertise on eBay anyway.
All door handle seals have been replaced. Quite an easy job after you get the nack / tools.
I've replaced the diff oil with Castrol's finest. It was actually one of the first things I bought for the car, but only getting round to replacing it now.
You can see the stains of the WD40 round the diff bolts, it must react with the wax-oil?!?
The tool kit gas also been cleaned up (OCD). I've the two spark plug tools ordered. More the pin tool is a bit worn.
I'd got a good 2-3 hour drive in the car with a few mates this week too. Up around the north coast and hills of Northern Ireland. Absolutely brilliant roads, the car was flawless, no problems with her at all. Bags of power and a fairly safe balance. You do feel the weight of the steering after a while, probably something I'll get used to.
Today I was at a charity Super Car event, passenger rides in various super cars are auctioned off. All hail the mighty F40! Sounds great on the over run.
http://youtu.be/RiS9rWk9BBc
I've replaced the diff oil with Castrol's finest. It was actually one of the first things I bought for the car, but only getting round to replacing it now.
You can see the stains of the WD40 round the diff bolts, it must react with the wax-oil?!?
The tool kit gas also been cleaned up (OCD). I've the two spark plug tools ordered. More the pin tool is a bit worn.
I'd got a good 2-3 hour drive in the car with a few mates this week too. Up around the north coast and hills of Northern Ireland. Absolutely brilliant roads, the car was flawless, no problems with her at all. Bags of power and a fairly safe balance. You do feel the weight of the steering after a while, probably something I'll get used to.
Today I was at a charity Super Car event, passenger rides in various super cars are auctioned off. All hail the mighty F40! Sounds great on the over run.
http://youtu.be/RiS9rWk9BBc
Updates this time were to look at the bonnet pins / catches.
Looking slightly rusty here...
Sanded back for good measure and to provide a key for the paint.
A fresh coat of paint curing
Guy a fellow member of pistonheads had sent me a gear knob. Exactly the same as I have, just much better condition.
The final coat pretty much dry
Fitted
The next victim...
Painted
Both now fitted
A close up for the bonnet catch
A better shot of the two fitted
I also installed an OEM head unit. Fairly good condition.
Half way through the operation of fitting the above...
Looking slightly rusty here...
Sanded back for good measure and to provide a key for the paint.
A fresh coat of paint curing
Guy a fellow member of pistonheads had sent me a gear knob. Exactly the same as I have, just much better condition.
The final coat pretty much dry
Fitted
The next victim...
Painted
Both now fitted
A close up for the bonnet catch
A better shot of the two fitted
I also installed an OEM head unit. Fairly good condition.
Half way through the operation of fitting the above...
Bit of a big update, as well I have been working away on the car, I just haven't updated the thread in a while...
Anyway after not running the car for a while, life support was required a bargain at half price...
After much abuse, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century
with a CD player. That is indeed an OEM BMW one, not a Rover badged one. A steal on eBay.
I put some flooring down for the car, or well for me... It's a tad softer than cold concrete!
A quick blast into town with my brother and a friend to the cinema. It was a cold dry night, so she needed to get out for a run!
The passenger mirror wasn't moving electronically... I traced it back to a shorted motor. One of the pins became dislodged and shorted over another pin. Motor replaced and working fine.
I'd noticed the last few times I was out in the car, the Vanos wasn't engaging. I'm glad to say it was always very quiet, however the solenoid covers were leaking a little oil. A seal kit was ordered, including uprated seals and new high tensile bolts.
These are the infamous solenoids, These were removed, old seals removed, cleaned and new seals fitted.
You can see one of the torn seals below. The round o-ring had flattened out and as you can see started to tear / break down.
Some new shiny bolts! Worth it for the looks alone!
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Pressure valve seals replaced too.
Now the vanos is working better than new. Nice smooth engagement and much more drivable at low speed too.
A good friend helped me out with a little idea I was after should I start showing the car / rob banks etc...
This was me warming the car before starting into the vanos job. The BMW Business CD head unit is a great match. A nice uncomplicated dash!
I've refurbished a new cam cover and rocker cover for the car. It looks great if I say so myself. I have it up for sale on eBay if anyone is interested? I was professionally blasted back to bare metal, refinished and the paint has been baked on http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281209726446
A new toy / upgrade. A second hand x-brace that had covered 100 miles. Like new as you can see. I'd ordered new fittings for it too, new bolts really... My subframe was pre-drilled for it, so no messing about with nutcerts.
A comparison between the x-brace and the standard bar.
This is a rubber stop that fits to the newer versions of the x-brace. This attaches to the x-brace and under heavy load this will stop the engine and drive train twisting too much on its mounts, by butting against the sump.
The x-brace fitted. Without teaching anyone to suck eggs, this locks the subframe (engine, suspension etc) to the shell of the car.
Time for some fresh go-go juice at the petrol station. Always a cheat to make a car look good under the forecourt lights...
I'm a big sceptic about improving cars, so very opinionated about things... So I can genuinely say the x-brace made a massive improvement to the car. The best way to describe it is much quicker turn in when putting load onto the chassis. I am very very impressed. It's certainly transformed the car into something much shaper and has made me very keen to refresh the shocks and springs.
Anyway after not running the car for a while, life support was required a bargain at half price...
After much abuse, I was dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century
with a CD player. That is indeed an OEM BMW one, not a Rover badged one. A steal on eBay.I put some flooring down for the car, or well for me... It's a tad softer than cold concrete!
A quick blast into town with my brother and a friend to the cinema. It was a cold dry night, so she needed to get out for a run!
The passenger mirror wasn't moving electronically... I traced it back to a shorted motor. One of the pins became dislodged and shorted over another pin. Motor replaced and working fine.
I'd noticed the last few times I was out in the car, the Vanos wasn't engaging. I'm glad to say it was always very quiet, however the solenoid covers were leaking a little oil. A seal kit was ordered, including uprated seals and new high tensile bolts.
These are the infamous solenoids, These were removed, old seals removed, cleaned and new seals fitted.
You can see one of the torn seals below. The round o-ring had flattened out and as you can see started to tear / break down.
Some new shiny bolts!
Worth it for the looks alone!Pressure valve seals replaced too.
Now the vanos is working better than new. Nice smooth engagement and much more drivable at low speed too.
A good friend helped me out with a little idea I was after should I start showing the car / rob banks etc...
This was me warming the car before starting into the vanos job. The BMW Business CD head unit is a great match. A nice uncomplicated dash!
I've refurbished a new cam cover and rocker cover for the car. It looks great if I say so myself. I have it up for sale on eBay if anyone is interested? I was professionally blasted back to bare metal, refinished and the paint has been baked on http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281209726446
A new toy / upgrade. A second hand x-brace that had covered 100 miles. Like new as you can see. I'd ordered new fittings for it too, new bolts really... My subframe was pre-drilled for it, so no messing about with nutcerts.
A comparison between the x-brace and the standard bar.
This is a rubber stop that fits to the newer versions of the x-brace. This attaches to the x-brace and under heavy load this will stop the engine and drive train twisting too much on its mounts, by butting against the sump.
The x-brace fitted. Without teaching anyone to suck eggs, this locks the subframe (engine, suspension etc) to the shell of the car.
Time for some fresh go-go juice at the petrol station. Always a cheat to make a car look good under the forecourt lights...
I'm a big sceptic about improving cars, so very opinionated about things... So I can genuinely say the x-brace made a massive improvement to the car. The best way to describe it is much quicker turn in when putting load onto the chassis. I am very very impressed. It's certainly transformed the car into something much shaper and has made me very keen to refresh the shocks and springs.
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