After 2 weeks of searching I found a 1996 E36 M3 Evo that wet my whistle. Full service history, private plate, estoril blue, 4 doors and black nappa leather. Drove it home and fookin loved it, it goes like a scalded cat and sounds awsome. It came with the Dave-F, Eibach pro springs, Gt corner splitters and a braided clutch hose fitted.
No real plans at the moment as the body and interior are very tidy. It needs a pair of front dics and pads, and a new bumper grille. I will detail the engine bay at some point and just enjoy using it....:thumbsup
Here are some pics, it needs a wash as it was raining and salty on the M40 on the journey home...:frown
Also very rare Nappa leather, which is so soft compared to the normal leather. A bonus was the very tasty Alpine headunit...:cool
And have you ever seen a more door with split folding rear seats....:eek
And here is the business end...:cool
And the first mod was to add the obligatry forum stickers.
So far so good with it, i have done 200 miles in it today and smiled most of them, until I filled up with petrol...:hihi
The engine pulls strong and the gearbox and clutch are very sweet. So far I keep changing gear too early because I keep forgetting how high it revs. 1st impressions, I love it and dont know why I didnt get one years ago...
Looking really good buddy can't wait to c it at bham bud really love the saloons!!!!! No doubt end up being a friking awesome motor not that it isn't already!!!
I thought there wasn't go to be a project thread for the M3. I was secretly hoping there'd be something that you'd need to do on the car. Love going through your project threads :thumbsup
Steve are the springs that you have at the moment the Eibach Pro jobs? Thinking of buying a set for my convertible but dont want an uncomfortable ride. What are your thoughts?
Yeah, they are the Eibach Pros. TBH I have them on my 318is, and had a set on the 325 and they were not that bad at all, firm but not harsh. On this they just seem really harsh. I know the Evo has shortened and uprated shocks so I think they are at the end of there travel because of the drop. They are fine on the motorway, but on rough country roads they are awful and throw you around everywhere. :frown
But like I said, on other cars they have been fine and much better than the cheap crap coilovers or cheap crap springs...:thumbsup
Stayed late at work tonight to address a couple of issues....:hihi
Replaced the O/S/R upper arm ball joint as this was proper fooked.
Out with the old
In with the new
Also replaced the rear shock top mounts, they had just started to split which I noticed when I was looking at the balljoint. New lemforder ones arrived from ECP within an hour...:eek
All of the parts arrived this week so had the afternoon to get on.
1st job was to replace the Vanos Bolts and fit the uprated seals. This is a common mod as the bolts can snap off causing rapid oil pressure loss..:eek
Wasnt happy until they were done. :hihi
It wasnt a bad job to do but a bit nerve racking replacing the solonoid seals as the wiring to the solonoids are very delicate and very expensive to replace. This job doesnt stop the infamous vanos rattle, but prolongs the life. Also changed the oil after I had replaced the seals.
Intake solonoids.
Exhaust solonoids.
All the bolts and seals done, just refitting the oil pressure regulating piston.
It was a bit nerve racking starting it up after, it ran rough for a few seconds after as was expected then settled down to a nice smooth idle and revved sweet....
Next job was the spark plug change. That was fine until one of the 5mm allen head screws holding the cover on rounded out. Had to drill the head off and replace the bolt.
Next job was to replace the front discs and pads.
And tomorrow I have all these parts to fit...:hihi
Next job was the spark plug change. That was fine until one of the 5mm allen head screws holding the cover on rounded out. Had to drill the head off and replace the bolt.
It's a method I've stood by...even after I was walking up to the car after fueling and noticed something dangling down from the right strut...turned out to be a bungee I'd forgotten about :sarcastic
Nice to see your getting jobs done Steve. I know you wont be a happy chappy until everythings is 100%. Still waiting for you to take me in a run in her
Started at 8 this morning to carry on where I left yesterday. Carried on working my way from the front to the back, wishbone bushes, fuel filter and bled the front brakes. Didnt take many pics today as I just wanted to get on with the jobs.
Fitted the OE BMW front wishbone bushes.
Once i had finished at the front I moved to the back and started with the rear trailing arm bushes. They didnt need doing but the last owner gave me a brand new pair of Powerflex bushes, so while it was on the ramp I fitted them.
I fitted a new O/S/R upper ball joint last week, but the lower one had play and the lower N/S/R one had play, so I replaced all 4 in the end. I was also not happy with the rear shocks as the O/S/R had a slight weep. So I fitted a brand new pair of OE Boge shocks.
I also cleaned the rear brakes and adjusted the handbrake. Bled the rear brakes so the whole system has got fresh fluid. Basically the car has had a full service, minus the valve clearances which I will do in the next few weeks.
Here is the pile of old parts I was left with at the end of the day..:sarcastic
What a difference all that work has made...:eek
No more clonking rear suspension and the car feels tight as now. Very happy with the work so far. I will drive it for a few miles then get it booked in for a rear wheel alignment which should improve things even more...:thumbsup
Deffo gonna put new front shocks in at some point, just gotta save the pennies now.
Just gotta give it a wash in the morning ready for the midlands meet tomorrow..:thumbsup
See you at the meet 2moro! Need to wash in the morning as well :embarrassed
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