So i thought i would show you lot where i went.... E36 M3

[Gibson]

Ok, How to start?



Basically i replaced my E30 320i se coupe in decemeber this year (christmas eve actually) with this.






A very basic, slightly abused N reg M3 coupe in Cosmos black 3.0, i paid just short of £2500 for it so i was till pretty happy with the purchase.

It lasted about a week before i set about taking it apart and replacing/repairing modifying things on the old girl.

I intend to go into more detail with this stuff over time but for now a short over view will do.

Now i have to try and remember all the things i have done with it.....





Ok left rear wheel had some mad toe-in going on so i replaced the RTAB bushes for Poly Urethane.

Replaced lower rear arms with Camber adjustable variants.

the car was bump steering horribly so i replaced
Track Rod Ends
Drop Links
Lower arm bushes
Lower arms with E30 ones (dont do this on 3.0 it doesnt work so well)

Car was still bump steering like a slut!! i began to suspect the dampers where the cause because flet like the had absolutely no rebound at all. the car handled a bit shit anyway so this was all i needed as an excuse to get her on a set of coilovers. i had been doing a lot of homework and nearly bought a set of Tien's with the EDFC electronic damping force controller but in the end decided to go with SPAX with a full rear coilover, mainly because it was a bit different and i liked the idea of being able to change rear spring rates easily and a bit of fab work doesnt scare me (too much)





Im much happier with the stance now!




I picked up the coilovers 3 days ago the first thing i did was fit the fronts with some of Yats adjustable top mounts

The difference is amazing! the car now tracks straight and true and doesnt follow every little bump in the road and feels much more lively, i think i may have sprung the fronts a bit hard (500lb) for road use but on flat roads it handles amazingly now with only the fronts fitted, im gonna order some weaker springs for the front for road use and fit the rear coilovers and see how it goes.



Did some home detailing














Ok future plans are

Neaten up this right up and include things i have missed out.
Fit rear coilovers.
Steeing wheel
Non-M steering rack
Dirty Japanese style drifty rims.

[Rich_W]

Looks nice, But loose the chavvy plate

It's amazing how the value of these has dropped! They are still a very good car! Reasonable mileage Evo's are around the 6K mark now!

Hell even E46's are now from £12K. Just shows how many people these days are age snobs!

[Gibson]

Look at the second set of photos the plate has already gone!

the power just makes the E30 feel a bit shite! the e30 was more fun round the twisties though! but im slowlt remedying it with coilovers and such like!

[A1BMW325iSport]

like nice lot of car for the money those are

[e30bmlover]

how much for the rims mate?? she does look good!

[Cook318IS]

looking very smart fella! saw your guide to the viscous fan delete over on the e36 forum btw very good stuff!

[bss325i]

I have the same wheels on my 323i saloon.

These cars certainly make a stong case for a decent budget track car now.

[Hyperion]

if you going to get a e36, get an M3. Well Done, car looks good. Amazing what some detailing will do to a car.
those things are fast

[mattrs]

Seems like a bargain, 50 odd k 13 years ago! What sort of miles did it have for that money? Other than the suspension whats it like condition wise?

[Gibson]

Done 120k, my only gripe with the condition is a crusty rear wheel arch, but its nothing compared to my old E30s rust problem!

obviously there have been other little problems to fix, speed sensor not working, popped the radiator, door cards rattling, altnernator bearings noisy but nothing tragic!

im looking for £225 for the wheels by the way, not in any massive rush to sell them they are still on the car at the moment!

[mattrs]

Bargain! Good luck to all that sail in her! (or drive)!

[e30bmlover]

Done 120k, my only gripe with the condition is a crusty rear wheel arch, but its nothing compared to my old E30s rust problem!

obviously there have been other little problems to fix, speed sensor not working, popped the radiator, door cards rattling, altnernator bearings noisy but nothing tragic!

im looking for £225 for the wheels by the way, not in any massive rush to sell them they are still on the car at the moment!

no worries... are they the original rims or the replicas?? either way i will take them.

[hoshy]

Hey Gibson,

How's she holding up? I finally got mine done too. Here's a link to it: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1031020.htm

[Gibson]

Hi people! not got round to doing anything with the wheels yet! im off on holiday for 10 days on wednesday gonna sort them out then!

Its going well thanks Hoshy! lol funny we were both threatening M3s that day you came too have some bits from me and finally did it, hows yours?

And e30bmlover im gonna go do that photo you wanted now of the brake light!

[Alex]

looms great,,, for an e36 bet it goes well

[Gibson]

Pics sent... and thanks alex... yes, yes it does.

[low325icab]

gotta love the e36 m3s. i chopped my 89 325i cab for 98 m3 evo 2.5 years ago now.
really loved driving the e30 but it aint nothing compared to the m3. seems everyones getting them lately, they are awsome cars aint they.

[Barx325i]

damn good value, and 31-34mpg if you're concious about economy

I think it's a bit of an unsung hero the 3.0 and a nicer car than the evo IMO.. You can't deny how good these look when polished, the attention to flushing the glass & panels looks amazing.

[hoshy]

Mine's going well cheers Gibson - had some overheating issues but sorted them with a new rad and viscous coupling.

Barx - it's true about the eco too - Mine will do 32 up the motorway. In fact one of my criteria for replacing the iS was fast and capable of 30+ on a run.

I think eveybody is getting these because they're such good value. sub-5k, 300bhp and 30+ eco, with rearwheel drive and LSD - all as standard, out of the box. If you can afford the insurance then it's hard to beat.

[Gibson]

Mine does nearly 40mpg on a run mate.... if i drive like a fucking nun!

around town i get about 20-25 depending on how i drive

mine already has coilovers, crossbrace, polybushes, DaveF kit, rear window slightly tinted, viscous fan delete