Picking away at my "new" M3

[Phishy4]

So I finally tore into the suspension with another e36 guy, and we found that it was definitely bmw stuff under there, but most definitely not original to the car. It looks like the fronts at least were off a 95 (large perches, untapered springs and 95 struts mounts) and the rears were put together all wrong. Got the new front and rear sway bar links, shocks/struts, and mounts all replaced. It rides about 1000% better now, and no more knocking noises. I still want to get some proper springs in there that I at least know were designed for the car, but now its still got a good 3/4" rake. Here are some pics (didn't get many, was pretty pressed for time).



Ready for surgery:

Old front hardware:

Whatever springs these are:

Fresh Sachs shocks and Lemforder sway bar links

Re-secured the heat shield:

New heavy duty e46 cabrio RSM's with reinforcement plates:

Then it was time to get strapped into the 5 point Simpson harness and go for a spirited spin in Craig's turbo'd 325i track rat (only 2 bad pics because my head was pinned to the seat for most of the time).

Suspension is about 80% sorted, since we found out there are '95 perches in there, its a perfect opportunity to pick up some H&R OE Sport springs (which require the '95 large perch anyway). Next on the list is get the crappy window tint redone, fix the leaky power steering hose, brakes, get window regulator/slide deal sorted out, get a proper battery, and plenty more I'm probably not thinking of

 

[Accumulator]

Phishy4- Hey, sounds like you're making good progress!

 

[Phishy4]

Alright guys, I've done a load of work since I started this (most of which was mechanical at this point). Detailing wise, haven't gotten to get to much yet, other than dr colorchip on the hood which turned out well, but unfortunately no pics of that process.



First, out with the old nasty tint:

Back to clear glass (and door regulators/seals fixed)

Now with fresh 50% (well, 50%-ish I suppose) tint:

Replaced all 4 rotors with shiny new Brembos

Thrashed calipers that will be replaced soon

Out with the old nasty control arms, LCAB's and tie rods, and in with fresh Lemforders and OEM Springs. The part I don't have pics of is me FINALLY installing the correct OEM M3 springs, plates and pads which I tracked down on a BMW forum.

Easy peasy with a 20 ton press:

All fresh gear up front.

Later, I replaced the Rear trailing arm bushings and all 4 rear ball joints. The RTAB's are one of the most feared jobs on these cars, but it was really straightforward with a custom RTAB tool by MIS.

New RTAB's in with some handy dandy limiters to tighten up the lateral flex. Better option in my opinion than using poly racing bushings, keeps things tight but doesn't add harshness.

Next up - new calipers, vanos rebuild and hopefully some paint work. Getting nice today, might just have to get her out of the garage for a little ONR bath.

 

[pushtiulk]

Great car. In my opinion, the M3 E36 was the most beautiful M3 ever.

 

[Accumulator]

Phishy4- Bet you're simply *loving* that lift!



Heh heh, seeing how it's comng along *almost* makes me miss mine...almost

 

[Phishy4]

Great car. In my opinion, the M3 E36 was the most beautiful M3 ever.

Thanks. I do love it, although I have to admit my favorite is the E30. Unfortunately, I just couldn't afford one in the condition I wanted, plus with a kid now I really had to find something in a 4 door and this popped up at the right time.

Phishy4- Bet you're simply *loving* that lift!



Heh heh, seeing how it's comng along *almost* makes me miss mine...almost

I wish I had my own lift. I actually do most of my work at a place in Eden Prairie called FirstGear Garage, which is a DIY facility that rents lifts and tools at an hourly or daily rate. Pretty awesome place, it helps too the that the owners are BMW guys (one of the owners had an E36 race car) and usually get me out of a jam or two when I'm in there working on this thing.

 

[Accumulator]

Phishy4- Ah, cool about the rent-a-lift shop! We used to have 'em in my area, but no more.



Heh heh, I might not really miss my M3, but I *do* miss the lift I had at my old shop!

 

[VW 91]

Car is coming along great! I was obsessed with these cars a couple years ago, and was deadset on getting one. My best friend has a Cosmos 2 door coupe, they are great mix between style and performance. I still would love to buy a higher mileage one from the southern states and rebuild the motor and GT35R it and boost it to the max. Those S52s are monsters once you throw a little boost their way.

 

[Phishy4]

Car is coming along great! I was obsessed with these cars a couple years ago, and was deadset on getting one. My best friend has a Cosmos 2 door sedan, they are great mix between style and performance. I still would love to buy a higher mileage one from the southern states and rebuild the motor and GT35R it and boost it to the max. Those S52s are monsters once you throw a little boost their way.

Oh boy, I can't even imagine an S52 with a GT bolted on it. They're pretty scary stock (even running fair at best like mine) but I bet it would be fun if you could keep the wheels on the ground and going in a straight line. I'm going to rebuild the Vanos unit here in the next month or so, and depending on how it runs I may drive it for the summer, then pull the engine and tranny out when I store it next winter. I figure it would be a good project to rebuild the motor and do all the little stuff to the tranny that needs to be done (detent pins/bushings/springs) plus then I wouldn't be under a time contraint, do an hour here or there.