1997 E36 3 series coupe

[whitbytom]

First off, I realise that the majority of folk on this forum will not regard this as retro in any way, as it's only just a teenager, and these were in production until 2000.
Also I get the feeling from reading other threads, that certain people regard BMWs as about as welcome as a nasty dose of VD.
However if people are interested, I guess they'll reply to say as much, and if they aren't then the thread will sink like a stone. We'll see .

Having sold my E38 7 series to supercollider of this parish, I was on the lookout for another daily, which needed to be reliable, less thirsty than the 7 series and safe enough to carry my newborn son Finlay. This came up on Ebay, I went for a look, and after waving some cash at the shady character selling it, he agreed to end the auction early.

It's got it's fair share of issues (the last owner was a bodger), but nothing a few Saturday afternoons tinkering won't sort. Initial plans once they're done are coilovers to get it properly low, and some tasty rims of some description.






I'm pretty happy with the photos, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this DSLR malarkey

[rob0r]

Nice, what model is it? I get the same feeling regarding BMWs on here, seems more apparent as of late...

[BenzBoy]

Lots of potential there! OK it isn't retro, but that doesn't mean that it can't make a very good car.

The Bimmer-bashing of late has been ridiculous, and not in the retro-rides spirit at all. Don't listen to them.

[Speedle]

if I can't make a positive comment about someones car on here I just don't comment not sure why others can't follow suit.

Tidy ride dude loveing those wheels! far as I'm concerned RWD=WIN

Often considered BMW's although my fav's are those of the 80's era but I certianly wouldnt turn one of these away

[renofan]

Looks very fresh in the photos. I'm a massive BMW fan....70's, 80's and 90's being my favourite. (I've an E28 and E30). Don't mind the haters!!

[qwerty]

Looks really nice! Just needs low low and it'll be perfect! I even like the rims!

[fieldy]

Nice looking from the pics, I used to have 94 318, Nice enough cars.

Good luck with it

[gregg106]

Sweet looking Coupe there, I think they look good without a rear spoiler and it's not too low either What engine is hiding under the bonnet?

I'm in the process of rebuilding my mates 323/325i hybrid Coupe into a 318i Touring, engine & front brakes went in last summer, rear arms have been rebushed ready to go on with the diff next month and the M-Tech body kit will be repainted soon as well. He had to ditch the Coupe as the babies pram wouldn't fit in the boot He still has the coupe bodyshell if there's any bits you need.

[whitbytom]

Ah thanks for all the positive comments!

I deliberately wanted one with no rear spoiler and the non M sport bumpers, I think the lines of the car are so much nicer without em. It's a 318is, in Arctic Silver, with an indigo blue velour sports interior.

It's leaking oil from the rocker gasket, the passenger window regulator is broke (the window was cable tied shut by the previous owner : and the back box is blowing. Not major jobs, I've got the window reg on order, and I think I'll order a rocker gasket over the weekend.

Funny you should mention about the pram, I hadn't thought about it at all, but luckily I tried ours last night, and it just fits in there! I'll have a think and drop you a PM if I can think of anything I need, cheers Gregg.

[WillCarter]

Very nice, I do like a nicely done E36. May I direct you my blog www.fully-sick.biz where I featured an E36 earlier in the week. It's a more-door but it might give you some inspiration regarding your stance and wheel choice.

[whitbytom]

Thanks for the heads up! I spotted the car on stanceworks, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on your blog in future.
As for wheel choice, I have in my posession some 18x8.5 Schnitzer replicas, but I've tried them on the car and due to the offsets they don't fit by a mile, would require mega stretch and arch mods to cram in there, which is a road I don't really want to go down.
Because of this I bought some 17x8s in the same style, but with no dish and higher offsets. I'm going to wait until the coilovers arrive and see if I can get them to fit right.
I've also looked into getting some 17" BMW steels, but at £320 a set from BMW it's not really an option.

[mclellanmac]

Nice motor, But E36 318is, and a Brown Uber Barge, have you got a copy of my "To Own" list there?
Congrats about the baby dude!

[grizz]

This may just be one to look after.
Great photos too.
Neat car.

[mk14dr]

Great pics, great car, great choice in daily

[squeezemetim]

to be honest i quite like it on the rims its on at the moment, smart buy (Y)

[m15kyy]

I'm a great lover of e36's as i have one. fantastic cars as are 90% of bmw, apart from the newer ones ie x1 x3 x5 and x6 series...... GAY!!! this one tho matey has great potential, as low offset as possible and as much drop as possible and you cant go wrong!! i seriously recommend the eibach pro street coilovers! my e36 is as low as they come and i picked my aunty up from the airport the one morning. she fell asleep in the back at over 70mph on the m42 ( curse word concrete road ) very good all round coilies. would be ideal for yourself to keep young finlay happy in the back all the best, misky

[mrzee]

nice, having owned an E36 and an E34 they were both lovely cars and the 36 was great to drive. I love beemers and would have another any day IMO it looks good the way it is...maybe just a bit lower though. Great choice and congrats on the baby!

[whitbytom]

Cheers for the comments guys, I'll pass on your regards to Finlay!

A few little bits to report, I've spent the last few Saturdays fixing all the niggly problems on the car, and it's made it a 100% nicer place to be.
I fitted a new window regulator, and after much head scratching sussed out what was causing random stuff to come on and off, and fuses to blow. The section of wire between the boot lid and the body had chafed through and a cluster of 4 wires were shorting against each other. 10 mins and some electrical tape - sorted!
The M3 replicas that the car wore when I bought it had borderline tyres, one of which had a puncture, so I picked these up as a stop gap, all with decent rubber for £150:


These are OK, but they're boring rattle can satin black replicas, so I decided the car needs some proper wheels. After a stroke of luck on ebay, I spent last night picking these up from a nice chap in Stoke:



With a refurb and some stretched rubber I think they will do the job nicely!

[Ian]

Needs to look like this!

[tux]

An excellent choice of chariot sir. Of course some might say that I am ever so slighty biased maybe as I own a 328.