diy BMW E36 318 Resto Project - Pic heavy!!

Soldi3r

Member
Hi Everyone,

Wanted to share a little project I worked on over the past year. My current ride is an E82 135i 2010 - N55 DCT - And my dream has always been to convert this car to a track car, since the day I had it (2015).

Fast forward 6 years, where it remained stock (engine wise), and the only upgrades I done was a LSD, and BC coilovers. I will post a different thread and share progress as I convert this car to a track tool, to enjoy mostly on open days. I think in years to come if the finances and experiences build I might race in the local series :)

I have since gotten married and the 2 door was ok when it was just my wife and I, but we have been blessed with a daughter and I needed to get a daily driver, and something more practical to cart the little one in, even though she likes the 1 series.

My inlaws had an e36 that was just standing in the yard slowly dying since no one was using it.

They checked with me if I wanted it and I jumped at the opportunity since who would say no to a free car 😁 even though a ton of work was waiting for me.

Luckily the body was in a fairly good shape with some minor surface rust, and the most of the work was interior (windows could not close and it stood through winter this way), seats and carpets were in bad shape and mouldy.

I dont have much before pics:
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Did the entire engine over, from bottom to top, and change all suspension parts, I was also lucky enough to score a 318is sub assembly.
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Soldi3r

Member
I was lucky enough to get e90 electric seats from a buddy, which I had to modify to fit (will share pics of the seats fitted.)

I also changed the interior to black (wip) and updated the steering and gear lever
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After the spray job:
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Got a more period specific rim
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I got some brand new weather strips from the agent, that sit inside and outside of the window, as well as the a pillar aprons, and waiting on those. If I had more time I definitely would have done more, but baby came during the project and I had to just finish what I had.

But definitely there is more that I want to do, I want to get all the electronics (and genuine radio) working, central locking needs to be repaired, and the remote is not working.
 

///M Individual

Well-known member
Great work. Always love when cars are given a new lease on life like this and I'm sure the in laws must be glad as the car holds some sentimental value.
 

Soldi3r

Member
Thanks everyone - It was really an enjoyable process and the car drives really well. Very comfortable with the new suspension parts considering its age.

The seats rails were slightly narrower, by about 20mm. I welded a reinforced eye on to the rail as you will see in the pics. This was only needed for the front bolt. For some reason the rear was almost aligned and I used a pencil grinder to just open the existing hole a bit more.

I was worried that the seat position would be offset but it sits centre and I do not feel like I am not aligned with the steering wheel.

I also had to change the seat belts as the e36 buckle is thicker than that e90 catch, and it took me a couple days of in and out with the seats till they were fitted. This is a couple of days with lots of breaks in between, chilling, talking sh!t and just taking my time lol.

I also had to change the seat belts as the e36 buckle is thicker than that e90 catch.

I lifted the carpet and wired the module into a live and earth so that the motors can work, and they worked for a couple months and then just stopped all of a sudden, and I dont have the time now to take the seats out to check where the issue is.

With a probe, if I give the module current, the motors work, and there is live and earth on the plug for the module, however when I plug the seat in it does not work. There are no fuses blown, so I am thinking that the current might be too high, it maybe does not need 12v. So I need to do some research and check the required voltage.

I got the e90 seats for the front and 2 door m3 seats for the rear.

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Soldi3r

Member
Thanks man, I think this will be a project for a very long time - But will definitely keep the updates coming in.
 
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