The unexpected E36 328i find.

[M3boi]

After selling the M3, I've been pretty down I won't lie. Thought I'd be able to find another in the same condition for the right price, but every E46 M3 I've been to look at has just been a dog's breakfast in comparison. Very frustrating.

A couple of weeks ago, one Saturday night, I was browsing Facebook marketplace and came across an E36. I've been wanting a clean E36 for the longest time, M or not (had to be 328i then). The pictures weren't great, and zero photos of the interior (usually indicating the interior is a complete mess, normal E36 things) but okay enough to make me message the seller and arrange a viewing.

Come early Sunday morning, I drive 30mins to go and view the car. I was immediately impressed with the exterior condition, bar a few acorn dents and the overly dark window tint. Opened it up, and was shocked when I saw the interior, mileage and service history.

Took it for a 15min drive, got back to the owners house. Did A LOT of haggling, offered a deposit, and agreed to a price I couldn't actually believe I was paying. Went through the next day and collected it! Not sure what I'm going to do with it, but couldn't pass it up at this price.

So smooth to drive.

Mileage:

Mint interior.

Super clean bay.

Its the small things.

No hiccups at roadworthy, smooth sailing.

Making friends with the daily.

I really need to stay off Facebook. Found an E36 M3 sedan being stripped for parts, so I grabbed the rear bumper and sideskirts to match the front. Oh, and a purple tag steering rack Also looking for M3 sedan mirrors, pls help

Already sourced a 5 speed M3/328i gearbox as well, so the swap should be happening in the next week or two.

I have ZERO idea where I am headed with this. Once the manual swap and steering rack is done, and the bumpers have been sprayed and fitted, I'll see what I want to do with it. Ideas welcome

Thanks for looking!

 

[rodga]

Damn thats clean!

 

[individj]

you dont want to sell for a profit and get something //M related

 

[modocrat]

Ooooh she's pretty. My Dad had one like this, in Samoa blue, he still talks about it to this day.

 

[zabbo]

After selling the M3, I've been pretty down I won't lie. Thought I'd be able to find another in the same condition for the right price, but every E46 M3 I've been to look at has just been a dog's breakfast in comparison. Very frustrating.

A couple of weeks ago, one Saturday night, I was browsing Facebook marketplace and came across an E36. I've been wanting a clean E36 for the longest time, M or not (had to be 328i then). The pictures weren't great, and zero photos of the interior (usually indicating the interior is a complete mess, normal E36 things) but okay enough to make me message the seller and arrange a viewing.

Come early Sunday morning, I drive 30mins to go and view the car. I was immediately impressed with the exterior condition, bar a few acorn dents and the overly dark window tint. Opened it up, and was shocked when I saw the interior, mileage and service history.

Took it for a 15min drive, got back to the owners house. Did A LOT of haggling, offered a deposit, and agreed to a price I couldn't actually believe I was paying. Went through the next day and collected it! Not sure what I'm going to do with it, but couldn't pass it up at this price.

So smooth to drive.

Mileage:

Mint interior.

Super clean bay.

Its the small things.

No hiccups at roadworthy, smooth sailing.

Making friends with the daily.

I really need to stay off Facebook. Found an E36 M3 sedan being stripped for parts, so I grabbed the rear bumper and sideskirts to match the front. Oh, and a purple tag steering rack Also looking for M3 sedan mirrors, pls help

Already sourced a 5 speed M3/328i gearbox as well, so the swap should be happening in the next week or two.

I have ZERO idea where I am headed with this. Once the manual swap and steering rack is done, and the bumpers have been sprayed and fitted, I'll see what I want to do with it. Ideas welcome

Thanks for looking!

Congrats on the new wheels. I saw it a couple weeks back and was also tempted but the Auto Box put me off.

 

[danieltau]

 

[ClassicB]

Please document the manual swop if possible. Parts list, pricing if possible, what you kept and what changed out. Thx!

Congrats on a super clean example!!

 

[FILV]

Great find!
I enjoy watching your Sunday runs on Insta, you know people with some amazing cars!
Just the scenery is worth a watch lol

Look forward to the progress on the E36

 

[M3boi]

you dont want to sell for a profit and get something //M related

I could, but again, finding something this clean is getting borderline impossible, and a 328i is a nice base to work from should I want to go with a mild boost setup that will be reliable and rewarding. So I'm very 50/50 on the idea.

Congrats on the new wheels. I saw it a couple weeks back and was also tempted but the Auto Box put me off.

Thank you! Honestly the auto didn't put me off at all, if anything it made me want to buy it more because there a 99% chance it lived a much easier life, and the motor should be a lot healthier. And doing the manual swap is cheap considering what I paid for the car

Please document the manual swop if possible. Parts list, pricing if possible, what you kept and what changed out. Thx!

Congrats on a super clean example!!

I won't be doing it myself, but I'll definitely get the team doing it to take loads of photos of the process. They're already putting a list of parts together with pricing etc, so once they have everything and the process starts, I'll share that in this thread for sure. But for ballpark figures, we're estimating R15k - R20k, incl the gearbox and labour.

Great find!
I enjoy watching your Sunday runs on Insta, you know people with some amazing cars!
Just the scenery is worth a watch lol

Look forward to the progress on the E36

Haha thanks! Glad you are enjoying the stories! I always look forward to the Sunday runs. Great cars, roads and company!

 

[individj]

car looks to be in great condition...if you plan to spend gang money on it and keep it then all power to you and enjoy ...congrats

 

[KPM3_30]

What a find! Congrats on the new acquisition, special cars these. Nothing quite like the E36 driving dynamic..

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[Gordvisr]

you were lucky with such a find. Congrats

 

[M3boi]

Little update. Been dailying the E36 for a bit and man, its so good. No issues (touchwood) and the car is so smooth.

Managed to get a ZF 5 speed and crossmember from a friend's E36 M3.

As well as some pedals from another car.

Just need to find a propshaft and shift linkage, and I'll have everything I need for the swap!

 

[M3boi]

So this will probably be the last update before the car goes in for the manual swap. Got the last of the parts I needed:

Refreshed the shifter while it was all out. Need to take the front bushing back and get the correct one though (my shifter has the round front bushing, I ordered the oval bushing).

And for those that are interested in doing the manual swap, here is my current cost breakdown:

AP Clutch slave cylinder: R498
FTE Clutch master cylinder: R1424
Valeo clutch and single mass flywheel: R7000

OEM Propshaft nut:
 R176
OEM Shifter shims x2: R51
OEM Shifter circlips x3: R46
OEM Shifter bearing: R200

OEM Rear shifter bushing: R200
OEM rubber shifter cover: R378
OEM shifter guide pin: R77
OEM front shifter bushing: R99
OEM clutch reservoir hose: R254
OEM clutch fork spring clip: R57
OEM clutch fork pivot: R82

Goldwagen Gearbox mounts x2: R300
Goldwagen Driveshaft flex disc: R970
Goldwagen Center support bearing:
 R274

Used Clutch + brake pedal box: R350
Used E36 M3 gearbox: R3500
Used Gearbox crossmember: R300
Used manual 328i Driveshaft: R1500
Used shifter & gear linkage: R500
Used Clutch hardline: R400

Total: R18 636 + whatever your labour cost will be. I'm sure there will be a few other random things I'm forgetting about, I'll document those costs as they come up.

Obviously you don't have to do the whole shifter refresh and buy all the new OEM stuff, you could use used stuff and not replace and save a bit there. But I was happy to pay for it for peace of mind, and know that most of the stuff I'm putting in is new.

 

[///M Individual]

Great find and brilliant documentation of the conversion! Thank you for sharing

 

[individj]

So this will probably be the last update before the car goes in for the manual swap. Got the last of the parts I needed:

Refreshed the shifter while it was all out. Need to take the front bushing back and get the correct one though (my shifter has the round front bushing, I ordered the oval bushing).

And for those that are interested in doing the manual swap, here is my current cost breakdown:

AP Clutch slave cylinder: R498
FTE Clutch master cylinder: R1424
Valeo clutch and single mass flywheel: R7000

OEM Propshaft nut:
 R176
OEM Shifter shims x2: R51
OEM Shifter circlips x3: R46
OEM Shifter bearing: R200

OEM Rear shifter bushing: R200
OEM rubber shifter cover: R378
OEM shifter guide pin: R77
OEM front shifter bushing: R99
OEM clutch reservoir hose: R254
OEM clutch fork spring clip: R57
OEM clutch fork pivot: R82

Goldwagen Gearbox mounts x2: R300
Goldwagen Driveshaft flex disc: R970
Goldwagen Center support bearing:
 R274

Used Clutch + brake pedal box: R350
Used E36 M3 gearbox: R3500
Used Gearbox crossmember: R300
Used manual 328i Driveshaft: R1500
Used shifter & gear linkage: R500
Used Clutch hardline: R400

Total: R18 636 + whatever your labour cost will be. I'm sure there will be a few other random things I'm forgetting about, I'll document those costs as they come up.

Obviously you don't have to do the whole shifter refresh and buy all the new OEM stuff, you could use used stuff and not replace and save a bit there. But I was happy to pay for it for peace of mind, and know that most of the stuff I'm putting in is new.

thanks for the info.

 

[M3boi]

Dropped the E36 off on Friday afternoon. Got all the parts layed out, and the auto stuff is already out.

Had an issue with the propshaft I got, the guys I got it from gave me one from a 325i which has a different flange. So took it back, and luckily they had a correct 328i propshaft. So swapped it out and all good. It will get a coat of paint before going in.

All going well, the car should be done by tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning. Can't wait.

 

[M3boi]

The manual swap is done! Took a total of 3 working days, picked it up on Tuesday afternoon. I am absolutely thrilled with it.

No lights on the dash, no weird noises, nothing. If you were non the wiser, you'd say it was a factory manual car.

I can't thank Yusuf at EA Performance/A-team Racing enough, he did an amazing job and his attention to detail is fantastic.

Thought the best way to test it was take it to Park & Pizza last night. It drives so nicely, and the 3.46 ratio diff is perfect. So so happy. Now some of the cosmetic and suspension stuff can begin.

 

[danieltau]

Lovely 😍🙌

 

[modocrat]

I spotted this beaut last week while in Europe, I mean CT 😛