Elton_LV
Active member
So here we go again.
A few Fanatics reached out for me to document a build I’ve been working on, especially as it seems quite out there, I’ve kept it to socials (below), but will start posting updates here too.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/south_african_bmw_enthusiasts/
FB: https://m.facebook.com/SaBMWe
The short version of how this started.
Really missed owning an E36 M3
Something special (to me) about the platform in drivability, driver experience, that is old, but modern, but classic, but fun, but, but, but. Let’s just say it really appeals to me as an overall drivers car that seems timeless in design.
Learnt that owning collectors grade cars (even though I have one or two) is quite torturous as you can’t enjoy them as much as one may want to.
Built an E28 M5 as a street car, but values have gone up so much and it’s built/restored so well that I feel bad driving it for it’s intended purpose. (Same problem as above)
Always wanted to do a full custom build, let’s call it OEM+ or OEM++
Want to create a car that hits all the senses.
A driver focused street legal E36 M3.
Goals are: Reduce weight, increase acceleration, better braking, cornering ability and stability, stance and mostly importantly to increase cabin sound of induction and exhaust. All this should lead to “Sheer Driving Pleasure” or sheer smiling pleasure
Here goes.
Picked up an E36 M3 for next to nothing.
Some on here will know the extensive amount of work Bruce and his team put into it mechanically a few years back. (Will share pics of the work from back then in the first few thread posts)
Since Bruce spent many hours on the car those years back. It’s hardly been driven (maybe 2000k’s), standing in the sun for long periods and overall the owner didn’t have the finances, passion and time to maintain or improve the car.
The good is that I got it on the (relatively) cheap, hardly any milage since it was mechanically sorted.
The bad, the paint started to crack, clear coat started to fail, trim looks a bit worn and a few other small cosmetic issues.
The exciting, is that I get to build something that is unique, purpose built and sends my endorphins rushing while building, looking for parts, ways to improve the car etc…. till completion.
I guess what’s not so exciting is how much M parts cost, some parts are going, or are already NLA. For what I want to build I need to rely on international shipping, local SARS clearing, customs, postal service etc, and hope that I actually receive the upgrades/parts/spares.
A few pics from those years back when it was at close to its best.
Next post will be the work that got it to the photos above, really just to show mechanically overall how good it is (also nice to document what was done), followed by the state I got the car in.
A few Fanatics reached out for me to document a build I’ve been working on, especially as it seems quite out there, I’ve kept it to socials (below), but will start posting updates here too.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/south_african_bmw_enthusiasts/
FB: https://m.facebook.com/SaBMWe
The short version of how this started.
Really missed owning an E36 M3
Something special (to me) about the platform in drivability, driver experience, that is old, but modern, but classic, but fun, but, but, but. Let’s just say it really appeals to me as an overall drivers car that seems timeless in design.
Learnt that owning collectors grade cars (even though I have one or two) is quite torturous as you can’t enjoy them as much as one may want to.
Built an E28 M5 as a street car, but values have gone up so much and it’s built/restored so well that I feel bad driving it for it’s intended purpose. (Same problem as above)
Always wanted to do a full custom build, let’s call it OEM+ or OEM++
Want to create a car that hits all the senses.
A driver focused street legal E36 M3.
Goals are: Reduce weight, increase acceleration, better braking, cornering ability and stability, stance and mostly importantly to increase cabin sound of induction and exhaust. All this should lead to “Sheer Driving Pleasure” or sheer smiling pleasure
Here goes.
Picked up an E36 M3 for next to nothing.
Some on here will know the extensive amount of work Bruce and his team put into it mechanically a few years back. (Will share pics of the work from back then in the first few thread posts)
Since Bruce spent many hours on the car those years back. It’s hardly been driven (maybe 2000k’s), standing in the sun for long periods and overall the owner didn’t have the finances, passion and time to maintain or improve the car.
The good is that I got it on the (relatively) cheap, hardly any milage since it was mechanically sorted.
The bad, the paint started to crack, clear coat started to fail, trim looks a bit worn and a few other small cosmetic issues.
The exciting, is that I get to build something that is unique, purpose built and sends my endorphins rushing while building, looking for parts, ways to improve the car etc…. till completion.
I guess what’s not so exciting is how much M parts cost, some parts are going, or are already NLA. For what I want to build I need to rely on international shipping, local SARS clearing, customs, postal service etc, and hope that I actually receive the upgrades/parts/spares.
A few pics from those years back when it was at close to its best.
Next post will be the work that got it to the photos above, really just to show mechanically overall how good it is (also nice to document what was done), followed by the state I got the car in.
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