Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) Hi all, I thought I should start a thread for my daily driver, to use as a to-do list and keep track of its progress. My name's Kasey, I have an E36 auto 325i coupe as a daily driver and general beater vehicle, I picked it up with 130,000km's on the clock for $2,400 in reasonable condition. All with the goal to: a ) keep it reasonably comfortable for the Mrs b ) not modify it to the extent that it'll need a cert (already have one car that needs that!) c ) do no performance mods, this is my luxobarge workhorse, not a sports car to put a poddy on and do skidz bru Our family has come to own quite a few E36's recently, so I jumped on the offer when I could, it's awesome having all of our parts to swap around from car to car without worrying if it'll work or not! Things to do as of 04/05/14: - Replace RL tyre - Replace brake bulb - Replace foglights - Dye headliner black to match leather interior - Lower front to even out rear I like to take lots of photos, so 56kbewa- everyone has ADSL at least these days so screw it let's begin How it was when I got it IMG_9739 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Family's 328i manual IMG_1313 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Family's M3 IMG_1308 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr I picked up some Style 42 reps for cheap! Was very happy for a while, but now it could use a little drop in the front IMG_0048 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_0037 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Untitled by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr I did a few things like repair the window wiper module, replace brake bulbs and found that there was a corroded contact causing my "Brake Lights Failure" error, jesus that was annoying! The culprit, afterwards I sanded it clean but I'll need to add some solder in there to make it better DSC_0250 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr The bulb holder, I bent out the pin more to push against the contact for a better connection, hopefully! DSC_0249 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Took some victory photos with my toycar IMG_0739 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_0733 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr A while after, helping my friend Ben with his high hp mx5 project, we popped into Crunchy's, got to see his E34, hoooolyyyyyy IMG_1290 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Got to hear it idle, that thing is a beast! Remind me and I'll make you a new cushion for your seat, Steve. Did some work on the turbo mx5 for a while IMG_1550 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Which brings us to this weekend just been, on my way down to Waihi at 9pm Friday, I got a puncture, had to limp it to the nearest place I could safely jack it up 20140502_204248 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Unfortunately driving on the tyre for that long lead to this, holy sh*t 20140502_204925 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Midway through swapping the tire, the factory jack folded on itself and the car fell on the ground, luckily I had two wheel nuts tightened on the spare, so it wasn't too bad. Safe to say I wasn't a happy chappy. Fast forward to today, I've had some leather seats in storage for a while but I've always been put off because the seats I have in the car are manual, and the leather replacements are electric ones I haven't been bothered to wire up. The main thing that put me off wiring the electric seats was that it was common to run power from the lighter 12v, but you coudn't use the lighter socket (or so I've read?!) which pissed me off, because I use it to charge my phone all the time. So I thought about just putting the leather seats on the manual frames so I went at it! The old seats IMG_1669 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr The new IMG_1666-2 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Let's get started IMG_1672 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr The damage to the drivers side seat, which I'll repair at some stage when I can be bothered (for the mean time I sprayed the foam black so it didn't stand out like dogsballs) IMG_1693 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1695 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Manual frame stripped, everything worked out well! IMG_1698 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr By the time it had finished it was dark so I couldn't take photos, everything went in without a hitch though, was a pretty simple job, just take your time and don't be rough, there's only a couple of screws and a few clips holding everything in. Found this glued to the inside of the standard seats, must be the options for when the car was ordered? If anyone could decipher it that would be greatly appreciated. IMG_1704 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr The loot I found IN the seats, some japanese coins (my car is a jap import) and a Barkers cuff link (I think that's what it is? I'm not that baller.) IMG_1711 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr While doing the seats, I saw the silver duct tape the previous owner had put over the fog lights (they're cracked) was peeling off, I only had black electrical tape but it'll do the job 'till I can order some new working fogs. IMG_1686 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1677 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Cheers for reading! Edited June 30, 2014 by Aphexic 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
No name user 379 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 good stuff dude ill add some seat padding for you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
euroriffic 612 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 Good to see another 36 brought back to life! And welcome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pldubs 308 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 Looking good dude, What did you do with the rest of those sport seats? Id be keen if theyre for saleh. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2429 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 Welcome. Car look in pretty good shape. Love the photos too, what are you taking them with? I know the feels about the factory jack. The E36 one is sketchy as f**k, youre extremely lucky to have the wheel on when it failed! I have sent you a PM regarding your fog lights. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misgvous_1 0 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 Welcome Kasey. Good to see you here finally Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 Very cool. I like such detailed posts and good quality pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 4, 2014 good stuff dude ill add some seat padding for you Haha cheers mate Good to see another 36 brought back to life! And welcome I love these cars, thanks! Looking good dude, What did you do with the rest of those sport seats? Id be keen if theyre for saleh. Cheers The powered seat frames are available if you want, will send you a PM. Welcome Kasey. Good to see you here finally Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks Jamie! Very cool. I like such detailed posts and good quality pictures. Cheers Michael, it sucks reading a thread and all they have is potatocamera quality photos. Welcome. Car look in pretty good shape. Love the photos too, what are you taking them with? I know the feels about the factory jack. The E36 one is sketchy as f**k, youre extremely lucky to have the wheel on when it failed! I have sent you a PM regarding your fog lights. I shoot with a 550d and a 50mm 1.8, nothing amazing but it does the trick! Yeah, the factory jack is pretty poor, but it's annoying because it's not like I can always carry a trolley jack in the boot for such occasions Thanks for the welcome everybody, I look forward to being a member in this community Next up is recovering the door cards I think, I have some closed cell foam to skin the underside so it has a nice feel to it but I just need to find the appropriate fabric and glue, does anyone know if Ados F2 will hold up over time? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bimmer boy 21 Report post Posted May 7, 2014 Nice little write up dude, cool to see people still care for old E36's. Also cool to see lots of pictures of progress, looks like you're doing quite a lot of tasteful things to it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 8, 2014 Nice little write up dude, cool to see people still care for old E36's. Also cool to see lots of pictures of progress, looks like you're doing quite a lot of tasteful things to it! Thanks mate, trying to make it the ultimate daily driver, nice enough that you can drive for hours without noticing the k's ticking by, but neat enough that every time you park it and walk away you go "goddamn, I love that car." This evening me and my uncle had our project night and pulled out the suspension from the white 328i, the springs we put in it recently are far too low for the use the car's intended for, perfect however for what is ideal for my 325i (without running the msport front I won't be scraping as much everywhere, bazinga) My goal is to add photos to the thread every time I post (bar the last post). Taking photos at night sucks, I'm going to make sure I have adequate light next time. Some photos I took this weekend past in Waihi Rockpools, aka miniature coasts IMG_1625 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr From the backyard IMG_1609 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Struts removed! IMG_1727 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Compressing the springs to swap them over, the compressors we used though couldn't compress the springs enough to release the tension to safely undo the strut (a task we will handle another day, will be sure to photograph) IMG_1724 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr View of the old steering wheel, does the trick but I'd like to replace it IMG_1731 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr 138,000kms on the clock to date IMG_1775 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr New to me 3 spoke steering wheel I picked up for $55! Pretty excellent condition, I'm really stoked. IMG_1791 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr At the moment I need to grab a pair of tyres for the rear to pass WoF, looking for 215 or 225/45 17's, if anyone has two with okay tread they'd like to get rid of for cheap let me know. Cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2429 Report post Posted May 8, 2014 haha, i was watching that wheel on TM too. Mean score! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 11, 2014 Worked on the bimmer today, swapped out the old steering wheel for something a little nicer! As with many projects I start, it ends up being dark when I finish, The old, you're outta here buddy IMG_1812 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr New 3 spoke for $55 IMG_1792 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Not amazing condition, used but still very very good nick, bargain for the price IMG_1817 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr All buttoned up IMG_1828 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Has made the car feel so different, feels agile like it'll go exactly where you want it, definitely recommend the upgrade over the 4 spoke. Next update should include some lowering springs ! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MLee 35 Report post Posted May 12, 2014 (edited) I like that Dakar M3! Awesome photo. I speak a bit of German, if you're interested in the "Kommissionierliste":KOMMISSIONIERLISTE = I believe is a "Picking list" - a list of parts used in a job. Similar to a parts list on an invoice. Rechtslenker = Right hand drive BMW REGENS: Suggests it was assembled in Regensburg, Germany. Obviously in 1995. Mng = Menge = Quantity Teilenummer = Part number Bezeichnung = Description li. - Links = Left re. - Rechts = Right Durchl. = I'm not sure, but durch is usually by or through... If it's Durchland it could mean countrywide, generic part? Kopfstuetze Vorne = Front headrest Schloss = Might have something to do with a lock/fastener Seitenteil = Side-piece Klee/Rattan = Descriptions of materials/patterns, Klee = clover A good bit of useless information for a rainy day. Edited May 13, 2014 by MLee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) I like that Dakar M3! Awesome photo. I speak a bit of German, if you're interested in the "Kommissionierliste": KOMMISSIONIERLISTE = I believe is a "Picking list" - a list of parts used in a job. Similar to a parts list on an invoice. Rechtslenker = Right hand drive BMW REGENS: Suggests it was assembled in Regensburg, Germany. Obviously in 1995. Mng = Menge = Quantity Teilenummer = Part number Bezeichnung = Description li. - Links = Left re. - Rechts = Right Durchl. = I'm not sure, but durch is usually by or through... If it's Durchland it could mean countrywide, generic part? Kopfstuetze Vorne = Front headrest Schloss = Might have something to do with a lock/fastener Seitenteil = Side-piece Klee/Rattan = Descriptions of materials/patterns, Klee = clover A good bit of useless information for a rainy day. That's really handy, thank you very much for that, I've always wanted to know ! Tonight I set out to lower the front of the car a bit, to even it out in the rear. I can change struts pretty quickly now! IMG_1876 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr %$!@, I accidentally lowered it a lot. I can't even get it into my driveway without commencing operation Beached As. IMG_1851 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr It rubs if you turn the wheel anywhere past halfway, it scrapes on things, I get dirty looks from bro's - but it looks kind of awesome (F#$! normally I hate these kinds of cars). Totally impractical and I'm going to raise it, but for tonight I took photos of the silly thing because it's not going to stay at this height very long! Embracing the hashtagswag I think the kids are calling it. IMG_1879 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Will make a great story to tell my future children, "Let me tell you a story about how daddy became #stancenation for a week" IMG_1881 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr In the next chapter I'll be tackling the grey headlining, the faded plastic door/bumper trim and the doorcards. Stay classy. Edited May 14, 2014 by Aphexic 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 I like the way you take your pictures. Makes the car look even sharper! What are you using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ahmedsinc 414 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 Lol, almost looks like you forgot to put the springs back on the struts before reinstallation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 I like the way you take your pictures. Makes the car look even sharper! What are you using? A Canon 550D with a 50mm 1.8 and I light painted with my cellphone, haha! A cheap old camera that does the trick for me Lol, almost looks like you forgot to put the springs back on the struts before reinstallation Maybe I did forget Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted May 14, 2014 Its pretty much a bulletproof camera setup for most people! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nastnas 9 Report post Posted May 15, 2014 M3 with a cage looks familiar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 15, 2014 M3 with a cage looks familiar It drives well ! M3 seats are bloody uncomfortable though. Having some fun before dark IMG_1927 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1888 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1908 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1917 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1933 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Will get more shots of the M3 this weekend, going on a trip! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pldubs 308 Report post Posted May 15, 2014 Slam the rear. Buy a spare sump and call it a day. Looks siiiick Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted May 18, 2014 Slam the rear. Buy a spare sump and call it a day. Looks siiiick Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk ^ lol. Met Mike at Sinco on Saturday when we picked up the racecar, got to take some photos of an S15 with an RB26, bored and stroked to 2.8litres, 500kw atw. IMG_1945 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1941 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1954 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1995 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1990 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1997 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_2022-2 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1991 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_2045 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_1950 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr IMG_2042 by Postcard from 2309, on Flickr Pretty damn awesome! Going to sell the springs that are on my daily at the moment, it's too much of a hassle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vagicle 1 Report post Posted May 19, 2014 Sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo, that is a clean install!! Normall I don't like the S chassis because it's way too overdone, but that is all kinds of awesome. Loving the work on the 36 as well, it's builds and photography like this that makes me like the shape more and more... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aphexic 35 Report post Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Bought a new car to replace the daily driver, an msport 328i manual with M3 suspension, much nicer in every way and a lot more fun! My goal with this car is to keep it as standard as possible and if I do anything, it has to be un-doable to keep is as stock as I can. First thing I'm thinking about is a splitter for the msport front bumper, but that will be a while away. Pretty happy with it! Edited June 30, 2014 by Aphexic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted June 30, 2014 Where did u find this? (And how much was it if u dont mind me asking, pm me) Ive been looking for a nice 328 coupe this looks so ideal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
