My M3/4/5 Story & Progress

[AtlasM3]

A short backstory to how I ended up with one of my teenage dream cars. I was looking for a M3/4/5 to daily drive. I figured it would be a great car to enjoy and I only drive 15 miles a day so I could get something a little older than my current 2015 Acura TLX. I haul the kids to daycare so I needed the sedan for their car seats. Most of the ones in my budget were pretty high mileage so I wasn’t really thinking I could make it work.


Then I texted my dad a picture of a silver M3/4/5 and said this is what I want! He’s a car guy as well and said the neighbor that moved in next door to him had an old M3 in his garage he didn’t drive a lot. I was thinking no way it’s a M3/4/5. Then he sent me the below picture.
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It was a 1997 M3/4/5 with 74,000 miles on it. His neighbor purchased it off a 3 year lease one of his friends had back in 2000. The car was in great shape! After talking to him and test driving the car we made the deal.

I changed the oil and did a coolant flush along with a quick detail. I then made the 100 Mike trip back home. Below is how the car looks now.
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I plan to just done some minor exterior modifications. Right now I am planning on replacing the below items:
-Complete drive belt assembly
-Cooling system overhaul
-Transmission and diff fluid change
-Tint the windows to help protect the interior
-Continental EV Sport tires

Below are the known issues:
-Squeaking from drive belt somewhere
-Rough cold start issue that is getting better with flue treatment and fresh 93
-Headliner is coming down on a pillars and behind sunroof. Any advice on fixing this?
-RTAB’s will be checked when I get the tires installed
-Rubber bushing that attaches the throttle cable to the gas pedal came apart and left me stranded Monday night.

If you think of any tips I need to know about or advice let me
know! I will post more pictures in my next reply below.

[AtlasM3]

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[Hankdoll]

Great story and it's in amazing shape. You got lucky!

[Nova1]

My very recent experience with the headliner and A pillars is to order the material from Veterans in Calif, probably 3 yards. Remove the A pillars and headliner yourself, then take all the materials to a professional shop and have them do it for you and then reinstall yourself. It’s easy to remove and replace the headliner and pillars, but the fabric placement requires skill and patience.

[AtlasM3]

My very recent experience with the headliner and A pillars is to order the material from Veterans in Calif, probably 3 yards. Remove the A pillars and headliner yourself, then take all the materials to a professional shop and have them do it for you and then reinstall yourself. It’s easy to remove and replace the headliner and pillars, but the fabric placement requires skill and patience.

That sounds cheaper than a new $1,400 headliner. Any idea how much it might run?

[E85STI]

Congrats on this new car. Wow what a great find!

[marek]

That sounds cheaper than a new $1,400 headliner. Any idea how much it might run?

I wouldn't pay more than $200-$300 if you bring them the removed headliner and material. This varies by region, but AL should be on the lower end of that scale.

[Nova1]

That sounds cheaper than a new $1,400 headliner. Any idea how much it might run?

My personal decision was to reline with factory material and I would recommend going that route. Others go with suede and alcantara. It’s a personal preference. I remember hearing that veteran was charging $50ish per yard. I way overpaid from headlinerexpress.com. I also don’t think you would need more than 3 yards to do everything, headliner and pillars. I’d be really surprised and would probably balk at anything over $500 to reline all these pieces of you brought them to a shop removed from the car with the material in hand. The factory foam lined material should be very familiar for any shop. I guess what I’m getting at is you should pay less than half the cost of a new headliner for everything if done this way.

[AtlasM3]

My personal decision was to reline with factory material and I would recommend going that route. Others go with suede and alcantara. It’s a personal preference. I remember hearing that veteran was charging $50ish per yard. I way overpaid from headlinerexpress.com. I also don’t think you would need more than 3 yards to do everything, headliner and pillars. I’d be really surprised and would probably balk at anything over $500 to reline all these pieces of you brought them to a shop removed from the car with the material in hand. The factory foam lined material should be very familiar for any shop. I guess what I’m getting at is you should pay less than half the cost of a new headliner for everything if done this way.

It’s such a small section I wish I could just glue it back up myself. Has anyone tried that before?

[blckstrm]

It’s such a small section I wish I could just glue it back up myself. Has anyone tried that before?

Yes I have. This will be a train wreck. Very temporary at best, or will look like a night of debauchery took place in your back seat at worst if the glue soaks through and leaves white crusty stuff all over the place.

The foam backing is just sticky powder - it'll never really hold unless you soak it and use too much glue - see above.... Once it starts coming down it's over - just have it redone. You might get away with it on the A pillars for a while, but that will only last a year or two.

This last time around I was quoted $500 if I dropped off the car. Less if I just dropped off the headliner and pillars, but the receptionist couldn't tell me by how much and I haven't done it yet (this is the busy time of year for my side hustle, so it won't get done until the second week of December or so).

The pads under the car seats will save you a ton of wear - that was going to be my best advice to you. The next is similar. Take them out when you're not using them to reduce the wear.

But welcome to the club!

[RBNetEngr]

Several years ago I paid around $700 to get the headliner, sunroof panel, center ‘button’ cover, A and C pillars covered with an alcantara type material. I removed all the panels and installed them afterwards.

The shop is one of the best in town, and the work they did was top notch.

A bad job will be obvious, and you’ll regret it. Find the best shop you can and get it done right, the first time.


-rb

[blckstrm]

Several years ago I paid around $700 to get the headliner, sunroof panel, center ‘button’ cover, A and C pillars covered with an alcantara type material. I removed all the panels and installed them afterwards.

The shop is one of the best in town, and the work they did was top notch.

A bad job will be obvious, and you’ll regret it. Find the best shop you can and get it done right, the first time.


-rb
Sadly, those guys don't do headliners anymore. I finally got in touch with them, and they referred me to the place where her talent went, and then THEY told me they didn't do headliners anymore either.

I've been searching since we talked and finally found a place a couple weeks ago who sounded like they knew what they were doing (was referred to me by BMW of Austin). If it turns out nice I'll report back.

[AtlasM3]

Sadly, those guys don't do headliners anymore. I finally got in touch with them, and they referred me to the place where her talent went, and then THEY told me they didn't do headliners anymore either.

I've been searching since we talked and finally found a place a couple weeks ago who sounded like they knew what they were doing (was referred to me by BMW of Austin). If it turns out nice I'll report back.

I am going to go see a local detailer this weekend everyone has recommended to tint my windows. I’m going to see if he knows of anyone around here that does interior work.

Im also taking my daughter to Cars and Coffee here in Auburn tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can get some good contacts from those guys.

[DrftKingIII]

Then I texted my dad a picture of a silver M3/4/5 and said this is what I want! He’s a car guy as well and said the neighbor that moved in next door to him had an old M3 in his garage he didn’t drive a lot. I was thinking no way it’s a M3/4/5. Then he sent me the below picture.

It was a 1997 M3/4/5 with 74,000 miles on it. His neighbor purchased it off a 3 year lease one of his friends had back in 2000. The car was in great shape! After talking to him and test driving the car we made the deal.


Love stories like this. Congrats on the acquisition.

[importbanana]

What's a M3/4/5? M3, 4 door, 5 speed?

[E85STI]

What's a M3/4/5? M3, 4 door, 5 speed?

That is correct.

[RBNetEngr]

Sadly, those guys don't do headliners anymore. I finally got in touch with them, and they referred me to the place where her talent went, and then THEY told me they didn't do headliners anymore either.

I've been searching since we talked and finally found a place a couple weeks ago who sounded like they knew what they were doing (was referred to me by BMW of Austin). If it turns out nice I'll report back.

Wow, that sucks. That shop does top quality work, and are always backed up for a long time. Maybe the pressure was too much.

I hope your shop in Austin does a great job for you.


-rb

[blckstrm]

Wow, that sucks. That shop does top quality work, and are always backed up for a long time. Maybe the pressure was too much.

I hope your shop in Austin does a great job for you.


-rb

It was the commute!

The guy who did the headliners was commuting too far, finally went to work across town at another shop closer to his home. Along with the explanation, the owner was nice enough to put me in touch with that shop, but they told me that they had also quit doing headliners (no explanation this time).

[AtlasM3]

The first parts came in! Continental EC Sports. I wanted the PS4S’s but they are still back ordered. I’ll be taking these to get mounted and aligned on Tuesday. The ones on there now are dry rotted and the inside of the front tires is bald.

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[sirhodjibob]

Nice. Those are great tires. Car looks like a very nice example. Look forward to your updates

[notMpowered]

Congrats on the pickup. When you do the belts, check your pulleys are in good shape. They are quick, cheap and easy to do.
I still love every moment with mine 8.5 years in. You're in for a good time.

[Veleno]

Great story and how lucky they moved in next door to your parents.

[AtlasM3]

Congrats on the pickup. When you do the belts, check your pulleys are in good shape. They are quick, cheap and easy to do.
I still love every moment with mine 8.5 years in. You're in for a good time.

Thank you! I did the belts this weekend and replaced the squeaking idler pulley! Happy to report the squeaking is gone! I will do the rest of the drive belt pulley system when I do the cooling overhaul in a few months.

I’m glad to hear you are still enjoying your car! I am still a little nervous about daily driving it but I’m getting more use to it!

- - - Updated - - -


Great story and how lucky they moved in next door to your parents.

Thank you! Yes it was pretty great! Really the only way I could have ended up with an M3. God is good!

[AtlasM3]

I had my new Conti EC Sport tires installed today. The ride is a lot smoother. The tech that installed them and did the alignment is a friend of mine. He said the tires that were on it were from 2003 haha. Needless to say they made a big difference.

I am still taking it easy on the car and getting use to daily driving it. I’m hoping to do the coolant system overhaul in a few months and replace the remaining drive pulleys.

[E85STI]

I had my new Conti EC Sport tires installed today. The ride is a lot smoother. The tech that installed them and did the alignment is a friend of mine. He said the tires that were on it were from 2003 haha. Needless to say they made a big difference.

I am still taking it easy on the car and getting use to daily driving it. I’m hoping to do the coolant system overhaul in a few months and replace the remaining drive pulleys.


I can only imagine tires from 2003. Mine are from 2014 and the car wasn't driven much over those 7 years but they feel like old hard as hockey pucks tires. Getting new tires on mine after I finish replacing the entire tie rod assemblies. Man new tires make the car feel great!

[blckstrm]

Haha - daily driving is how you find out where the weak points are!

Seriously, it will be great. They're just great cars. Stuff might break, but it's extremely unlikely to actually leave you stranded. Mine's been extremely reliable while handling a huge amount of abuse over the years.

I like to tell people that if you drove a Camry the way I drive the M3, it's the M3 you'd pick for the reliable car.

[AtlasM3]

https://i.imgur.com/G6cAxjn.jpg

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https://i.imgur.com/eChihEq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/o5WHqrd.jpg


Just an update.

I have been loving the car! I have put about 500 miles on it over the past month. Below are some of the items I have replaced and future plans.

Replaced:
-Hood lift supports
-Drive belts, pulleys, and tensioners
-Radiator cap

Future plans:
-Cooling system overhaul
-Fuel filter
-Transmission fluid
-Diff Fluid

[Das e36]

How's the seating position with the car seat behind the driver (especially when driving manual)? New father here and the seating position in my wife's Q5 (even as an automatic) is pretty rough with the car seat behind it; haven't tested it out in my M3 yet. I'm not looking forward to driving more conservatively but thinking its the only way I'll be able to get some drive time outside of track events once I get it out of winter storage.

Keep coming with the updates too! Bought my M3 last year and going through a lot of the same work you guys have been documenting here. Great to see the other stories and learn some new things along the way.

[AtlasM3]

How's the seating position with the car seat behind the driver (especially when driving manual)? New father here and the seating position in my wife's Q5 (even as an automatic) is pretty rough with the car seat behind it; haven't tested it out in my M3 yet. I'm not looking forward to driving more conservatively but thinking its the only way I'll be able to get some drive time outside of track events once I get it out of winter storage.

Keep coming with the updates too! Bought my M3 last year and going through a lot of the same work you guys have been documenting here. Great to see the other stories and learn some new things along the way.

It’s great but I’m also 5’4’’ haha. About the only perk of being short is being able to fit in smaller cars. But we did not focus on buying the smallest car seat when we purchased this one a couple years ago. If you try and buy the smallest one that would help.

I will keep them coming! I love how solid the car is and how easy is it to work on. My goal is to keep it running great and original. I might install some headlights but anything I do I will make sure it can be returned to stock.

I will also be getting the windows tinted in a few months to help keep the interior in good shape.

https://i.imgur.com/EiddmgL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9FKORF0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DMueoFW.jpg

[notMpowered]

Nuna Pippa fits well, and can be run without a base to give a little more room. My wife has enough room and she's about 5'9. I'm like 5'10. Any taller for both of us wouldn't be ideal, but basically as long as someone is under 6 feet in a family the seat can go behind them.

[JamesL71]

Great looking M3/4/5. I love silver E36s... regardless of how common the color is I think they look great.



Sadly, those guys don't do headliners anymore. I finally got in touch with them, and they referred me to the place where her talent went, and then THEY told me they didn't do headliners anymore either.

I've been searching since we talked and finally found a place a couple weeks ago who sounded like they knew what they were doing (was referred to me by BMW of Austin). If it turns out nice I'll report back.


Don't mean to hijack the thread... but I am looking to get my headliner, sunroof panel, and pillars redone. I'm located in Austin. Just curious what shop you used and how it turned out?

[blckstrm]

Great looking M3/4/5. I love silver E36s... regardless of how common the color is I think they look great.





Don't mean to hijack the thread... but I am looking to get my headliner, sunroof panel, and pillars redone. I'm located in Austin. Just curious what shop you used and how it turned out?

Heh - I just posted about this yesterday:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2448318-Aftermarket-headliner&p=30764144#post30764144

And like I mentioned to someone else in that other thread - I'm happy to let you come check it out.