m-swap to a grocery getter, who's done it? [Archive] - Bimmerforums

View Full Version : m-swap to a grocery getter, who's done it?

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 02:32 PM

I found a super clean 95 3 series wagon with a locked motor for $1000.....so I'm thinking project....anybody do this, I searched a little but found nothing...Any thoughts, if I did it, I would swap everything and have a M3 shell sitting around.....

NakNak

01-11-2006, 02:35 PM

I don't think I have seen it done before... There might be a reason for that though...

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 02:37 PM

I can't think of any odd ball reason why not though, it is the same basic chasis correct??? I really am thinking hard about this.....I do do everything over spring break at my buddies shop.........how aewsome would it be to have a wagon......the dog could ride back there.................

arakele

01-11-2006, 03:08 PM

same chassis, it would be no different than swapping an s50/s52 into a regular e36/ti

I have been looking for an e36 touring for years btw, they are hard to come by in my area.

fliplap

01-11-2006, 03:22 PM

Yeah, its been done. My question is: Where did you find an e36 touring?

Here's a video of one drifting: http://www.hyperstore.nl/drifting/BeDriftSeries_Round2_Warneton_Paul-Vlasblom_BMWe36-M3touring.wmv

BCM M3

01-11-2006, 03:29 PM

You found an e36 wagon?! I don't think they were sold in the states. Provided that it's already been federalized, buy it!

M3 Pete

01-11-2006, 04:27 PM

I've seen it done to an E46 touring, it was running at Willow Springs last time I was there, and it was also featured in Roundel. The thing was built to the hilt with an S54 and some serious suspension. The owner is a skilled driver, watching it bomb other M3's during the instructor sessions was freakin' awesome! :buttrock

Aradaiel

01-11-2006, 04:41 PM

e46 tourings are common, I wouldn't mind a 325xi. I've never even heard of the e36 before this. I've seen an e30 touring in utah, it was in good shape. I had to do a double take to make sure it was what I thought it was. Was glad to see it was being treated right.

Mantic

01-11-2006, 04:43 PM

e36 wagon? I gotta see this..

JamesM3M5

01-11-2006, 04:51 PM

e36 wagon? I gotta see this..
They exist. I saw pics of a German Avus blue E36 M3 wagon.

Did he mean E34 wagon? If so, we just got Barry's white 525i converted to 3.0L M engine. Engine was from an E30 M3 S50 swap that dropped one valve (broken upper valve spring plate). The E30 was upgraded to an S52 swap, and the S50 was rebuilt stock and dropped into the wagon. It's pretty doggone fast now with a 3.73 rear end. Might end up with a 6-speed one of these days.... :devillook

OnlineAlias

01-11-2006, 04:53 PM

http://www.hartge.de/assets/images/E36Touring.jpg

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 05:30 PM

E36M3E

01-11-2006, 06:01 PM

ok for the bad news.......I called the guy and spoke with him earlier today....(the car was listed in the local bargin finder, no-pics) we only talked about the condition of the car, I didn't question what series.....after reading a couple other post I called him back....turns out they jewed everything up and put in a typo, it was a 5 series not a 3......sorry to let everyone down.....I wanted to cry when I found out. Nice guy though......it is now my quest to find one and do a swap......

this is the E46 everyone is talking about. Rogue Engineering did the first one.

http://www.rogueengineering.com/pics/e46_wagon/web1_600.jpg

I would love one of these!!

s_ribs

01-11-2006, 06:18 PM

Too bad. That would have been a really neat project!

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 07:39 PM

no kidding...I want to import one and swap everything over.....it's itching my brain soooo bad now. I'm gonna see if I can source one out......anybody no any importers that deal with auto's?????

blue///m3

01-11-2006, 07:44 PM

I've seen an E34 touring with a S50 motor in it. It fits in well and is pretty stout. Even cooler to be smoked by a big wagon. I still say do it

E36M3E

01-11-2006, 07:46 PM

if you could federalise an E36 Touring that easy, everyone would have Euro M3s.

I think its pretty difficult time consuming and costly...why not the E46 M Touring?

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 07:46 PM

well if I can get one imported, then I will.....after doing a little more research today I don't think the U.S. got them....maybe canada did though.....can anybody vouche for that.....

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 07:49 PM

if you could federalise an E36 Touring that easy, everyone would have Euro M3s.

I think its pretty difficult time consuming and costly...why not the E46 M Touring?
cause I don't have enough money for an e46 M. I would do it mostly illegally and swap vins from a junker....In my area no-body would thin twice to check if a bmw that generation ever exsisted. My buddy bought a Pulsar GTI from Japan and put Sentra vins on it.......never had a problem and that car is super obviuos

E36M3E

01-11-2006, 07:50 PM

good luck.

BOX HEAD

01-11-2006, 07:53 PM

thanks
http://tinypic.com/k2mhjt.jpg
http://tinypic.com/k2mkn6.jpg
http://tinypic.com/k2ml55.jpg

ryosten

01-11-2006, 09:52 PM

Now I want one...for the wife of course :devillook

No really...

Kell

01-11-2006, 10:18 PM

That 3-series wagon in that video that was posted looks horrible. It looks like an elongated Civic Hatchback.

I don't see any good reason for a 3-series wagon on the track with an M3 swap other than originality.

nonphixion

01-11-2006, 10:32 PM

I dont think hes looking to build a track car, the touring would not be the best bet, but as a street slash goof around car a ///MTouring would kick ass:buttrock

Intellifax

01-11-2006, 10:46 PM

"turns out they jewed everything up and put in a typo"

was that really necessary? I didn't realize we jew:devillook 's had the market cornered on screwing people:)

OnlineAlias

01-12-2006, 08:38 AM

I don't think he meant it that way, but it still came out offensively. A BMW forum is no place for that, even if it was meant innocently...

s_ribs

01-12-2006, 10:59 AM

Edit: Word change, as to not offend anyone

Thank you. :thumbup: Even if it doesn't hit us personally we don't like to see that. Props for being so graceful.

BOX HEAD

01-12-2006, 11:00 AM

no-problem....

Mistermotorist

01-12-2006, 11:41 AM

I have schemed for a few years in an effort to figure out how to get an E36 Touring. The problem is not the state regs (even in California) - the problem is complying with the federal paperwork - I figure that you have to get one in Europe (southern France probably least likely to be corroded) and import it as "parts" - like they do with kit cars - i.e. no drive line...and bring it back to life with the identity of the U.S. legal donor. You'd need to pay for a container, so you could import a lot of cheese and wine at the same time - or maybe a couple of legal collector cars (?)

Who has the time for a project like this? I have decided to build an E34 wagon grocery getter when I find an affordable prospect. It's just an OBDI S52 swap.

GGray

01-12-2006, 11:50 AM

I want an E36 wagon, with an LS V8! Heck I might even put a slush box in it since it would be a daily driver! I like the wagon's!!! :evil2

How cool would that sucker be!!

BOX HEAD

01-12-2006, 11:55 AM

I don't know how France deals with exports, they do a lot of odd things, and they may want lots of money for an export. I never thought of a "parts car" but, I already figured out a legal way to import a complete running car streetable into the U.S. there's another thread I started and it has DOT and EPA regulations for required vehicles import rules. I even found a shipping company to ship the car, they claim about 2 months for delivery.....

I have schemed for a few years in an effort to figure out how to get an E36 Touring. The problem is not the state regs (even in California) - the problem is complying with the federal paperwork - I figure that you have to get one in Europe (southern France probably least likely to be corroded) and import it as "parts" - like they do with kit cars - i.e. no drive line...and bring it back to life with the identity of the U.S. legal donor. You'd need to pay for a container, so you could import a lot of cheese and wine at the same time - or maybe a couple of legal collector cars (?)

Who has the time for a project like this? I have decided to build an E34 wagon grocery getter when I find an affordable prospect. It's just an OBDI S52 swap.

palomino

01-12-2006, 01:01 PM

well if I can get one imported, then I will.....after doing a little more research today I don't think the U.S. got them....maybe canada did though.....can anybody vouche for that.....Neither Canada nor Mexico got E36 tourings.

deilenberger

01-12-2006, 01:10 PM

ok for the bad news.......I called the guy and spoke with him earlier today....(the car was listed in the local bargin finder, no-pics) we only talked about the condition of the car, I didn't question what series.....after reading a couple other post I called him back....turns out they JAZZED everything up and put in a typo, it was a 5 series not a 3......sorry to let everyone down.....I wanted to cry when I found out. Nice guy though......it is now my quest to find one and do a swap......

Edit: Word change, as to not offend anyone
If it's the 6 cylinder 5-touring (Wagon in USA talk) - the S52 would still be a very nice swap and give you a real sleeper - keep the 525i badge on the back and surprise some people.

(Oh - yeah - I also own a 525iT.. too new to do a swap but I've always wanted to..)

deilenberger

01-12-2006, 01:14 PM

I've seen an E34 touring with a S50 motor in it. It fits in well and is pretty stout. Even cooler to be smoked by a big wagon. I still say do itSince the E34 came with an M50 engine - which is dimensionally identical to the S50/S52 there is no reason it couldn't be done. There was a Roundel article a few years ago about a conversion some shop did - with all stock BMW parts... turned out one cool wagon. BTW - BMW did have an M5 Touring in Yurop.. but it used the older 3.2L M engine.. from the M38 series engines. There are two I know of in the USA.. and one is owned by Rob Levinson of UUC..

ryosten

01-12-2006, 02:31 PM

I want an E36 wagon, with an LS V8! Heck I might even put a slush box in it since it would be a daily driver! I like the wagon's!!! :evil2

How cool would that sucker be!!

Preach on brother! :buttrock

pswarren

01-12-2006, 04:03 PM

If it's the 6 cylinder 5-touring (Wagon in USA talk) - the S52 would still be a very nice swap and give you a real sleeper - keep the 525i badge on the back and surprise some people.

(Oh - yeah - I also own a 525iT.. too new to do a swap but I've always wanted to..)

A buddy of mine has an e34 525i that he swapped a s52 into. For the most part it was straight forward. He also at the same time converted from auto to manual. It is now a fun car :buttrock

mose121

01-12-2006, 05:26 PM

http://www.hartge.de/assets/images/E36Touring.jpg

Damn that looks hot. So it was never imported to the states at all? Did canada get them? What about an AWD variant? I saw an E30 Touring with a S/C S52 in it a few years back. Offered the guy $15k cash on the spot and he said it would take $25k to buy it. Sweet car though. I know there are some E34 M5 Tourings floating around, but you can get a S38 M5 motor pretty cheap ($4-6k) if you look around or just throw a S50/52/54 in there and S/C it if you want more power. You can find those motors everywhere for 5k all day long.

mose121

01-12-2006, 05:30 PM

if you could federalise an E36 Touring that easy, everyone would have Euro M3s.

I think its pretty difficult time consuming and costly...why not the E46 M Touring?

Ok you said it, now post some pics up of an E46 M Touring. This I have to see! :evil2

mose121

01-12-2006, 05:33 PM

BOX HEAD

01-12-2006, 09:30 PM

nixtfy

01-13-2006, 02:50 PM

I would love to get my hands on a e30 touring

mose121

01-13-2006, 08:17 PM

If I do this, it will be OBD I, I already have everything to convert....my current car would be the doner. I wouldn't think twice about stripping the major stuff, and then eventually making a nice track car out of the empty M3 shell.

well if you're current car still has the stock motor, you have a S50, not a S52. So not much would be hard there emissions wise.

M5Yates

01-13-2006, 10:15 PM

Here is a e30 touring with a euro s50 in it: http://www.willz.ca/ED74525.htm

http://www.willz.ca/images/Rhoodup2.jpg

mose121

01-14-2006, 09:37 AM

Here is a e30 touring with a euro s50 in it: http://www.willz.ca/ED74525.htm

http://www.willz.ca/images/Rhoodup2.jpg

dude...what are you trying to do to me here? You're killing me! Now I have to start looking for one again. :evil2

M5Yates

01-14-2006, 10:43 AM

dude...what are you trying to do to me here? You're killing me! Now I have to start looking for one again. :evil2
I almost bought that touring to take to O'fest 2001, until I found it would cost $10,000 to bring it in from Canada. I'm quite happy with my S50 powered 318ti. Because of the hatch back, it will even hold my son's full size bass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/m5yates/Seats/330tiLeft.jpg

mose121

01-14-2006, 02:04 PM

I almost bought that touring to take to O'fest 2001, until I found it would cost $10,000 to bring it in from Canada. I'm quite happy with my S50 powered 318ti. Because of the hatch back, it will even hold my son's full size bass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/m5yates/Seats/330tiLeft.jpg

I'm not sure who told you it would cost $10g's to bring an E30 into the states, but apparently they didn't know what they were talking about. E30's, as well as E36's (non M cars mind you) are not difficult or expensive to import from Canada since they basically met all federal safety/emissions standards of the day for the US market as well. I think you just need a MPH speedo and maybe a cat, CA cars are cool as long as they meet US safety and emission requirements as well. Here's a good reference site to check out when thinking about importing a car. I know of a few people that have brought E30 325iX's in from CA with no problems at all other than the hassle of doing the paperwork. -->http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG081905.html I've been thinking about going to Europe and finding a E36 Touring like the one above to do an M swap into.

scoobydawg04

01-14-2006, 02:20 PM

ive got an idea.
1. buy sawzall
2. ticket to europe
3. find touring
4. saw wagon part off
5. fly back to states
6. saw rear window out of your car
7. weld wagon on
AND YOU HAVE A TOURING

M5Yates

01-14-2006, 02:59 PM

That e30 touring has a 286 hp euro-S50 engine. The company selling the car specializes in rare European cars (like Alpine and M5 tourings). When they told me it would cost almost 50% of the purchase price to get the car federalized, I bailed.

I used to bring Mercedes over from Germany in the 80's. Not too much hassle then. I wouldn't want to deal with it now.

Bill

I'm not sure who told you it would cost $10g's to bring an E30 into the states, but apparently they didn't know what they were talking about. E30's, as well as E36's (non M cars mind you) are not difficult or expensive to import from Canada since they basically met all federal safety/emissions standards of the day for the US market as well. I think you just need a MPH speedo and maybe a cat, CA cars are cool as long as they meet US safety and emission requirements as well. Here's a good reference site to check out when thinking about importing a car. I know of a few people that have brought E30 325iX's in from CA with no problems at all other than the hassle of doing the paperwork. -->http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG081905.html I've been thinking about going to Europe and finding a E36 Touring like the one above to do an M swap into.

BOX HEAD

01-16-2006, 09:17 PM

just so you know the post about the s52 swap was never mentioned by me.....I posted only about e36........just thought I'd point that out
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 5668703" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125></TD><TD class=alt2>Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by Mistermotorist
I have schemed for a few years in an effort to figure out how to get an E36 Touring. The problem is not the state regs (even in California) - the problem is complying with the federal paperwork - I figure that you have to get one in Europe (southern France probably least likely to be corroded) and import it as "parts" - like they do with kit cars - i.e. no drive line...and bring it back to life with the identity of the U.S. legal donor. You'd need to pay for a container, so you could import a lot of cheese and wine at the same time - or maybe a couple of legal collector cars (?)

Who has the time for a project like this? I have decided to build an E34 wagon grocery getter when I find an affordable prospect. It's just an OBDI S52 swap.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

OBDI S52?:confused Going to convert it I guess? Why not just go S50 and avoid the hassle. The S52 isn't really any better and you can make up the torque difference easily on the OBDI S50 to match that of the OBDII S52.
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by Lord M3
If I do this, it will be OBD I, I already have everything to convert....my current car would be the doner. I wouldn't think twice about stripping the major stuff, and then eventually making a nice track car out of the empty M3 shell.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

well if you're current car still has the stock motor, you have a S50, not a S52. So not much would be hard there emissions wise.