Bmw e36 m3

[TheDukeGTi]

Hi all. Another slice of fun and progress in the M3 for your viewing pleasure.



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Last year, I improved the front end dramatically by polishing those plastic headlights. However, the plastic headlights have always bugged me; they don't say "premium" like an M3 should. So when some geniune ZKW (US bosch equivalent for those that don't know) came up for sale locally at a very reasonable price (not the $500 they demand in some circles), I jumped on them. They needed a little love as they'd been butchered with HID's and angel eyes, which're really not my thing. But after a little love, I got them up to an acceptable standard.



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Unfortunately, while attempting to fit, I ran across an issue where the alarm siren was fouling the back of the lights. So I wasn't able to fit them immediately, and they sat for a couple of months. More on that later.


I also managed to replace the alternator cooling vent as that had desintegrated. Not an exciting development, granted, but satisfying, nontheless.



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr




Although disappointed that I couldn't fit my lights, I still continued to take the car out for regular drives, on great roads all over the bay area. Parked up with some very exotic metal, some LaFerrari's in this particular instance:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 LaFerrari by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



LaFerrari by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



LaFerrari by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


I should say that I quickly jumped out to take those pics and was there a total of probably 60 seconds. I don't make a habit of parking across the lines in disabled parking spaces!


Some great roads around the bay area:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


I also meet up with the BMWCCA as and when I can. They do some awesome events like the Sonoma driving tour I attented a couple of weeks ago.



BMW E36 M3 BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


What I (and probably the owners of mint E30 M3's) didn't anticipate was the wrong turn we took which saw ~30 BMW's of very differing values, driving down dirt tracks. I was certainly glad I was in mine rather than a brand new M3 or the afformentioned appreciating unicorns!


It was pretty fun though...



BMW E36 M3 BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 BMWCCA tour by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


That day also brought to light that I needed new tyres. Ask me how I know...

[TheDukeGTi]

As mentioned, in order to fit the headlights, I needed to relocate the alarm siren. I don't have any pictures of this process. But having fitted the lights, I can say I'm so happy with the outcome, they really just bring the car up a notch.


I also had 4 new Michelin Pilot Supersports fitted, this time in OEM sizes. I had the MPSS's on before, and while I don't pretend to possess the relevant bredth of knowledge about all brands of tyres and their individual intricacies, I was very impressed with the ones these replaced.


Before, plastic headlights:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


After, genuine glass ZKW:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


I also managed to pick up some more rear seats, well just the back rest parts. The old ones were tatty and broken where the seatbelt's 'dispense' from the seats. The leather was brittle and sunbaked. The new ones were picked up for the pricely sum of $5, I think they might be the best bargain so far!


Old:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


During, lathering up with leather conditioner:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Fitted:



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Finally, I had some time to kill, so took some pics down at Fort Mason. I managed to get a good spot away from others.



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



BMW E36 M3 by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


'til next time!

[notMpowered]

I have to say, even next to a couple million plus supercars, the e36 m3 still catches a bit of the eye. Especially in Hellrot.

[TheDukeGTi]

Ha, thanks. I agree, although there may be some camera trickery going on.

[TH3 Shifty]

nice car

[CblockM3]

amazing how a set of ZKW'S transform the front end. Car is looking great!

[dasmeth]

very clean hellrot. I assume the LaF and LaF Aperta belong to Benjamin Sloss and wife?

[TheDukeGTi]

Thanks all! I have no idea who's Ferrari's they were, but Benjamin Sloss and wife appear to be the best guess!

[e30lover12]

Love your progress so far! They are indeed his cars. His Instagram is yonly65 if you care to check it out.

[JZMIII]

looking good!

[golgo13]

Very nice!

Local friend just picked up a hellrot as well.

[m3mobbin]

Great work, especially since you are on a tight budget. It's good to see that you're out there putting some miles on it.

Thanks for not letting another savable e36 go to sh**.

[TheDukeGTi]

Thanks all!

[TheDukeGTi]

Hey all, this is now for sale:

https://www.panjo.com/buy/bmw-e36-m3...l-coupe-369679

or...

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...t-Manual-Coupe