Mikelly Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 It needs some interior piecework replaced, but overall has all the right bits and pieces to make it a fun commutor car that might also see a little track time...The sunroof had issues so the previous owner removed all the hardware and installed the carbon delete panel. He also did away with a lot of the emissions stuff, the traction control system, airbags, and upgraded the coolant system to the euro spec setup with the self bleeding reserevoir and aluminum radiator. The car sits on Bilstein PSS9s with other Bimmerworld components on the suspension to do away with the known suspension issues. Came with the Kossi wheels and a set of M wheels that need to be repainted, and other parts he threw in! The car has the new Active Autoworks 3inch exhaust system on it, from the header back. It's also got their "Shark" chip... I'm pretty impressed with how quick it is and how well it handles! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slownrusty Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 I like alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 So now the tables are turned, so to speak.... You bought a white NA Miata, and later I bought a white NA Miata. But last year I bought a silver E36 M3 coupe, and now you bought a silver E36 M3 coupe! The "Shark" software is not highly regarded. Stock M3 exhaust is reputed to be quite efficient, but heavy (especially the rear muffler assembly). It gets replaced for "throaty noise" or weight-loss reasons. The main known restriction is in the intake manifold runners. Mine had a 3.7 LSD differential (vs. the stock 3.15?), a "coilover" kit from one of the German suppliers, and various other bits. Coilovers on a M3 are a debatable upgrade. Typical E36 M3 issues, besides the cooling system, are suspension bushings and the VANOS seal failure. These are good cars and an excellent value... but don't expect anywhere near the performance of your Porsche. With the usual array of bolt-on mods, expect a quarter-mile time of around 14.0. Will you be doing the LS2 swap??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators RTz Posted October 24, 2011 Administrators Share Posted October 24, 2011 Nice find, Mike! My '98 coupe is mostly stock, with exception of Vorshlag's AST & spring package. I find it takes a little more coaxing in the twisties than a well prepped street S30, but it's a terrific compromise between civility and capability, and the feel is still reasonably direct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 (edited) Michael, I bought the car as is, with the mods that were made to it. If the shark tune and exhaust do nothing for the car, oh well... It's pretty damned peppy to me, but maybe I don't qualify for knowing anything about fast cars. The parts seem to work well enough with the car and Im' happy with it for the price I paid. I couldn't find anything clean and unmodified in a coupe for less than $18-20K. When I started looking, I wanted something in a 3.2L with suspension and cooling updates, and nothing else... I ended up with this... Go figure...You should buy my SpecMiata, and come play on the racetrack! And oh, Uh no interest in an LS1/3/6 swap for me. I have an LS1 motor in my shop, but I have no clue what I'll do with it. I may end up selling it... Mike So now the tables are turned, so to speak.... You bought a white NA Miata, and later I bought a white NA Miata. But last year I bought a silver E36 M3 coupe, and now you bought a silver E36 M3 coupe! The "Shark" software is not highly regarded. Stock M3 exhaust is reputed to be quite efficient, but heavy (especially the rear muffler assembly). It gets replaced for "throaty noise" or weight-loss reasons. The main known restriction is in the intake manifold runners. Mine had a 3.7 LSD differential (vs. the stock 3.15?), a "coilover" kit from one of the German suppliers, and various other bits. Coilovers on a M3 are a debatable upgrade. Typical E36 M3 issues, besides the cooling system, are suspension bushings and the VANOS seal failure. These are good cars and an excellent value... but don't expect anywhere near the performance of your Porsche. With the usual array of bolt-on mods, expect a quarter-mile time of around 14.0. Will you be doing the LS2 swap??? Edited October 24, 2011 by Mikelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Finally got the list togeher from the previous owners "updates" and knowing he pretty much did everything thru Bimmerworld, it was easy to figure it all out... In the suspension departsment the previous owner added the following: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers Rogue control arm bushings Powerflex motor mounts Power Flex Trailing arm bushings Power Flex rear control arm bushings Front and rear shock tower plates Exhaust mods: AAW trackpipe and exhaust system Intake mods: 90 degree boot kit AFE CAI Traction Control bipass kit M50 intake Software/tune: Bimmerworld Shark tune Cooling System: Aluminum Radiator Bimmer World Fan conversion kit Bimmerworld Coolant hose kit Aluminum Thermostat housing New OEM waterpump and 180 Degree T-stat Euro Coolant Reservoir Kit Body: Carbon delete moonroof Fog Light Delete Panels Hartge Rear Wing Interior: Vader Seats... Wheels/tire: Kosei K1 8.5 with Kumho XS tires BMW OEM M3s Front 12mm wheel spacers/wheel bolts. I think it was a pretty good deal for a wellsorted car...Having a ball with it... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S30TRBO Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Nice Mike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamH Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 You're missing the M3 "twist" sideskirts. Was your car originally a luxury package? My DD is an arctic silver E36 M3 as well. Great car, lots of fun. Much harder to work on than an old Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 1, 2011 Author Share Posted November 1, 2011 Mine was indeed originally a luxury model. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Latest Beauty shots... really digging this car... Interior... Carbon roof interior pic... Exterior: Really Digging this Ride... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Nice beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 Because I know we have a bunch of idiots who may jump on that with both feet... I took these photos at my home, and do not condone driving while drinking... YES these pics were taken on my property and those who have been here can attest to the fact that this is my home. It's actually in the background of most of the pics. I live in the Wilderness National Battlefield, and have approximately 500 ft. of asphault drive, along with over 300 ft. of driveway to the shop. The intersection of the two drives is where the pics were taken. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldlion Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I would love to have an m3 as a daily. May have to look into that. Beautiful car, many happy returns with this one I imagine. As far as the beverage situation, any other forum I may have wondered, but I feel that the general level of responsibility of the standing members of this forum is high enough that you needed no explanation. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for you and this car Mike. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamH Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Wow, our cars look a lot alike when you put the Contours on yours! Mine's a luxury package as well, but not as modified as yours. Here's mine: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Yes they do... Really love driving this thing... It's just a perfect daily driver... I'll be using it to instruct the wounder warriors at summit point next Friday. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Today I ran over to Harrisonburg and picked up the rest of the "stuff" the previous owner had for the car, including a full sized Contour spare, the Shark tune file uploader module, a new central locking module for the driver's door, the headliner, a new set of ground control front camber plates, and the old stock intake. Also bought a new Sony DSX-S300BTX head unit for the car, with bluetooth, along with new floor mats, shifter bushings, and shifter... Also picking up some Performance Friction pads, floating rotors and some other goodies in the coming days... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayAreaZT Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 Nice pickup with all the upgrades. I was actually in the market for for an E36 M3 a few months ago. I was hoping to find one like yours with just the right mods. Couldn't find a clean one in my area so I ended up with a E46 M3. I still would like a E36 one of these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) Took it out to the "Helmets off to Heros" even with Drive-Lab for a vets only Driver's Clinic. The footage is of the instructor's group. Car is on All season radials and parts counter brake pads, along with the PSS9s set to full soft. I ran one session and then the brake pedal started getting soft... Since I drove the car to the event, I wasn't going to push it any further... Fun as hell though... This car is a hoot! Mike Edited November 14, 2011 by Mikelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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