Hey fellow E36 fanatics! Like many of you during the recent downtime, I decided to dive into a new automotive project. A friend of mine had an E36 325is auto that was purchased specifically as an E36 Parts Car for its differential and some other components. After sitting in storage for a while, I saw an opportunity to learn some new skills, particularly in bodywork, and decided to take on the challenge of bringing this car back to life.
This E36 definitely needs some love. We’re talking front fenders, a nose panel, hood, bumper, driver’s door, and pretty much all the gaskets. To top it off, it was given a less-than-stellar black paint job. However, digging into its history, I found it spent its first seven years in California, which explains the surprisingly minimal rust for a car with 180,000 miles. After a closer inspection in daylight, it seems like most of the car is still original. I’ve already started tearing it down, and so far, it’s been a manageable process.
This build isn’t about creating a race car or a drift machine. The goal is to learn, improve my skills, and end up with a comfortable and enjoyable E36. All the bushings will be replaced with stock rubber for that classic BMW feel. I’ll be sharing a more detailed build log as I progress.
Exterior Transformation: Bodywork and Paint
The exterior is where the bulk of the work lies. The existing paint is in rough shape, meaning a lot of sanding, filling, and more sanding is in my future. The final paint color is still up in the air. If the panels come out straight enough after bodywork, I’m leaning towards a metallic blue or grey for a sleek look. But, if perfection proves elusive, I’m even considering something a bit more unconventional, like a splatter paint job!
Beyond just paint, the exterior plans include:
- M3 front bumper for a more aggressive front end.
- An eBay rear diffuser to add a sporty touch to the rear.
- A Low Rise LTW spoiler for a subtle yet stylish spoiler.
- Style 18 wheels in a staggered 17″ setup to improve the stance and handling.
Interior Revival: Color Change and Upgrades
Moving inside, I’m planning a departure from the typical black interior swap. The current light gray interior is quite worn out. After some research and testing, I’ll be dyeing the deck lids and other trim pieces black using Duplicolor. For the carpet, while a non-black color would be interesting, black is practical for hiding dirt, and this carpet has seen better days. So, black carpet from AM Arnold it is, thanks to MR E30 for the tip!
The dash is where I want to introduce some warmth. I’m considering a two-tone approach or painting most of it in SEM Camel. This warm caramel color is exactly what I’m aiming for. I might keep the center console area black, but the e-brake and other details will be color-matched. I’m open to suggestions on SEM and Duplicolor color choices from the community! Seat color is still undecided, and I’m unsure if a full camel-on-camel interior would be too much.
Interior modifications planned so far include:
- Black gauge rings for a sportier instrument cluster.
- White gauge faces for improved visibility and a cleaner look.
- Satin purple dials to add a unique and subtle pop of color.
Suspension and Drivetrain Refreshment
When I rebuilt an E30 previously, new stock rubber bushings made a huge difference compared to the old, worn-out ones. While urethane bushings have their place, new stock rubber can provide excellent results at a fraction of the cost. In fact, a full set of rubber bushings is roughly the same price as just one set of urethane bushings.
I have a set of unused FK coilovers that I’ll likely install at their maximum height. They might not be the highest quality, but they’re currently just taking up shelf space. I’ll also be painting and welding the subframes after everything is removed. I have access to a blasting cabinet and love VHT Epoxy paint for durability. For areas needing extra protection, I’ll use POR15. Access to presses will be invaluable for dealing with stubborn bushings. And a recent Milwaukee impact wrench purchase has already proven to be a game-changer for heavy-duty tasks!
For the drivetrain, I’m initially keeping the automatic transmission. However, long-term, I’m not keen on an old GM auto. Fortunately, a local junkyard has everything needed for a manual swap, which is a future possibility. Any worn drivetrain components will be replaced with stock parts, keeping costs reasonable. Since my friend took the original diff, I picked up a 3.23 open differential locally, which will remain open for this build.
Engine and Brakes Overhaul
Being an automatic car, the engine likely hasn’t been abused. I’ll perform a compression test to confirm its health, but it sounds good. A basic reseal is planned, along with checking and potentially replacing valve guides if needed, and securing the oil pump nut as preventative maintenance. The goal is a reliable and clean stock M50 engine, nothing too fancy. I do have a Supersprint rear muffler that I’ll install for a bit of a sportier sound.
Given the car’s age, I’ll drop the fuel tank and replace all the rubber fuel lines with Gates Barricade for safety and peace of mind.
For the brakes, the hard lines are thankfully in good condition. All soft lines will be replaced with quality rubber ATE/Corteco lines. Centric rotors, Bosch/Centric pads, and remanufactured calipers will complete the brake refresh. Again, stock components are the focus here for reliable performance.
I’m looking forward to sharing updates on this E36 project and anticipate plenty of “learning experiences” along the way!
Here’s Parker being dropped off – my friend’s Cayenne diesel is a beast for hauling!
Yes, she’s rough around the edges, but full of potential for a great learning experience!
