My '96 E36 M3 Evo Saloon

[j44nty]

really like this car. Great work put in too. I would love a green one with cream leather but prices are too strong now.

 

[Neil_M]

Cheers dude .

I ended up playing safe colour wise. But green with a tan leather was one combination I pined over years ago. That or Techno Violet with ivory leather. Yumm!

 

[Neil_M]

A few people have asked to hear what the gutted muffler sounds like. Here is a brief video...




Lack of time hasn't allowed me to do much to the car...

Hand brake leather gaiter replaced.

Radio button and screw covers replaced (must clean the LCD screen).

BMW lead sound insulation applied to the wheel well and wheel put back into place (makes a little more space in the garage).

My next port of call is the under bonnet seals and fit the new sunroof panel.

 

[richie_mck]

Look at the dirt in the corners of the lcd screen, you growing potatoes?

 

[Neil_M]

Look at the dirt in the corners of the lcd screen, you growing potatoes?

LOL I'm sorry I disappointed you .

 

[dave b]

Love to see an OCD thread like this - subscribed

 

[Neil_M]

Love to see an OCD thread like this - subscribed

Cheers Dave, it will only get worse

 

[svensktoppen]

Now drive it!

 

[Neil_M]

Now drive it!

I'm actually looking forward to getting out for a good scoot in the car. The fresh suspension and geometry has really sorted the car.

A sunny dry day like today would be ideal .

 

[svensktoppen]

Just do it, what it is for

 

[Neil_M]

Just do it, what it is for

I can't argue with that .

 

[Jamie-g]

Don't you dare drive it

 

[Sailorbaz]

Enjoying this thread, keep the updates coming. I Had thought about taking the CSL out for a drive but a quick run out in the family car confirmed my doubts to go out after following a couple of lorries out towards Omagh and got covered in salt and other road grime. It'll be a while yet before mine is out anyway.

 

[Neil_M]

Don't you dare drive it

Well she did technically get some fresh air tonight .

Working on this rocker cover and as per usual trying to tidy the garage.

Enjoying this thread, keep the updates coming. I Had thought about taking the CSL out for a drive but a quick run out in the family car confirmed my doubts to go out after following a couple of lorries out towards Omagh and got covered in salt and other road grime. It'll be a while yet before mine is out anyway.

Cheers Baz. I luckily have plenty of small roads about that lorries wouldn't use...

 

[Neil_M]

Time to lob in the sunroof panel. The brand new BMW panel was painted when the car was done. It's been sat on the back seat for too long!

The new panel after a quick machine polish and wax.

The sunroof motor being manually turned to give more control of opening the roof, so I can gain access to the securing nuts and bolts.

The sunroof headlining pushed back revealing some of the three retaining nuts (see black metal strip).

The panel removed.

The underside of the old panel. This is for sale if anyone is interested?

Note the original sticker, showing build date and chassis number of the car.

Air deflector painted up (well I did have to).

Sound deadening attached to the new sunroof with contact adhesive.

New sunroof with build sticker transferred over.

Air deflectors attached to the side of the sunroof panel.

A closer view of the air deflectors. Naturally these were thoroughly cleaned up, treated and sealed.

Weather seal starting to be removed.

The new sunroof panel is installed along with a new weather seal. It needs a little adjustment to perfect it's resting height, but the mechanism works fine and it has full movement (phew). The adjustment is fairly straight forward, and allows me to raise and lower the front and rear of the panel.

 

[gsmith]

Love the attention to detail.

 

[Neil_M]

Love the attention to detail.

Has to be done! The panel was of course painted by WJ Blair's , inside and out. BMW as you can see only give it a quick blow over, the gypsies!

 

[Gibbo]

Always a great read and interesting, car will soon be factory fresh.

 

[Neil_M]

Always a great read and interesting, car will soon be factory fresh.

Ta very much mate . Just need to get some jobs out of the way that have been sitting on the back burner for too long.

 

[Crow555]

Could you take the old sunroof panel down to Brian now that it's out and get the dent taken out? Or is it that bad it doesn't matter?

 

[Paul RS]

What was wrong with the original panel?

 

[Neil_M]

Could you take the old sunroof panel down to Brian now that it's out and get the dent taken out? Or is it that bad it doesn't matter?

Possibly part of my plan @Crow555 . It's probably not worth the time and effort really. It's a multi-skinned panel that I was told is spot welded too. It's not that bad at all, bare in mind it's just me wanting things perfect.

What was wrong with the original panel?

There was some distortion on the panel, just where the bracing runs. I had a dent guy look at it who was unable to repair it (on the car).

I was advised to just get a replacement panel, as stripping the panel down wouldn't be worth the effort. As mentioned above, it's a multi-skinned panel and is supposedly spot welded too.

As the car was being painted, I thought that was a good time to get the panel sorted.

 

[TSPORT]

Looking good Mr Neil

 

[Neil_M]

Sorry for the lack of updates here, I haven't had much time to spend on the old girl.

However I did remote the under bonnet insulatoion.

Polished the underside of the bonnet, lol yes I had to. Note the original build sheet on the left hand side.

Insulation cleaned up, refitted with new clips and a new front bonnet seal.

I made it to a local car show, Harmony Hill. It was great chatting to a few fellow owners and enthusiasts!

I still have to do the coolant system, the belts, and fit the rest of the bonnet seals.

 

[Jamie-g]

Love that the build sheet is there. That's class.