Hey all, I finally had a chance to do a quick shoot of my newest project. This is my first BMW, I have owned mostly Honda project cars in the past. I used to work as an Editor at Modified Magazine and then Super Street, I still freelance with that group of books from time to time and as such, we are going to be doing some work on this car with European Car over the next few months. The goal is basically a mild restoration, OEM+ upgrades, and light duty track capabilities while remaining street friendly.
The GOOD: 1999 M3, Hellrot, Magma interior, no sunroof, 122xxx miles. I'm the 3rd owner, the first owner had the car for most of it's life, nicely maintained. 2nd owner had the car less than a year, kept good care of it. I picked it up about 2 months ago, left town for work and holiday and have just now began to actually work on the car. For a 17 year old car it's actually pretty damn clean. It's no garage queen, but it's got a great character and I seriously enjoy driving it.
The BAD: Has been in an accident, airbags did not deploy but the front end was damaged as well as the rear. Front damage was all cosmetic, and cooling system. Just a fender bender with a cracked rad, rear bumper was repaired as well. Repairs were done to a very high standard, I had the car inspected by a reputable BMW M specialist shop in LA before buying and it passed with flying colors... Especially for the price. Clean title. Paint match is VERY good. It's missing a couple of small things like the fender liner is not properly attached on the passenger side. When I removed it, the brake vent kind of just fell out which was annoying, but I'm replacing a few of the underbody panels up front so it's no big deal. I replaced the water pump, thermostat, coolant tank, fan clutch and fan blades as preventative items. Brake fluid could use a flush, oil is goof, diff oil has been changed recently as well as the trans. Needs new tires. Needs a MAJOR detailing top to bottom... But anyhow, take a look:
NHassler_M3_01 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_02 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_03 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_04 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
M Contour wheels, curbed up a bit but not too offensive.
NHassler_M3_05 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_06 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_07 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
Factory US headlights, not the most beautiful things ever created.
NHassler_M3_08 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_09 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_10 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
Considering options for CARB legal exhaust/intake... Needs more noise makers...
NHassler_M3_11 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
Original European delivery plate...
NHassler_M3_12 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
Nothing to see here.
NHassler_M3_13 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_14 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_15 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_16 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_17 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
The front seats are in pretty good shape, leather is cracking a bit but it's not split anywhere yet... Would LOVE to preserve this level of patina and not let it get worse.
NHassler_M3_18 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_19 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_20 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_21 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
NHassler_M3_22 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
Rears are mint, although a bit dirty...
NHassler_M3_23 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
A little shameless self promotion never hurt anyone
NHassler_M3_24 by Nate Hassler, on Flickr
So that's the car as of now, it's honestly in pretty good shape for a car it's age. But yea, it's 17 years old. Built April 1999 this is one of the last E36 M3s.
The PLAN: First up, detailing... Clay bar the bujeezus out of it, and tackle the interior head on. Anyone have suggestions for leather treatment? I like the patina but I would LOVE to preserve it and not get worse. I'm doing a UV protectant tint on all the windows, won't be much darker than stock (if at all) so hopefully that will help. After that, I am doing a brake fluid flush, pads, tires (some sort of modest street tire for the stock wheels), fluid changes and then... Buttonwillow CW13. I turned a 2:07 in my old B-series swapped EK Civic (*ducks for cover*) and I honestly don't know what to expect from a stock E36 M3... But we'll find out.
Couple of questions...
I heard a bit of noise from the valvetrain, a ticking sound. Only heard it once and then it went away after driving for another 20 minutes. VANOS has not been rebuilt on this car... What are the symptoms of a failing VANOS system? And how often is it recommended to have a valve adjustment done on these cars? Also, does the E36 M3 have a baffled oil pan from the factory? I need to replace my oil pressure sender when I do my fluid change, thinking about the pan as well...
Anyhow, that's it for now. Will be posting updates as I gather up parts. Track day is July 30-31...
Happy 4th of July!
Nate
The GOOD: 1999 M3, Hellrot, Magma interior, no sunroof, 122xxx miles. I'm the 3rd owner, the first owner had the car for most of it's life, nicely maintained. 2nd owner had the car less than a year, kept good care of it. I picked it up about 2 months ago, left town for work and holiday and have just now began to actually work on the car. For a 17 year old car it's actually pretty damn clean. It's no garage queen, but it's got a great character and I seriously enjoy driving it.
The BAD: Has been in an accident, airbags did not deploy but the front end was damaged as well as the rear. Front damage was all cosmetic, and cooling system. Just a fender bender with a cracked rad, rear bumper was repaired as well. Repairs were done to a very high standard, I had the car inspected by a reputable BMW M specialist shop in LA before buying and it passed with flying colors... Especially for the price. Clean title. Paint match is VERY good. It's missing a couple of small things like the fender liner is not properly attached on the passenger side. When I removed it, the brake vent kind of just fell out which was annoying, but I'm replacing a few of the underbody panels up front so it's no big deal. I replaced the water pump, thermostat, coolant tank, fan clutch and fan blades as preventative items. Brake fluid could use a flush, oil is goof, diff oil has been changed recently as well as the trans. Needs new tires. Needs a MAJOR detailing top to bottom... But anyhow, take a look:
NHassler_M3_01 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_02 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_03 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_04 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrM Contour wheels, curbed up a bit but not too offensive.
NHassler_M3_05 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_06 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_07 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrFactory US headlights, not the most beautiful things ever created.
NHassler_M3_08 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_09 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_10 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrConsidering options for CARB legal exhaust/intake... Needs more noise makers...
NHassler_M3_11 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrOriginal European delivery plate...
NHassler_M3_12 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNothing to see here.
NHassler_M3_13 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_14 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_15 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_16 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_17 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrThe front seats are in pretty good shape, leather is cracking a bit but it's not split anywhere yet... Would LOVE to preserve this level of patina and not let it get worse.
NHassler_M3_18 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_19 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_20 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_21 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrNHassler_M3_22 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrRears are mint, although a bit dirty...
NHassler_M3_23 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrA little shameless self promotion never hurt anyone
NHassler_M3_24 by Nate Hassler, on FlickrSo that's the car as of now, it's honestly in pretty good shape for a car it's age. But yea, it's 17 years old. Built April 1999 this is one of the last E36 M3s.
The PLAN: First up, detailing... Clay bar the bujeezus out of it, and tackle the interior head on. Anyone have suggestions for leather treatment? I like the patina but I would LOVE to preserve it and not get worse. I'm doing a UV protectant tint on all the windows, won't be much darker than stock (if at all) so hopefully that will help. After that, I am doing a brake fluid flush, pads, tires (some sort of modest street tire for the stock wheels), fluid changes and then... Buttonwillow CW13. I turned a 2:07 in my old B-series swapped EK Civic (*ducks for cover*) and I honestly don't know what to expect from a stock E36 M3... But we'll find out.
Couple of questions...
I heard a bit of noise from the valvetrain, a ticking sound. Only heard it once and then it went away after driving for another 20 minutes. VANOS has not been rebuilt on this car... What are the symptoms of a failing VANOS system? And how often is it recommended to have a valve adjustment done on these cars? Also, does the E36 M3 have a baffled oil pan from the factory? I need to replace my oil pressure sender when I do my fluid change, thinking about the pan as well...
Anyhow, that's it for now. Will be posting updates as I gather up parts. Track day is July 30-31...
Happy 4th of July!
Nate
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