The Byzanz Sedan That Needs Some Love

[m3f_Doghouse]

This is a pleasant surprise.

[m3f_Nipps]

Congrats on the pickup! I've seen less than 5 Byzanz E36s in the wild, and I agree. All of them were not in great shape. Would you mind sharing the spreadsheet you're using to keep track of maintenance?

[m3f_MMMGP]

Congrats on the pickup! I've seen less than 5 Byzanz E36s in the wild, and I agree. All of them were not in great shape. Would you mind sharing the spreadsheet you're using to keep track of maintenance?

Same here. I did see one last summer in pretty good shape with an aftermarket spoiler. Snapped a picture of it, but haven't been able to find it.

[m3f_blatant]

Congrats on the purchase!

I sold my byzanz 5 spd on dove last year. The color really grew on me after owning it. It is a color you must see in person to appreciate.

[m3f_Anubis]

Great color. Congrats. Looking forward to the restoration pics.

[m3f_egebhardt]

Wow.. blatant. A previous owner. That's unusual.

I pulled the car in the garage last night and did the Engine Air filter and Cabin Air filter. Worst cabin filter I've ever replaced but I'm sure there are worse.


Then I took off those sheep skin covers. The covers have a hole and stains and cuts so they might not be desirable to anyone. Underneath wasn't as bad as I thought but there are 2 cuts on the driver seat. The passenger side is nice. I'm on the hunt for a decent rear set of Magma seats. Coupe or Sedan. Doesn't matter for stock leather to make repairs.


I stopped by Nicolosi on my way home from work last night. BMW Byzanz is 355 M per the build sheet. Spies Hecker was their recommendation for Benz, BMW and Audi. They gave me a sample. I called this morning for pricing (650) 413-0150. 1 gallon of Byzanz 355 is $765 taxed. 5 liters of clear, 2.5 liters of hardener and 1 liter of reducer. All $320 taxed. Basically, $1,100 for paint. They also sell a less expensive Nason paint but he said that's what Maaco uses.

[m3f_Doghouse]

We need a pic of the seats with the covers off.



I've seen some Magma for sale over the last year while looking for Dove. I think you will be able to find something usable.



Does this mean you have committed to a paint job?

I like this car. My only reservation is the auto.

[m3f_egebhardt]

No. To get the paint price into 'reasonable' category, I'll have to do a lot of leg work. I may as well start and see if it works out someday. It sure would be fun to see it proper again but I would have to kiss a lot of money away.


This is the worst part of the driver's seat. The back seat bottom is all split up. I'm not sure what Russ' daughter was doing back there. The seat back is only split in 1 place and I can fix that. The headliner is falling too. No surprise. Does anyone know what door the headliner comes out of most easily on a sedan? I'll be removing the seats soon too.


My wife says the steering wheel is caked with hand lotion. I've got a better steering wheel in stock so this one goes.

[m3f_Doghouse]

Not bad at all.



Magma looks excellent with the Byzanz.

[m3f_propchef]

No. To get the paint price into 'reasonable' category, I'll have to do a lot of leg work. I may as well start and see if it works out someday. It sure would be fun to see it proper again but I would have to kiss a lot of money away.


This is the worst part of the driver's seat. The back seat bottom is all split up. I think Russ' daughter did special activities back there. The seat back is only split in 1 place and I can fix that. The headliner is falling too. No surprise there. Does anyone know what door the headliner comes out of most easily on a sedan? I'll be removing the seats soon too.


My wife says the steering wheel is caked with hand lotion. I've got a better steering wheel in stock so this one goes.

Comes out the back door. :-)


Even doing much (all) of the trim and prep work you're looking at $6-8k for a respray.

[m3f_Nate047]

Ha, I looked at this car on CL and emailed a few times with the guy Russ. You are a braver man than I, lol.


This thing looks rough but it has potential! The color combination is cool. Very curious to follow the restoration.

[m3f_97_4dr_5spd_m3]

Does anyone know what door the headliner comes out of most easily on a sedan? I'll be removing the seats soon too.

IIRC I shimmied mine out the font driver's side.

[m3f_MMMGP]

Does anyone know what door the headliner comes out of most easily on a sedan?

Rear door with the front seats reclined all the way back and the rear seat bottom cushion removed.

[m3f_cblock]

Rear door for me also with the front seats out. That's a gnarly looking steering wheel!


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[m3f_egebhardt]

Comes out the back door. :-)

Even doing much (all) of the trim and prep work you're looking at $6-8k for a respray.

Thanks and Yikes! $6,000 would never make sense. I can't say it will never be done but the likelihood is low at that price point. I met guy the other day who got his AW coupe (track-rat) painted for $600 from Maaco. It looked surprisingly good. That's probably a single-stage (base and clear in 1) paint job and no one would brag about it, except for the price.

Ha, I looked at this car on CL and emailed a few times with the guy Russ. You are a braver man than I, lol.

Brave or stupid. A bit of both.

IIRC I shimmied mine out the font driver's side.

Thanks. If I may possibly in the slightest cause a small amount a wear-n-tear on a door, I want it to be the back.

Rear door with the front seats reclined all the way back and the rear seat bottom cushion removed.

I'll just take the seats out for ease.

Rear door for me also with the front seats out. That's a gnarly looking steering wheel!

Rear it is!