This is the ongoing project thread for my 1997 BMW M3 sedan, Cosmos black, auto. I purchased this car as a replacement for my daily commuter, a 2010 TDI Cup Edition. While excellent in the fuel economy department, I generally found driving it uninspiring, even after modifying the suspension and a few other styling changes I never really found happiness commuting in it. This is my third BMW, my second M3, and my first e36. (I also have a early '88 Henna Red E30 M3 in my stable that I love to death :D)
My friend and fellow BMW enthusiast purchased this car just for the motor, it didn't run when he bought it. After he the motor started, he could not get it to run smoothly and it misfired like crazy. He put it up for sale and I grabbed it. The exterior was in rough shape, the interior was a little better, and of course there was the poor running condition. I could see this car was a "diamond in the rough" as it had a clean title with no reported accidents, and cosmetic issues I could easily remedy.
Here's a shot of it coming home:
The fleet:
To solve the poor running issue, I set out to try any easy fix I could, including testing and swapping parts/sensors/etc. With the help of this board, I narrowed it down to a mechanical issue and the compression numbers concurred:
1: 25 psi
2: 25 psi
3: 215 psi
4: 205 psi
5: 200 psi
6: 190 psi
A teardown of the top-end began last week. I have been using the great threads and DIYs on here, Pelican Parts and the Bentley manual. When I finally got to the gasket, here's what I found:
A pretty nasty blowout between cylinders 1 and 2. And the name stamped on the gasket? Victor Reinz. It's obvious someone did a head gasket on this car at some point - I would have no clue when, but at 220,000 miles finding an original would have been unlikely. I tore down the head and removed the cams via the Pelican Parts method, and am having the head decked at a local machine shop.
Here's how the block looks, ready for a new gasket and a resurfaced head!
Cleaning parts, always a favorite part of working on my cars:
- - - Updated - - -
Besides the mechanical stuff, I've had a lot of fun gathering parts to make this car my own. I am a big fan of the OEM+ look, sot the 18" Hamann wheels had to go in favor of some DS1s which are my favorite e36 wheel. Along with those:
The interior is looking much better after I reconditioned the leather seats, armrest, shifter, and installed the M Sport wheel:
The exterior is in need of some help as well. The clearcoat has failed on the driver's side front fender and doors. Since I need to repaint my spoiler anyway, I will be painting the fender and doors as well. I polished the hazy stock headlights which is good enough for now, but the fogs are missing. The door handle gaskets are all cracked. I replaced the driver's side window regulator which I'm told is an e36 owner's rite of passage.
How she sits until the suspension install (which will take place as soon as I have the motor back together!
My friend and fellow BMW enthusiast purchased this car just for the motor, it didn't run when he bought it. After he the motor started, he could not get it to run smoothly and it misfired like crazy. He put it up for sale and I grabbed it. The exterior was in rough shape, the interior was a little better, and of course there was the poor running condition. I could see this car was a "diamond in the rough" as it had a clean title with no reported accidents, and cosmetic issues I could easily remedy.
Here's a shot of it coming home:
The fleet:
To solve the poor running issue, I set out to try any easy fix I could, including testing and swapping parts/sensors/etc. With the help of this board, I narrowed it down to a mechanical issue and the compression numbers concurred:
1: 25 psi
2: 25 psi
3: 215 psi
4: 205 psi
5: 200 psi
6: 190 psi
A teardown of the top-end began last week. I have been using the great threads and DIYs on here, Pelican Parts and the Bentley manual. When I finally got to the gasket, here's what I found:
A pretty nasty blowout between cylinders 1 and 2. And the name stamped on the gasket? Victor Reinz. It's obvious someone did a head gasket on this car at some point - I would have no clue when, but at 220,000 miles finding an original would have been unlikely. I tore down the head and removed the cams via the Pelican Parts method, and am having the head decked at a local machine shop.
Here's how the block looks, ready for a new gasket and a resurfaced head!
Cleaning parts, always a favorite part of working on my cars:
- - - Updated - - -
Besides the mechanical stuff, I've had a lot of fun gathering parts to make this car my own. I am a big fan of the OEM+ look, sot the 18" Hamann wheels had to go in favor of some DS1s which are my favorite e36 wheel. Along with those:
- OEM Sedan spoiler
- Three-spoke M Sport steering wheel
- Bilstein sport shocks/struts
- H&R Sport springs
The interior is looking much better after I reconditioned the leather seats, armrest, shifter, and installed the M Sport wheel:
The exterior is in need of some help as well. The clearcoat has failed on the driver's side front fender and doors. Since I need to repaint my spoiler anyway, I will be painting the fender and doors as well. I polished the hazy stock headlights which is good enough for now, but the fogs are missing. The door handle gaskets are all cracked. I replaced the driver's side window regulator which I'm told is an e36 owner's rite of passage.
How she sits until the suspension install (which will take place as soon as I have the motor back together!
IronJoe's '97 M3 Sedan Rescue/Rejuvenation
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