The $5000 BMW M3

HappyWax · 06-07-09, 02:56

Check out my summer project! Picked it up for exactly $5000 !

1996 BMW M3
129K
...and butt ugly.

The Good:
1. only 129k (My last M3 had 180k but ran like a champ)
2. full Milltek exhaust. I am NOT into the custom crap at all, but the exhaust is pretty high end and looks sounds close to stock
3. Its an M3 for 5 grand?!
4. wheels are original and they are in amazing condition.
5. Headlight are new so they are nice and clear (pet peeve #1)

The Bad:
1. Whoa, the leather is gross. Rips tears and actually even if it was clean the orangutan orange interior is a little much.
2. The hood is chipped up pretty bad
3. Wheel well plastics are off - because the...
suspension is lowered H& R springs
4. Dumb BMW electrics... faded instrument cluster, and console computer.
(my 15 year old VCR display is brighter...)
5. Rubber & plastic trim all over pretty rough - cracked and rotted

Note the #3 pic of the passenger seat- I steamed the plastic backing by the shoulder area. The guy was a smoker for sure.

My plan is to:
Leatherique the interior - and then by a repair and dye kit (either from them or from leather magic or leather world)

I would like to dye the door leather black - maybe the seats too (the backing of the seats is orange plastic though) What do you think guys?

Citius · 06-07-09, 04:46

I like the thought of black. Looks like you have your work cut out for you.

Quality Leather · 06-07-09, 04:48

Well, you have two threads going, but I will post here.

Black will probably look better, but it will be some work to change the color. This is on top of the work you will have to put into it to get it repaired and prepped before spraying. That driver's bolster needs a new panel. You may want to check out Katzkin, etc. for some new leather seat covers. If you want to go the repair and refinish route then call LRT or Refinish Coatings.

HappyWax · 06-07-09, 05:12

Yeah, the pics actually make the car look better - when you see this thing in person you wonder who the hell let such a nice car go....

(You also wonder who the heck in BMW R&D came up with this interior color)

Lumadar · 06-07-09, 05:44

You have to do black... that camel color is really bad. Looks like a nice project car though.

XRL · 06-07-09, 08:47

I'd say keep it the factory original color. If you dye the door leather and seats, the carpet, and trim pieces will look weird. I actually like the color of the interior, it would look better if the car itself was black...

J.J. · 06-08-09, 05:12

I would leatherique the interior and see what you end-up with. Leatherique is amazing stuff. You might find that color very rewarding. Some BMW enthusiast worship that interior.

If you are doing a full restoration, I would strip the interior and start over with new carpet and wrap the seats in new leather. If you are looking for a fun beater. I would stick with leatherique and save the money for maintenance repairs (RTABs, Suspension components, Cooling system components, FLuids, and gaskets) all of which are prone to wear and tear on the E36 M3.

Great car, Fun project. I have to admit, I'm envious. Looks like alot of fun. GL

JJ

Domas · 06-08-09, 06:39

I'd say the leather is pretty shot, not worth re-dying... I would rewrap all seats completely with new leather, but as XRL said, the orange carpets, the orange seat "backings" and their storage "meshes" will look very weird.

I say, go with an orange/yellow/cream color of some shade, maybe a little different than original, my suggestion - Volvo S60R/Aston Matin "orange":

I don't know about re-wrapping prices in your area, but in my area you can get the whole interior rewrapped for about $1200-1500

lecchilo · 06-08-09, 07:34

OP that's a pretty rare M3 color combo and if the seats were in better shape some people would pay money AND trade you their black/gray seats...

Ctowner · 06-08-09, 09:18

I have a friend in the exact same situation. Same color combo, same price paid, same condition. Personally, I would go for a recover and not change color. Changing color is always weird and a pain. A recover is expensive, but yours is probably to far gone to be fixed simply. If you can get someone to do a full trade for better condition black, I would go that route. My friend is opting for a track interior with race seats as the cost of rehab was high

Accumulator · 06-08-09, 09:35

Happy Wax- I too would keep the leather stock and spend the money/time/effort elsewhere.

Check the mounts for the rear end/suspension. Now. Before you drive it again

HappyWax · 06-08-09, 10:05

The kid had the rear end suspension done

- Mechanically, the only issues at the moment (...and yes, an M3 lives moment to moment) is the valve cover gasket. pretty common and a simple fix.

He handed over a book of all the recent repairs, totaling about 7 grand in the last 2 years. -tie rods, fan clutch and belts, new springs and new power steering hoses.

As all M3s go, burns a little oil (we'll see how much once I change the valve cover gasket). and the LCD screens are faded.