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motocaddy's e36 vert build
I know, I know...S|W already has enough e36s. But while most of you have been getting burned out on the platform, with all the examples on here, I've been getting inspired! I finished everything I wanted to do with my mk2 about a year ago, so I've spent a lot of time pondering my next car.
With rwd, excellent looks, lots of affordable aftermarket support, euro street cred and the ability to swap in an LS, I've developed quite a lust for the little BMW from the '90s. Since there are already so many coupes out there, I wanted to do something different and tackle the vert or sedan chassis. I've been watching this particular car on craigslist for a while, as it was exactly what I wanted (6cyl, MT, vert). It was last owned by a BMW/Merc tech and, despite the high miles, is pretty clean. I just happened to get a solid offer on my mk2 from a friend, so the timing seemed perfect! Luckily, everything worked out and I was able to pick this up on Friday:
1998 323i
207k miles
Texas car, so pretty clean exterior, motor and chassis. Interior is meh.
M52B25 motor - 2.5L I6 w/ 170hp/180tq
5-speed
Harman/Kardon System w/ 6-disk and sub - Other than the terrible sounding blown door speaker, it sounds pretty good.
Also, automatically gets loud and quiet and it actually works!...almost. 
In the works:
-BC Coils and camber plates
-M3 Bumper
-OEM+ wheels
-Wood Momo Monte Carlo
-Smoked lighting
-M3 side trim
-Black kidney grilles
-Remove tint
Future plans:
-LS motor swap
-Interior w/ race seats
-Roll bar
-Legit wheels
-Chassis upgrades
-Paint (color change)
With my mk2, it was such a clean example and I ended up feeling restrained on doing mods. However, with this one, I'm wanting to do a full build and make the car exactly what I want. I'm constantly inspired by the S|W cars, so I'm hoping that this build reflects the attention to detail our community appreciates and will be something that perhaps inspires a few others.
In true S|W fashion, coils and wheels should be acquired this week.
With rwd, excellent looks, lots of affordable aftermarket support, euro street cred and the ability to swap in an LS, I've developed quite a lust for the little BMW from the '90s. Since there are already so many coupes out there, I wanted to do something different and tackle the vert or sedan chassis. I've been watching this particular car on craigslist for a while, as it was exactly what I wanted (6cyl, MT, vert). It was last owned by a BMW/Merc tech and, despite the high miles, is pretty clean. I just happened to get a solid offer on my mk2 from a friend, so the timing seemed perfect! Luckily, everything worked out and I was able to pick this up on Friday:
1998 323i
207k miles
Texas car, so pretty clean exterior, motor and chassis. Interior is meh.
M52B25 motor - 2.5L I6 w/ 170hp/180tq
5-speed
Harman/Kardon System w/ 6-disk and sub - Other than the terrible sounding blown door speaker, it sounds pretty good.
Also, automatically gets loud and quiet and it actually works!...almost. In the works:
-BC Coils and camber plates
-M3 Bumper
-OEM+ wheels
-Wood Momo Monte Carlo
-Smoked lighting
-M3 side trim
-Black kidney grilles
-Remove tint
Future plans:
-LS motor swap
-Interior w/ race seats
-Roll bar
-Legit wheels
-Chassis upgrades
-Paint (color change)
With my mk2, it was such a clean example and I ended up feeling restrained on doing mods. However, with this one, I'm wanting to do a full build and make the car exactly what I want. I'm constantly inspired by the S|W cars, so I'm hoping that this build reflects the attention to detail our community appreciates and will be something that perhaps inspires a few others.
In true S|W fashion, coils and wheels should be acquired this week.
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