From Bags To Riches - Austin Norton's E36 M3

[OEM+ sluts]

(please excuse the iPhone quality pictures)

All four rotors were swapped with Brembo blanks & StopTech pads. I decided to clean up the calipers while the old rotors were mounted, eliminating the chance of overspray/damage to the new rotors.

[OEM+ sluts]

New suspension is on order. The TEINs have terrible ride quality...both front struts have seized bearings & honestly they just don't go low enough.

Picked up a set of BBS Style 5's to hold me over for a bit...







I finally decided to have the windshield replaced...it was split in 3 different spots. Ripped the old cowl out before hand.









If you look closely you can see when the glass was split.











Fresh glass, seals, cowl, cowl clips/hardware & a wiper delete...because who needs wipers? (the car doesn't see rain anyway)

[OEM+ sluts]

Swapped the OBC & also replaced the tacky Alpine head unit.







Much better.



Also started refinishing the Style 5's...I haven't decided if I'm going to mount them or not. Still Waiting on new coils.....

Before.



After.

[OEM+ sluts]

These fog light brackets are such a pain in the ass. (on to set #3)









Started cleaning up the hacked wiring job for the fogs & head lights...



& installed a new intake boot as the other was being held together by duct tape....literally

[laBeef]

Very cool.

[Kinghorn]

I love these builds. I thought the car was already clean when you bought it, but it doesnt stop haha! Major props for turning a clean car into something of show room specs... In for more lows though and the style 5's

[OEM+ sluts]

I love these builds. I thought the car was already clean when you bought it, but it doesnt stop haha! Major props for turning a clean car into something of show room specs... In for more lows though and the style 5's

Thanks man! The car is far from perfect but I'm slowly fixing the things that bother me. For example...

The "nose panel" is caked in what might as well be white out.



It's a little bent out of shape too & will need to be replaced.



The rear window trim needs to be replaced.





as well as the rear quarter window trim & seals.



How she sits at the moment...

[OEM+ sluts]

a few from the beginning of summer

[sterling archer]

I love what you've done so far

[ramong24]

sub'd for e36 goodness

[Dremetos]

Looks great, good progress so far. I've never cared to take note of mileage during a vehicle's purchase. Records do all the talking.

I had a 15 yr old (at the time) car (Civic Si) with 92,000 miles that required an entire front end rebuild, tons and tons of bushings were shot, grinded and popped out of 3rd etc etc., whereas my (13 yr old) 195,000 mile RSX was as solid as a rock. How people take care of their shit is so important.

[Minuki]

Haven't seen this colour combo before, I really like it. Clean M3

[12vsex]

I love the attention to detail . Leaving nothing behind , Its the little things that really count . a normal person walking by at a show may not realize you replaced all the seals etc. but its truly the icing on the cake . Nice job so far !

[cblock406]

Nice work so far! What brand fogs did you go with?

[OEM+ sluts]

Looks great, good progress so far. I've never cared to take note of mileage during a vehicle's purchase. Records do all the talking.

I had a 15 yr old (at the time) car (Civic Si) with 92,000 miles that required an entire front end rebuild, tons and tons of bushings were shot, grinded and popped out of 3rd etc etc., whereas my (13 yr old) 195,000 mile RSX was as solid as a rock. How people take care of their shit is so important.

You're absolutely correct. To be honest, even without any proof of previous maintenance I still would've purchased the car. The overall condition was too good to pass up.

Haven't seen this colour combo before, I really like it. Clean M3

Thanks! I knew I wanted Alpine White (Techno & Dakar were also options) but I only ever found them with black interior. The tan interior was a very big plus

I love the attention to detail . Leaving nothing behind , Its the little things that really count . a normal person walking by at a show may not realize you replaced all the seals etc. but its truly the icing on the cake . Nice job so far !

That's my whole thing with this car, attention to detail...I refuse to cut corners. I'd rather do things right the first time around & spend the extra dollar on OEM parts. Most of the previous owners aftermarket parts have been replaced with the original.

Nice work so far! What brand fogs did you go with?

Funny you should ask because it completely contradicts my reply above...I bought a set of yellow "OEM style" fogs & brackets off eBay. Both brackets broke within a month & left one of my fogs dangling/dragging.