Been awhile since I've been back in the 'scene' but since my last build you can definitely say i have been bitten by the BMW bug. First one was a 1987 325is, then a 84' 325e for $400, and since 3 is better than 2 my most recent purchase is this 1992 early model E36 318i base sedan.
Her name is Calypso, produced 6/92 so cant get any earlier than that as far as e36's go, just a plain jane base sedan m42 5 speed. Found her neglected at a local auction yard. She had'nt been loved in quite some time. 190k and purchased her for $1150 and loudly drove it away due to a bad exhaust gasket that most likely was the reason everyone else was scared to give her any lovin'.
apologies there are iphone pics mixed in with the better quality pics.


the interior was surprisingly complete as far a 23 year old e36 goes. however the headliner,pillars,door panel fabric had seen better days.




the body is considerable straight, one little dent on the trunk is all the paint will buff out nicely eventually.


getting the headliner out was fairly easy besides every fragile, old plastic clip breaking on the pillars holding it in.

got 12'x5' of micro suede aged paisley fabric and began the process.



bits n pieces...

about a total of 20 hrs went into patiently glueing and fitting the fabric to eliminate wrinkles and do the best job i could.

prior to buying the car i drove a 750 mile roundtrip to seattle to buy these. it was a pretty good deal. drove the $400 325e out there and picked them up. i knew i would eventually put them on something and i don't think Calypso will mind

17x9 17x8 low dish et47 SSR Gartmaier's 5x114.3. plan is to use a 32mm adapter making offset et15 all 4 corners. not your standard 5" lip 3000 wheel setup that has become the standard for all "featured" builds but i still think i can make them work.

some test fitment shots(iphone) IGNORE THE WHEEL GAP,COILOVERS ARE SHIPPING


fitment is similar in the front, i think its pretty good considering ill be driving this car 1000 miles to FD long beach if i can make it in time.

and lastly for now the headlights were awful so gave em a buffing. for now im waiting on all the parts to ship. coilovers,adapters,front bumper lip. trying to find someone local to stretch my tires will be a challenge since i live in north idaho and all the hill billies just look at me stupid and say its not within the "fitment guide" lol yeh ok.

Her name is Calypso, produced 6/92 so cant get any earlier than that as far as e36's go, just a plain jane base sedan m42 5 speed. Found her neglected at a local auction yard. She had'nt been loved in quite some time. 190k and purchased her for $1150 and loudly drove it away due to a bad exhaust gasket that most likely was the reason everyone else was scared to give her any lovin'.
apologies there are iphone pics mixed in with the better quality pics.



the interior was surprisingly complete as far a 23 year old e36 goes. however the headliner,pillars,door panel fabric had seen better days.





the body is considerable straight, one little dent on the trunk is all the paint will buff out nicely eventually.


getting the headliner out was fairly easy besides every fragile, old plastic clip breaking on the pillars holding it in.


got 12'x5' of micro suede aged paisley fabric and began the process.



bits n pieces...

about a total of 20 hrs went into patiently glueing and fitting the fabric to eliminate wrinkles and do the best job i could.

prior to buying the car i drove a 750 mile roundtrip to seattle to buy these. it was a pretty good deal. drove the $400 325e out there and picked them up. i knew i would eventually put them on something and i don't think Calypso will mind


17x9 17x8 low dish et47 SSR Gartmaier's 5x114.3. plan is to use a 32mm adapter making offset et15 all 4 corners. not your standard 5" lip 3000 wheel setup that has become the standard for all "featured" builds but i still think i can make them work.

some test fitment shots(iphone) IGNORE THE WHEEL GAP,COILOVERS ARE SHIPPING



fitment is similar in the front, i think its pretty good considering ill be driving this car 1000 miles to FD long beach if i can make it in time.

and lastly for now the headlights were awful so gave em a buffing. for now im waiting on all the parts to ship. coilovers,adapters,front bumper lip. trying to find someone local to stretch my tires will be a challenge since i live in north idaho and all the hill billies just look at me stupid and say its not within the "fitment guide" lol yeh ok.



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