Balleristic's DD E36 M3/4/5

[Balleristic31]

Always two steps forward and one step back with this car...

So my brother and I headed down to the junkyard to pull an alternator and grab anything else I could use for the M3, as well as a few things for his E30.

Luckily I found a late 328i vert with dove interior and a bunch of the little grey trim pieces I needed for the interior. However, both doors were stuck closed so I had to find an alternative way in...


Luckily for me the interior was filled with rat feces, so I played a fun game where I dove in and grabbed as many pieces as I could while holding my breath. But it was worth it.

I got my alternator, the glove box trim, a bunch of the little plugs for the door panel screws, a cigarette lighter and a couple screw covers for the engine bay.




I also found a couple tools for the tool kit, but don't worry, they were the only ones I already had. :rippedoff:



Worked a bit more on the stripping:


Then I hooked up the new alternator. Success! We have a battery light.


Then I ran it to make sure all was good... it wasn't. Smoke pouring from the air intake on the alternator :( I' have a dead short somewhere, or I just got ANOTHER dead alternator... UGH

To brighten my mood my GF came out to help do some real interior cleaning. She's my hero!! :D



Cleaning interiors is zen.


That is all. Join us next time for more alternator bs!

[Dj Buttchug]

I'm watching you ballermcdee. only bc i now have e36 m3 cosmos blk as well. Cheers bro

[CorvallisBMW]

Clean interior IS zen, agreed :up:

excited to see electricals get fixed!

[Balleristic31]

So the alternator saga finally concluded today! After 4 different alternators (two used, two reman) I finally got one that works! Feels good man.

Then I started to look into my one and only check engine code, P0451. All signs pointed to the fuel pressure sensor, so I pulled the fuel filler grommet and low and behold...

It's funny how things don't work when they aren't plugged in :rofl:

All codes clear! Time for smog. Let's all pray it passes :D I'm not holding my breath though haha

Also I did this:

Yayyyy

[Balleristic31]

Here's some of the work done since the last update:

Interior cleaning continues. It's starting to take shape now but it was a grind! Check out the back seats!




Did the passenger side carpet which was much worse than the driver's side, Still needs a bit more work but its leaps and bounds better than before.



I pulled the radio because half of the speakers in the car weren't working, and based on the rest of the PO's wiring jobs I was expecting a mess. I was right. :p

Duct tape is electrical tape right??
A little bit of tidying up and proper solder/heatshrink tubing later...

Ahh much better.

Cleaned out the trunk as it was pretty filthy.







Did the screw thing on the glovebox to fix the sag. Not super thrilled with the results but its better than nothing.


Fixed the broken interior passenger handle.



Bonus shot from upstairs of both my cars.

Installed a skid plate in my e30.

Here is the current progress on the paint stripping. Man this is a sexy car....

[iXguido]

Loving this! Really a diamond in the rough.

[MR E30 325is]

Still fascinated by this one.

[stonea]

A $950 M3 and girlfriend pics?!?! This thread delivers!

[Balleristic31]

Big update, well at least for me!

The car passed smog with flying colors! No problem at all. Super stoked. The car is registered and finally totally mine.


Did some more stripping. Almost have the entire passenger side stripped/black. Not perfect but its getting there.



Scored some amber corner markers at the yard. I feel like they will compliment the black much better than the slightly pee yellow ones that used to be clear.



Did something that needed to be done since I bought the car....

Gtfo


Fixed the broken antenna ring on my ignition. Its pretty much a beauty cover now with no EWS but I don't care. It was ugly before.


And I polished the headlights!




More to come! Just made a deal on a fully stock set up M3 springs and Bilsteins. $50 :D

[ArtFoodBMW]

You're doing good work saving that m3! Deep cleaning the interior like that is a must for every car that I buy, and is one of my favorite jobs to do

[aventari]

I love this thread!

Sup M3/4/5 + E30 bro

[AWDBOB]

I love this revival man. Stoked to see more, and congrats on the smog!

[MoreMayhem]

Those smog numbers! So low! Was the test done with the sniffer sitting on the ground behind the car?

[MR 325]

For emergency use only!

Nice work Nick, love the updates!

[jeenyus]

awesome project!