The crank was just fine actually. I spoke to several people about doing just rod bearings on one of these, and got some positive feedback. Anyway, I put it together that day, and have driven it pretty darn hard for a little over 80 miles. There was no sign of trouble, and was just sold it today (to Derrick). He is now relieved of having to drive the Taurus one bit longer.

The darn thing cleaned up really well, and I had several offers at much higher prices than what I sold it to Derrick for, but what's done is done. Here's what it looked like today:

10/16/2009 5:15:18 PM

i tried to do that on a 3000GT once

did not end well

10/16/2009 6:02:45 PM

Do what, rod bearings? If there was much damage on the crank, it wouldn't work... I've done bearings that looked worse than this car's did, but I've never torn apart an engine for bottom end noise before. I disclosed it's full history to Derrick, and will be in touch with him about the car, though I honestly don't expect any problems anytime soon... Those that some other car with 220k miles wouldn't have that is! :o

10/16/2009 6:29:11 PM

another one bites the dust

10/19/2009 9:06:22 AM

Finally got the dents pulled $out$, first time I've ever spent this much money on the cosmetics of a car... But dang, I really like this car! I did drive another 996 with small suspension work and a GT3 seat in it, and the memories come flooding back. :'(

First shot is work in progress of the driver's door after first few passes. It is a major improvement at this point:


and after a full 90 mins or so of work:


also had him pull the stuff on the passenger side:


Car looks good I think, all in all I will say I'm satisfied. Cool that the car's still on it's original paintwork also.

Got my scanner in today as well, pulled out the tool kit, spare, floor mats, jack, etc. out of the car, and working on getting the lightweight battery in. Might pull the underhood padding, but not sure if I'm getting a bit silly about this, any input?

Just need to decide how to get the e30 home, really want to drive it back, don't even know if it's a good idea... I'll ask the DMV tomorrow about tagging it and such, then either will go ahead and buy my ticket or go ahead and have it shipped. Will update.

10/24/2009 1:52:16 PM

so, how much is it to have dents pulled?

10/24/2009 2:14:15 PM

With a THSCC member discount, it was around $140/panel. A small "ding" that's not complex or over a crease would've been $40ish w/a discount, I believe their regular list is around $60. I got the feeling that they're a bit flexible though, and particularly if you're getting numerous things pulled out, they're probably going to give you a better deal.

It was interesting to watch them work, most of it was from around the dent with very small rubber tipped hammers, but sure enough little by little he did his thing...

Let me know if you want their contact info.

10/24/2009 2:41:10 PM

you have any before pictures?

10/27/2009 7:13:42 AM

The pictures from earlier in this tread show the door as "before", but unfortunately the first thing I did when I bought the car was to push the dent out, so it wasn't really noticeable before...

BTW, I've had several people inquire about the car already. Man, I'll be selling a part of my soul if I let this one go! :'(

10/27/2009 9:10:55 PM

you'll be receiving all of it it back, along with most likely a part of someone else's when you get a gt3!

10/27/2009 9:34:00 PM

Quote :

"you have any before pictures?"

It looked like it was parked in front of a batting cage machine and had a softball launched at it.

10/27/2009 10:04:15 PM

i say forget p-cars and build a hill climber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9fMRlY6L-Q

10/27/2009 11:41:58 PM

^^ probably coulda fixed it with a plunger

10/28/2009 2:37:24 PM

Quote :

"It looked like it was parked in front of a batting cage machine and had a softball launched at it."

fucking coliseum deck

11/20/2009 2:23:34 AM

I... It might be leaving me tomorrow.

What to buy next, I was thinking about a Mazda 3, or a VW Rabbit, maybe a Jetta? Or a base Legacy, hmm, tough decisions.

11/20/2009 4:07:23 PM

MIATA

11/20/2009 4:13:04 PM

So tell me how you convinced derk to sell you his good M3 and then you turned around and sold him a piece of shit m3.

11/20/2009 4:22:22 PM

ahmet...stop.

11/20/2009 4:42:23 PM

It was rather easy, I bought his car which was in need of multiple thousand dollars worth of repairs, and sold him one that can legally be driven on the road.

Mark, the cars I named above would be for my sister, I'm shopping for something a bit more fun, just wish I could handle all the awesome of an EVO, but I don't think I'm man enough, maybe someday, maybe someday...

11/20/2009 10:46:15 PM

Today, in front of BAAAD car dealer:

11/21/2009 4:45:31 PM

that photo looks like it was taken in 1997.

11/21/2009 4:53:58 PM

more like 1976

11/23/2009 1:12:25 PM

WHERE IS THE OFFICIAL BMW THREAD, I WOULD LIKE TO POAST IN IT

1/2/2010 8:14:04 PM

I don't know,but I think I might pick up yet another e36 M3, Estroil on dove...

1/2/2010 8:28:00 PM

^

1/2/2010 9:14:00 PM

^^sigh

1/3/2010 12:29:00 AM

i normally don't like 4 door e36s but that car is a beauty. it somehow even manages to make the checkered flag BS look good.

1/3/2010 12:18:37 PM

really ahmet...really?

1/4/2010 8:41:12 AM

BigEgo, though I'd only own the 4 door e36 M3, that particular car was pretty special to me. That ride height, those wheels, and the color... Alas, it's long gone. Now in Texas, current owner very happy. It did get a very good price from me also, which I was happy about. I'm pretty sure it's current owner appreciates it quite a bit.

Tyler, yes man, yes. I... like them little buggers. I won't lie though, I'll be buying this one just to USE it for $, and drive flat out back to NC. Will share details later.

1/4/2010 3:09:49 PM

f'n bmw brake light switches, i'm going to murder one.

1/4/2010 8:34:42 PM

They're not that bad to replace once you've done a couple. It really is kind of odd the first time though, and yeah, they break a lot. It's one of the... oh dozen or so things that break on the car, but overall, I still like working on them.

1/4/2010 9:42:37 PM

Quote :

"Will share details later."

You'd better not!

1/4/2010 10:52:40 PM

^^well, mine just keeps cutting in and out. it's like it knows that i've got time that day to replace it, so it works right all day. next day, there goes the idiot light and constant obc warnings. when i do actually change it, the old one will die a slow painful death by crushing or torching or something.

1/4/2010 11:50:33 PM

Cally, eheh...

What year is your e36?

1/4/2010 11:56:54 PM

Quote :

"f'n bmw brake light switches, i'm going to murder one."

you pretty much need to be a gymnast to replace the fucker underneath the steering wheel column. i almost set the car on fire first time i did this...how pissed off i was.



[Edited on January 5, 2010 at 12:08 AM. Reason : edirtysex]

1/5/2010 12:07:16 AM

lol. i don't find them that bad really, i've done a few before. it's just kind of bothering me that it won't officially die. i don't want to spend the $25 for a new one unless i really need to, lol.

1/5/2010 12:29:06 AM

i remember the first one i did. i was upside down under the steering wheel column with my feet hanging over the head rest of the drivers seat. definitely a bitch to replace.

1/5/2010 10:14:39 AM

so you sold it eh? man you run through a lot of cars

1/5/2010 11:30:49 AM

A lot of it is b/c I make $ on them. Alas, variety is the spice of life, and often I enjoy taking a car and giving it a bit more life...

1/5/2010 2:51:04 PM