For these of us in our 30s, it is time to face info. Restoring an E36-generation BMW M3 in 2025 is about the identical time hole as restoring a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle would have been when the E36 was nonetheless accessible new. For a sure subset of fans, the E36 remains to be thought-about a contemporary automotive that may be reliably pushed into every day driver responsibility with out a second’s hesitation, whereas the Chevelle is a relic from yesteryear. Constructed between 1992 and 1999, even the most recent E36 M3 is 26 years previous now, so it is not all that shocking to see one in dire want of rehabbing, regardless of reminding me of my very own getting old bones and eventual mortality. The parents at StanceWorks dragged this $8,000 decrepit M3 out of its hiding place and set about placing it proper once more, and the completed result’s really beautiful.
Whereas Mike at StanceWorks could greatest be identified today for his ridiculous Ferrari challenge automobiles, he is bought a protracted historical past within the BMW neighborhood, and is aware of these E36s just like the again of his hand. The automobiles are new sufficient to have trendy facilities like gasoline injection and anti-lock braking, however sufficiently old that they are nonetheless considerably straightforward to work on your self, making them nice throwback rad-era machines. Happily, being a southern California automotive, this specific automotive is not dealing with any rust, and the trim and seals all seem intact, so this was largely a beauty restoration. The video glosses over a few of the different work the automotive wanted, as an evident engine grenading necessitated a alternative, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a enjoyable look ahead to a fast rehab in simply 20 minutes of YouTube time.
Easy methods to fully revamp an E36 M3
Whereas this M3 did not look nice when the challenge started, it simply goes to indicate {that a} automotive is totally revitalized with a great set of wheels, the best experience peak, and a great paint job. On this case the automotive was wrapped, however they went with a brilliant excessive finish wrap that makes the automotive seem like it was painted. And purple is a good shade for a BMW, for any automotive actually, so the consequence was really beautiful. Going with a pleasant three-piece set of period-correct five-spoke AC Schnitzer wheels actually set the challenge off for me. That is an unbelievable construct that almost all Euro fans can be ecstatic to drive, and it did not take all that a lot work or effort to make it look completely sick.
