So I wrecked my e36 about a month ago and need some advice as to what the best plan is to do. I figured this would be the best place to ask. Here is what happened:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=678492

Everything on the car besides the drivers door/frame is perfect...I tested them :)

I'm thinking about just getting a stripped chasis and the passenger side doors/windshield then doing a complete swap of nearly everthing since it will only cost around $500 for parts + paint which I can get a nice deal on. I would most likely make it into a track car and do body mods at the same time. So the question is how feasible is this... I can pull/transfer engine/subframe etc. I'm just worried about all the little parts like transfering wires for each little thing abs/climate/locks...etc. What is everyone elses opinion? Would this summer project just drag on and not be worth my time at all? Better ideas?

btw I already have a daily driver etc set up for summer

It's a lot of work. Whether you view it as being worth your time is all about what value you put on the experience, and whether you would view it as a hobby. To be honest, it's not that hard, but the disassembly process can also yield a lot of broken expensive parts that will have to be replaced as well.

If it's just viewed as a means to an end, it's probably not worth your time.

It's a lot of work. Whether you view it as being worth your time is all about what value you put on the experience, and whether you would view it as a hobby. To be honest, it's not that hard, but the disassembly process can also yield a lot of broken expensive parts that will have to be replaced as well.

If it's just viewed as a means to an end, it's probably not worth your time.

What do you mean by the disassembly process can also yield broken expensive parts... do you mean if I'm not careful disassembling and break things or that things may already be broken? Also I've swapped many things on these cars and have installed a lot of electrical compenets in my and others cars. I'm just wondering is installing/transferring wires/brains with all the electrical compenents that tedious or is it something that can be knocked out in a day. How many full days of work would it take you or someone fairly knowledgable to do a full transfer/rebuild of everything?


If it's just viewed as a means to an end, it's probably not worth your time.
Very well said, I understand what you mean about making it be a hobby instead of a chore. I'm pretty much determind that I'm going to buy a newer/non-wrecked e36 to have fun with in the mean time. I'm just trying to now figure out what to do with this heap... what would you do? Rebuild from chassis, part it out, or rebuild from another/half-wrecked vehicle?

There are a gazillion wire hold downs and little clips that hold devices to the chassis. Most only cost a $0.50, but the cost can really add up. If a wire harness gets damaged in the stripping you'd be up the creek w/o a paddle pretty quick.

Suggest that you use your current wrecked car for the parts to build up a track car. You'll probably not be able to sell it as anything other then that.

Yeah, a lot of those little things can get busted up in the process if you're not careful. While the cars are component-oriented, the reality is they're primarily designed to be assembled, not disassembled. What I mean is a part that takes 5 minutes to install in a factory setting can take a LOT longer to un-install without damage in a home garage setting.

As far as the time frame for total disassembly of all items and re-assembly in a donor chassis, assuming you don't have all-day, every-day availbable to do the job, it is probably better measured in weeks, not days.

I was just hoping it wouldn't span more than a month and a half... not counting painting.

I have rebuilt two cars in this manner. I should have learned when I did the first one. You are better off parting it out and using the money to buy another one that hasn't been wrecked. It will take you longer than a month in a half...trust me.

I would think you could find a blown motor/blown tranny E36 for $1k or less. Therefore you would only need to transfer the performance stuff from your wreck to the new car. Unless you were going to race it I wouldn't start with a bare chassis. Moving carpet, interior panels, suspension, motor, and tranny, are a lot easier than undoing the wire harnesses and such.

I would think you could find a blown motor/blown tranny E36 for $1k or less. Therefore you would only need to transfer the performance stuff from your wreck to the new car. Unless you were going to race it I wouldn't start with a bare chassis. Moving carpet, interior panels, suspension, motor, and tranny, are a lot easier than undoing the wire harnesses and such.

That was my original idea but the only e36's I've been able to find like that have been 2k plus or they were over 500 miles away. Around here there's not that much to choose from. I'm planning on making it into a race car now since I intend on getting another e36 in good condition. All the different wiring harnesses is the only thing scaring me now.

Youre better off just parting it out. Do you realize how much it is going to be to make that thing straight again?

Youre better off just parting it out. Do you realize how much it is going to be to make that thing straight again?

I'm not going to I'm talking about buying a new chasis/frame and doors and transferring most all of the parts over. I'm not using that frame. Basically reassembling the car in a different shell.

gotcha

I finally found and bought another car. Here is what I will be working with. Should be easier than just the chassis.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691452

I'm guessing a full week of working on it sun to sundown and I will have it running and operating pretty good. The rest of the work will be body work. Not a huge fan of green either.