Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

[cledbetter]

Re: Building the Ultimate DSP classed BMW E36 (or E46)?

Does the 323Ci e46 go in DSP?

[Fair!]

Re: Building the Ultimate DSP classed BMW E36 (or E46)?

Does the 323Ci e46 go in DSP?

Yes, along with all of the E46 sedan versions and the 323, 325, 328 and 330 variants.

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

OK, renamed this thread again because its already to 5 pages and I haven't even found a car yet. I am ready to buy, and have been for weeks, but I cannot find the right candidate! Once I have the dang car I'll start a new thread documenting the buildup...

Still looking for 2001-2003 BMW E46 330Ci 5-spd non-sunroof car. Hundreds upon hundreds of 330Ci ads have all turned out to be sunroof equipped cars. I have found lots and lots of cars in Texas, but all had sunroofs. Only found 2 non-sunroof cars so far (I found one very early on and it gave me false hope!) but they were all Rust Belt cars. Found a very small number of 325Ci's with no sunroof, but converting these to a 330Ci is a lot more cost and work, and the used car prices just aren't that much lower than most 330Cis. The 330Ci has bigger brakes, better looking bodywork, and of course the better motor.

I would rather do a roof swap than start with a 325Ci or a Rust Belt car. Which leads me to this thread on doing a roof swap on an E46: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1325363

Here's the gist of it:

Sunroof and glass removed. Sunroof was 33lbs.


After drilling out the spot welds, the stock 24lb steel roof was removed.


Carbon panel set in place, ready for epoxy and rivets. NO modification was required to make the roof fit--we literally set it on the car and everything lined up

The E46 model was made from the factory with either a steel roof (sunroof or non-sunroof equipped) or a carbon fiber roof (E46 M3 CSL). This means - the roof panel isn't necessarily welded on, and it makes it considerably easier to change than on an E36. So if I cannot find the perfect car model/color/options/condition without a sunroof it may behoove me to do a roof swap. I know I said I really didn't want to do this, but that was based on the E36 roof swap horror story from Teucci... the E46 roof swap isn't nearly as bad. Maybe I'm fooling myself, too.

The factory steel non-sunroof roof panel is $876 retail (it would probably cost me closer to $600-700) but the non-sunroof headliner has been discontinued - which according to the SCCA means I can alter a non-sunroof headliner into the right kind. I would remove the headliner, cover the hole, and then recover the whole headliner panel with interior material.

It looks like a good amount of of spot weld drilling, removal of the front windshield and rear window glass (for which I'd hire a pro), then some spot welding on the new panel and finally paint... I think I can handle this work myself (minus the glass removal and paint). There are SO many good choices for 330Ci 5-spd cars equipped with the "moonroof", and it even opens up the possibility of starting with a 2004+ ZHP car (which has the faster steering rack, +10 hp via cams and programming, etc), but I'd likely still get a 2001-02 for a much lower starting cost then do the ZHP motor build and rack swap at a later date. The later cars and the ZHP also have a 6-spd vs the earlier 5-spd, which is very likely a heavier unit, so that would have to be backdate on a newer car to get the lightest possible package.

I can also be pickier about the starting candidate if I open it up to sunroof cars - and get a car in the "right" color (red!) and condition.

Thoughts?

[cledbetter]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

It took me a long time to find the e36 I have without a moonroof/sunroof. It was the high mileage model but was cheap... Doesnt seem that down on power with 210k at nationals.

[McCall]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

I would rather do a roof swap than start with a 325Ci or a Rust Belt car. Which leads me to this thread on doing a roof swap on an E46: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1325363


Thoughts?

In that thread on BF he mentioned that they spent 5-7 hours to do the full swap plus the glass work so that sounds do-able. If a non-sunroof car is that impossible to find, I say look and see if you can find the right sunroof equipped car. That way you can get the condition/mileage/price you really want in a car and just "fix" it.

Before you buy though do a quick calculation of the price of the roof panel, glass removal/install, paint work, plus your time and see if it's really worth it vs. continuing your search for a few more months if needed.

[hancheyb]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

This is more your speed and nearby. Make it whatever you want.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/1386680918.html

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

This is more your speed and nearby. Make it whatever you want.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/1386680918.html

Punk!

[cledbetter]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

looks like a terry project for me. Maybe the GRM project!

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

looks like a terry project for me. Maybe the GRM project!

Oh hush! The both of you... I'm not looking at that PoS.

Yea... I setup an appointment to look at it.

(that's my Rick James impersonation)

[GoDog]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

That's actually pretty cool considering what you have in mind for it.

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

Here is a 30Ci 5-spd I found in Texas for under $7500. 99K miles. Looks pretty nice.





Its got a sunroof, of course, but everything I've seen does. I like the color - its not the red/silver/white/black first choice, but its a great looking car and the black interior is nice (most are gray or tan).

We'll see...

[Redwood]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

Go check that blue one out! Looks nice!

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

Go check that blue one out! Looks nice!

I talked to the guy and it sounds legit. Amy likes it, too. Going down this weekend to possibly buy it... maybe even selling/delivering the red bullet at the same time... more soon.

[GotCone?]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

do post up details if you pass on this blue one. I've got a buddy up here looking for one and that thing looks like it would fit the bill.

[Fair!]

Re: Finding the candidate for the Ultimate DSP BMW E36 or E46...

do post up details if you pass on this blue one. I've got a buddy up here looking for one and that thing looks like it would fit the bill.

I called dibs!