CHRIS Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Hey guys, i'm Chris and I live in Green Bay. I drive a 1997 M3.The car itself is pretty rough, bought it last year in march with 199k miles for only $3000. The car has plenty of rust, but engine runs strong and the car is a blast to drive.I'm going to attempt to learn how to weld coming up pretty soon, and hope to sort out all the rust issues. I've also got a new trunk lid to paint, so we can all see how bad that turns out. 1997 Cosmos Schwarz Metallic M3Black interior, original heated Vaders Pretty much stock:98+ steering wheelRaceland Ultimo coilovers (I know)Euro taillightsBroken DDM splittersDrilled/slotted rotorsZionsville aluminum radiator Car is sitting on some 17x8 Mille Miglia MM II'sSorry it this gets too picture heavy.Small timeline. Few days after I brought it home:Oh God... Why...A few months later, after lots of cleaning and wax. Further into last summer, mid-wheel paint. I hate these wheels.End of summer. Finally got a lip and some splitters.Random interior shotAnd the last time I took a picture of it, about a month ago after a brutal winter.Car just rolled 206,500 miles.That's about it. I hope this summer I can get a lot done with it and learn, and this forum seems like a good place to share/get some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Welcome. That's Andy's (milwaukeeandy) old car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome. That's Andy's (milwaukeeandy) old car.Thanks! Do you know how long ago he owned it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome. I thought the car looked familiar. Have you been on the underside of the car yet? Lots of learning how to weld to be done down there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome. I thought the car looked familiar. Have you been on the underside of the car yet? Lots of learning how to weld to be done down thereYes. I knew something was up when I saw the sheet metal riveted to the right-side passenger floorboard of the car. After pulling the carpet up, I had a panic attack and almost passed out. I keep telling myself I will eventually fix it. I'm pretty determined. I was pretty surprised that the rockers were clean for the most part after removing the skirts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasnt m3 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Thanks! Do you know how long ago he owned it? I want to say maybe 1.5-2 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaiserRolls Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome aboard!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome! Welcome aboard!!Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damnboy037 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Looks like you got a project on your hands, welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoepp Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome aboard. Looks much better than when you first purchased. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungCR Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome! John's build thread will probably be a good resource for you http://www.wibimmers.com/board/index.php?/topic/2092-savin-big-money-project-thread/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome, This looks like a fun car. I haven't done much with my lawn ornament lately. I have taken tons of pics as I disassemble so I will be able to get everything back correctly. What is your time frame on restoration? I would recommend some engine maintenance in the meantime, unless you know what has been done, the cooling system is a good place to start. Poor maintenance leads to a big paperweight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaiserRolls Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Poor maintenance leads to a big paperweight. Or too much..... .....earl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Welcome, This looks like a fun car. I haven't done much with my lawn ornament lately. I have taken tons of pics as I disassemble so I will be able to get everything back correctly. What is your time frame on restoration? I would recommend some engine maintenance in the meantime, unless you know what has been done, the cooling system is a good place to start. Poor maintenance leads to a big paperweight.I don't really have a timeframe, it's my only car, so i'm going to try to fix it up as I go. Your build on the Arctic Grey is looking pretty sick! So far the car has the Zionsville radiator, all new coolant hoses, new expansion tank, new fuel filter, new ignition coil boots, and newer rear control arm bushings. Oil, filter and spark plugs changed every 3k, just put in some 15w50. Also just replaced transmission fluid with some Royal Purple Syncromax.That's about it for maintenance. I'm hoping to do the valve cover gasket and brakes this weekend. Both post-cat o2 sensors are throwing codes, so probably those soon along with new front lower control arm's because the right side balljoint is bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc43089 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Sounds like your cooling system and other maintenance is good to go then. Check carefully for vacuum leaks, the o2 sensors may be bad, but codes may be caused by the ecu encountering unexpected conditions. Also I like the wheels, and there is no such thing as too many pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClassE Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 Good work so far - looking forward to seeing what you do with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thechickencow Posted May 14, 2014 Report Share Posted May 14, 2014 Welcome, I'll keep an eye out for you around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisO Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Hey it's 17 year old me. I couldn't have been more lucky to have a M3 at 16 years old, weird to think I took it to high school everyday for 3 years, moved out and went to college with it and took it everywhere. Enjoyed every mile of the 30,000 I put on it. I should be studying for finance but instead I'm in my feels 😞👌 Day 1, March 2013, the car looked like an abomination. I remember wanting to return the car to oem, and scrubbing the turn signals with acetone that night to de-tint them. 2014 early 2015 ft. @Rekpoint current wheels fall 2016 Fall 2017 Spring 2018 Summer 2018 ft. @SteelBlue Fall 2018 Summer 2019 coming out hot RIP Rekpoint, GunMetalGrey, m42b32 and 2 others 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelBlue Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 The rise and fall. The heart still lives on though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rekpoint Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 :c Good looking wheels though. You forgot the step where they added the dirt.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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