BMW 3 series

[Mking]

The planning is well under way for my build and I have even started painting the garage to make it a brighter and nicer place to spend many fun hours. I'm doing a lot of research towards my build and the big decision of donor car isn't far from my thoughts. Initially I had thought I would go MX5 as that seems the most common however on looking at them even the roughest ones are £500+. Then I looked at BMW's. They are cheap as chips, loads of them and have great parts availability. So what do the rest of you think? I know there is only a few hundred quid in it but I am doing this build on a tight budget so the cheaper the donor the better. Thoughts, experiences, modifications I'll need to make to the chassis all welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers

Matt

[K4KEV]

Sierra....no question ...it is what I would choose again

[vmax1974]

Dont forget whatever route you go down you will be abke to sell on any unused parts off the donor and you should factor that I when choosing the donor

just my thoughts

Good luck

[World's Worst Mechanic]

I have stripped a 328 convertible and I will say that it came apart with very little fuss.

Bear in mind that the EOL breakers will not give you much at the moment as scrap is not as strong as it was. By the time they have picked it up (only a few breakers have a crane to do this) they'll be asking you for cash!

You can cut it up and take it down to the EOL breaker yourself but factor in the mess and the cost and I had an attack of CBA.

I'd like to know how easily the m52 engine goes into the Haynes chassis if anyone has experience.

[flyerncle]

Read the early parts of the Forum and Chris's brother did one with the six pot beemer.

[Mking]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have a hunt through the early parts of the forum. I look forward to hearing how you get on Worlds Worst Mechanic.

[bz100]

Mking I'm using BMW E46 (318) as a donor. Chassis is book std with some modifications on the front upper wishbones and rear upright. Fitting the diff is also different compared to Sierra diff.
I dont have a build blog but there is a lot of pictures in my photobucket account.
Hopefully the links below works for a quicker look.

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...psv9mrslx5.jpg
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...psfhdtjw8s.jpg
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...psh9vasl0q.jpg
http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/...psbqm510gt.jpg

[Mking]

BZ100. Thank you that's a great help. I'm leaning more and more towards the challenge of a BMW donor. I look forward to seeing how your build progresses on here.

[danilo]

interesting donor choice.
Aren't the BMW engines rather heavy?
And tall?
Why are the brake discs painted black in the above photos?
Temporary rust prevention.. I hope.

[RichardH]

performance brake discs come coated black these days, it stops rust forming inside the vents