Never thought I’d love an e36...
 

But then I got my tax return and like a good red-blooded American, got on Craigslist looking for some Bmw to hoard. Well, the only e36 that I ever coveted was looking back at me. A non-running, 1996 California top 318ti in hellrot for a cool $1200. It’s an automatic and I’m not even sure I’m gonna change it. Anyways, it died on the P.O. on the interstate and he “never messed with it after that”. So it could be anything. So far it’s just clicking and dash lights are flashing when turning the key, so I’m charging the battery and crossing my fingers.

Personal bio:
42 year old male
Live in middle TN
Started on e30’s in 1999
Loved and lost many sweet Bavarian machines
I’m left with a 2003 x5 3.0 (work truck), 2003 Msport 540i 6-speed, 1990 325i 5-speed (with custom m90 supercharger setup by yours truly), and now the ti as well.

Nice to meet you all and thanks for your collective knowledge!!

Good looking car, look forward to updates on this one. Are you looking to supercharge it too?

Thanks!! I don’t think im gonna do another full custom deal on this one. If this motor is toast, I think I’ll just swap in a m52 or m54b30. If the m44 comes back, I’ll leave it alone for a while I think. I know the Downing kit is an option, but I’m a huge fan of a straight six.

Sounds good, keep us posted, I just recently purchased my first Ti to and love it. I need to make a build thread on it as well.

Welcome! How is it going?

It’s going preetty ok! The starter connection was loose which is why it was clicking. Fixed that, turned the key,and it just turned over and over and over but would never fire or start. I then decided to check for spark and fuel which I have both. Then I got out the compression tester and received the following numbers: cylinder number 1 - 60, cylinder number 2 - 30, cylinder number 3 - 0, and cylinder number 4 - 0. So, it looks like I have a blown head gasket or whatever these motors do when they get overheated severely. So I got on craigslist again and found a 1997 528i with a good motor and transmission and honestly a pretty decent body. But I think I’m going to gut it anyway, and put the motor and transmission in the TI.

Heeeyy neighbor! Welcome to the site!

Welcome! The TI with a M52 will be major fun when you're done... We have a few here in the forum.

Since you are swapping it, ZF 5speed perhaps? :cool:

Thanks! I bet she’ll be stout!

Nah, this car wants to be a cruiser with passing power. I have a few gear bangers.