Hayaku brings up a good point. Get a running E36, learn how to drive it as is if you don't have much experience. Use the totalled car for parts to make the new car go faster... and then you have a good working motor and tranny from the totalled car should anything happen to the one you buy... following me there
Also, I don't know your driving experience or anything, but please just don't go jumping into a 350+ hp car off the bat. You'd be really sad if you put it in a wall or over a curb. Like I said, it's not a shot or crack, I don't know how experienced you are, etc... it's just a concern.
