Check me in....
 

Got it in my head after a family ski trip a few weeks back that my wife needed an X to replace her 325 e46 wag. 2 kids and all the stuff that goes with them was a tight fit.

Just arrived home from Ohio with this beast 94k 2005. 900 easy miles, got about 22 mpg averaging 78mph. Thermostat must be stuck open as she is only getting to 1/4 temp. I bet I would have done even better at proper temp. Lost the temp plate somewhere along the way and made this cardboard one in PA....no static from the troopers.

I am going to take the wagon and sell the e36m. Looking forward to many years with the X and on this forum.

Anyone know the car? Vin end lb09843 one owner from Cincinnati OH.

Brad

pictures
 

Pics

Facelifted sport package awesome find!

Brad, nice ride. Kalahari, sport, six- speed, on black. Good find! With proper working thermostat, you should get 24 mph no problem on the open road.

I want your 36///M. Scratch that. NEED your e36///M. Not going to happen for a few years yet. Wife put a kibosh on that. :rolleyes:

Thanks fellas, I am lucky to have found one for sure. The price seemed right too. 11,800 and everything works! I do need to do brakes but thats minor. Tow hitch to go on soon.

Any way to tell if the sunroof has been upgraded? It works fine so i am hoping the PO did it.

The M is a fun car. Its a sedan so its fairly functional too.

Dragon, how do you like the SSK? I think that will be my first upgrade.

Green Dragon is the wrong guy to ask about the SSK; he's in the middle of creating the Utah techie hillbilly version :). Look for my thread on the SSK and CDV, lots of input from many about this particular improvement. Thumbs' Up from me .... If its in as good a shape as it appears, you made a great deal! If its your 'stat,and not just the gauge, I see replacing the 'stat [an easy DIY, as best I recall], along with related coolant service, as first on your list, along with the brakes. Welcome to the 3-pedal E53 brotherhood!

Ah thank you, I just tossed it on a lift and it is indeed very clean underneith too. I am pleasantly suprised. It does still have the delay valve. That will be the first to go. The thermostats are a real easy fix. Pop the fan out, unbolt it, and toss the new one in. Will do the waterpump at the same time since i have to drain the coolant anyways. I will look for your post.

Any other good options besides the UUC?

UUC SSK is definitely worth the money, I have it and love it, UUC runs coupon specials all the time from 10-15% off too. Add a ZHP shift knob and it is amazing. Delete your CDV for free and flush the clutch and brakes with fresh fluid first though!

Several posters here have installed the UUC SSK since it came on the market early this year. It appears to be the only option, unless you, like Green Dragon, are prepared to do extensive mods to other kits. I had it installed at UUC, which is nearby, which was expensive, but worth it to me [no lift, cold weather, lazy, etc.]. RB struggled with the install - you'll see it all in the thread I started. Also recommended: change the transmission, differential, and transfer case fluids [OEM BMW only in the transfer case; I used and like Redline products in the diffs/tranny, with Lubro Moly antifriction additives. Smart to put magnetic drain plugs in while you are at it. The 3.0L/manual/post facelift E53s, 2004-06, is one sweet ride, you appear to be one of the lucky/smart ones who found a low mileage version at a great price. For comparison, mine, an 06 with 81k at purchase, set me back $18k - although that was with $4k [retail] worth of service from the seller, a BMW 'M' specialty shop outside Cincy [Enthusiast Auto Group]: tires, rear brakes, gaskets, fan, etc. See my first couple of posts for pix. That is/was the top of the market.

If you want to sell/trade your E36 M, I suggest you view Enthusiasts website . . .

Thank you, I do plan on doing all the fluids including PS as well. I agree with you on the redline. I am thinking of trying to extend the rod below the ball on the shifter. My stock unit is really tight so maybe i can save a few bucks with the modification. Any idea how much longer the UUC lower pivot is then the stock unit?

I did get lucky on the price. I think the dealer was having trouble selling and didnt have it advertised well. It is a one owner car. If i didnt just drive it 900 miles i would still be leary.

Really funny you mention Enthusast Auto. Is that the place run by the two brothers maybe one named Todd? If it is, about 6 or 7 years back I flew out there to buy an E30 M. They had lots of pictures and we talked on the phone several times. I flew there with my wife to check it out, one way tickets. They told me the car had no paint work other than bumpers. When i got there the car had tons of paintwork, some rust, and a patched oil pan. Needless to say i didnt purchase it and was pretty angry at the situation. Like you i was willing to pay their premium for the car. It was back when they first opened so things have probally tightened up a bit. I really wanted to like the guys, they had great cars and were about my age. They returned my deposit and We found a fight home the next day.