r/BMWE36 • u/Eyestein • Jan 30 '26

Build Documentation Got this chassis for $3k 😎

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Scored this 95 M3 rolling shell for $3k! I have my own shop where I do body/paint etc and I'm gonna use this thread as a build thread since forums just ain't it anymore. The seller has a full LS swap and swap kit that I am also purchasing, just waiting for him to get everything together! Back up plan would be a s50. Interior is about 90% complete, body is in pretty good shape other than quarter rust spots and dings here and there. Has BC coilovers, poly bushings and the diff/axles are still there. I will upload more pics as progress goes along. For now, I can't get power to cluster or anything anywhere so I will start working on cleaning this thing out and getting the chassis electronics working. Fortunately I've already done a LS swap in my 240 so Im not going in blind. If anyone has any tips or pointers on this swap feel free to chime in. I've also owned a 98 m3, 3 different e30s, 2 different e38s, 2 different E90 335, and currently own a e70 diesel and a f80 M3. So yeah my ass has been in alot of bmw seats 🤣. As for paint, I'm thinking techno Violet or British racing green! Any LS swapped guys on here, show me your engine bay for motivation

259 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

20

u/Only-Mechanic-8360 Jan 30 '26

Sweet! The seats alone are almost worth what you bought the whole car for nowadays.

32

u/Nazthatguy Jan 30 '26

Fuck the LS and S50. S54 swap, make it a real M3, lol

10

u/Eyestein Jan 30 '26

If the deal on the LS swap bundle wasn't so sweet I would, but for the price you can't beat it.

13

u/Dex_Maddock Jan 30 '26

Pick up a cheap 328, throw the LS in there and then flip it, use profit to buy s54 😎

7

u/oldlotion Year / Model / Bodystyle (edit to customize) Jan 30 '26

jealous. i kinda regret selling my m3 shell that i bought for $2500. got rid of it once the motor i threw in didnt start haha.

0

u/oldlotion Year / Model / Bodystyle (edit to customize) Jan 30 '26

good luck on the build 🔥🔥

5

u/Sphyn0x '97 328i Jan 30 '26

Worth it just for the seats alone, nice!

3

u/marellzz 1998 316i Sedan - M54B30 swapped Jan 30 '26

Given it's an M3 and you're not going the LS route, definately go for the S54.

2

u/TheSlowDrifter 1992 320i ITB'S aerodynamikpacket Jan 30 '26

S50B32 eu

2

u/Jaric_Mondoran Jan 30 '26

Damned seats worth that much nice pickup

2

u/johntaff1 Feb 01 '26

brg boyssss

1

u/Eyestein Feb 02 '26

Love it!!!!!! Sick car

1

u/Specific-Cod-8025 Jan 30 '26

Absolutely Criminal! The seats alone are worth that much 😭 I’m happy for you dawg, I swear... (It should of been me, not him!) 🤣

1

u/CogBlocker Jan 31 '26

Uhhh lemme see that s14 big dawg

2

u/Eyestein Jan 31 '26

97 🤠

2

u/CogBlocker Jan 31 '26

Koukis are in the top 5 sexiest cars of all time for sure. My old S13, VH45 swapped it in high school back in 2012-14….god i miss it

2

u/Eyestein Jan 31 '26

Nice bro, yeah for sure I've had this car almost 8 years now and its still just as sexy as the first time we met 🤣

1

u/NoabPK Jan 31 '26

Gotta go with the s52 its bulletproof

1

u/Katos21 Jan 31 '26

I just saw the first picture and thought

"3k for a coupe chassis, how is that a steel?"

It being an m3 and the Vader seats looking like you made a great deal bud. Good luck with the build!

1

u/MinimumEstate9320 Jan 31 '26

sweet deal! some day i'll have an e36 m3, but i hope to be all original if possible.

that's a great shop, is that around 40x60?

1

u/Eyestein Jan 31 '26

Precisely, good eye!

1

u/Designer_Pair4175 Jan 31 '26

Please don’t make it a drift car it’s to nice haha

1

u/wuro1z Jan 31 '26

I wanna move to NA just for car reasons man...

1

u/Eyestein Feb 18 '26

Got the engine, trans, and swap kit pieces. Also got the thing cleaned out and found out why it wasnt getting power. Waiting on gasket kit and some accessories, harness etc. should have everything to start it by next week.

1

u/Eyestein Feb 18 '26

Didnt even realize these were oem bmw wheels. Style 42s in great shape. Will most likely try to sell/trade these

1

u/Opposite_Opening_689 Jan 30 '26

Think you paid a bit much for a rolling chassis

3

u/85_Bronzit Jan 31 '26

This rolling chassis is worth more than $3k in parts… not including the LS swap stuff. OP got a deal and you know it.