Back on the road

Finally, all wrapped up, suspension all fixed up and running well. Finished the suspension install last night, car drives great. Doesn't feel like it needs an alignment, and since I'm on the stock wheels with junk tires I won't bother for now. Very solid, not quite handling on rails, but then it's got 14" wheels with junk tires and the stock swaybars, so I don't expect much, but it is very fun to drive. Gone are all the knocks and bumps. When I removed the control arms, one of them was so badly worn that I could move one of the knuckles around with just my hands. No question they were shot, and the shocks appeared to be the original units.

Plus, I got a new surround for the computer and installed it properly, along with the e36 radio, now it looks like a proper interior. Right now I'm just using a tape adapter for the ipod, but will wire in the dice unit later when I get a CD changer cable that works.
Since this picture was taken with a flash, it really shows all of the stains on the carpet, which are a lot less obvious in normal light, though I'll probably shampoo them at some point.

The brakes are ok, I flushed the system but the bleeding screw on the rear passenger caliper didn't leak any fluid, so I will likely need to rebuild or replace that caliper. The discs are definitely very worn, with a significant lip from wear, but the car is stopping well. When I pressurized the system to flush it, there was fluid leaking from below the reservoir, so I will likely need to replace the master cylinder and the seals there at some point, but it's not critical right now, as the brakes are working fine. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement in the braking system, but I'll wait till I decide to completely gut the system and do it all then.

More stuff

Didn't have the tool to press the M3 control arm bushings on, so I had a local shop do it, $50, well worth it.

I also picked up a 97 factory cassette player off ebay, along with the e36 wiring harness for $50. I've soldered it in, so rather than the loose connections of the e30 I have an e36 plug harness. The plan is to plug in the iPod using a Dice adapter, but that will come later. Normally I wouldn't do stereo stuff while the car is not drivable yet, but I couldn't pass up the deal.

I also got 2 pair of Nakamich 5.25" coaxial speakers for $45 each, shipped. Again, too good of a deal to pass it up.

e36 Head Unit $35
e36 Wiring harness $15
speakers $90
pressing in bushings $50

Running total: $3625

Getting started

Here's the big job, parts all here, new front end, springs and shocks. Here's the car ready to start.