ADVISE ME!!!

"Checkin' Pockets" (pocketchecka)
08/08/2013 at 17:51 • Filed to: readersrides

Ok so some of you may know I got this e36 m3 sitting here.It is not in the best shape but is definately a streetable car. My main concern here is, I am planning on getting the car repainted Cosmosschwartz and am supposed to drop it off tomorrow. I put a new hood on it that is in better shape then the old one but have noticed that the hood and fenders dont really match up all that well and there are some big ass panel gaps. Now obviously something shiesty went on with the car and it was repaired not all that well but there doesnt seem to be much else wrong with the body. I guess what I am asking is, if im gonna use this mainly as a dd and also a weekend warrior, should I even bother dropping a grand to paint it? I can talk to the body shop and get their advice and maybe they can help a bit with getting things fitted better, but I guess im having doubts about dropping cosmetic money on the car when its probably never gonna be as nice as I want it to be. I do want it to look nice though. Gahhhh I dunno. Ask me questions or give me advice. Thanks

DISCUSSION (16)

Z_Stig > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 17:54

How bad are the gaps? Also, were there gaps there before?

ddavidn > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 17:55

Hah, the age old dilemma. I'm with you. I would see how much they quote you to fix up those gaps a bit. I guess the question is, would that grand be better spent on something else? (For me, getting rid of that lifter tick, replacing ignition tumbler would come before paint)

Decay buys too many beaters > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 17:55

I guess it all depends on how much those imperfections would bother you in the grand scheme of things.

I would however get any body-fitment issues sorted out before thinking about paint.

Klaus Schmoll > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 17:56

Does it run straight a.k.a when you drive it, does it feel like the alignment is off?

What do the bolts holding the fenders in place look like. The colour of the body, or are there little scratches that indicate that they have been worked on?

Or did you just put an aftermarket hood on that doesn't fit well PERIOD?

KillerRaccoon - Group J's Sébastien Loeb > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 17:57

It might just be that you need to get the hood aligned; they can be kind of finicky and even if two are both in good shape they can need different settings. If you're worried about underlying damage, though, take it to a frame shop first and go from there.

Z_Stig > ddavidn
08/08/2013 at 18:07

Ahh, the infamous spinning key, eh?

ddavidn > Z_Stig
08/08/2013 at 18:09

Absolutely. There is no key spinnier than my key.

Z_Stig > Klaus Schmoll
08/08/2013 at 18:09

Also check if all the panels match your VIN. And like Klaus said, you may have an ill-fitting aftermarket hood.

AddMustard > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 18:10

Just need a hammer and a 2x4

desertdog5051 > Klaus Schmoll
08/08/2013 at 18:11

Yeah, agree. Have someone drive it while you follow behind and see if it crabs or doglegs. I see a lot of that on the road. Tells me it has been in an accident.

Checkin' Pockets > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 18:12

stock hood off another car. the corners of the hood sit high so it doesnt lay down flush and then there are the gaps. The old hood did the same thing and the gaps were there. The old hood corners were turned up too like it was opened to far or flew open maybe. They arent horrible but they are definitely bigger than they should be. Car runs straight as an arrow and give me no issues. I can also get the hood to line up in the front and split the gaps and whatnot. But the corners on the hinges are definitely raised.

Checkin' Pockets > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 18:18

as for imperfections... the paint is peeling off completely in spots. down to grey primer. Its got at least 3 kinds of paint on it and though from 10 feet it looks ok up close it is not at all. As for fixing other stuff first, Ive got no lifter tick and ignition works great. THe rest of the car is solid but I am gonna have it up on a lift to check all the bushings and whatnot. I just figured id get it painted as its a good deal and I paid so little for the car I feel like itd be wrong to leave it ugly.

ddavidn > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 18:20

If the car runs awesome, I wouldn't have too many qualms about giving it a makeover. However, I would work out anything wrong with the body before painting it, period.

davedave1111 > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 18:28

You can get a decent paintjob done for $1k? If so, might pay back when you come to sell. Personally, I couldn't care less what my car looks like as long as it's functional. Well, I don't mind if it looks good, but it's not really important.

Is there a grand's worth of other work that would actually improve the performance? What about new suspension bushings all round?

Jonathan Hays > Checkin' Pockets
08/08/2013 at 23:54

Maybe you could save a bit of money and just plastidip your car. I know not everyone likes the look of Plastidip, but if you do it offers a cheap alternative while you decide what to do next with your car. You can get it glossy, matte, or metallic and its really not that expensive. Dipyourcar.com has a ton of how to videos showing color schemes and everything in between.

Maybe that could save you some money to fix your body panels where needed! Just a thought.

Checkin' Pockets > Checkin' Pockets
08/09/2013 at 15:37

Alright well heres the update. I dropped it off for paint today. Spoke to body guy and he said he will do whatever he can to fix the body issues before paint. He also is chasing and treating 4 rust spots and filling and smoothing anything he finds. He said he wants it to be as close to show quality as possible and for me not to worry. He is doing all this for 800$. Ive seen pictures of his work and it looked good! It is a respray so it wont be fully disassembled so thats why so cheap but itll be much nicer than a maaco j9b and night and day to what it is now.