Rebuilding A Wrecked BMW E36 M3 That Was Destined For Scrapyard | Dream Car Acquired...Work Required

Today is a very exciting episode for me.... not only is it an episode that features one of my favorite things to do.... buying a wrecked/ totaled BMW and then repairing it with absolutely no special tools or specialty shops. But also because the car in question today happens to be one of my longtime dream cars.... An Estoril Blue E36 M3 coupe. A car i've wanted since early in my high school days. Well I finally got one, however some repairs required.
So join me on this journey to repair a totaled E36 from a pile of scrap to a driver again!
Want to sell me a broken BMW?
Email me: [e-mail]

[@disco_volante1062]

I believe your tree deserves a raise for next year!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Mr Tree is receiving a raise as well as a promotion to lead body technician!

[@Sammyzuko]

@@m3nameisjosh464He was a solid helper. I’d give him some Espoma Tree-tone as a reward

[@FluePeak]

Its a fucking tragedy that people send theese cars to the scrapyard, sell it to someone who wants to fix it instead of taking it off the road for ever.

[@cha_enthusiast]

i agree but the problem is that the people that actually can and will take the time to fix them, even with "backyard" methods like this, are few and far between. for every one guy like Josh there are dozens of smashed cars, and each person can only fix so many cars (since it takes a lot of time and money and is NOT profitable to fix these, you have to do it purely out of love for the cars)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Well said both of you! It is sad that sometimes even damage free cars end up in the scrapyard because of careless owners, like my red M5. But the unfortunate other end is that there is too many cars like this for one man to take on! I could quickly become one of the old man hoarders with a backyard of “projects im getting too” Hell I already am there!🤣

[@teamphashash]

😂​@@m3nameisjosh464

[@brandonrobishaw7606]

People are ignorant to how insurance companies work. You get in an accident and the insurance will tell you the car isn't worth the money. They often use rust belt unrepairable cars for comparable vehicle values. You don't have to accept the low offer they give you. However the moment you cash the check they sent you have no more negotiation abilities.

[@ImNotHereSrry]

The fact you made a video on this car, Love you brother man

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I had to bro!!!🙌🏼

[@marcsc.3478]

When you think you love your classic BMW more than anyone else, Josh shows up with this stuff. Working on engines is one thing. Working on car structures is a separate discipline on itself. Outstanding video Josh.The pull on that ripple man.. well done.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahah thank you man!!!! I admittedly dont know what Im doing relating to car structures but I do have an eye for a car coming together properly! This was a huge labor of love

[@josephlanger3768]

So awesome to see a true backyard repair like this online! Our hobby has gone so upscale that everyone thinks you need a $100,000 shop setup with every tool known to man to accomplish repairs like this. Our fathers and grandfathers knew different. Not every repair needs to be a 100 point restoration. A car mostly needs to function to be enjoyed. Making it pretty is just window dressing. While I enjoy a meticulously restored classic as much as anybody, the reality is that this is beyond most of us. This doesn't mean that we can't still enjoy amazing automobiles that were probably out of our reach when new. Josh, you have my utmost respect, and please keep doing what you are doing! n

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@josephlanger3768 you are spot on Joseph!!! Thank you very much for the comment!!! Couldn’t have said it better myself. If the car functions it functions!

[@fl0wELXR]

always nice to see someone working it in the driveway, even with such a nice shop! great job, its inspiring dude

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks man!!! Got to make sure to keep it real for people. Fancy equipment takes away from it

[@bm-garage]

All my homies love Josh’s tree

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@bm-garage YESSS!!!

[@Prof_CS]

I recently got an e38 740i a few weeks before Christmas this year, last year I got myself an e34. Dude I know that feeling when you got something sorted out and and your car can finally "run" freely. Having a project and completing it with each step is fun, but it's even more fun when you finally drive it and it's fully restored. Keep up the good work, Josh! And keep the Estoril Christmas dream alive 👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

10000% man!! No better feeling than a completed project!!

[@bosroamer]

Still waiting for this channel to explode.... Sooo much fun to watch you cracking along with these legend beemers, I recently bought an E91 straight six and I'm loving every second I drive it. Keep them rolling!

[@startingtech3900]

m3 josh to 100k soon!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you guys, seriously! I really appreciate that.

[@SkibidiWC2026]

Yeah this channel is fantastic. Love how you name the parts as you thank them. Great for newbie like me.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ much appreciated my friend!!

[@macelius]

My estoril blue '99 M3 Coupe was crashed in much the same way by the original owner at 20k, and totalled. My father bought it from the auction, and we began to rebuild it, thinking it'll just need a new frame rail from the bulkhead up, then we found the shifter hole out of round, turned out it was twisted so far back we had to cut it behind the drivers seats and at the A pillars and weld in an entire front clip from a '95 328IS we found at the yard. Nice thing it came with an RD front bumper cover, Eibach strut bar (the alu one, same as RD), RD front sway, and a billstein cup kit, which made for a great handling setup. I bought the car from him at 160k, just as it all started wearing out, went throug the suspension with all new joints and bushings, and installed some new Vogtland coilovers. 260k miles on it now, and still going strong.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Wow that is crazy, this car was originally wrecked at 24k miles back in 02!! Similar life for both of them. Thats a wicked repair job! Props to you guys for embarking on that!!

[@macelius]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Thanks, and props to you as well, love making the most of the least, and you did a helluva job! Your video really brought me back to 20 years old lookin at the thing all apart and chopped up, though we were fortunate enough to have the help of my dad's old Polish bodyman friend's expertise and frame rack, so can't take all the credit. I've definitely used trees, poles in parking lots, and come-alongs on other projects, much like yourself, since. Anyway, it made for a half price '99 M3 in 2001 that you could daily and not worry about parking on the street in the city, especially by the time i took stewardship in 2011. Fluids, quality replacement wear parts, HG at 200k, and too many little upgrades and customizations to list, and it keeps on. Hope Yours rewards and serves you as well!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ love to hear that!!! So glad its been enjoyed all these years rather than scrapped. Keep on enjoying it!!

[@TheJabroniJoe]

It still looks mighty clean when everything is finished! I wouldn't mind cruising around in this thing, especially in those cherry vaders! Wonderful content as always! :3

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks Joe! I agree, an M3 is still an M3!! Plenty enjoyable to drive!

[@jotighe2]

great video. all body, no engine work. different. cool. that repair was impressive.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you!!! Obviously not my specialty area but we made it work!

[@BerwhaleTheAvenger-b5s]

This takes me back. In 2001 I bought an E28 528i manual for £50 that looked ok but was shorter on one side. The chassis leg had gone back. I didn't have a winch so I just used a rope, a tree and reverse gear+revs. It didn't do it. So, I use oxy acetalyne and got the upper control arm red hot and 'straightened' it. That got the wheelbase about the same both sides. I did two track days in it, used it for a few weeks and sold it to a Jamaican for £50. 😂 Oh - HNY Josh, here's hoping for more great content in '25. If you can make it to the UK and BMW Live, do it 👌

[@m3nameisjosh464]

That is hilarious!!!! First of £50 for an E28 is ridiculous! Gone are those days! But secondly that is amazing you were able to beat it back into a straight car and even track it! Bravo. Just shows the strength of trying!!

[@teamphashash]

The white E36 in the background is also hot AF❤❤❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

No longer have it:/

[@teamphashash]

@m3nameisjosh464 , 😆😆👏cheers.

[@mrkeopele]

great example, i've always done the same things, trees are our friends! good job!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@mrkeopele gods gift!!

[@sskkkkiiii]

Another great video! Another soul saved 🙏

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you dude!

[@DEMITT7]

I recently discovered your channel, I have full respect for you, very good work.😍😍🥰🥰😎😎🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@DEMITT7 thank you!!

[@mike.bevels]

I also dislike the radiator shroud/coolant hose situation on these cars. Great work on saving this one! I've been itching for a set of OEM chrome grilles.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Such a dumb design🤣

[@barrykrysko3153]

Good for you saving this car. Enjoyed the content.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@barrykrysko3153 thank you Barry!

[@YootubeUK]

A phrase I used to hear a lot in the UK is, it's a "Joseph". Me, huh? "Yeah, it has a techni-coloured dream coat!" Nice save, Josh!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Haha love it!!

[@1983dmd]

Super interesting and well done ! Wow!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@1983dmd thank you!!

[@DeezNuds]

Leaving a comment for the algorithm, your channel is very helpful for us old-bemers' lovers

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you so much! Very appreciated!

[@sheaarnold]

Looking amazing man! My absolute favorite color. Thanks for saving this one.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you!!!!

[@francispowell1811]

Thanks for saving another. As an M3 with 130k, I think it would probably be worth replacing the damaged panel professionally. Best wishes for 2025, Josh!!🎉

[@bosroamer]

That's not the point of this video is it? 😂

[@francispowell1811]

​​@@bosroamer, yes, it made for great content, but from a practical standpoint...it's probably worth doing it professionally for its increasing rarity. In fact, the process of grafting in the replacement panels could form the basis of additional content.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@francispowell1811 a nice M3 with 130k yes! But unfortunately this car has no title, a poor respray, and has been salvaged and repaired 3 times now. Its hanging on by a thread and as of right now im still unsure it can even be registered, so I decided to avoid expensive proper repairs.

[@arisherwood4635]

@@m3nameisjosh464track car!

[@mikesphoenix_e46m3]

Great job josh been looking forward to this video comming great transformation and hands out to the branch manager 😃

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The branch manager! Hahah

[@stephengordon8968]

I would drive that car no problem at all ! Very good repair !

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@stephengordon8968 thank you!!

[@SuperLuckyCat7]

Good work 💪 Love the Lo Tek approach to the repairs 👍

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@SuperLuckyCat7 the best method!

[@adventurefj819]

One cool thing is my cousin got me into them back in 1993 when he bought his 93' 325is and now I own that exact car (Laguna Green color). Currently trying to get her back on the road after a money shift years ago.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Nice!! Laguna green is an awesome color!!

[@robsweekendgarage]

Great transformation. You took a car that was likely destined to be parted out and crushed or turned into a drift missile, into a driver again. Would be a good first m-car for someone to cut their teeth on. Never been a big E36 guy. prefer the E30 and E46 style wise, but so many of these have been used up that I appreciate seeing a nice “clean” one. Would have been a shame if you hadn’t saved it. HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉🎉🎉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks Rob!!! I think its a great cheap intro to an M car for someone who doesn’t want a perfect one. It was definitely a labor of love. I love all 3 first m3 generations, E36 arguably caught my eyes first😉

[@Tyreakmcgregor]

From ig story to KZbin finally 😁

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Took a lot of editing! Haha

[@startingtech3900]

you saying josh is lagging 🤔

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@startingtech3900 hahah IM saying I'm lagging!!

[@Tyreakmcgregor]

@@startingtech3900 more like a long time coming

[@CoolHand273]

You should try to get a hold of the euro glass ellipsoid headlights. if you want to flex you should go for the french yellow hella headlight assembly. i drove an E36 M3 for 13 years. A solid platform. Thank you for keeping the dream alive.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I had a set of ZKWs on the white car, should have kept them:((

[@dylanrc2994]

Hey Josh ., What a Great project!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@dylanrc2994 was a lot of fun!

[@dylanrc2994]

@ Josh, I don't know what time it is for you, but it's 12:28 in Los Angeles. I see you love BMWs as much as I do)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ 2 hours ahead! It was 2:28 am hahah

[@guguchbleuhvz2500]

Good Job 🔷

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@guguchbleuhvz2500 thank you!

[@SGN1923]

Sehr schön geworden

[@David79uk]

great video mate.. these type bm's were from my era..these and the e30's..watchin from UK 👍🏻

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you David!!

[@dadonaftermath899]

The white e36 at the background while you was bulling the car between the trees. Is very clean from a distance I must say

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you🙌🏼

[@1haitian1]

Amazing job man

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@1haitian1 thank you!

[@darrynpillay8560]

Long awaited beauty ❤

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Poor thing spent many years in Limbo

[@darrynpillay8560]

Always feels good to see a beauty see the road again..👌

[@ash.4265]

amazing job broo 😯

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@ash.4265 thank you sir!!

[@1haitian1]

Man this was nice!!

[@gertpittsfort]

Happy New Year Josh and keep them coming 😊

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Happy new year!!!

[@Sammyzuko]

Estoril is the best color bar none imo

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Estoril and Dakar😏

[@Sammyzuko]

Dakar is great, but it’d have to be a once in a while weekend type car…like how your Dakar was used. It has a time and place imo. Actually every color the e36 was offered in was above average. The brochures showing some of the individual color options were drool worthy

[@anikd5253]

damn, been waiting for this. nice work bro!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you bro!!

[@cliftonjackson441]

I literally never used Facebook marketplace until yesterday, but dam doeand a s it need a part out section. And a god damn trade filter. Maybe I'm crazy but I'm always open to cash. The most awesome and infuriating rabbit hole ever. There are some hidden treasures though.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@cliftonjackson441 agreed lol

[@ShafiqShikin]

sick!!!!! happy new year from singapore josh 🎉

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Happy new Year!!!

[@SH-sc9or]

I have to say as an owner of an Euro spec Estoril Blue E36 M3 sedan this was rather painful to watch. Hopefully one day you'll do a full resto.

[@leftlanegaming530]

Better this than to the crusher

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@SH-sc9or your euro spec is worth about 4x this one so dont worry, price points factor repair quality

[@SH-sc9or]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Agree, though expect them to appreciate over time. After all, it is a M3🥳

[@Moocow444]

Good work looks good af

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks bro!!!

[@kealyne.m]

I hope bro keeps this one

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@kealyne.m 😅😅

[@macabru999]

Yeah, that's not how you do that, i mean if you live in a state that doesn't require veh inspection you can get away with it but it's not how to do it 🤣 respect the effort tho

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Not only no inspection but also not even a title for the car to register it. This was purely fun

[@macabru999]

@@m3nameisjosh464 That's crazy, in europe.... they'll put you in jail if you try to register a car with no title (i think)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ well we can just apply for a new title here, not easy but not hard

[@molapo3251]

I always find it wierd that in the USA u guys got the 328i engine in ur E36 M3 yet in south Africa we got the correct engines .

[@m3nameisjosh464]

We got robbed 😭

[@1995RangeRover]

You rock bro!!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you 🙌🏼

[@niklashannig9118]

22:22 bmw had 2 different Esoterik blue base colors . Named : Füller hell and Füller Dunkel. So every estoril blue e36 looks different

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@niklashannig9118 this is very nice to hear! Thanks for sharing!

[@agresa]

Hi Josh. I just bought an E34 535is manual, and was looking to do a naturally aspirated build on the engine. Is there a head I can bolt on to increase compression? Do you have a video you can link on such a build with any tips? Cheers mate, I'm new to the BMW world and love your vids.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hey man! Congrats, 535s are amazing. The only bolt on heads would be the old metric mechanic or Korman, etc, which are super expensive and super rare. The best recipe would be port and polish head, schrick cam, headers, and a standalone ecu.

[@agresa]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Oh, ok. Thanks for the info. Here in Australia everything early BMW is super rare, so I don't like my chances of finding the heads you suggested lol. I bought a set of extractors from Germany but they're off an M5 so hopfully they fit. I'm looking at options for ITBs too. I watched an old video you did with @StacheCam so I'm watching his vids as well.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ RACEHEAD ENGINEERING is in Australia and makes ITBs for M30!

[@agresa]

@@m3nameisjosh464 thank you so much. I'll check them out for sure. You're a legend, cheers mate.

[@MUFY-THE-CAT]

love it!

[@mohis5664]

Hell yeah!!!!!! 💪💪

[@m3nameisjosh464]

💪🏼💪🏼

[@mohis5664]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Also i love how at this point you are almost a professional at rebuilding wrecked cars 😂😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ teaching myself in the backyard! Lol just as I did with mechanical work

[@videt_scit_dicit]

Its the nominee for the cheapest rebuilt of the year. 😄

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@videt_scit_dicit thats the goal! Lol

[@woocash2139]

Yout original bumper bar is the ltw type. Keep it!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I really needed to see this comment a week ago :(((

[@woocash2139]

@m3nameisjosh464 ah crap. In the usa some e36s had them. In eu only the gt so super rare and valuable... i have an estoril m3 also

[@shaunwilson-seabrook]

Surely when you have the part to replace the damaged one why wouldn’t you fit the replacement, it’s never going to line up when it’s still so crumpled and distorted

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@shaunwilson-seabrook did you watch till the end? Surely it lines up😳

[@thisisyaren]

Man have you ever done an EWS2 unit?

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@thisisyaren i have not

[@thisisyaren]

@m3nameisjosh464 interested times man, interesting times lol... All the best for 2025!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@thisisyaren thanks dude, you too!

[@bongah69]

Bro, you look like Chrisfix with the helmet on😹😹

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@bongah69 hahahahahah TRUE🤣

[@DeeDee-pw9pm]

Editing tip; Leave text on screen long enough to be read at least once (preferably twice) at a comfortable speed, to prevent the viewer having to pause or rewind the video.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you!! Will follow this

[@DeeDee-pw9pm]

@@m3nameisjosh464 Awesome video btw. Credit where credit's due, especially with your passion for preserving the older cars.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@ thank you!

[@February54]

Thanks for letting us borrow it for 24 hours 😂

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@February54 i hope it was a semi enjoyable 24 hours!🤣🤣

[@imSchwaggy]

I love/hate ur videos cuz they make me want an e36 again. So it looks like it's time for #17 lmao

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Hahahaha DO IT

[@robertginn6882]

Would love to own it. N

[@alexmooney3284]

hi josh

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@alexmooney3284 hi Alex

[@zigzag.motorsport]

I had one no papers it was E36 convertable 2.5 D mercedez engine om605 originaly was 328i i had plans to use it in my backyard village house. But i had isues with the car and i had to scrap it i have parts like dors fenders trunk etc… i still think to find a coupe and is not cheap here 11.000$ 😢

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@zigzag.motorsport that is a shame:(((

[@KDOS_SSDD]

1/1 BMW Special Body Chassis Alignment Tool (aka skrong tree)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

YESSSSIR!!!!!

[@Teun]

hahaha fixing a car with a tree is badasss

[@m3nameisjosh464]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@SwoleFrog7358]

Every crashed e36 I’ve seen has damage on the passenger side (including mine ☠️)

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Magnets bro😭

[@gertpittsfort]

In German: EstorEEl, with emphasis on the last sillable 🇩🇪

[@m3nameisjosh464]

I would have never guessed that! Thanks!

[@NilLam-7]

cool!! I’d love to offer you a car stereo to support your work. Would you be interested in? 🥰

[@UnashevRM]

Hello! Какая модель дисков у белого БМВ? How model disks on the white BMW?

[@weaverhchrist]

Better get them eyes checked son, the end of that frame horn is definitely kinked!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@weaverhchrist i thought this too, but look up oem uncrashed frame rail, its shaped that way from factory!

[@TonyZubkov]

a bit painful to see a clean e36 being repaired like that, but hey not my car lol

[@m3nameisjosh464]

The e36 is an illusive place, this car is 2 decades of iffy repairs and poor paint jobs in already. Im simply keeping the dead alive at this point

[@markbantock718]

you cant do it properly witthout welding, come on its an m3 do it right

[@m3nameisjosh464]

You need to understand the background of each car before you go forth with repair methods. Cost/ time factored in here. Its a title-less, salvaged, multitimes crashed, and poorly repaired car, with a poor paint job. A low mileage, otherwise mint car necessitates a professional repair, A car like this is better used as a template for fun to prove you can fix one in your yard. The end result? Pretty much the same as if you welded a new fender wing on, just not as pretty from the inside. Structurally that piece is nothing more than a panel alignment aid. This entire repair was done not knowing whether this car could actually drive straight again, cant dump that much time and money in

[@Khan_Art_]

The more classic BMWs you can save the better. This did not need to be a pro job.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

True that!!!!

[@e36fanatics]

a lot of "that doesnt really matter"

[@goliath1samuel17]

hahahahahhahaha i love it

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thank you🙌🏼

[@florider_hd]

hahaha this would never fly in germany

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Oh I know it wouldn’t. Thank god for the land of the free, USA! 🦅

[@mikesphoenix_e46m3]

🙈🙈🤣🤣

[@oliverjones2418]

Pronounce Estoril correctly please

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Im too AMERICAN

[@Stefas.Constantinos]

blablabla😅

[@BiblicResurces]

scrappy 😂😂😂 garbage..wc

[@gebhardt2]

Estoril. Please Google how to pronounce it.

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@gebhardt2 EEE-stur-EEL

[@joannissidiropoulos6291]

So eine scheiss Möchtegern Reparatur habe ich die letzten 30 Jahre nicht gesehen. KATASTROPHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Thanks for your input, ill gladly accept a generous donation from you so that I can repair it properly. Please reach out for my paypal account information :)

[@miguelangelfernandez9081]

fake m3 e36.the real m3 s50b32 321hp

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Come to USA and fine me one😆

[@miguelangelfernandez9081]

@m3nameisjosh464 i have 1 on Spain

[@dutch2smoked927]

amazing !

[@m3nameisjosh464]

@@dutch2smoked927 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@leahcimblanco7799]

Motivation 100%💙🤍 Estoril Blue

[@m3nameisjosh464]

Precisely!