The BEST and CHEAPEST way to Drift a Euro - How To Build A BMW E36 Drift Car With Basic Parts

►In recent decades, the grassroots drift scene has exploded into the fastest-growing motorsports segment in the US. Dumpy, old sedans that once carried groceries are now backing into corners at ludicrous speeds with smoke pouring off the rear tires. The earliest adopters of the sport scooped up every kind of Japanese coupe and sedan looking for a good platform, but now many are making their way into German-born machines. BMWs are plentiful on the second-hand market, have tons of aftermarket support, and have a well-balanced chassis without any modifications, making them the perfect platform for a low-budget drift build.
Of all the BMW sedans and coupes out there, the E36 has what might be the best blend of entry price, availability, and reliability for a novice. The chassis' are relatively light, and few aftermarket parts are required to have a solid beginner setup. But don't just take our word for it.
Formula Drift driver Michael Essa has been sliding around BMWs for the better part of a decade. When he's not shredding the competition in his E46 or giving ride-alongs in his F30 340i Drift Taxi, he's practicing in his near-stock E36 M3. Essa knows exactly what a beginner needs for an entry-level E36, and today, he's here to show you what that is. Watch along as Professional Drifter Michael Essa shows you how to build an E36 drift car with basic parts.
00:00 - Brief Overview of the BMW E36
01:50 - Best Engine Swaps for the BMW E36
02:30 - Suspension Options for the BMW E36
04:08 - BMW E36 Differential Options for Drifting
04:50 - Setting up a BMW E36 for Drifting
06:15 - General Maintenance on a Drift Car
07:58 - Harnesses, Seats & Safety in a Drift Car
08:56 - Wrap-up
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[@Chattsteezy]

THANK YOU THANK YOU for giving clutch fans the love they deserve. BMW chose them for a reason lol. They are game changers in the drifting world with stock power plants.

[@fcpeuro]

Thank you for hanging with us!

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Exactly what I was looking for!! 🚗 💨

[@fcpeuro]

We knew you were on the lookout Traction Control Delete

[@tractioncontroldelete]

@@fcpeuro That’s why you folks are the best in the biz 💪

[@RreiiskaRacing]

Just made a video whipping E36 estate! :D has become one of my favorites

[@eriqrosado3337]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeah right I’d love to see someone get an e36 that isn’t completely clapped out for $1500.00. 🤣🤣

[@blakecoffey4536]

I have a 96 e36 completely stock and bought it for $900 it only needed an ecu

[@Mistabushi]

@@blakecoffey4536 and $5000 in repairs. 🤣

[@blakecoffey4536]

@@Mistabushi not really 😂

[@Mistabushi]

@@blakecoffey4536 I once bought a project car that only needed few minor parts, maybe $400 in total... Almost $4000k later I gave up haha

[@eriqrosado3337]

@@blakecoffey4536 yeah but did you buy it before or after COVID?

[@Just_e36]

E36 content lets Go!!!

[@fcpeuro]

Just E36 content for JustE36!

[@nineball12]

Thats me in the white ti at sonoma raceway ~40 seconds in! S52 swapped 😋

[@springvisuals]

awesome dude! that was a wet day for sure a lot of people spinning out right there. i edited this video i am glad some of the footage i have been sitting on from winter jam back then was able to get used and you were able to find it!

[@TheCrazzyGuy11]

Tbh I’ve had more problems with the clutch fan than anything. Had gone through 2 clutch fans themselves & 4 blades. Got lucky only 1 time something else got damaged & it wasn’t the rad. The Mishimoto efan is fucking nuts man, thing pulls crazy hard & is just as big as the clutch fan just is less likely to fail. I haven’t had 1 overheating problem with mine yet, while I haven’t had a whole day at the track I have driven mine pretty hard for quite a while recently & it’s held up wonderfully. I feel better with the efan than the cluch fan, idc if someone says it gives you power back idk if that is even enough to matter so it’s just sound if mind imo

[@CarManCam]

Wow, shout out for using old Darnall hoonigan footage!

[@fcpeuro]

Oldie but goodie

[@samcarmel6975]

Hey what time rod spacers you suggesting?

[@rgcarlson8658]

More drift content 👌

[@fcpeuro]

We can make that happen - anything in particular you'd like to see RG Carlson?

[@rgcarlson8658]

@@fcpeuro maybe e46 stuff? How to set it up reliably etc. 🤷‍♂️

[@MacBuxton]

Michael Essa are you going to show any videos with DDE on this page? Or are you going to just be on their videos more?

[@fcpeuro]

Hey Mac! We still have some Essa content in store but none of it shot since his involvement with DDE specifically. We could see a collaboration in the near future though 🤔Hope you and Sady are well , and lets go wheelin sometime if you still have the Rubicon

[@MacBuxton]

@@fcpeuro Hey Ben, I hope to see you with DDE too, I always like seeing you in the videos. The Wrangler needs some love but it's my forever jeep. Off it may not be as nice as your Porsche but it gets the job done.

[@stahbz1669]

Yea can’t even find one for less that 2500 around Jersey that isn’t completely trashed

[@jukebox9175]

yeah i’m in central jersey and it’s very hard to find decent deals

[@miltonmartinez6698]

So what is the best bang for your buck e36 to buy that comes with lsd?

[@fcpeuro]

M3 models came with them factory! Not sure that may be the best bang for your buck currently...

[@jamesbowie6108]

E46s next!

[@fcpeuro]

We can make that happen James

[@Obama___]

They are, *well priced* now too 😅❤😂

[@superseriooffical7314]

Sheesh I wish you could get a good e36 for sub 2k lol I just bought a 92 m50 non vanos for way to much lol but I will say any e36 thats not beat to shit is well worth your time and money, probably my most favorite car I've ever owned

[@dethdeks]

i just bought a 97 328i with full leather for 1800$Cad so like 1300$ usd runs and drives has 1 minor rust spot

[@charlieward7606]

when you have a bucket seat you HAVE to have a harness, having it go across the seat leaves a gap for you to move and will let you submarine and you need a harness bar, strapping it to the rear seatbelt bolts is sketch. if you aren't wiling to put in a harness bar and harnesses then stick to a sporty seat or one of those street bucket seat where you can still use a regular seatbelt. also you forgot the most vital a easy access mounted fire extinguisher

[@Weldeddiff]

Your forgot to mention the rear subframe reinforcement

[@onekind1554]

that's a e46 problem

[@jasamasa9106]

⁠@@onekind1554 it’s e36’s problem if u have welded diff

[@6_carhub_9]

So what the point buying compact for £1500 and swap to an engine worth minimum £4k? In total is £5.5k i rather get an e90 330 or 335 right? Or any other with good horsepower engine e36/46 😂

[@zader253]

Is the 3.91 diff from an auto 328i?

[@TheCrazzyGuy11]

Yes, needs to be welded unless it’s coming out of a winter pack 328i auto. I have my old 3.91 imma weld but just put in a m3 LSD 3.23 I believe, thing is wonderful in second for drifting

[@fordwoodman6518]

I have a 325is auto with winter package lsd, would you recommend upgrading it along with the trans? I have plans to go for zf 5 speed swap, but will this diff lock up enough/have a suitable gear ratio for daily drifting?

[@ertebelj]

S54 is like 10k 🫡 not a cheap swap 😂

[@dylanhydon-woods8259]

where the fuck are you finding one for 1500

[@smotheredhusky]

1,500 e36 don’t exist anymore😭

[@husky4588]

Ong 😭

[@orlandorosario4407]

for real, the ones ive seen are 5k+ all messed up lol

[@91son92]

@@orlandorosario4407 thats why i bought my 328i now before prices rocket to the moon