Need Help Locating Aluminum E36 Doors

[megatron]

Hello, my purchase of aluminum doors from an E36 3.2 M3 EVO in England fell through.

I am very keen to get some aluminum doors shipped to Seattle, WA, USA before the end of August to have on the car for the Sports Car Club of America Solo2 National Championships the 2nd week of September.

All 96+ E36 M3 3.2 EVO Coupe and the 95 M3 GT had these aluminum doors. I am looking for the complete door, interior panel, intact glass, in any color, in good condition.

If anyone in England or Europe can assist me in locating these from a parts yard, I would be very appreciative. Thanks in advance for any help.

Ryan Carag

[Al_Walker]

the evo didn't have aluminium doors my friend. It was only the GT. You can source these from BMW if you know the VIN code of a GT. I may be able to get a VIN code for you, private message me if you like.

[megatron]

Thanks Al!

Vic Sias sourced his off a 3.2 EVO (his were silver) and I've confirmation from the UK parts yards that the 3.2 EVO doors are aluminum. I was told all 3.2 EVO coupes had the alu doors.

I don't have the VIN code off a GT, but if trying to get new, I could try to get them from the states, as they were standard on the US 95 M3 LTW. If you could help with the VIN, I would really appreciate it. This may help get a part # which could make this easier.

I've sent e-mail and called several breakers in the UK and one is looking promising. We'll see.

Thanks!
Ryan

[Al_Walker]

Ryan...any luck with your doors?

[megatron]

hi al, yep i got a set of doors in the us through sias tuning (see sig) thanks!

as it turned out, the evo 3.2s without side airbags did have the alu doors.

[digi]

Originally Posted by Al_Walker

the evo didn't have aluminium doors my friend. It was only the GT. You can source these from BMW if you know the VIN code of a GT. I may be able to get a VIN code for you, private message me if you like.

actually the EVO do come with Aluminium door. All euro 3.2's in HK come with lighter doors than the 3.0. They are made from aluminium. It is not just a GT item. The bonnet is too.

[Webdunk]

The Aluminium door thing is a bit of a conundrum. I've been looking into it as I run the M3 GT Register.

1) all GTs do not come with Aluminium doors. In fact I've yet to find one with them.

2) Some Evos did come with Aluminium doors.

They don't appear to be options - they seem to be random chance.

I know of a pair going for sale in Scotland if you're still looking for 'em?

[megatron]

Hi guys, got the doors a few years back (see signature).

When I was doing the parts yard search, this is what I learned:
1) EVO 3.2 hardtop coupe coupe without side airbags are aluminum doors. Looking at my doors, compared to the stock ones off my 99 M3, I found the 98.5+ steel doors (side airbags) have a brace and mounting boss for the side airbags.
2) The USDM 95 LTW all have aluminum doors, the common belief is since the GT is the UK/European equivalent of the LTW, that they too have aluminum doors.
3) The guy at the parts yard will happily check with a magnet if you are serious on the purchase.

[Webdunk]

Originally Posted by megatron

1) EVO 3.2 hardtop coupe coupe without side airbags are aluminum doors. Looking at my doors, compared to the stock ones off my 99 M3, I found the 98.5+ steel doors (side airbags) have a brace and mounting boss for the side airbags.
2) The USDM 95 LTW all have aluminum doors, the common belief is since the GT is the UK/European equivalent of the LTW, that they too have aluminum doors.

On (1) That's not the case. My mate's just traded his non-side-airbag M3 Evo Coupe for an E46 CSL and his Evo had steel doors. I wish there was a pattern 'cos it would make life so much easier!

For (2) I fear from the GT's point of view this has turned into a bit of an urban myth.

I think I'll just have to go around with a handy magnet, a digicam to record visible VIN numbers and request loads of build sheets from the stealers