zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
Ride Into the Apocalypse in Style With This Lifted Off-Road BMW E36
Ride Into the Apocalypse in Style With This Lifted Off-Road BMW E36-April 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:46

? Yes, agreed. When the world goes to hell and our infrastructure crumbles into dust (I mean more so than now, obviously) you’ll be glad you’re driving a tough, lifted apocalypse-mobile. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice luxury and sporty dynamism.

You may remember last year when we highlighted a lifted, battle-ready, olive green ready to cruise into a muddy bog. The same tuner has alerted me of the 1990s. It’s got a manual, too!

This is a 1993 318i, the one with a four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual. It has 180,000 miles on the clock, plenty of rust, a very good interior and, best of all, a two-inch lift and 215/65/16 BFG tires. He’s on Kinja, and you can see more of the build .

More details:

Front: Aluminum Strut spacers, approximately 2". These are mounted on the top of the strut mounts. I removed the studs and used longer hardware and a bent wrench to put it all together. The spacers are actually the end caps to a 90's era strut bar. Intentions were to replace them eventually but they seem to do the job. Springs are stock from a 92' 318i on stock replacement Bilstein struts. I don’t have any technical data to back it up, but I’ve always thought that 92' springs looked taller than later springs when they switched to control arm mounted endlinks. Speaking of endlinks, the stock swaybar and links are used. If I’d want to do any serious offroad stuff I’d likely pull the bar completely but for street use I’ve left it for stability.

The owner says that while it’s far from perfect externally, it runs quite smoothly, though it needs some work. It’ll need a new CV boot, the differential’s drain plug leaks and the belts squeak. You can fix those things if you want, and none of them sound hard, but this car is meant for battle—it’s not ever going to be some garage queen. It’d be fun to just screw around in, especially when the pavement ends.

(It is possible we need establish a distinction between and the slightly nicer lifted safari cars, the latter of which includes 911s and stuff. But when the world ends, labels won’t matter. Only hunting for water and gasoline and people to eat.)

Anyway, this thing is for sale . Someone give it a good home. It even comes with helpful “E36" markings on the side in case you forget what it is.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
At $15,000, Would You Snap Up This 1986 VW Vanagon Before It’s Van-A-Gone?
At $15,000, Would You Snap Up This 1986 VW Vanagon Before It’s Van-A-Gone?
While some fans of VW’s hallowed forward-control vans may gravitate toward the Westfalia campers, there’s still a lot to like with the standard seven-passenger editions like today’s ’86. Let’ find out if that found favor could also include its price. The comments don’t lie, and the general consensus about...
Apr 7, 2026
This Ford Transit Van Camper Conversion Looks Cozier Than A House
This Ford Transit Van Camper Conversion Looks Cozier Than A House
Camper conversion builds and this 2019 Ford Transit 150 camper conversion for sale on Cars & Bids looks cozier than a lot of houses. It even features a working toilet! I’m finding myself absolutely in love . These conversions look like boring work vans and box trucks on the...
Apr 7, 2026
Some Ford Bronco Owners Are Reporting Their Hardtops Are Falling Apart, Growing Scales
Some Ford Bronco Owners Are Reporting Their Hardtops Are Falling Apart, Growing Scales
The Bronco’s roof has been a point of frustration for Ford and prospective owners since well before the SUV started being delivered to the first customers last month. Production snags pushed vehicles optioned with body color-matched and contrasting hardtops to at least 2022. Those with molded-in-color Carbonite Gray roofs...
Apr 7, 2026
The Car Market Is So Bad Right Now Rich People Are Buying Their Rolls-Royces And Bentleys Used
The Car Market Is So Bad Right Now Rich People Are Buying Their Rolls-Royces And Bentleys Used
As you know, it’s a hard time to be a car buyer. New vehicles are hard to find and those you can find are in , overpriced, or both. This has made used cars hard to come by and inflated their prices. Not just for basic used cars either,...
Apr 7, 2026
What's The Best Strategy For Scoring A Deal On The New Ford Maverick?
What's The Best Strategy For Scoring A Deal On The New Ford Maverick?
As Jalopnik’s resident car-buying expert and a professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. I’ve picked a few of your questions and will try to help out. This week we are talking about whether or not it’s better to wait until the new Maverick hits the lots...
Apr 7, 2026
At $7,950 Canadian, Could This 2006 Pontiac Solstice Get You To See The Light?
At $7,950 Canadian, Could This 2006 Pontiac Solstice Get You To See The Light?
We may be well past the Summer Solstice but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy top-down motoring in today’s Pontiac Solstice. We’ll just have to see what this Canadian convertible might just be worth. It’s safe to say that the car market these days is crazy. The thing...
Apr 7, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved