Rebuilding A Salvaged M3

[BMWjesterFAN]

So...I went and bought something I probably shouldn't have. I bought this '95 M3 with some front end collision damage, thinking that I could fix it id possible, or transplant the engine and tranny into my 318i and maybe all the suspension, etc. Any thoughts on this? I know it's never good to buy salvaged cars and rebuild them, but I am an aircraft mechanic and work on internal combustion engines in the Air Force, my buddy was a body shop mech at a BMW/Benz dealership, and I've got another friend who grew up working on all types of classic euro toys. Unfortunately for me, they were mostly Italian. Oh well... The good thing is the car only cost me $4,000 and another grand or so for shipping. Still trying to get the shipping thing straight. And the only down-side I see so far is that it's automatic. But that's ok. I suck with standards. Feel free to pelt me with insults, info, and suggestions. And this car will not be stock for long...after I get it back to stock, that is.
-Tim

[MIMI1]

PICS would be awesome from the build up at anytime man

[e36_m3_Turbo]

should have just bought a s50b30 or s50b32 instead of the car

[BMWjesterFAN]

Well, the engine alone would have cost at least what I've paid for the car if not more. The salvage yard has had this car for about a year, and they couldn't sell it. It starts and runs good, and they originally wanted more than $7k for it, but because it's automatic, they couldn't sell it. I'm pretty happy that I got this deal. I have the insurance report that lists all the damages that the mechanics noted, and from the prices they list for parts, and the super high labor quotes, combined with the fact that I have some parts already, and a car I can canibalize for other parts, I figure I can have this thing back to the ultimate driving machine for less than $5k, and not with just stock parts. Why replace when you can upgrade, right? And if I decide to just swap everything into my 318i (I have always wanted an M3 Sedan), I can sell all the other parts that I don't use (Interior is nice) and probably get a bit of my money back. The biggest problem is that the left frame rail is bent forward of the wheel well. But I have a few friends that know their stuff. One was a mech at a BMW/Benz dealer body shop and the other has been working on Euros since he could talk. On top of that, I plan on doing as much of the work as possible, with their help. That should nearly eliminate labor costs (Besides beer and pizza bills). We can even do the paint prep. But anyway, any help or suggestions are appreciated.
-Tim