I feel like after you’ve had a car this long, it’s like a kid, and like a kid, it can’t possibly be “perfect” or “finished”. It’s just an evolving part of who you are. A family member.
My wife walked in while you were listing off what we need to do to make progress on our projects. Her comment? "Boy, he just tells it like it is!" Yes, yes he does. Thank you. Now I need to get into the shop, I have two weeks of vacation and a shelf full of Miata parts to install!
Funny as I'm reading this I get the notification that my new lightweight flywheel just got delivered. Last piece of the puzzle to getting my new-used transmission in my miata Edit: new rear main seal, flywheel, and clutch all in. Putting the box in tomorrow
There was a study showing that people judge their own looks in a much more negative light than others do. Which directly correlates with enthusiast's cars. We notice every imperfection that others would NEVER notice. People complement and say things like "that is so clean" but you know about that small rust spot underneath the battery; that small dent or scratch. It hurts. What gets me through this is, having a perfect car sucks worse. Perfection might mean your scared to drive it because its "too clean". But driving is what we love and what cars are built for. So I drive my car for me, without expectation and appreciate it for the beautiful car that it is. Thanks for sharing this video. Its good to know others are out there with this mindset.
My day job is technology consulting. My coworkers are aware of my propensity to collect project cars and during one meeting, a senior business analyst asked me about the status of a particular project. After about an hour of talking about it, he recognized something that I could never see on my own: an acknowledgement of what I had done. I was always focused on the things that needed to be done without ever recognizing the work that had been done. Now, I have butcher paper taped up to a wall with "to do" and "to done" columns and sticky notes with individual tasks on them. Moving that sticky note from "to do" to "to done" is incredibly satisfying and the amount of sticky notes that appear in that "to done" column help me reflect on what I've done.
The curse of the artist. Every time you do something, you get better at it. So rather than seeing what you accomplished. You only see what you could have done "better".
Thanks for always keeping it real Mike. It'd be easy to just pretend everything is great, but we definitely appreciate you being open and honest about how you struggle with the same things we all do in this hobby.
Perfectionism is a gift and a curse. Knowing when to stop is an art in itself. I'd take inspiration from your e30 project and the words of your friend Corey. Go drive it Mike. That car embodies the journey you've been on with StanceWorks. Live it, experience it and tinker away in between. That's what I'm screaming.
I heard some podcaster say something along the lines of “try and do one thing or 15 minutes of work on your project every day and it’ll get you that much closer to the finish line” and that has helped my mental state a lot working on my own project. Awesome video Mike! 👍
A drunk chick I knew had a house resto on the go, it was amazing to see the progress she would get done, she said her secret was getting 'one' thing done every day, after getting that thing done she would put tools down and sit back and have a drink and look at her work 🤭🤭 it worked and the house looked good and got done pretty quick
This really is the best way to do it. I build my turbo e36 in 2 weeks during winter and was left with a few minor things to get it running. I was burned out from the 2 weeks in did all the heavy lifting that it took me 4 months to pick up those few minor things. all in all it wasn't more than just an hour of work but I couldn't get myself to do it. No it is just a money thing, I am waiting for the funds to buy an S54.
Depends what you want, Coming from an turbo M52 i just want to go S54, while they are remotely obtainable. I am from europe btw, No USA S50/S52's around @@Grooty79
You hit the nail on the head! Few things I realized. I'm old school, played with cars in the 70's, the difference in the way I look at a car, is now, with the digital world we live in, the digital image or rendering of the car I see on the screen is perfect in every way. Panel gaps will be perfect paint look perfect, wheels, stance suspension etc, and every part will be precisely cut, welded and aligned to the thousands of an inch. When I look at my car, it will never reach the quality of the digital image level compared to the level of what I see in reality even if I try to align a hood gap for hours, it will never be as perfect as a digital image of the rendering. Especially if home made parts are involved. For the motivation, yeah I stumbled at this too, A trick I found to help me get my rear end in the garage is. Plugged the TV and the computer in the garage to youtube and run Stance work, Binky, Build by Jeff, Bellows etc in the background while I work. Time flies that way and works get done. But like you said, it boils down to ''how bad do you want it?'' Ok got to get back to work now, Thanks Mike.
Having something playing in the background is a great way to focus and 'stay at it', for all kinds of work. I feel like it pulls away the distracted part of my mind and leaves me with the focused part!
I’ve owned my Acura Integra GSR for going on 23 years now. Bought it in 2001 at the age of 21, and I’ve gone through times when I didn’t love it. But past few years I’ve been back to loving it dearly, and am desperate to get a bigger garage so I can give it a nice OEM restoration that it deserves. I still drive it multiple times a week and it currently has 386,000 miles with all original drivetrain.
I'm in the middle of restoring the boat we named my son after. I'm fixing problems I've known about for 15 years. "You have to go to the garage and pick up your tools." That is the most honest advice I've ever seen on this platform. Thanks for the therapy session. It's appreciated.
Thanks man, that was a lot of stuff most people don't talk about. Honesty goes a long way. Being honest with yourself can be a huge hurdle. Your dedication to the art is much appreciated.
Mike, you are truly an inspiration. Even with non car things this mentality still applies and thats the right mindset to have! Embrace the suck and keep grindin!
Damn, that sure hit home. Hate to see anyone struggling in that position, but thank you for sharing. It's all part of that journey. I've had my project car for...26? years now and go for long stretches without even seeing it. YT makes it seem like everyone can bust out a massive build in days, but it's good to be reminded that this is not the reality for the vast majority of us. Sometimes we need to step away to reset.
I'm really happy that you're sharing this! All I see (and watch) on UA-cam are these big projects that are coming along nicely and make me want to work on cars. But then I have my '83 Jetta that's been sitting for 5 years and it just feels bad and I hate it.. I finally got the impulse to work on it this year, got so much work done and even drove it again! I fell in love with it once more. Until the ignition blew up and there's now a short in the wiring harness somewhere and it just beat me all the way back down to letting it sit and hating the car. I really hope this video helps me get through this! Thanks Mike, love that you're keeping it real and letting me know that even the pros aren't always loving it.
i put $8k into a passat, had a love hate relationship with it for years, but it was always a "fix a problem create 3 more" type of rabbit hole so sold it to my step daughter and havent looked back... it was actually quite freeing to be rid of it but theres alot i miss about it
@@somdood3292 oh man, good for you for feeling better after selling it.. I've thought about selling it, but I lost my first Jetta in a fire, so this one is like the redemption build. I bought this, wanting to execute all of the ideas I had for the first one. So I'm scared I'll regret selling it and never accomplashing what I set out to build the first Jetta into. But life was easier back then; living at home, no gf, no bills, no mortgage 😅. I'll give selling it a more serious thought. I can imagine feeling free after selling it. Thanks for replying, dood!
Thank you Mike This gave motivation to get to my “OG project car” since 2015 but with a tangible plan this time and your knowledge on discipline “You have to work to get what you want”
I can soooo relate! It’s so nice to hear that this is “normal.” I have a 2007 Audi S6 with the V10 and every time I want to sell it, I start it, hear it and think, “damn you!” 😂
I totally get it. My cars are never perfect and no matter how many compliments they get, all I see are the flaws. Motivation is definitely the biggest hurdle for every project car ever and the big reason why most project cars sit in the corner covered in dust and ignored. You are spot on, that you have to push yourself to get back to work on it and I always find it is best to pick one small task and finish that. Take the little wins, then it is easier to move onto the next thing.
Great video format Mike... Was good virtually hanging out and "talking shop" as you say to just be real for 20mins or so about the struggles we all face following our passion. I have felt the same way about my 85 mk2 that I've had since 16 (I'm 43 now) and I'm trying to not fall into those same pitfalls with my new summer daily e30 vert. Cheers on this Saturday night Mike.
Thank you for this video because it makes me feel less crazy. We set an unreal, unachievable expectation for our cars for some reason wether it be comparing it to a car you’ve seen in pictures where you can’t see the flaws of that car or whatnot but thank you for this.
Gawd damn.... this hits hard..... so easy to fall into a headspin and lose sight of what originally you got the car for. This is a huge reminder. Thank you for being 100% honest. Keep it up! Love the channel, and even though I'm not a "stance or euro" enthusiast. Your content overall bring me back. Love it.
The big issue is the term "stance" has been recoined over the last few years to mean "excessive camber and making your car unusable". Back when SW was founded it just meant good wheels and tire packages and then dialing in the fitment so it looks clean on the car.
@RogueViirus12 oh I fully understand that part no worries there. I'm not into "stance" because I focus on Road Racing, Autocross, ect. So sometimes the visual presence has to be set aside for function at the track. No hate or anything against (we'll call it True Stance) true stance setups, just for my goals alot of the time it's not ideal.
Great video, perfect timing. Love my cars, but sometimes lack motivation to work in them especially when faced with challenging tasks, procrastination peaks!!! But once I force myself to start and find my rhythm it all starts to come together… good to know I’m not alone.
Mike, obviously the love you have for that E36 is super genuine. That’s why it’s not “there” yet. Car enthusiasts all have a goal car or just a look/feel for their ride. You keep loving in it and eventually the stars will align. In the meantime KEEP BEING AUTHENTIC!! Love it!!
In exactly the same place at the moment, and I have a theory. I have always finished my projects, been in the garage on a freezing evening, music on and loving it, look at my watch and its nearly 2am and I have work in the morning but just do not want to stop. This was pre internet, nothing on tv, so the motivation to head out there was intense. Now I still love collecting parts for my various projects, have all the ones I ever wanted, but find myself enjoying watching others do the hard work such as yourself, Tavarish, Mat Armstrong, Project Binky, Retro Power etc etc and cannot break through the mental barrier to close down my laptop and head out and do the same. Pre internet you could only experience projects via magazines, it did not give the same thrill as doing it yourself, now I can easily fill an entire evening, every evening watching others living the dream, and I think this is what has happened, maybe had You tube been around from the start I may never have even taken on any projects, just watched others coming together here instead.
Thanks for posting content about the e36. This is the car that made me start following you through Bimmerforums many, many years ago (~2007?). It was that time I had my 93 325is and dreamed of having an e36M. I finally got my e36M several years ago and have been through the love/hate relationship with it as well (I know yours is not a factory M car but still, I always looked at it as the pinnacle of e36 at the time, even if you weren't happy with it, it still inspired many)... It's awesome you still have this thing, especially for us OG's who starting following your content well before Instagram and YT.
I can relate so much. 12 months later and I FINALLY finished my R53. A simple clutch job turned into “since I was there” replace parts job. I was so discouraged when things kept on breaking. But now she is done, I realized how much I missed driving it
"While i'm here" is a dangerous game to play! My jag needed one bushing up front, and one diff bearing at the rear. But to get to those i needed to drop both the front and rear suspension... It's been on the lift for two years soon! 🤣
currently playing a while im there replacing the engine on my 335i e92 I got to the point where i want to polish it and and now that im thinking about it i want to rebuild the motor but i never even got to drive the car yet i bought it blow up :/ but now im going deep into this and im thinking i want to get the car running instead the motor that is in rn thats blown will be rebuilt and i can do the while im there shi uk
I think, maybe, you have attached so much identity to this car and in doing that your experiencing the car much as many of us experience life. The thinking is “I’ll be happy when” and reaching for perfection! This is by no means a knock! I have so much love for you and your videos! The art/work you do is beautiful and I have so much gratitude for all the hard work you put in to these cars and making these videos! In order to sort this problem you’re having, consider this. We ALL have 6 basic human needs. The needs are as follows. Significance, certainty, uncertainty, love/connection, contribution, and growth. A lot of the time we get lost chasing the first 3 instead of the second set of 3. If you just change your thinking, and focus on love, contribution and growth, the other needs will be filled. Being the car is very much a part of you, how can the car/you be used to give love? How can it/you be used to contribute to others? How can it grow, or better yet help you grow? I think if you really sit with these questions you’ll find what your looking for. Hope this helps brother! Love what you do man, you have so much passion and drive! Keep doing what your doing, and just remember to really allow yourself to enjoy the journey!
Very open of you to open up like this yes I agree if you still have your first car it’s a holy grail, most other people have trashed or sold it but your first car is the best thing it’s your best friend, but friends are not perfect, live your life and wait it will come to you soon!!! Keep up your vision on the other projects, Regards Stuart
Thanks for this honest and heart felt clip. It motivated me to complete my project and I’m happy to say the today was the first day my ride was fully road legal. I actually drove my truck to work as I was confident it would be fine… almost, apart from a little smoke from a drum brake bind! Thanks for the motivation without which my build would still be gathering dust in my garage. Thanks Robbie.
Mike, you have done a terrific job, part of who you are is someone who at the end of a particular job that looks perfect to others, but you start to replay the job in your head and with perfectly clear hindsight you are able to see things that in your mind you could have done better. From my own experience, this is a curse. But now that you have heard someone else say it, perhaps you can do something about it yourself. I love your e36....
I definitely need to hear this! I've had my e36 for ten years now and it's sat more than I've driven (despite the 80k miles I've put on it) but I see it as a forever car. Having more than one "driving project" makes it hard to find the motivation. Thanks for this eyeopener!
good title, I bought an AE86 Levin my senior year of HS and once I did an initial teardown and realizing how much rust there was I gave up and the car sat for 5+ years. I have had other cars/projects since then without as much rust. we all learn from our past mistakes, and make things work because we love these buckets of bolts.
I know exactly how you feel...I've owned my E36 for almost 20 years and its never finished and I'm never happy with it. It's been rebuilt so many times M50 turbo, M54, S54, and now LS swapped. Been sitting for 7 years collecting dust. I have motivation to work on it but it never meets my expectations no matter what i do. I really understand where you coming from on this one.
It’s funny that this just came out because I was just thinking how I have a stock pile of parts I need to put on my e46 but not motivation for it and I’m right there with you on hating the car. Everyone loves it but it doesn’t meet my expectations. You continue to add inspiration as I follow your journey since the forum days.
Totally agree with your explanations on the drive needed and resulting in the pleasure out of it; in order to continue on a project. Kind regards from The Netherlands.
Man--you are telling my story! I spent the last three years building a 2.9L stroker for my '89 325i, which should have been simple, but was anything but, with a parade of vexing problems--some by me, some just weird--that kept it from running right. At times, I hated the thing, and had to let it sit for awhile. It's all straightened out now, but it's been like taking your pants off over your head.
Turbo.... Bringing back memories Mike. I will never forget watching the awol video. You truly were one of the first's with that motor swap. It's cool to see you still have it. I think the car is perfect for the time it was built. I wouldn't call it dated but its the epitome of the time it was built. Big motor, Stretched tires and low as hell.
Great advice, and yes it definitely takes effort to get in a groove to work on a project. Its why i started a channel to help motivate me to get things done on my projects. Keep it up man!
Mike, this car is the reason (or at least one of the major cars) I, a huge Japanese car guy, departed and dove into the world of BMWs. Met you when you had your E9 in Nashville once and have had a strong appreciation for your contributions to the “scene” since. Keep at it. I get it. Just sold my 2nd E36 project after doing almost nothing with it for a year. Thanks for the episode!
First love your videos and builds. Everyone has a different level of perfect. As a great friend once said, pick a point and sent it. Keep up the great work, may God bless you and keep you going.
Hey Mike, you do a great job with the UA-cam channel and I’m a real fan of your BMW content. I’m a much older guy than you, where I had a car such as you’ve described w.r.t how much it meant to me, I too said many times how much I loved my car and wouldn’t ever sell it. I drove the wheels off it when I was younger (my early 20’s), then changed it from the ground up and restored everything else through my early 30’s, ran it into my early 40’s where it needed another round of restoration. But l got passionately deep into another project car that was consuming everything I had. I had one guy who was constantly at me to sell the car to him, after a year of this pressure I eventually sold to him because I knew he was going to do the right thing to that car. By the way 15 years later he hasn’t finished it yet. I’m now in my 60’s. My point is that these things happen to real car guys and in most cases it’s sometimes best for your mental health to let it go to a good home. Preferably to a friend of friend so it’s not in your face for ever after. But man! It’s like you married your college girlfriend who became a supermodel later in your relationship now your not in love with her anymore, all your friends are saying what have you got to complain about! So put the car away out of site for a while until a moment of clarity hits you, then decide what to do. I recognised a man going through some mental health issues when I watched this episode the other night. I hope that’s not the case because I’ve been there too. Mentally you have to work through this, no one else can do that for you. Best wishes to you whatever you decide to do. Regards, Mike P from Australia ( a real fan of your work).
Hot take... but when I found myself in this position, the most I got out of a car that I was at an absolute crossroad with was to let it go to someone to who could truly enjoy it. Seeing that young man love my old E36 M3 in a way that I couldn't anymore gave me great joy. Maybe that's not the move for you, but really consider it.
Exact same reason I sold mine. Time effort it not giving back to me no matter how much I work on it and love it. Now I'm perfectly happy driving a car I'm not completely obsessed with . And I drive the piss out of it daily. Something I could never do with my 36 18:57
I have these thoughts about my car once in a while. But i've learned over the years that it's better to have a clear idea on where you want go with the project and stick with it. It helps a lot. Even if it takes time. Also : try and drive and enjoy it! Even when it's in between stages of completion. Stay strong and stay focused 💪💪💪💪.
The first thing to admit is that there is no such thing as "perfection". I hear and understand everything you are saying and suffer the same issue with my favorite car. The issue in my case is me. I built it and as such, I know every flaw, every corroded bolt, frayed stitch, et al. What I've had to do is accept that it is beautiful to those who look at it as a whole versus me looking at it as the sum of the parts. Nobody notices the flaws unless they nitpick, but to me (and you and many others), the flaws are so evident that we feel everyone sees them. Beyond that our tastes change with each new experience in our life and I guess at some point you just have to say that the car met that expectation and just smile that at some point in time it was perfection, your most comfortable outfit that you always wore and still miss even after it went out of fashion. The cool thing is it is an expression of you and your craft and that is all it should be. Best wishes and keep doing what you do.
This was a great video!!! I have a Highline e38. It was my Dream car when it came out it new in 2000. I bought it 20 years later. It has been a up and down battle from the first day since they made less than 50 and of the two colors available of course I wanted the rarest color they offered. Orinoco metallic green. Our Dream cars are never ever done nor are they ever perfect. That is what makes them our dream car. We will always find something to fix or polish to make us or the car feel better. It is our dream car.
I have fully restored a crusty 2nd gen mr2 in 2020-2021. Took me a year to the day. Lockdown was a great motivation, who figured… Nowadays I have to force myself to go into the workshop, but when I do I love it. I feel like it’s conditioning, as going to the gym is for me as well. I only hate it when I fail to get up and work, that’s when I start pondering. Great vid, it’s frustrating to settle on less then the perfect picture you have in your head.
Well Mike… felt like you were talking straight to me. I have a 90 Nissan Laurel that I spent 4.5 years swapping a VVTi 1J into. I finally got it done, drove it for probably less than 50 miles and… I LOVE IT… but I don’t like it. It makes all the right sounds, super powerful but I fills me with fear that it’s just not what I actually want out of it. So, I’ve parked it again, I’m pulling the motor and trying again with a completely different setup. I’ve owned this car since Oct of ‘16 and I’ve driven it for a combined total of less than 18 months. I say all that to say I know how you feel and honestly I’m glad I’m not alone. Thanks for the honest talk. Keep at it Mike!
Great video. I've got similar feelings with my projects, life is more in the way than anything, I feel like the project car is low on the list ahead of family and driving cars. But I love the car and wouldn't let it go.
To a tee how I feel about my E36 M3. I don't believe in forever cars but I couldn't fathom parting with it, ever, for any amount of money. It's a forever project and represents me and is part of my identity. That said, I am content with it sitting for however long it takes until I am able to fulfill my vision for it. It has to be perfect. And thanks for this video, makes me realize I am not alone in this thinking.
I know what the issue is..... it's the mirrors... In all reality, I thank you for making this video because I feel the same way about my 335i. I know it's not an m3, I'm ok it's not an m3. But I have done everything to that car that I have wanted and then some. It drives well but for years I have for some reason not been happy with the car. I also like your points at the end. My friends sometimes tell me "just get rid of it if you hate working on it" because sometimes I do. Glad to know I am not alone in experiencing some of these feelings.
I can feel this Mike. I have a 97 Civic that's been a part of my life for nearly 22 years now!!! I let it go for 7 years and recently re-acquired it....I hate to say I'm in the same spot. I was initially super happy and in love with the car again...however I've had it back for 6 months now and.......I hate it, but also still love it. Such a weird place to live 😂
This was good. Recently I've finally found the motivation and started working on my mk4 gti again that I bought almost 3 years ago. Its been parked on the street that whole time and the elements havent been kind to it. Specifically the paint. Its been just getting beaten up by the Texas sun. I plan on getting the paint properly fixed, as a punishment to myself for not taking care of it the way I should've.
Damn this video really is motivating. I was already at the point to sell my car but you are right. There are no shortcuts, it sucks but that’s part of the hobby.
Felt this one. This June, I'll have owned the Z for 10 years, 8 of which have been non-running. It's made it through multiple moves, stuffed in the corner while I started my business. I've owned it longer than anything else I have. The people I spent late nights wrenching on it with have moved on, gotten married, some have passed away. It sat for years while the rest of my life changed over and over again. It's funny how the mind works.. I've been saving it for when I'm a "good enough" builder to build it the way I originally wanted to, but the only way to get good enough is to make mistakes, learn, and actually do something about it. Great video Mike 👍
I needed this! I love my car it hurts me to even think that I need to sell it. I won't. But it does hurt to see it in its condition. Everyone loves it like it is but they don't know the half.
Great video mate, we have all been there in some sort of way. I have a GC8 WRX sitting in my shed that I’m reluctant to get rid of yet I don’t wan’t to work on it or fix it up either. It doesn’t get driven very often yet it’s a car I’ve always dreamt of owning since I was young. Only we can make the decision as to where it goes from here.
Dude, I’ve loved a e36 for 15 years now. I own my dream 96’ 328i for 7 years, and this year it is finally finished. New bodywork, new paintjob, new custom BBS RS…. I remember THE PHOTO being my phone wallpaper! But even though I am so close to the finish line, somewhere along the road I grew tired of the car and I am not happy with how it came out. Even though it is now the pinnacle of german style… This video hits hard. All I can say - I’ve had your car on my wallpaper as a kid. Let’s cut them some slack and just try to enjoy those awesome machines ;)
This episode resonates heavily with me. The e30 I’ve owned for 20 years, the third engine/drivetrain swap, the fourth suspension update, the second complete interior swap, the fifth set of wheels… the countless hours and money I’ve put into the car, the imperfections, the blood/sweat/frustration. The motivation to “finish” at times was completely gone, so it would sit for weeks at a time collecting dust…then I would suddenly have the motivation to wrench on the car for two days straight. The hate then the love. Just inches away from the finish line myself on this iteration. It’ll all be worth it…then onto more changes haha. Our projects will never be finished which is the reason we love/hate them so much.
I love your E36 story; it reminds me a lot of my story with my first car, a 1988 Ford Thunderbird. Almost the exact same timeframe and a couple of similar story beats too. My dad bought the car from the original owner (an elderly lady) in 2001 for $1500, gave it to me as my first car in 2006, and I still own it to this day after 17 years. Over the years, it's been manual swapped, had a fresh engine built, all new suspension and brakes, etc. Similar to your story, it was also an accident-free car at first, until it got hit while parked in my apartment parking lot. I was so disgusted that the car sat for several months and I barely looked at it. After I finally got over it, I took the car to finally get a fresh paint job and we completely revamped the suspension and brakes. For some context, not too long before the car got hit, I purchased my first brand new car - a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. Driving that GTI really put into perspective how poorly my old Thunderbird drove in comparison, so starting with that suspension and brake project, I made it a mission to ensure that the Thunderbird would be a nice car to drive, even when I have newer stuff next to it in the garage. Over the following years, I've slowly been getting it to that point and it's been really rewarding to get it to where I can drive a nice new car, but still hop in my Thunderbird and genuinely enjoy the driving experience without it feeling awful. But at the end of the day it is still a 35 year old car and there will always be random stuff that bugs me. That's just how it goes with these older cars. Letting go of the need for perfection and just focusing on getting it to be a nice car to drive was an important mindset change for me. It now sits in the garage next to a 2008 BMW 135i 6MT and I absolutely love driving both cars. Just had the Thunderbird at the Tail of the Dragon back in September and it was a blast.
I was definitely in the same boat. Purchased a ‘95 240sx and said I’d never sell it. Owned it for 15 years. I learned how to build on it, blew it up three times and I have no regrets in selling it to open the door for something better. Forever cars exist, but it made me unhappy and so it left. 🥂
13 year owner of an E36 M3/4/5 and love it!! It has an S52 engine with a ZF manual transmission and drives like it’s on rails. It’s a grocery runner, hauls the kids to school, and tears up the back roads on the way to work. I’ve driven an E46 M3, Porsche 911and S2000. None of them compare to the awesome weight, power, and reliability of an S52 M3/4/5. My car was stolen twice and rear ended once. The paint is still pretty, but imperfect. Some panels have minor paint shade differences. The interior is nice, but could use a refresh. But overall it’s a real beauty and turns heads everywhere I go. It’s imperfect and because it’s imperfect I love driving it and owning it.
I am 2 years into a rebuilding from a true barn find from Central Australia from the ground up, every bolt, every wire on a 53 year old land rover, I also hate and love this car. I looked at it in my driveway for almost a year every day and kept telling myself that I needed a shed to finish, a special set of tools, more money. But the only thing I needed was motivation,. I have spent the last 12 months rebuilding the car in my driveway, I ripped out the motor in the middle of winter and worked on i daily. I am nearly finished and currently working on the interior and engine tuning. It has been the most rewarding this I have done in years, car builds are far more than an object, they become part of you.
Not usually a commenter, but this video spoke to me. My dream project was an Exocet Miata. I made it all happen - bought the kit and over 2 years built my dream car. One of my proudest moments was turning the key and having it start without issue on the first try. All of your advice was absolutely true. The real heart break happened after the car was finished. I fought Virginia for 2 years to get it legally on the road, but due to the whims of bureaucrats, I never got it registered. That still hurts. It's not all bad though. My buddy in Minnesota got it legal up there and he loves it! This spring I'll be shopping for my next Miata. This time, it will stay a miata.
You just described the relationship I have with my 2004 Z33. I’ve had mine for 16 years & I’m in the weird part of the build where I’m at the finish line but just don’t make any gains. I don’t know if it’s fear, some weird shame or something but this has happened more than once on various other projects I’ve had while tinkering on this car.
I had one of them projects let it sit for two solid years, today it’s the most dependable car I own and my preferred driver. Just took 15 years to build a track ready 650+hp C5 corvette Targa Z06 “ not a typo “ that has fantastic on-road manners & touring capabilities. I even got luggage that fits around the cage.
Exactly the same place with my car. The motivation wasn't ever the issue, but the mental struggle was. Dumped hundreds (almost thousands) of hours into it, to get it to a "finished"/very well sorted project state, and even when its sitting in the garage and I can go out and use it, I found myself driving it once a week just to keep it alive and the seals happy. Part of that is my own fault for making it not pleasant to daily drive, but that wasn't the barrier fundamentally. I just never felt like it was enough. As a representation of me and my own abilities, I haven't ever been proud of it, because despite all the complements, I can see straight through to all the flaws that I know it bears. Talking to others and starting to fix some of those flaws, it seems like that feeling of disgust never goes away, even if the physical manifestations do. I know that I will harbor the same resentment for the next car I build, and that's a depressing future. I think you just have to go out and use it at some point and get over it, and maybe that's what the next car will do better (this one blew up a lot). Hopefully someone finds the answer for the moving goalpost syndrome that a lot of us experience. Happy Friday everyone.
Hey Mike let me first off say I really appreciate you making this video. I know it must have felt like nails on a chalk board! I get it. However this has resonated with me more than you can know. I have the same issue with my 1994 MK3 Vento / Jetta. I went through so many of the things you described as to full respray, all new Vento parts from Germany 🇩🇪 All to say I even turned down some attention/ magazine what ever you want to call it all because in my head the “Car” was not perfect. I won first place in L.A and even that wasn’t good enough either. Now it just sits under a Car cover with zero motivation. I’m not sure what the answer is but I do know that like you said nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen. Maybe what the car community needs is a Motivation GTG for people who need help. Thanks again for making this episode a lot people needed to hear that including me 👊
Can completely appreciate where you're coming from on this. I have my E36 for 25 years - the latest resto started about 12 years ago - and its still plodding along. I get to a stage where its 'complete' then decide I don't like my new version of it, and figure I need to change it all again. My current retrim was the last stage, but now I've figure it needs a whole new engine swap. Meanwhile - I've been happy with everything I've done with my E30, Golf GTi and CRX. Just seems to be the E36 which is never exactly how I like it. For what its worth - I love yours. Maybe its just an E36 thing!
Hm, i for one gotta say that i had a pretty clear vision on how my coupe should look like and once it reached that point, i knew it was done and i still wouldn´t want to change anything about it. Instead i simply bought another one and start all over again, convertible this time, 325i in Mauritius blue with Safran yellow full leather interieur. 😅🤷♂
@@Schmitzelhaus Oh I always have a pretty clear vision of what I want it to turn out like, but then I change my mind. I badly wanted my vaders in saffron leather - got them, then decided I didn't want them anymore - and went for black with m-rain cloth!
@@kdevitt Oh yeah, Vaders would be the one thing i would add to mine as well, but i´m not going to pay 3000€ for two seats, so i guess that won´t happen. 🤷♂
my problem is. "while your in there" or "might as well do that too." those statements cost alot of money and take alot of time. ive got a '95 e36 Vert. that sits in my garage in pieces. everything needs to be done. i dont have money and all the time in the world. thanks for the motivation. we appreciate you and the shit you do for us.
LOL!! FUnny! I have been working on my complete back-dated Resto of an 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV for years! It is a passion and i have never had a problem spending money (when i had it) on the process. "Process" being a key word. I have loved the process of working on all the various items in and of themselves. It's not just about the car as a whole but..restoring the brake calipers like new, doing a complete engine build & hopping it up, rebuiling the ransmisson, getting all the hardware and suspension bits to be like new...etc. And the planning and imagination of getting this thing done has gotten me through some tough times over the years...keeping my head centered. And.... FInally the build is about to start and im diong the build. Althoug i still love it and am anxious to do the build,..Im stating to feels like an idot...as the dollars have been rediculous.
Loosely speaking after years of therapy sometimes moments like these are projections of are inner self and how we are too hard on ourselves and striving for perfection when perfection may not always be achievable. Sometimes we need to pat ourselves on the back for the work that we have done. Don’t forget to look back and see where you have started. All of this being said, I know this feeling.
I have a Jetta coupe that has been sitting and recently considered selling this definitely gives me more reason to hold onto and at minimum drive it. 👍🏻
I think the sooner we acknowledge to ourselves that perfection in a project car is impossible to achieve, the better off we are mentally. Even when nobody else can spot a flaw anymore, you yourself are your worst enemy. In the end it means nothing more than absurd amounts of money spent and still a feeling of "not good enough". It's important to take a few steps back and appreciate how far you've come instead of focusing on the little flaws.
I have had my car for 8 years and hate it but will never sell it. Granted it needs a lot more work than the E36, but I still plan one day to make it nice just like you've done. Thanks for being real!
Sometimes I find when I dragging ass, I clean. Pick up your mess, organize your parts, tools, etc. that then motivates me to get moving on a project. Mike's issue is the perfection part of it. It's never attainable, realistically.
Love this episode, from the heart mate. After 30+ cars myself sometimes its just a grind and sometimes its all roses. In the end I wouldn't have it any other way and its cheaper then therapy!!!
This video resonates with me beyond belief. I have hit the point where after 5 years in a row of pulling the motor every winter and spending cold grueling days in the shop for weeks on end, I am ready to let it sit with motor pull 6 on the horizon. To your point I will never sell it, I love the car but also I hate and resent it. Glad to know I don’t walk alone on the pursuit of perfection, whatever that means 😅
Been there, done that Mike...a different perspective. I've just sold a 'forever' car after 18 years of ownership. Owned a perfect JDM AE86 since since 2005 , blew it up at the track in 2008, bare shell rebuilt the car and built it back up with an OCD level of detail with all the best brand new parts money could buy (and an ITB'd Honda F20c motor) with zero expense spared to full motorsport spec. Some time around 2012 it was complete and back up and running again - a potent thing of beauty - and it ripped. It was a real labour of love - however - all that time working on the car rather than actually driving the damn thing killed some of my love for it. Built to be driven - and even with a few sprints, hill climbs and numerous track days I wasn't using it enough. Over such a long period of time things change - life happens - you change as a person. By the end of last year this thing had literally sat under dust sheets for at least 2 years - I'd go and peep at it in the garage and all I could think about was the fact it being stood still was actually slowly killing the car and it would start to degrade again. Thats not why I built it - its not a life trophy - it should be used. Towards the end of last year a good friend came to me with an offer that really made me think seriously about me and the car - and - I let it go. Now, some people would think nooooo! - but - if something isn't bringing you joy and happiness - IMHO let it go - it serves you no purpose. I didn't need to sell the car for any reason - but I did. I wondered if I would be full of regret given my history with the car - but - I'm not. In many ways I'm actually really happy to see the car being used and I know the person I sold it to is 100% going to give this car what it needs and actually enjoy it - its being loved...and I get visiting rights. All that thought and worry about the car not being used is now completely gone from my head. All that remains are good memories of my time with the car and life friends it help make. You are correct Mike - it boils down to how much do you really want it ? Thanks to you and others I get to enjoy things like this from the sidelines now - I have deep respect for people who take on these kind of projects - after building numerous cars over the past 25 years its good to watch the projects of others come to fruition and to know exactly what you are all going through whilst doing so. Keep it up petrol heads !
something that my trainer told me in my job (electronics manufacturing, I do microsoldering) is "never let perfect be the enemy of good," basically to mean that we have standards we must meet for our parts, and while it is possible to go above and beyond the standard and get it done meticulously flawlessly, you're gonna wind up killing yourself trying to do that every single time, and we must learn when to leave something as "done" even if it isn't "perfect." I've approached my projects this way since then as well, and have managed to get some more stuff done than I otherwise might have. It helps. :)
LoL - Mike my brother, you need to set yourself and the car free. I don't necessarily mean sell it, but just like any relationship that evolves over years, it evolves. As a guy who spends a lot of time talking to people for a living, I always fret over flaws or gaps in what I'm presenting, and I have to tell myself to view it from the eyes of the people I'm talking to. You talk about stepping back - step ALL the way back, and give it a clean chance to know what life y'all should live together going forward. I had to do this with my M635. I've had it for nearly two decades now, and gone through two of these transitions. The hate is in a box somewhere and the love is different than the day I got it and what it was ten years ago.
Definitely what I needed to hear again lmao I have 98 percent of the parts and I’m just bullshitting. The excitement comes in waves and everything I see someone with the same car I get pissed lol. Gotta start back wrenching again slowly but surely.
I have built my s13 and its been sitting now for 3 years. I am still growing in my career and hopefully soon, I can be in a place where I can finally paint my car and enjoy it on the weekends. great video!
Really interesting video Mike. I think I mentioned a whole back on IG, that I became aware of your work from the September 2012 E9 cover on BMW Performance magazine here in the UK. Honestly had no idea you had the E36 before that! As they say, perfection is the enemy of good enough. But I get it.
I do not think anyone should take advice from this guy
“Love hard, laugh often, never trust a man that owns more than two BMW’s”
- Thomas Jefferson, probably
I tried to enjoy this video.. I really gave it my all.
I feel like after you’ve had a car this long, it’s like a kid, and like a kid, it can’t possibly be “perfect” or “finished”. It’s just an evolving part of who you are. A family member.
👆🏻underrated comment right here
@@IzziedeD Thank you! 🍻
Beautifully said
I've always told people that owning my first car is about as close to having an actual child. So they can understand wut it feels like
Perfection is the enemy of good.
My wife walked in while you were listing off what we need to do to make progress on our projects. Her comment? "Boy, he just tells it like it is!" Yes, yes he does. Thank you. Now I need to get into the shop, I have two weeks of vacation and a shelf full of Miata parts to install!
Well, at least that'll only take 1/2hr...
Funny as I'm reading this I get the notification that my new lightweight flywheel just got delivered. Last piece of the puzzle to getting my new-used transmission in my miata
Edit: new rear main seal, flywheel, and clutch all in. Putting the box in tomorrow
In a week starts winter holidays for me, so: V6 miata swap - here I coomeee!
Can i follow the progress on instagram?
Hahaha miata
There was a study showing that people judge their own looks in a much more negative light than others do. Which directly correlates with enthusiast's cars. We notice every imperfection that others would NEVER notice. People complement and say things like "that is so clean" but you know about that small rust spot underneath the battery; that small dent or scratch. It hurts. What gets me through this is, having a perfect car sucks worse. Perfection might mean your scared to drive it because its "too clean". But driving is what we love and what cars are built for. So I drive my car for me, without expectation and appreciate it for the beautiful car that it is. Thanks for sharing this video. Its good to know others are out there with this mindset.
My day job is technology consulting. My coworkers are aware of my propensity to collect project cars and during one meeting, a senior business analyst asked me about the status of a particular project. After about an hour of talking about it, he recognized something that I could never see on my own: an acknowledgement of what I had done. I was always focused on the things that needed to be done without ever recognizing the work that had been done. Now, I have butcher paper taped up to a wall with "to do" and "to done" columns and sticky notes with individual tasks on them. Moving that sticky note from "to do" to "to done" is incredibly satisfying and the amount of sticky notes that appear in that "to done" column help me reflect on what I've done.
The curse of the artist. Every time you do something, you get better at it. So rather than seeing what you accomplished. You only see what you could have done "better".
Thanks for always keeping it real Mike. It'd be easy to just pretend everything is great, but we definitely appreciate you being open and honest about how you struggle with the same things we all do in this hobby.
How has this video been uploaded 39 minutes ago and it shows me your comment was placed 8 hours ago?! Some weird UA-cam stuff going on here
Patreon!
@@TheJulez91early access for Patreon/discord subs! We share it all in our Discord private lounge!
@@stanceworks ahhhh, of course! Thanks for the clarification!
Perfectionism is a gift and a curse. Knowing when to stop is an art in itself. I'd take inspiration from your e30 project and the words of your friend Corey. Go drive it Mike. That car embodies the journey you've been on with StanceWorks. Live it, experience it and tinker away in between. That's what I'm screaming.
I heard some podcaster say something along the lines of “try and do one thing or 15 minutes of work on your project every day and it’ll get you that much closer to the finish line” and that has helped my mental state a lot working on my own project. Awesome video Mike! 👍
A drunk chick I knew had a house resto on the go, it was amazing to see the progress she would get done, she said her secret was getting 'one' thing done every day, after getting that thing done she would put tools down and sit back and have a drink and look at her work 🤭🤭 it worked and the house looked good and got done pretty quick
I needed to hear this. Got a MK4 Supra in parts for the past 8 years 😢
This really is the best way to do it. I build my turbo e36 in 2 weeks during winter and was left with a few minor things to get it running. I was burned out from the 2 weeks in did all the heavy lifting that it took me 4 months to pick up those few minor things. all in all it wasn't more than just an hour of work but I couldn't get myself to do it.
No it is just a money thing, I am waiting for the funds to buy an S54.
@@uscp2 s54 is over rated and overpriced, better off building a forged m52 /s50
Depends what you want, Coming from an turbo M52 i just want to go S54, while they are remotely obtainable. I am from europe btw, No USA S50/S52's around @@Grooty79
You hit the nail on the head!
Few things I realized.
I'm old school, played with cars in the 70's, the difference in the way I look at a car, is now, with the digital world we live in, the digital image or rendering of the car I see on the screen is perfect in every way.
Panel gaps will be perfect paint look perfect, wheels, stance suspension etc, and every part will be precisely cut, welded and aligned to the thousands of an inch.
When I look at my car, it will never reach the quality of the digital image level compared to the level of what I see in reality even if I try to align a hood gap for hours, it will never be as perfect as a digital image of the rendering.
Especially if home made parts are involved.
For the motivation, yeah I stumbled at this too,
A trick I found to help me get my rear end in the garage is.
Plugged the TV and the computer in the garage to youtube and run Stance work, Binky, Build by Jeff, Bellows etc in the background while I work.
Time flies that way and works get done.
But like you said, it boils down to ''how bad do you want it?''
Ok got to get back to work now, Thanks Mike.
Having something playing in the background is a great way to focus and 'stay at it', for all kinds of work. I feel like it pulls away the distracted part of my mind and leaves me with the focused part!
I’ve owned my Acura Integra GSR for going on 23 years now. Bought it in 2001 at the age of 21, and I’ve gone through times when I didn’t love it. But past few years I’ve been back to loving it dearly, and am desperate to get a bigger garage so I can give it a nice OEM restoration that it deserves. I still drive it multiple times a week and it currently has 386,000 miles with all original drivetrain.
I'm in the middle of restoring the boat we named my son after. I'm fixing problems I've known about for 15 years. "You have to go to the garage and pick up your tools."
That is the most honest advice I've ever seen on this platform.
Thanks for the therapy session. It's appreciated.
Thanks man, that was a lot of stuff most people don't talk about. Honesty goes a long way. Being honest with yourself can be a huge hurdle. Your dedication to the art is much appreciated.
Mike, you are truly an inspiration. Even with non car things this mentality still applies and thats the right mindset to have! Embrace the suck and keep grindin!
Damn, that sure hit home. Hate to see anyone struggling in that position, but thank you for sharing. It's all part of that journey. I've had my project car for...26? years now and go for long stretches without even seeing it. YT makes it seem like everyone can bust out a massive build in days, but it's good to be reminded that this is not the reality for the vast majority of us. Sometimes we need to step away to reset.
I'm really happy that you're sharing this! All I see (and watch) on UA-cam are these big projects that are coming along nicely and make me want to work on cars. But then I have my '83 Jetta that's been sitting for 5 years and it just feels bad and I hate it.. I finally got the impulse to work on it this year, got so much work done and even drove it again! I fell in love with it once more. Until the ignition blew up and there's now a short in the wiring harness somewhere and it just beat me all the way back down to letting it sit and hating the car. I really hope this video helps me get through this! Thanks Mike, love that you're keeping it real and letting me know that even the pros aren't always loving it.
i put $8k into a passat, had a love hate relationship with it for years, but it was always a "fix a problem create 3 more" type of rabbit hole so sold it to my step daughter and havent looked back... it was actually quite freeing to be rid of it but theres alot i miss about it
@@somdood3292 oh man, good for you for feeling better after selling it.. I've thought about selling it, but I lost my first Jetta in a fire, so this one is like the redemption build. I bought this, wanting to execute all of the ideas I had for the first one. So I'm scared I'll regret selling it and never accomplashing what I set out to build the first Jetta into. But life was easier back then; living at home, no gf, no bills, no mortgage 😅. I'll give selling it a more serious thought. I can imagine feeling free after selling it. Thanks for replying, dood!
Live long enough and you'll realize that perfection is the enemy of good enough.
Thank you Mike
This gave motivation to get to my “OG project car” since 2015 but with a tangible plan this time and your knowledge on discipline
“You have to work to get what you want”
Damn, that lighting is top notch, the production value in just the last 2-3 months went through the roof.
I feel you, brother. Motivation can be a struggle for sure. Thanks for the authenticity, it's refreshing in today's "Internet perfect" world.
I can soooo relate! It’s so nice to hear that this is “normal.” I have a 2007 Audi S6 with the V10 and every time I want to sell it, I start it, hear it and think, “damn you!” 😂
I totally get it. My cars are never perfect and no matter how many compliments they get, all I see are the flaws. Motivation is definitely the biggest hurdle for every project car ever and the big reason why most project cars sit in the corner covered in dust and ignored. You are spot on, that you have to push yourself to get back to work on it and I always find it is best to pick one small task and finish that. Take the little wins, then it is easier to move onto the next thing.
Great video format Mike... Was good virtually hanging out and "talking shop" as you say to just be real for 20mins or so about the struggles we all face following our passion. I have felt the same way about my 85 mk2 that I've had since 16 (I'm 43 now) and I'm trying to not fall into those same pitfalls with my new summer daily e30 vert. Cheers on this Saturday night Mike.
Thank you for this video because it makes me feel less crazy. We set an unreal, unachievable expectation for our cars for some reason wether it be comparing it to a car you’ve seen in pictures where you can’t see the flaws of that car or whatnot but thank you for this.
Gawd damn.... this hits hard..... so easy to fall into a headspin and lose sight of what originally you got the car for. This is a huge reminder. Thank you for being 100% honest. Keep it up! Love the channel, and even though I'm not a "stance or euro" enthusiast. Your content overall bring me back. Love it.
The big issue is the term "stance" has been recoined over the last few years to mean "excessive camber and making your car unusable". Back when SW was founded it just meant good wheels and tire packages and then dialing in the fitment so it looks clean on the car.
@RogueViirus12 oh I fully understand that part no worries there. I'm not into "stance" because I focus on Road Racing, Autocross, ect. So sometimes the visual presence has to be set aside for function at the track. No hate or anything against (we'll call it True Stance) true stance setups, just for my goals alot of the time it's not ideal.
Great video, perfect timing. Love my cars, but sometimes lack motivation to work in them especially when faced with challenging tasks, procrastination peaks!!! But once I force myself to start and find my rhythm it all starts to come together… good to know I’m not alone.
Mike, obviously the love you have for that E36 is super genuine. That’s why it’s not “there” yet. Car enthusiasts all have a goal car or just a look/feel for their ride. You keep loving in it and eventually the stars will align. In the meantime KEEP BEING AUTHENTIC!! Love it!!
In exactly the same place at the moment, and I have a theory. I have always finished my projects, been in the garage on a freezing evening, music on and loving it, look at my watch and its nearly 2am and I have work in the morning but just do not want to stop. This was pre internet, nothing on tv, so the motivation to head out there was intense. Now I still love collecting parts for my various projects, have all the ones I ever wanted, but find myself enjoying watching others do the hard work such as yourself, Tavarish, Mat Armstrong, Project Binky, Retro Power etc etc and cannot break through the mental barrier to close down my laptop and head out and do the same. Pre internet you could only experience projects via magazines, it did not give the same thrill as doing it yourself, now I can easily fill an entire evening, every evening watching others living the dream, and I think this is what has happened, maybe had You tube been around from the start I may never have even taken on any projects, just watched others coming together here instead.
Thanks for posting content about the e36. This is the car that made me start following you through Bimmerforums many, many years ago (~2007?). It was that time I had my 93 325is and dreamed of having an e36M. I finally got my e36M several years ago and have been through the love/hate relationship with it as well (I know yours is not a factory M car but still, I always looked at it as the pinnacle of e36 at the time, even if you weren't happy with it, it still inspired many)... It's awesome you still have this thing, especially for us OG's who starting following your content well before Instagram and YT.
I can relate so much. 12 months later and I FINALLY finished my R53. A simple clutch job turned into “since I was there” replace parts job. I was so discouraged when things kept on breaking. But now she is done, I realized how much I missed driving it
"While i'm here" is a dangerous game to play! My jag needed one bushing up front, and one diff bearing at the rear. But to get to those i needed to drop both the front and rear suspension... It's been on the lift for two years soon! 🤣
@@toomanycars4800 it really is. There should be a yt channel dedicated to talking with project owners and their delayed “since I was there projects” 😂
@@scrap-iron9561 That would be a great name for a youtube channel, and it could apply to any project that escalates., not just cars!👌
currently playing a while im there replacing the engine on my 335i e92 I got to the point where i want to polish it and and now that im thinking about it i want to rebuild the motor but i never even got to drive the car yet i bought it blow up :/ but now im going deep into this and im thinking i want to get the car running instead the motor that is in rn thats blown will be rebuilt and i can do the while im there shi uk
I think, maybe, you have attached so much identity to this car and in doing that your experiencing the car much as many of us experience life. The thinking is “I’ll be happy when” and reaching for perfection! This is by no means a knock! I have so much love for you and your videos! The art/work you do is beautiful and I have so much gratitude for all the hard work you put in to these cars and making these videos! In order to sort this problem you’re having, consider this. We ALL have 6 basic human needs. The needs are as follows. Significance, certainty, uncertainty,
love/connection, contribution, and growth. A lot of the time we get lost chasing the first 3 instead of the second set of 3. If you just change your thinking, and focus on love, contribution and growth, the other needs will be filled. Being the car is very much a part of you, how can the car/you be used to give love? How can it/you be used to contribute to others? How can it grow, or better yet help you grow? I think if you really sit with these questions you’ll find what your looking for. Hope this helps brother! Love what you do man, you have so much passion and drive! Keep doing what your doing, and just remember to really allow yourself to enjoy the journey!
Very open of you to open up like this yes I agree if you still have your first car it’s a holy grail, most other people have trashed or sold it but your first car is the best thing it’s your best friend, but friends are not perfect, live your life and wait it will come to you soon!!! Keep up your vision on the other projects, Regards Stuart
Thanks for this honest and heart felt clip. It motivated me to complete my project and I’m happy to say the today was the first day my ride was fully road legal. I actually drove my truck to work as I was confident it would be fine… almost, apart from a little smoke from a drum brake bind! Thanks for the motivation without which my build would still be gathering dust in my garage. Thanks Robbie.
Mike, you have done a terrific job, part of who you are is someone who at the end of a particular job that looks perfect to others, but you start to replay the job in your head and with perfectly clear hindsight you are able to see things that in your mind you could have done better. From my own experience, this is a curse. But now that you have heard someone else say it, perhaps you can do something about it yourself. I love your e36....
I definitely need to hear this! I've had my e36 for ten years now and it's sat more than I've driven (despite the 80k miles I've put on it) but I see it as a forever car. Having more than one "driving project" makes it hard to find the motivation. Thanks for this eyeopener!
good title, I bought an AE86 Levin my senior year of HS and once I did an initial teardown and realizing how much rust there was I gave up and the car sat for 5+ years. I have had other cars/projects since then without as much rust. we all learn from our past mistakes, and make things work because we love these buckets of bolts.
I know exactly how you feel...I've owned my E36 for almost 20 years and its never finished and I'm never happy with it. It's been rebuilt so many times M50 turbo, M54, S54, and now LS swapped. Been sitting for 7 years collecting dust. I have motivation to work on it but it never meets my expectations no matter what i do. I really understand where you coming from on this one.
It’s funny that this just came out because I was just thinking how I have a stock pile of parts I need to put on my e46 but not motivation for it and I’m right there with you on hating the car. Everyone loves it but it doesn’t meet my expectations. You continue to add inspiration as I follow your journey since the forum days.
"It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me"
Totally agree with your explanations on the drive needed and resulting in the pleasure out of it; in order to continue on a project.
Kind regards from The Netherlands.
Man--you are telling my story! I spent the last three years building a 2.9L stroker for my '89 325i, which should have been simple, but was anything but, with a parade of vexing problems--some by me, some just weird--that kept it from running right. At times, I hated the thing, and had to let it sit for awhile. It's all straightened out now, but it's been like taking your pants off over your head.
Turbo.... Bringing back memories Mike. I will never forget watching the awol video. You truly were one of the first's with that motor swap. It's cool to see you still have it. I think the car is perfect for the time it was built. I wouldn't call it dated but its the epitome of the time it was built. Big motor, Stretched tires and low as hell.
Great advice, and yes it definitely takes effort to get in a groove to work on a project. Its why i started a channel to help motivate me to get things done on my projects. Keep it up man!
Mike, this car is the reason (or at least one of the major cars) I, a huge Japanese car guy, departed and dove into the world of BMWs. Met you when you had your E9 in Nashville once and have had a strong appreciation for your contributions to the “scene” since. Keep at it. I get it. Just sold my 2nd E36 project after doing almost nothing with it for a year. Thanks for the episode!
First love your videos and builds. Everyone has a different level of perfect. As a great friend once said, pick a point and sent it. Keep up the great work, may God bless you and keep you going.
Hey Mike, you do a great job with the UA-cam channel and I’m a real fan of your BMW content.
I’m a much older guy than you, where I had a car such as you’ve described w.r.t how much it meant to me, I too said many times how much I loved my car and wouldn’t ever sell it.
I drove the wheels off it when I was younger (my early 20’s), then changed it from the ground up and restored everything else through my early 30’s, ran it into my early 40’s where it needed another round of restoration. But l got passionately deep into another project car that was consuming everything I had. I had one guy who was constantly at me to sell the car to him, after a year of this pressure I eventually sold to him because I knew he was going to do the right thing to that car. By the way 15 years later he hasn’t finished it yet. I’m now in my 60’s.
My point is that these things happen to real car guys and in most cases it’s sometimes best for your mental health to let it go to a good home. Preferably to a friend of friend so it’s not in your face for ever after.
But man! It’s like you married your college girlfriend who became a supermodel later in your relationship now your not in love with her anymore, all your friends are saying what have you got to complain about!
So put the car away out of site for a while until a moment of clarity hits you, then decide what to do.
I recognised a man going through some mental health issues when I watched this episode the other night. I hope that’s not the case because I’ve been there too. Mentally you have to work through this, no one else can do that for you.
Best wishes to you whatever you decide to do.
Regards,
Mike P from Australia ( a real fan of your work).
The thumbnail you used for this has been my phone lock screen for years. Such an iconic shot. The Type-1's and the stance is PERFECT.
Hot take... but when I found myself in this position, the most I got out of a car that I was at an absolute crossroad with was to let it go to someone to who could truly enjoy it. Seeing that young man love my old E36 M3 in a way that I couldn't anymore gave me great joy. Maybe that's not the move for you, but really consider it.
Exact same reason I sold mine. Time effort it not giving back to me no matter how much I work on it and love it.
Now I'm perfectly happy driving a car I'm not completely obsessed with . And I drive the piss out of it daily.
Something I could never do with my 36 18:57
I have these thoughts about my car once in a while. But i've learned over the years that it's better to have a clear idea on where you want go with the project and stick with it. It helps a lot. Even if it takes time. Also : try and drive and enjoy it! Even when it's in between stages of completion. Stay strong and stay focused 💪💪💪💪.
The first thing to admit is that there is no such thing as "perfection". I hear and understand everything you are saying and suffer the same issue with my favorite car. The issue in my case is me. I built it and as such, I know every flaw, every corroded bolt, frayed stitch, et al. What I've had to do is accept that it is beautiful to those who look at it as a whole versus me looking at it as the sum of the parts. Nobody notices the flaws unless they nitpick, but to me (and you and many others), the flaws are so evident that we feel everyone sees them. Beyond that our tastes change with each new experience in our life and I guess at some point you just have to say that the car met that expectation and just smile that at some point in time it was perfection, your most comfortable outfit that you always wore and still miss even after it went out of fashion. The cool thing is it is an expression of you and your craft and that is all it should be. Best wishes and keep doing what you do.
This was a great video!!! I have a Highline e38. It was my Dream car when it came out it new in 2000. I bought it 20 years later. It has been a up and down battle from the first day since they made less than 50 and of the two colors available of course I wanted the rarest color they offered. Orinoco metallic green. Our Dream cars are never ever done nor are they ever perfect. That is what makes them our dream car. We will always find something to fix or polish to make us or the car feel better. It is our dream car.
I have fully restored a crusty 2nd gen mr2 in 2020-2021. Took me a year to the day. Lockdown was a great motivation, who figured…
Nowadays I have to force myself to go into the workshop, but when I do I love it. I feel like it’s conditioning, as going to the gym is for me as well. I only hate it when I fail to get up and work, that’s when I start pondering.
Great vid, it’s frustrating to settle on less then the perfect picture you have in your head.
Good content! Cathartic and therapeutic.
This is hands down the best automotive content on the planet. But just know that’s a beautiful e36! You have something irreplaceable with it
Well Mike… felt like you were talking straight to me. I have a 90 Nissan Laurel that I spent 4.5 years swapping a VVTi 1J into. I finally got it done, drove it for probably less than 50 miles and… I LOVE IT… but I don’t like it. It makes all the right sounds, super powerful but I fills me with fear that it’s just not what I actually want out of it. So, I’ve parked it again, I’m pulling the motor and trying again with a completely different setup. I’ve owned this car since Oct of ‘16 and I’ve driven it for a combined total of less than 18 months. I say all that to say I know how you feel and honestly I’m glad I’m not alone. Thanks for the honest talk. Keep at it Mike!
Great video. I've got similar feelings with my projects, life is more in the way than anything, I feel like the project car is low on the list ahead of family and driving cars. But I love the car and wouldn't let it go.
To a tee how I feel about my E36 M3. I don't believe in forever cars but I couldn't fathom parting with it, ever, for any amount of money. It's a forever project and represents me and is part of my identity. That said, I am content with it sitting for however long it takes until I am able to fulfill my vision for it. It has to be perfect. And thanks for this video, makes me realize I am not alone in this thinking.
I know what the issue is..... it's the mirrors...
In all reality, I thank you for making this video because I feel the same way about my 335i. I know it's not an m3, I'm ok it's not an m3. But I have done everything to that car that I have wanted and then some. It drives well but for years I have for some reason not been happy with the car. I also like your points at the end. My friends sometimes tell me "just get rid of it if you hate working on it" because sometimes I do. Glad to know I am not alone in experiencing some of these feelings.
I can feel this Mike. I have a 97 Civic that's been a part of my life for nearly 22 years now!!! I let it go for 7 years and recently re-acquired it....I hate to say I'm in the same spot. I was initially super happy and in love with the car again...however I've had it back for 6 months now and.......I hate it, but also still love it. Such a weird place to live 😂
This was good. Recently I've finally found the motivation and started working on my mk4 gti again that I bought almost 3 years ago. Its been parked on the street that whole time and the elements havent been kind to it. Specifically the paint. Its been just getting beaten up by the Texas sun. I plan on getting the paint properly fixed, as a punishment to myself for not taking care of it the way I should've.
Mike, your reading my script.. trying to find the motivation to finish a Z3 S52 swap..
At least I'm not alone!!
Keep up the great work
Love this ted talk video. Keep up with the great work Mike.
Damn this video really is motivating. I was already at the point to sell my car but you are right. There are no shortcuts, it sucks but that’s part of the hobby.
Felt this one. This June, I'll have owned the Z for 10 years, 8 of which have been non-running. It's made it through multiple moves, stuffed in the corner while I started my business. I've owned it longer than anything else I have. The people I spent late nights wrenching on it with have moved on, gotten married, some have passed away. It sat for years while the rest of my life changed over and over again. It's funny how the mind works.. I've been saving it for when I'm a "good enough" builder to build it the way I originally wanted to, but the only way to get good enough is to make mistakes, learn, and actually do something about it. Great video Mike 👍
I needed this! I love my car it hurts me to even think that I need to sell it. I won't. But it does hurt to see it in its condition. Everyone loves it like it is but they don't know the half.
Great video mate, we have all been there in some sort of way. I have a GC8 WRX sitting in my shed that I’m reluctant to get rid of yet I don’t wan’t to work on it or fix it up either. It doesn’t get driven very often yet it’s a car I’ve always dreamt of owning since I was young. Only we can make the decision as to where it goes from here.
Dude, I’ve loved a e36 for 15 years now. I own my dream 96’ 328i for 7 years, and this year it is finally finished. New bodywork, new paintjob, new custom BBS RS…. I remember THE PHOTO being my phone wallpaper!
But even though I am so close to the finish line, somewhere along the road I grew tired of the car and I am not happy with how it came out. Even though it is now the pinnacle of german style… This video hits hard. All I can say - I’ve had your car on my wallpaper as a kid. Let’s cut them some slack and just try to enjoy those awesome machines ;)
Hey, hey take it easy Mike. I promise it's the cars. 😂
I needed to hear this, thank you.
I’ve found that having a friend or friends help with the project greatly improves the enjoyment of the journey
This episode resonates heavily with me. The e30 I’ve owned for 20 years, the third engine/drivetrain swap, the fourth suspension update, the second complete interior swap, the fifth set of wheels… the countless hours and money I’ve put into the car, the imperfections, the blood/sweat/frustration. The motivation to “finish” at times was completely gone, so it would sit for weeks at a time collecting dust…then I would suddenly have the motivation to wrench on the car for two days straight. The hate then the love. Just inches away from the finish line myself on this iteration. It’ll all be worth it…then onto more changes haha. Our projects will never be finished which is the reason we love/hate them so much.
I love your E36 story; it reminds me a lot of my story with my first car, a 1988 Ford Thunderbird. Almost the exact same timeframe and a couple of similar story beats too. My dad bought the car from the original owner (an elderly lady) in 2001 for $1500, gave it to me as my first car in 2006, and I still own it to this day after 17 years. Over the years, it's been manual swapped, had a fresh engine built, all new suspension and brakes, etc. Similar to your story, it was also an accident-free car at first, until it got hit while parked in my apartment parking lot. I was so disgusted that the car sat for several months and I barely looked at it. After I finally got over it, I took the car to finally get a fresh paint job and we completely revamped the suspension and brakes. For some context, not too long before the car got hit, I purchased my first brand new car - a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. Driving that GTI really put into perspective how poorly my old Thunderbird drove in comparison, so starting with that suspension and brake project, I made it a mission to ensure that the Thunderbird would be a nice car to drive, even when I have newer stuff next to it in the garage. Over the following years, I've slowly been getting it to that point and it's been really rewarding to get it to where I can drive a nice new car, but still hop in my Thunderbird and genuinely enjoy the driving experience without it feeling awful. But at the end of the day it is still a 35 year old car and there will always be random stuff that bugs me. That's just how it goes with these older cars. Letting go of the need for perfection and just focusing on getting it to be a nice car to drive was an important mindset change for me. It now sits in the garage next to a 2008 BMW 135i 6MT and I absolutely love driving both cars. Just had the Thunderbird at the Tail of the Dragon back in September and it was a blast.
I was definitely in the same boat. Purchased a ‘95 240sx and said I’d never sell it. Owned it for 15 years. I learned how to build on it, blew it up three times and I have no regrets in selling it to open the door for something better. Forever cars exist, but it made me unhappy and so it left. 🥂
13 year owner of an E36 M3/4/5 and love it!! It has an S52 engine with a ZF manual transmission and drives like it’s on rails. It’s a grocery runner, hauls the kids to school, and tears up the back roads on the way to work. I’ve driven an E46 M3, Porsche 911and S2000. None of them compare to the awesome weight, power, and reliability of an S52 M3/4/5.
My car was stolen twice and rear ended once. The paint is still pretty, but imperfect. Some panels have minor paint shade differences. The interior is nice, but could use a refresh. But overall it’s a real beauty and turns heads everywhere I go. It’s imperfect and because it’s imperfect I love driving it and owning it.
I am 2 years into a rebuilding from a true barn find from Central Australia from the ground up, every bolt, every wire on a 53 year old land rover, I also hate and love this car. I looked at it in my driveway for almost a year every day and kept telling myself that I needed a shed to finish, a special set of tools, more money. But the only thing I needed was motivation,. I have spent the last 12 months rebuilding the car in my driveway, I ripped out the motor in the middle of winter and worked on i daily. I am nearly finished and currently working on the interior and engine tuning. It has been the most rewarding this I have done in years, car builds are far more than an object, they become part of you.
Not usually a commenter, but this video spoke to me. My dream project was an Exocet Miata. I made it all happen - bought the kit and over 2 years built my dream car. One of my proudest moments was turning the key and having it start without issue on the first try. All of your advice was absolutely true. The real heart break happened after the car was finished. I fought Virginia for 2 years to get it legally on the road, but due to the whims of bureaucrats, I never got it registered. That still hurts. It's not all bad though. My buddy in Minnesota got it legal up there and he loves it! This spring I'll be shopping for my next Miata. This time, it will stay a miata.
You just described the relationship I have with my 2004 Z33. I’ve had mine for 16 years & I’m in the weird part of the build where I’m at the finish line but just don’t make any gains. I don’t know if it’s fear, some weird shame or something but this has happened more than once on various other projects I’ve had while tinkering on this car.
I had one of them projects let it sit for two solid years, today it’s the most dependable car I own and my preferred driver. Just took 15 years to build a track ready 650+hp C5 corvette Targa Z06 “ not a typo “ that has fantastic on-road manners & touring capabilities. I even got luggage that fits around the cage.
Exactly the same place with my car. The motivation wasn't ever the issue, but the mental struggle was. Dumped hundreds (almost thousands) of hours into it, to get it to a "finished"/very well sorted project state, and even when its sitting in the garage and I can go out and use it, I found myself driving it once a week just to keep it alive and the seals happy.
Part of that is my own fault for making it not pleasant to daily drive, but that wasn't the barrier fundamentally. I just never felt like it was enough. As a representation of me and my own abilities, I haven't ever been proud of it, because despite all the complements, I can see straight through to all the flaws that I know it bears. Talking to others and starting to fix some of those flaws, it seems like that feeling of disgust never goes away, even if the physical manifestations do. I know that I will harbor the same resentment for the next car I build, and that's a depressing future. I think you just have to go out and use it at some point and get over it, and maybe that's what the next car will do better (this one blew up a lot).
Hopefully someone finds the answer for the moving goalpost syndrome that a lot of us experience.
Happy Friday everyone.
Hey Mike let me first off say I really appreciate you making this video. I know it must have felt like nails on a chalk board! I get it.
However this has resonated with me more than you can know. I have the same issue with my 1994 MK3 Vento / Jetta. I went through so many of the things you described as to full respray, all new Vento parts from Germany 🇩🇪
All to say I even turned down some attention/ magazine what ever you want to call it all because in my head the “Car” was not perfect. I won first place in L.A and even that wasn’t good enough either.
Now it just sits under a Car cover with zero motivation. I’m not sure what the answer is but I do know that like you said nothing is going to happen unless you make it happen. Maybe what the car community needs is a Motivation GTG for people who need help.
Thanks again for making this episode a lot people needed to hear that including me 👊
Thanks chief, I really needed that.
Can completely appreciate where you're coming from on this. I have my E36 for 25 years - the latest resto started about 12 years ago - and its still plodding along. I get to a stage where its 'complete' then decide I don't like my new version of it, and figure I need to change it all again. My current retrim was the last stage, but now I've figure it needs a whole new engine swap. Meanwhile - I've been happy with everything I've done with my E30, Golf GTi and CRX. Just seems to be the E36 which is never exactly how I like it. For what its worth - I love yours. Maybe its just an E36 thing!
Hm, i for one gotta say that i had a pretty clear vision on how my coupe should look like and once it reached that point, i knew it was done and i still wouldn´t want to change anything about it. Instead i simply bought another one and start all over again, convertible this time, 325i in Mauritius blue with Safran yellow full leather interieur. 😅🤷♂
@@Schmitzelhaus Oh I always have a pretty clear vision of what I want it to turn out like, but then I change my mind. I badly wanted my vaders in saffron leather - got them, then decided I didn't want them anymore - and went for black with m-rain cloth!
@@kdevitt Oh yeah, Vaders would be the one thing i would add to mine as well, but i´m not going to pay 3000€ for two seats, so i guess that won´t happen. 🤷♂
@@Schmitzelhaus I wouldn’t pay it either - thankfully I got the full interior for €250 back in 2013 when people were virtually giving away parts!!
my problem is. "while your in there" or "might as well do that too." those statements cost alot of money and take alot of time. ive got a '95 e36 Vert. that sits in my garage in pieces. everything needs to be done. i dont have money and all the time in the world. thanks for the motivation. we appreciate you and the shit you do for us.
LOL!! FUnny! I have been working on my complete back-dated Resto of an 1973 Alfa Romeo GTV for years! It is a passion and i have never had a problem spending money (when i had it) on the process. "Process" being a key word. I have loved the process of working on all the various items in and of themselves. It's not just about the car as a whole but..restoring the brake calipers like new, doing a complete engine build & hopping it up, rebuiling the ransmisson, getting all the hardware and suspension bits to be like new...etc. And the planning and imagination of getting this thing done has gotten me through some tough times over the years...keeping my head centered. And.... FInally the build is about to start and im diong the build. Althoug i still love it and am anxious to do the build,..Im stating to feels like an idot...as the dollars have been rediculous.
Loosely speaking after years of therapy sometimes moments like these are projections of are inner self and how we are too hard on ourselves and striving for perfection when perfection may not always be achievable. Sometimes we need to pat ourselves on the back for the work that we have done. Don’t forget to look back and see where you have started. All of this being said, I know this feeling.
I have a Jetta coupe that has been sitting and recently considered selling this definitely gives me more reason to hold onto and at minimum drive it. 👍🏻
Great video for any kind of project, really
I think the sooner we acknowledge to ourselves that perfection in a project car is impossible to achieve, the better off we are mentally. Even when nobody else can spot a flaw anymore, you yourself are your worst enemy. In the end it means nothing more than absurd amounts of money spent and still a feeling of "not good enough". It's important to take a few steps back and appreciate how far you've come instead of focusing on the little flaws.
I have had my car for 8 years and hate it but will never sell it. Granted it needs a lot more work than the E36, but I still plan one day to make it nice just like you've done. Thanks for being real!
Sometimes I find when I dragging ass, I clean. Pick up your mess, organize your parts, tools, etc. that then motivates me to get moving on a project. Mike's issue is the perfection part of it. It's never attainable, realistically.
Love this episode, from the heart mate. After 30+ cars myself sometimes its just a grind and sometimes its all roses. In the end I wouldn't have it any other way and its cheaper then therapy!!!
You hit the nail on the head. Reminds me, I need to pull the transmission out for a rebuild……….
This video resonates with me beyond belief. I have hit the point where after 5 years in a row of pulling the motor every winter and spending cold grueling days in the shop for weeks on end, I am ready to let it sit with motor pull 6 on the horizon. To your point I will never sell it, I love the car but also I hate and resent it. Glad to know I don’t walk alone on the pursuit of perfection, whatever that means 😅
Been there, done that Mike...a different perspective.
I've just sold a 'forever' car after 18 years of ownership. Owned a perfect JDM AE86 since since 2005 , blew it up at the track in 2008, bare shell rebuilt the car and built it back up with an OCD level of detail with all the best brand new parts money could buy (and an ITB'd Honda F20c motor) with zero expense spared to full motorsport spec. Some time around 2012 it was complete and back up and running again - a potent thing of beauty - and it ripped. It was a real labour of love - however - all that time working on the car rather than actually driving the damn thing killed some of my love for it. Built to be driven - and even with a few sprints, hill climbs and numerous track days I wasn't using it enough.
Over such a long period of time things change - life happens - you change as a person. By the end of last year this thing had literally sat under dust sheets for at least 2 years - I'd go and peep at it in the garage and all I could think about was the fact it being stood still was actually slowly killing the car and it would start to degrade again. Thats not why I built it - its not a life trophy - it should be used. Towards the end of last year a good friend came to me with an offer that really made me think seriously about me and the car - and - I let it go.
Now, some people would think nooooo! - but - if something isn't bringing you joy and happiness - IMHO let it go - it serves you no purpose. I didn't need to sell the car for any reason - but I did. I wondered if I would be full of regret given my history with the car - but - I'm not. In many ways I'm actually really happy to see the car being used and I know the person I sold it to is 100% going to give this car what it needs and actually enjoy it - its being loved...and I get visiting rights. All that thought and worry about the car not being used is now completely gone from my head. All that remains are good memories of my time with the car and life friends it help make.
You are correct Mike - it boils down to how much do you really want it ?
Thanks to you and others I get to enjoy things like this from the sidelines now - I have deep respect for people who take on these kind of projects - after building numerous cars over the past 25 years its good to watch the projects of others come to fruition and to know exactly what you are all going through whilst doing so. Keep it up petrol heads !
something that my trainer told me in my job (electronics manufacturing, I do microsoldering) is "never let perfect be the enemy of good," basically to mean that we have standards we must meet for our parts, and while it is possible to go above and beyond the standard and get it done meticulously flawlessly, you're gonna wind up killing yourself trying to do that every single time, and we must learn when to leave something as "done" even if it isn't "perfect." I've approached my projects this way since then as well, and have managed to get some more stuff done than I otherwise might have. It helps. :)
LoL - Mike my brother, you need to set yourself and the car free. I don't necessarily mean sell it, but just like any relationship that evolves over years, it evolves. As a guy who spends a lot of time talking to people for a living, I always fret over flaws or gaps in what I'm presenting, and I have to tell myself to view it from the eyes of the people I'm talking to. You talk about stepping back - step ALL the way back, and give it a clean chance to know what life y'all should live together going forward. I had to do this with my M635. I've had it for nearly two decades now, and gone through two of these transitions. The hate is in a box somewhere and the love is different than the day I got it and what it was ten years ago.
There have been many times that watching your videos has motivated me to get back into my car and get shit done. I wish I could do the same for you.
Definitely what I needed to hear again lmao I have 98 percent of the parts and I’m just bullshitting. The excitement comes in waves and everything I see someone with the same car I get pissed lol. Gotta start back wrenching again slowly but surely.
I have built my s13 and its been sitting now for 3 years. I am still growing in my career and hopefully soon, I can be in a place where I can finally paint my car and enjoy it on the weekends. great video!
Really interesting video Mike. I think I mentioned a whole back on IG, that I became aware of your work from the September 2012 E9 cover on BMW Performance magazine here in the UK. Honestly had no idea you had the E36 before that!
As they say, perfection is the enemy of good enough. But I get it.