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Thread: The $200 e30.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Eugene, Oregon
    Posts
    1,847
    My Cars
    e30, e34, e36, Cherokee

    The $200 e30.

    So I just picked up another 1986 325e, auto

    Its ugly as hell, but a really straight rust free body, good interior aside from dash cracks and no carpet, had no springs, NO exhaust, like cut off right at the down pipe where it collects, po started peeling and sanding it.

    Poor thing was a nice zinnerrott red and it was primed black, then plasti dipped white...

    LOOK AT THAT HOOD!


    But for $200! It started with starting fluid, new temp sensor later for $22 and it starts right up. Put the springs back in.... Replaced front passenger ball joint (I had a few URO brands laying around) and that tire (found a match for $40 mounted! all rest of the tires are good tread match on front and match on back), put a exhaust I had on (I did not make it) just had to weld up a piece where I chopped the cat for scrap, a cut coolant hose $12, both trans mounts were BROKE IN HALF $24, put in two new KYB rear shocks I had laying around, now runs pretty good.

    With parts and a tow I am into the car $335.

    Currently it has the exact same issue in this post https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1273541-E30-wiring-short-(lighting)


    So I will check the solution tomorrow as its at my shop.

    Anyway pics of $200 e30 or it didnt happen right?

    Here it was 6 months ago, the shop owners kid traded a junky accord for it. Someone thought it was a Japanese drift car...

    20170307_171849.jpg me

    The kid had no money, 17, smokes too much pot, he took it home and attempted to put the springs in but did it all wrong and made it look even worse. Anyway he was getting evicted and had to have the car out now, he had the brakes and tie rods loose from trying to shove the springs in so it did need towed. That's why the $200.

    Here it is now...
    20170912_181520.jpg
    All stickers are off, one of the first things... GROSSS

    I will be stripping it and primer black, a new hood of course, fix little stuff and sell for at least $1200 I'm thinking, that's friend price.

    More pics to come on this e30 save.

    I really considered swapping over all my good parts from my black e30 to this car since its straighter body and no rust, but diff, trans, all that, just felt like a lot, I will just fix the rust and body on the black one.
    Last edited by darknezz7; 09-14-2017 at 11:59 PM.
    Slowly climbing the ladder. But never reach the top.
    Click Car 4 Build!
    '86 325es-Turbo m30!
    '94 325iA-Clean DD
    '94 530i
    -6 Spd swp
    '89 Cherokee 4x4-4.7L stroker
    '97 Eclipse Spyder-4g64/63 stroker Turbo.
    '89 535is-RIP 2020, engine now in e30!
    '84 318is-RIP 2016.

    '89 535iA-Parted 2012
    94' 530iA-RIP 2004, engine in new 530i
    '78 530ia-first car RIP 2005

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    good deal for price.
    No e30s again.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Eugene, Oregon
    Posts
    1,847
    My Cars
    e30, e34, e36, Cherokee
    Well I got this thing running pretty good BUT it still has a hard time starting when stone cold.

    The cold start injector has been replaced so I guess I need a THERMO TIME SWITCH that controls the cold start injector.

    THEY ARE $180 NEW! WTF? Anyone have a good one they will sell me?
    Slowly climbing the ladder. But never reach the top.
    Click Car 4 Build!
    '86 325es-Turbo m30!
    '94 325iA-Clean DD
    '94 530i
    -6 Spd swp
    '89 Cherokee 4x4-4.7L stroker
    '97 Eclipse Spyder-4g64/63 stroker Turbo.
    '89 535is-RIP 2020, engine now in e30!
    '84 318is-RIP 2016.

    '89 535iA-Parted 2012
    94' 530iA-RIP 2004, engine in new 530i
    '78 530ia-first car RIP 2005

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    ha ha ha, the little electronics on these cars kill me with their prices. I totally understand, ha ha ah
    No e30s again.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Wadsworth, Ohio
    Posts
    11,482
    My Cars
    BMW
    That hood is worth every bit of the 200 bones! Congrats on the new project!

    As for the Temperature Sensor, we don't even offer the aftermarket due to it being same to more than the genuine BMW and having a longer lead time! I went used on one of my old cars, then ended up bitting the bullet for the new one a few months later.

    -James

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Eugene, Oregon
    Posts
    1,847
    My Cars
    e30, e34, e36, Cherokee
    +ecs, bought lots of parts for customers vws from you guys, great stuff and service

    sold the car to friend for $1000

    had about 500 into it total

    Wired 12v to the thermo switch from a fuse through a 15amp push button next to the headlight knob. Press for a few secs and hold while turning key. Starts cold every time. $5 push buttton > $180...

    20171105_154429.jpg

    20171105_190944.jpg


    forgot to take a final pic but will add. its all together with a regular hood, primer black. I am NOT a professional auto body or painter. It came out, OK.
    Slowly climbing the ladder. But never reach the top.
    Click Car 4 Build!
    '86 325es-Turbo m30!
    '94 325iA-Clean DD
    '94 530i
    -6 Spd swp
    '89 Cherokee 4x4-4.7L stroker
    '97 Eclipse Spyder-4g64/63 stroker Turbo.
    '89 535is-RIP 2020, engine now in e30!
    '84 318is-RIP 2016.

    '89 535iA-Parted 2012
    94' 530iA-RIP 2004, engine in new 530i
    '78 530ia-first car RIP 2005

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,221
    My Cars
    325ix, 325ix, 540i
    Quote Originally Posted by darknezz7 View Post
    Wired 12v to the thermo switch from a fuse through a 15amp push button next to the headlight knob. Press for a few secs and hold while turning key. Starts cold every time. $5 push buttton > $180...
    Lol, I did something similar on my e21. The ignition cylinder was screwed and it wasn't activating the contacts to the starter solenoid, I did not want to buy a new ignition cylinder so I spent $5 on a momentary/push button and wired it together. Put the key in, rotate it to on, push the button, starts every time.

    Looks much better than when it started, great job.
    If your e30 runs bad, switch to Megasquirt first. Then try new spark plugs, cap and rotor, wires, oxygen sensor, crank shaft position sensor, coolant temp sensor, air flow meter, idle control valve, throttle position sensor, digital motor electronics unit, harmonic balancer, fuel injectors, engine harness...

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