SOLD: S52 Swapped 1989 325i Sedan

[Trickniner]

SOLD

TL/DR
1989 BMW 325i Sedan
1999 S52/ZF trans swap, Z3 rack, 3.73 LSD
158k miles on chassis/aprox. 106k on drivetrain
Sunroof, Functional AC
Located in Newtown, CT
10,500 OBO

SOLD

I bought it from a guy who only had it for a few months and needed to sell it to free up space and funds for an E30 M3 that needed restoration. The car is pretty much rust free save for a small spot on the sunroof and is parked in my garage when not in use. I just drive this as a fair-weather weekend cruiser and sometimes take it to work. I have an indoor cover for it and try to keep it on a tender when not driven. I am in northern Fairfield County CT about 90 min from NY City. Asking price is $12,000 obo. I’ve included as many details as I can below but please ask any questions you may have and I will do my best to answer.


I am told the swap was done by a shop and has been in the car for a while. It's from a 99 m3 and had something like only 70k when installed back in the mid 2000's. It’s been converted to OBD1. Matching ZF 5 speed trans. It also has a quicker ratio Z3 steering rack and 3.73 LSD. Functional AC converted to R134. Suspension wise it has H&R sport springs, Koni oranges, treehouse racing style lower control arm mounts. I have a set of 14” basket weaves that are off the car. They are pretty rough and need new tires. They came on the car when I bought it so they can go with it too. Installed on the car are a set of BBS style reps. They are 16” Privat Remembers with Falken Pro G4 all seasons (205/50 16). For maintenance during my ownership I’ve done some things but much of the work was performed by Auto Technic in New Milford CT, I have receipts for all work performed by them. The bigger stuff that was done this year includes new subframe bushings, diff bushing, front lower control arm bushings, tie rods and driveshaft center bearing, rear wheel bearing. Overall I would say with the recent maintenance this car is mechanically very solid the only current issue being a belt squeel on cold starts. It goes away as the car warms up, usually a mile of two or driving.


The car was originally Zinnoberrot red however it has been repainted in a brighter shade of red. My understanding is that the repaint was from back when the swap was originally installed, so it is older. It’s not perfect by any means, you can find rock chips and other things. I would consider the paint to be good driver quality. I keep it washed and waxed and it stays looking good. The car gets a lot of compliments. It has Is lip, side skirts and spoiler. It looks like someone was too aggressive with a rotary polisher and burned through the paint on the IS spoiler on the corners. I replaced and repainted the rear bumper which was cracked with a used OEM version. The windshield was also replaced last year; the rest of the glass is original. The interior is black vinyl and has sport seats. The sport seats where not original to the car. The driver’s seat does have a few tears. The passenger seat is very good. The steering wheel is a Grant GT Sport. The car has an aftermarket stereo and speakers. The stereo isn’t bad, it has Bluetooth and supports hands free calling. The car has a German check panel that I have not installed but will come with it.


Below is a list of all the things done to the car that I am aware of including what was mentioned above…


- 99 s52/zf 5 speed w/106k miles
- OBD 1 converted, red label ecu
- s50 intake manifold
- unknown aftermarket header
- unknown exhaust into a Magnaflow muffler
- Euro large throttle body


- KAMotors Headlight duct and intake
- z3 2.7 turns LTL steering rack
- Treehouse Racing style front lower control arm mount
- H&R sports with koni’s I think. I will double check.
- Front and Rear strut tower braces
- 3.73 LSD diff
- Set of 4 14” basket weaves w/ worn tires. 3 out of 4 centercaps (wheels are pretty rough)
- 16” Privat Remembers (BBS style reps) bought last year came with all seasons mounted (great shape)
- euro bumper trim
- euro grills
- euro plate filler
- euro check panel (Removed but still have it)
- ellipsoid headlights (One removed for intake, still have it)
- is lip/side skirts/spoiler
- black sport seats, driver seat is pretty rough
- Grant GT Sport steering wheel
- 2m shift and ebrake boots w/ zhp knob
- aftermarket carpet
- floor mats are from a later 5 series


Maintenance during my ownership:
Done last year
- new Vanos oil line
- new power steering hose
- new idler pulley assembly
- replaced cracked driver’s side motor mount arm
Done this year
- New ebrake cables
- Rear subframe and diff bushings
- Rear diff gasket
- Left rear wheel bearing
- Center driveshaft bearing
- New (used) driveshaft (old one was seized in the bad center bearing)
- New bushings for front lower control arm mounts
- New front tie rods
- Manual trans selector rod seal


Photo Album:
I am unable to post links to the google photos album. Let me know if you want the link to the album for complete photos of exterior/interior.

[blondedbimmer]

this is an absolute beauty, would love to see more pics

[Trickniner]

this is an absolute beauty, would love to see more pics

Sent you a pm with a link to the album. Let me know if you got it.

[Trickniner]

I wanted to provide some additional info and pictures since I've been asked by a couple of people. I've added additional pictures of the trunk area along the sides where water can accumulate to the photo album. The left side where the jack would be is dry, there is some surface rust from a leaky broken antenna that has since been resolved. It is very solid. The battery tray area shows signs of previous rust repair but is solid and dry.

Additionally I wanted to mention that though the car has the controls for cruise it does not have cruise control. Those where from the original configuration prior to the swap. I didn't want anyone to be confused since you can see the old cruise control stalk in a picture.

[Trickniner]

Price drop.

[Trickniner]

Bump, someone take this off my hands.

[GG///M3]

My old e30 s52 sedan. Man do I miss this car.


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[Spyke]

Absolutely gorgeous man, anyone would be lucky to own this

[BimmerVin]

This is beautiful, could you send me the link to the pictures? Thanks

[Trickniner]

Sorry guys, just saw these now and forgot I had posted to this forum. The car was sold a couple of weeks ago.

[M8 > *]

My old e30 s52 sedan. Man do I miss this car.


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When did you own it? This was also my old car, just wondering if I sold it to you haha. I miss it too

[GG///M3]

2 years ago


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