It was a little over 2 years ago that I had a partially taken apart Touring that would proceed to nearly eat me out of house and home but also culminated in the best (and most completed) project I had overtaken in my BMW ownership since 2003. Having had a couple E46's, a couple E36's, and the iX I so dearly loved it was the Touring that was 100% complete.
After that exhausting ordeal I had proclaimed that I was done. Selling the Touring and using those proceeds to propose to my Fiance (who used to love my IX and hated the Touring and all the others over the years). It was a great way to go out. A unique, one of a kind, rare(ish) E30 that was just plain 'cool'.
But less than a year later I felt the tug; that tick an addict gets. And I realized that I missed actually working on the cars that I had owned. Having had a couple shoulder surgeries and a 'botched' knee surgery I am no longer able to ski 100 days a year, bike 100+ miles a week or even run more than 3 miles at a time. All the things I so very much loved to do with my spare time. I need a hobby. Not a goal, not 'the ultimate project', a hobby. Something for me...
So, wit some careful consideration, some talks with wary fiance, I started to buy some things. An Mtech 1 front valece and side skirts came available on here (so I bought them), an Mtech 1 rear spoiler in the UK caught my attention, and I was searching for an Mtech 1 rear valence when I decided to start looking for a car.
I found it in upstate NY. A 1987 325is that was an early build (for that Mtech 1 stuff). It was originally a FL car and after some e-mailing I picked it up.
The way it looked when I picked it up:
The car made the drive from NY to NH without a hitch. It was fun to drive and I was so happy to have an E30 back in the stable. The Cardinal interior was a little beat, the steering wheel covered with that ugly cover and there was something going on in the rear end. But all told it was a 'real deal' 325iS with LSD and all the options from its time - I even think it has factory keyless entry (but I need to do some wire chasing).
Day 1 starts as any day would start... Take off all the ugly crappy shit that you don't like, swap in a better color interior (there are some sport black seats sitting in my living room awaiting covers) and figure out the 'next steps'.
Wind Deflector Removed, Chrome removed (some rust not bad), chrome kidney in, black interior in, better set of US grilles in, cleaned carpets, removed trash and ugly mats, examined car better. Good day 1.
Last edited by NHskibm; 04-04-2010 at 11:30 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
once you go e30, you never go back!
The Subframe/carrier bushings were shot. So those needed replacing.. Too much of a PITA to do in a driveway so sent it to a friends shop for that and the state inspection sticker. Upon repacement of the bushings the rear end 'issue' was taken care of, an oil change done, tbelt ordered and replace on Friday, and the inspection determined I needed tires, BAD.
While drivin to get a set of BBS RZ's locally I blew a tire. 200 miles after replacing the tbelt I blew the engine. Supposedly had some black smoke coming out when I got on it and then had a HUGE puff of black smoke before I lost compression and the car died...
Here is the results of day '2' which is the culmination of some rust repair (hole in trunk), new wheels/tires, new tbelt and all other belts, coolant flush, and then blown engine...
rescue vehicle:
Day '2' ends...
To do list:
Replace M20 (going stock m20... don't care about m50 swap)
Replace cat/muffler - PO has stock cat cut to y pipe to that single tip muffler. welds are nice, bends are not, cat hits my ass on bumps.. also need stock muffler for Mtech 1.
Replace suspension - rear has ill fitting monroe shocks.
Other than those items - namely the blown motor - the car is in great shape.. I undercoated areas that needed it after filing off surface rust (minor, minor areas) and everything else is solid...
Stay tuned... Faux Mtech 1 to be created soon...
But seriously... Should have stayed in retirement.. Never had a blown motor before... Good times...
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
We saw what happened with Michael Jordan...
Damn, you blew the engine on the 2nd day? That sucks... =0/
I tend to over tighten...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...rogress+photos
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...6#post19108216
looking forward to see this progress, hopefully it will turn out as nice as the touring.
so true.
yes. yes we did.
more like day 14 but after my second 'day' of work (by 'day' i mean 4 solid days of working on it)
yeah, rust free.. mechanically ok except some small leaks and of curse the engine at this point..
not going to go as all out with this one as I did with the touring... just trying to make a nice driver to enjoy... it'll get some nice euro goodies and such for sure though... stay tuned..
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
I knew you'd be back. They always come back.
That M20 build...yeah, I have a feeling it won't stay stock for long.
are CD43's, mtech 2 wheels, one piece shift knobs/boots considered upgrades? That's 'stock' in my book..
And I already have wheels! didn't they look great on the broken down car on the side of the highway?
M20 build will be stock for now... of course I do have that blown engine which could still have a nice head that needs a bigger block with some custom pistons and a more aggressive cam... but I'm getting ahead of myself...
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
Gawd I love RZ378s.
We all knew it was only a matter of time.
Disclaimer: At any time, any single thing I say or do could be entirely or partly incorrect, wrong, or just plain in dramatic error. Take all comments, advice, and criticism at face value, and research all references I give in my posts.
yes, i love them more than I thought I would.. price was right with rubber and I'm 100% happy with them over my origanl Ronal LS idea...
Yup, stupid me thinking a 200k car that I had for 2 weeks wanted to play around on the highway the day after tbelt change... It's like I already threw out my hip or something...
The DT's were really getting to me.. I had to lapse, just had to.
EDIT: Radio and other parts are here now.. yay.. *sarcasm*
Last edited by NHskibm; 04-05-2010 at 01:32 PM.
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
meh.. i think i hold the record.
bought my 325i on a sunday evening, drove it home, drove it to work at 6am the next day and the water pump let go, fixed that along with timing belt and a bunch of other things, fired it up when done and broke 2 rockers before leaving the driveway lol
E30 Touring Build: and E30 Touring Complete (sold)
E30 iX Build: and E30 iX Complte (sold)
E46 325ci (sold)
E36 328is Mtech (sold)
E90 daily driving beast (77k and counting)
E30 "Mtech" Build (in progress)
I always compare Jordan to Jordan. While the stats you mentioned arent bad compared to the other talented -or lack thereof atheletes, its wasnt the same man that nailed that jumper over and over and over again to beat everybody.
I guess that's just what happend when you're the best...people will always compare you to yourself.
Jordan fan also
haha.. i am surprised it took you this long i saw the breakdown pic on diffdan's fb thread. had no idea you blew the motor call levent and ask him to source you an s52. or better yet, he has that MM m30 sitting around
'91 SpecE30 #523
'12 F30 328i Sport Line
'00 F-350 Dually
BMWCCA #360858 NASA # 128290
https://www.facebook.com/COTABBR
i predict euro bumpers, new interior, new suspension, motor build, paint job etc etc..
'91 SpecE30 #523
'12 F30 328i Sport Line
'00 F-350 Dually
BMWCCA #360858 NASA # 128290
https://www.facebook.com/COTABBR
I tend to over tighten...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...rogress+photos
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...6#post19108216
Check the OP's sig, he has a build thread listed in it.
Regardless of what happens with the car, I'm just glad to see Howard back with an E30. I was selling mine a couple weeks ago but haven't had any offers - I took that as a sign that I should keep the car and restore it over the next couple years.
Looks like a sweet Spec E30 candidate
If not I got first dibs when this car goes up for sale 90% complete
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