I figured it was about time I started a build thread on my beloved E30. I saved this car from being sent to the junkyard and when I bought her she was in rough shape. The body was solid but the drive train needed a thorough once over. Even with her issues I knew I could bring her back to life, and with the help of friends and a lot of elbow grease she has escaped the grave and much more!
I hope to make this my ongoing build thread for this car, so check in for updates every now and then! Also take a peek at my instagram(s) for updates on mods and race events etc @boltonbuilt @apexgoblin_
Let the story begin....
After unfortunately putting my first E30 into a wall (a 91 318is slicktop, I know it killed me too) I had to find another E30 to replace her. So like a drug addicted vulture the hunt began. Craigslist, forums, and even Ebay were scoured daily with little luck. My desire was high, but my funds were low due to loss of my first E30. My search for a car within my budget had been fruitless...
Then one day I got a phone call from a friend of mine "Hey a customer of mine was going to send his E30 to the junkyard, the motor needs work but the body is decent. He says if youre willing to pay him more than the junk yard he might consider selling it instead." Suddenly I was frantic "DO NOT LET HIM SEND IT TO THE JUNKYARD!! If he can bring it to your shop I will come look at it this evening!" "Sounds good I will have him bring it over." Suddenly the work day flew by and I was itching to leave. I raced over to Michelangelo Motorworks after work and there she sat.... (I didnt take too many photos in the heat of the moment)
A 1989 325is Schwarz Black. I already wanted the car.
Upon first inspection the wheels had the wrong size tires, there were a few body dings, the clear coat was cracking, and the bumpers were fading, but I saw potential. The car was straight, no accident history, crack free dash, had the desirable diff ratio, and no rust. The engine on the other hand, well that was a whole other story....
"Does it run?"
"It turns on..." (not very confident. Meanwhile Richard, owner of the shop, whispers over that he had it towed to the shop.)
"Mind if I try it out?"
"Sure go ahead." *hands me the keys*
It was at this point I really wished I had someone filming. the car cranked, and stuttered, and cranked, and when it finally breathed fire the plume of white smoke that came out the tail pipe was so thick you could not see through it. I gave the motor a quick throttle blip, well just because, and immediately Richard was hollering at me:
"shut the damn thing off before you fill the whole place with smoke!"
So yeah the car ran... barely... and most certainly had a blown head gasket at the very least. I negotiated a price for the car (just a touch over what the junkyard offered) and we struck a deal!
I was the proud new owner of this large Bavarian smoke machine... What had I done...
The very next day the tear down and diagnosis began...
I removed the valve cover to see that the small amount of milkshake oil I had seen on the bottom of the cap during negotiations was just the beginning...
I pretty much started to laugh at this point. The only thing I could remember was the previous owner saying "I think she might need a rebuild"...
YOU THINK?
I hope to make this my ongoing build thread for this car, so check in for updates every now and then! Also take a peek at my instagram(s) for updates on mods and race events etc @boltonbuilt @apexgoblin_
Let the story begin....
After unfortunately putting my first E30 into a wall (a 91 318is slicktop, I know it killed me too) I had to find another E30 to replace her. So like a drug addicted vulture the hunt began. Craigslist, forums, and even Ebay were scoured daily with little luck. My desire was high, but my funds were low due to loss of my first E30. My search for a car within my budget had been fruitless...
Then one day I got a phone call from a friend of mine "Hey a customer of mine was going to send his E30 to the junkyard, the motor needs work but the body is decent. He says if youre willing to pay him more than the junk yard he might consider selling it instead." Suddenly I was frantic "DO NOT LET HIM SEND IT TO THE JUNKYARD!! If he can bring it to your shop I will come look at it this evening!" "Sounds good I will have him bring it over." Suddenly the work day flew by and I was itching to leave. I raced over to Michelangelo Motorworks after work and there she sat.... (I didnt take too many photos in the heat of the moment)
A 1989 325is Schwarz Black. I already wanted the car.
Upon first inspection the wheels had the wrong size tires, there were a few body dings, the clear coat was cracking, and the bumpers were fading, but I saw potential. The car was straight, no accident history, crack free dash, had the desirable diff ratio, and no rust. The engine on the other hand, well that was a whole other story....
"Does it run?"
"It turns on..." (not very confident. Meanwhile Richard, owner of the shop, whispers over that he had it towed to the shop.)
"Mind if I try it out?"
"Sure go ahead." *hands me the keys*
It was at this point I really wished I had someone filming. the car cranked, and stuttered, and cranked, and when it finally breathed fire the plume of white smoke that came out the tail pipe was so thick you could not see through it. I gave the motor a quick throttle blip, well just because, and immediately Richard was hollering at me:
"shut the damn thing off before you fill the whole place with smoke!"
So yeah the car ran... barely... and most certainly had a blown head gasket at the very least. I negotiated a price for the car (just a touch over what the junkyard offered) and we struck a deal!
I was the proud new owner of this large Bavarian smoke machine... What had I done...
The very next day the tear down and diagnosis began...
I removed the valve cover to see that the small amount of milkshake oil I had seen on the bottom of the cap during negotiations was just the beginning...
I pretty much started to laugh at this point. The only thing I could remember was the previous owner saying "I think she might need a rebuild"...
YOU THINK?
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