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'88 325i build - plaid and an ITB 2.9L

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    '88 325i build - plaid and an ITB 2.9L

    Hello R3V! I am new to the forums here, and have been reading and lurking for a few months now. I have been driving a 1988 735i since i was 15, as it was a hand me down from the family. i don't have many pictures of it but it has 225k miles and was repainted professionally a few months ago.It is completely stock and in my mind fantastic shape for an e32. i also autcrossed it a few times.

    About 4 weeks ago I purchased my first car, a 1988 325i 4 door 5 speed.

    I was thrilled, but after the work i put in it, i realized that if someone who didn't really care about it had gotten a hold of it it would be in the crusher. 171k miles on the car, original timing belt, and a 4 inch section of oil pan gasket just gone at the rear.
    This is the picture of the day after I purchased it.I put it up on ramps to inspect it some more and looked at the oil leak i discovered before the purchase. I was relatively disappointed to find it was not coming from a loose oil filter as i hoped, but rather from the oil pan gasket at the rear of the engine. I looked it up and realized what i had ahead of me. it would be fun. so i put the car in the back of the garage the next day and up on jackstands, where it was for 2 and a half weeks.

    during said time i did a timing belt replacement, and all the accompanying parts listed on te pelican parts website. I then replaced the driveshaft ( the old one had a horrible CSB, and i figured the u-joint was probably sloppy and caused this), and had the instrument cluster repaired. So now, my e30 is mechanically fairly solid.
    Here is a picture of my e30 and a friend of mine's tr6. So i thought it would be fun to introduce myself here toe the forums and join the community!
    So now for your input, i have two possible routes i may go with my ongoing project. the first one is to do the plastic bumper swap, 15 inch basket weaves, and is valence and spoiler, along with bilstiens and upgraded brakes. no power upgrades for the moment but maybe in a few year throw in a turbo. The other option is to go with the classic and stock look. modifications would include tweed floor mats and a wooden shiftknob, basketweaves, and other smaller things of that like. I am currently getting the car cosmetically restored ( i have 2 doors and a fender - it was in a small parking lot accident ( door over extended, the hinges and frame are fine, dented the door and fender) and there's an unrelated small dent in the other door: maybe opened hard into a wall or something).
    Last edited by sert57; 05-15-2019, 08:14 AM. Reason: updating picture links, spelling

    #2
    Nice! Did you get the drive shaft new or rebuilt and where? I'll be needing one soon... Also I would choose option 1, I'm running 15 inch weaves and even though they don't stick out to most, I like them.

    Welcome!


    1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
    1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
    1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

    1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
    1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
    1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
    1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
    1991
    Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
    1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
    1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

    Comment


      #3
      I got the driveshaft from driveshaft specialist in Texas. It was technically rebuilt. Mine was $370 ish.
      http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...0html/BMW.html.
      my dad got one for the e32 there and we've had it for a year or so with no problems so far. My main reason to go with option 2 is its cheaper, and would help the resale value as well as semi ironically make it more unique among e30s. But I'm not quite to that point yet and am keeping options open.

      Comment


        #4
        New to the forums, saving mine from the crusher

        Originally posted by sert57 View Post
        I got the driveshaft from driveshaft specialist in Texas. It was technically rebuilt. Mine was $370 ish.
        http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...0html/BMW.html.
        my dad got one for the e32 there and we've had it for a year or so with no problems so far. My main reason to go with option 2 is its cheaper, and would help the resale value as well as semi ironically make it more unique among e30s. But I'm not quite to that point yet and am keeping options open.

        Sweet looks like I'll go with that company. Personally I wouldn't worry about the resale value, to an extent. Infact putting new shocks and springs should help resale because if your shocks are original, there blown. Also the springs have 25 years of life on them. If you get new wheels, just keep your bottle caps and put them on if/ when you decide to sell the car.

        Sounds like your like me, just go with a "OEM+" look. It's pretty cheap to do, and most the things you replace to get the look needed to be replaced regardless.


        1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
        1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
        1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

        1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
        1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
        1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
        1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
        1991
        Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
        1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
        1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by KIRIEIW View Post
          Nice! Did you get the drive shaft new or rebuilt and where? I'll be needing one soon... Also I would choose option 1, I'm running 15 inch weaves and even though they don't stick out to most, I like them.

          Welcome!
          I did some research on driveshafts not long ago since I need a new one too. I'm most likely going to get this one:



          It's the same one sold by Turner as far as I can tell, but for quite a bit less money, although the core charge is more, but you get that back when you send your DS in. I believe they both sell the ones rebuilt by Beyer, and they're supposed to be very high quality. They also have replaceable U-Joints, so you don't have to spend another $500 the next time they go bad.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by rturbo 930 View Post
            I did some research on driveshafts not long ago since I need a new one too. I'm most likely going to get this one:



            It's the same one sold by Turner as far as I can tell, but for quite a bit less money, although the core charge is more, but you get that back when you send your DS in. I believe they both sell the ones rebuilt by Beyer, and they're supposed to be very high quality. They also have replaceable U-Joints, so you don't have to spend another $500 the next time they go bad.
            Oh wow thank you! I'm definitely going with that one next paycheck.
            Last edited by KIRIEIW; 04-22-2016, 08:47 PM.


            1992 M tech 2 Convertible - S50 Swap
            1992 e34 Touring- S50 Swap
            1992 325i-S50 Swap (SOLD)

            1995 e36 M3 Mugello Red - S50 (SOLD)
            1991 325i Convertible Laguna Green (SOLD)
            1987 325i (SOLD);1992 M tech 2 Convertible (SOLD)
            1988 325i Convertible Alpine White (SOLD)
            1991
            Brilliantrot Convertible 80k Miles (SOLD)
            1992 325i Convertible Schwarz (SOLD)
            1992 318i Convertible Project-Finished (SOLD)

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by sert57 View Post
              Hello R3V! I am new to the forums here, and have been reading and lurking for a few months now. I have been driving a 1988 735i since i was 15, as it was a hand me down from the family. i don't have many pictures of it but it has 225k miles and was repainted professionally a few months ago.It is completely stock and in my mind fantastic shape for an e32. i also autcrossed it a few times.



              About 4 weeks ago I purchased my first car, a 1988 325i 4 door 5 speed.



              I was thrilled, but after hte work i put in it, i realized that if someone who didn't really care about it had gotten a hold of it it would be in the crusher. 171k miles on the car, original timing belt, and a 4 inch section of oil pan gasket just gone at the rear.

              This is the picture of the day after I purchased it.I put it up on ramps to inspect it some more and looked at the oil leak i discovered before the purchase. I was relatively disappointed to find it was not coming from a loose oil filter as i hoped, but rather from the oil pan gasket at the rear of the engine. I looked it up and realized what i had ahead of me. it would be fun. so i put the car in the back of the garage the next day and up on jackstands, where it was for 2 and a half weeks.



              during said time i did a timing belt replacement, and all the accompanying parts listed on te pelican parts website. I then replaced the driveshaft ( the old one had a horrible CSB, and i figured the u-joint was probably sloppy and caused this), and had the instrument cluster repaired. So now, my e30 is mechanically fairly solid.

              Here is a picture of my e30 and a friend of mine's tr6. So i thought it would be fun to introduce myself here toe the forums and join the community!

              So now for your input, i have two possible routes i may go with my ongoing project. the first one is to do the plastic bumper swap, 15 inch basket weaves, and is valence and spoiler, along with bilstiens and upgraded brakes. no power upgrades for the moment but maybe in a few year throw in a turbo. The other option is to go with the classic and stock look. modifications would include tweed floor mats and a wooden shiftknob, basketweaves, and other smaller things of that like. I am currently getting the car cosmetically restored ( i have 2 doors and a fender - it was in a small parking lot accident ( door over extended, the hinges and frame are fine, dented the door and fender) and there's an unrelated small dent in the other door: maybe opened hard into a wall or something).

              Nice car. Welcome to the forum.

              Don't turbo the car, unless you have an infinite amount of time and an infinite bank account. They may be awesome, but they are such a headache. It's so much cheaper and easier to throw an S5x motor into it. I think you should go with #1 and run the basket weaves for awhile, then pick up some ESM 004s or somethin.

              P.S. No reason you can't have a wooden shift knob with #1


              Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
              Originally posted by flyboyx
              how about if i yank the anal beads out of your ass like i'm trying to pull start a chain saw?
              Originally posted by Northern
              beer is my new liver cleanse.

              Henna - '84 Hennarot 325e
              Lola - '89 Schwarz 325is - being saved
              Christine - '88 Schwarz 325is - Spec E30 Racecar
              '01 White F150 Lariat 4x4 Supercrew - Daily
              Dad's '05 Interlagosblau M3

              Comment


                #8
                Welcome to the forum.
                sigpichttp://www.germanaudiospecialties.com/

                1986 325es :early:

                Comment


                  #9
                  I really like that E32! Have you considered euro bumpers as an option? If I had and a early e30, these would be my choice. And if you are wait long enough and have some coin, you might even find some MT1 bits for a body kit.

                  A nice, clean and stock look turns my head but that's my option. Nice save from the crusher.

                  COTM

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by N2MYE30 View Post
                    I really like that E32! Have you considered euro bumpers as an option? If I had and a early e30, these would be my choice. And if you are wait long enough and have some coin, you might even find some MT1 bits for a body kit.

                    A nice, clean and stock look turns my head but that's my option. Nice save from the crusher.
                    I just finished a plastic bumper swap on my early model, and I love it. However, if I had it to do over again, I would do euro bumpers. I think they look especially good on black cars. If I were you, I would go that route.

                    It looks like you got a nice car to start with, minus the maintenance issues you already tackled. Welcome to r3v!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by N2MYE30 View Post
                      I really like that E32! Have you considered euro bumpers as an option? If I had and a early e30, these would be my choice. And if you are wait long enough and have some coin, you might even find some MT1 bits for a body kit.
                      He has a late model, '88s came with diving boards, but plastic bumpers swap right on.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Yeah I'm leaning toward the plastic bumpers. They are bolt on for my car, as well as significantly less expensive than the euro bumpers. MT1/2 would be really neat, but I run into the same issue as the euro bumpers, they are harder to find and more Expensive. Essentially I'm looking to make the late model 4 door IS that BMW never built.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by sert57 View Post
                          Yeah I'm leaning toward the plastic bumpers. They are bolt on for my car, as well as significantly less expensive than the euro bumpers. MT1/2 would be really neat, but I run into the same issue as the euro bumpers, they are harder to find and more Expensive. Essentially I'm looking to make the late model 4 door IS that BMW never built.

                          3.73LSD, iS spoiler, iS valence, sports seats. I think that's pretty much everything. I don't remember if they have thicker sway bars or not. If you decide to go with an MTech kit, go with MTech 2, MTech 1 looks better on early models, and MTech 2 looks better on late models.


                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                          Originally posted by flyboyx
                          how about if i yank the anal beads out of your ass like i'm trying to pull start a chain saw?
                          Originally posted by Northern
                          beer is my new liver cleanse.

                          Henna - '84 Hennarot 325e
                          Lola - '89 Schwarz 325is - being saved
                          Christine - '88 Schwarz 325is - Spec E30 Racecar
                          '01 White F150 Lariat 4x4 Supercrew - Daily
                          Dad's '05 Interlagosblau M3

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Well after a few months I suppose it is time for an update!
                            I finally got an IS lip installed and also all the exterior trim!

                            I finally got the doors and fender on to replace those big nasty crunches on the driver side from the parking lot accident, did the bodywork and prepwork myself and my father helped me do the painting and priming. Getting them installed was a small adventure, ended up rebuilding my lock cylinder as well.
                            Then just for fun we put on an orange pinstripe, because it is my school's main color. I figure if I don't like it i can always take it off. I think it is fun and adds character.

                            Then we replaced the lollipops with oem bushings which really helped clean up the slop in the front end. also you may have seen in the first picture some plastic bumpers. I have them painted and have 95% of the hardware, just waiting on 3 parts to arrive and then I will try to do the swap over MLK weekend.
                            Last edited by sert57; 08-10-2017, 09:37 AM. Reason: updated photo links

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I finally got my plastic bumpers installed and painted and installed some other doors! I used the boiled linseed oil trick I found here to restore some of the used trim that came with them. I am very pleased with how they came out, the fresh bumpers make the car look about 5 years newer or so. I also finally had the chance to finish polishing and waxing it., got it nice and shiny! That 27 year old paint cleans up Very well. Anyways, now for the pics!





                              Last edited by sert57; 08-10-2017, 09:40 AM. Reason: updated photo links

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