New to r3v and e30s!

[craiggroves91]

I recently found a love for e30s and started searching for one.
I posted on the the site in the wanted/for sale section and got a reply with this car. I hope to be picking it up within the next two weeks or so. We are still in the process of completing the sale. :) ( I BOUGHT IT and HAVE IT)
More Updated pictures on pages 5,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20. Of course the higher the page number the newer they are!






















5 speed
191k
Recently rebuilt head
less than 200 miles on timing belt/water-pump
Bav auto springs
K&N cone filter
16" wheels (two need new tires, have steelies on front for now)
Interior needs work.
runs strong, clutch grabs good brakes are good.
she just passed smog last week

I made this thread to track my progress on the car and hopefully to get all of the highly valuable advice you guys have.
If you guys could start recommending some cosmetic, performance, or any other parts that I should think about getting I would appreciate it!

Little exhaust video (No idea what muffler it is)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6urKPPlg3s

To do List:
First Priorities
1. New tires (DONE!$374)
2. New valve cover gasket (Received, not sure if I need it on)
3. Pinpoint location of any other leaks and fix them (FIXED!$9)
4. Wheel spacers (Need help and recommendations)

Interior needs

1. New seats or dye or reupholster (Got old sports..$175)
2. New sunroof crank (DONE! Free)
3. New shift boot (DONE!$25)
5. Fix loose panels (got new rears $20 or so at Pick n' Pull)
6. Stereo system
(Done! Head-Unit-$119.99
Kick panel speakers-$92.92
Rear Deck speakers-$109.20 )
7. New steering wheel (DONE! $175 with maplight mirror and glovebox )
8. New dash or crack filler or dash cover (minor 2 or so inch crack)
9. Drivers side knee panel
10. Center console
11. Lighted rear view mirror (Need to put on! $175 with Mtech1 wheel and glovebox)
12. New glovebox (DONE! $175 with Mtech1 wheel and Maplight mirror)
13. Cupholders (DONE! THANKS SFGADGETGUY(Clyne)! $58 )
14. Better shift knob (DONE!$60)
15. Tweeter deletes (DONE!$15)
16. New cigarette lighter socket (Almost done! need to get it working $11.95)
17. Longer Clutch Stop (DONE! $10)
18. Black Rear shelf (DONE! paint and cleaner tan shelf combined around $45 or so)

Exterior Needs

1. Get rid of minor overspray (DONE! Free)
2. Have chips in windshield repaired
3. New roundels (DONE!$35)
4. Late Model rear window (DONE! $20 or so at Pick n' Pull)
5. Re-spray trim ( resprayed mirrors, handle, moldings,wiper arms, wiper cowls,rain gutter, window trim)
6. IS lip
7. All red tailights
8. Euro Bumper Trim (DONE! $206)
9. Euro Grilles (DONE! $99 with Kopi Clear turn signal covers)
10. Kopi Clear Turn signal covers (DONE! $99 with Euro Grilles)
11. Body work
12. New antenna grommet (DONE! $5.95)
13. New windshield wipers (DONE! $49.90)
14. Rear Plate filler (DONE$42.95)
15. New front Valence
16. Window Tint (DONE! $80 5% on back three windows)
17. Repaint whole car someday
18. e30tech.com Decals (DONE! $15 )
19. Hella Smilies (DONE! $255)
20. HID kit (DONE! $67.35)

Engine Bay Needs
1. Fix washer fluid T-valve(DONE!$5.95)
2. Clean (bought engine de-greaser)
3. Paint valve cover and intake manifold
4. Delete Powersteering (Done! $35)
5. Better air filter! (Done! $99 or so from KA motorsports)

Performance

1. I plan on making it a 2.8 or 2.7 M20 as of now. I need some guidance for it though. I have an uncle who can do the machining for me. I need recommendations on all the parts I will need. then maybe turbo
2. Short shifter Z4 2.5 shift lever (DONE! $83.67 w/ bearing)

Misc.
BENTLEY REPAIR MANUAL (HERE! $44.95)
New Wheel studs and lugs: (Done! $58 )

Spent about $2450 so far.
Please give me recommendations on things and good places to get certain things, and if you are selling anything i may need let me know! :)
Ill try and update constantly
-Craig

[Edev]

Maint. Also, fix the 325is badge and put it in the correct location. Oh, and an IS lip.

[craiggroves91]

Maint. Also, fix the 325is badge and put it in the correct location. Oh, and an IS lip.

I'm going to fix the psost now, but it has a recently rebuilt head and less than 200 miles on timing belt/water-pump.
Yeah I am most likely going to de-badge it or fix them. Should I look for a used IS lip or is there somewhere i could get a new one for a good price?

[M-technik-3]

Nice car to start with, have to love cheap cali cars.

[ck_taft325is]

[/quote]I'm going to fix the psost now, but it has a recently rebuilt head and less than 200 miles on timing belt/water-pump.
Yeah I am most likely going to de-badge it or fix them. Should I look for a used IS lip or is there somewhere i could get a new one for a good price?[/quote]


I'd look more into the new department. Used are undoubtingly road rashed on the front a bit and/or cracked. Nothing can beat a new one. Try BMAparts.com. From my searches (not super extensive as I'm not into body mods with my project yet) they are the cheapest. RealOEM.com, BavAuto.com will also be something to look into.

Fantastic car to start with. Looks fairly straight from the provided pictures. If there's no engine knock etc, the head rebuild will carry you for awhile. Keep them valves adjusted. What direction are you planning on taking it engine wise? Fairly stock (just dandy), 24v swap, M30 swap, etc etc?

For Suspension I'd go GC (Ground Control) coil overs with GC Camber plates up top. Check your bushings (Control arms, Tie rod ends, subframe mounts, rear shock mounts) and look for wear/failure. Upgrade as needed. A good idea is to check your shocks to see if they've got 190k on 'em or not. I suggest Bilsteins in pair with GC CO's. There's a few threads in the suspension forums that'll tell you nearly everything you need to know.

I hope that's white paint on the front seat. Otherwise I really hope they didn't pay the lazy hooker...

...Good find. Keep us posted.

-C

[Holland]

keep the wheels.

[craiggroves91]

I'm going to fix the psost now, but it has a recently rebuilt head and less than 200 miles on timing belt/water-pump.
Yeah I am most likely going to de-badge it or fix them. Should I look for a used IS lip or is there somewhere i could get a new one for a good price?[/quote]


I'd look more into the new department. Used are undoubtingly road rashed on the front a bit and/or cracked. Nothing can beat a new one. Try BMAparts.com. From my searches (not super extensive as I'm not into body mods with my project yet) they are the cheapest. RealOEM.com, BavAuto.com will also be something to look into.

Fantastic car to start with. Looks fairly straight from the provided pictures. If there's no engine knock etc, the head rebuild will carry you for awhile. Keep them valves adjusted. What direction are you planning on taking it engine wise? Fairly stock (just dandy), 24v swap, M30 swap, etc etc?

For Suspension I'd go GC (Ground Control) coil overs with GC Camber plates up top. Check your bushings (Control arms, Tie rod ends, subframe mounts, rear shock mounts) and look for wear/failure. Upgrade as needed. A good idea is to check your shocks to see if they've got 190k on 'em or not. I suggest Bilsteins in pair with GC CO's. There's a few threads in the suspension forums that'll tell you nearly everything you need to know.

I hope that's white paint on the front seat. Otherwise I really hope they didn't pay the lazy hooker...

...Good find. Keep us posted.

-C[/quote]


Found this on BMA

http://bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1989-BMW-3--5is--/--L6--494cc--.5l--Gas--Fi--m--0--15---Body--Parts&yearid=1989%40%401989&makeid=BMW%40%40BMW%40%40X&engineid=1011845%40%40325IS++%2F+L6-2494cc+2.5L+GAS+FI++(M20)+152%40%40325IS&catid=Body+Parts%40%40Body+Parts&subcatid=Front+Spoiler@@Front+Spoiler&mode=PA

There is also this lip

http://www.aboveallmotorwerks.com/Products/GENUINE-BMW-Valance-Spoiler-is-Style-Front-Lower-Valance-Trim-NOTE--Also-use--(10)-51-71-1-945-568-clips__GENUINE-spc-BMW_51711968488_S.aspx

Way more expensive. The top one is the original correct?
Engine wise for now I was planning on just doing simple things to increase HP, no swaps yet. If you guys could point me towards legit bolt ons and all that, that would be great!

I'll check out the suspension when I bring the car home!

Thanks for your help!

[JJe30]

Welcome to r3v and e30's.

[craiggroves91]

Oh and for the interior I'm going to replace the seats, the P.P.O dye the leather black.
And the door panels are sprayed black. I'm going to be doing a lot of stuff in there.

[craiggroves91]

Welcome to r3v and e30's.

Thanks!
Glad to be in Cali where it seems there is a fairly dense population of them in good shape!

[craiggroves91]

keep the wheels.

Yeah I'm going to hang on to them, unless i find something I dig more. There is a spare on now he said the one 16" rim needs a new tire.

[craiggroves91]

bump for more pics :)

[elguapo84]

I'm going to fix the psost now, but it has a recently rebuilt head and less than 200 miles on timing belt/water-pump.
Yeah I am most likely going to de-badge it or fix them. Should I look for a used IS lip or is there somewhere i could get a new one for a good price?

tischer BMW has them new for 135 (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462)

[craiggroves91]

tischer BMW has them new for 135 (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462)

Awesome! That's a great price!
Im going to sound like a noob(well because I am one, but will I have to paint the lip white?
I can't tell if they come painted or what.
Haha

[elguapo84]

Awesome! That's a great price!
Im going to sound like a noob(well because I am one, but will I have to paint the lip white?
I can't tell if they come painted or what.
Haha

They come primered, ready for paint...you should 1) paint it flat black to match your rear trunk spoiler...

Or...2) paint both white, and get some matched white sideskirts