WTB: E30 M3 Shell

[KillaCam]

buy a m3!!! i was going to buy that one in Colorado but i didnt want to drive up there.

throw some 4 lug on there and a m20 and just drive it till you can get OEM m3 5 lug and s14 or s50/2 and buy a trashed e30 and just swap parts

[nrubenstein]

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread...e-or-for-parts

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?56497-1990-E30-M3-shell-for-sale

This is what I was looking at when I made my price decision.

You do realize that it'll cost you $500 for a used front bumper, another $500 for sideskirts, $250-600 for fenders, $300 for a windshield, and a boatload of other crap. That's just the quick list to make them *look* like an M3.

And BOTH of those can't be registered because they don't have titles.

For comparison, this heaping pile of rusty shit sold for $4,500:

http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?56377-Feed-back-on-selling-a-rough-rolling-shell&highlight=rusty+shell

[KillaCam]

You do realize that it'll cost you $500 for a used front bumper, another $500 for sideskirts, $250-600 for fenders, $300 for a windshield, and a boatload of other crap. That's just the quick list to make them *look* like an M3.

And BOTH of those can't be registered because they don't have titles.

For comparison, this heaping pile of rusty shit sold for $4,500:
http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread...ht=rusty+shell

put e30 fenders on it until you find m3 ones. it will still look like a m3 in the back....lol

[nrubenstein]

put e30 fenders on it until you find m3 ones. it will still look like a m3 in the back....lol

Given that regular fenders are the same price new and not that much cheaper than regular ones used (hell, I'd sell him a pair of usable used ones), I don't think that that's productive.

[Eric]

These cars would need6k+ just in parts and resto BEFORE you even get to drive train...

I figured I'd pop in here since one of those shells is mine. It will honestly take more than 6K to put an E30 M3 back together (minus drivetrain) I think the best option for my M3 is to re-shell a rusted one. I've had inquiries from some wacky places about my shell... England, Ireland, Sweeden and Germany! These guys see the value of starting out with a shell that doesn't have rust in all the hard places.

Now if I were to complete this project from scratch, I'd devote my life to finding a S54 M roadster on copart auctions, and transfer everything over. Hardest part with my shell is finding the M3 specific body work like bumpers and skirts (fenders are cheap OE). It's sad that nobody stateside produces good quality aftermarket parts for the E30 M3 now that Keith closed down competition concepts.

And BOTH of those can't be registered because they don't have titles.

This simply is not true. Colorado will issue a title once the car is complete and can be inspected by the Colorado State Patrol. California will issue a title to the shell as is, but it has to be inspected by the CHP, and I'm not going to spend another $1500 in fuel to get a piece of paper. I've asked if a CSP can fill out the California paperwork, no dice. I'm now a legal resident of Texas, and I've thought about inquiring with them about applying for a lost title.


DSCN3938 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

[Zaun]

Not to get off topic, but you guys that are constantly looking at m3 shells/rollers...ever see anything come up in the Southeast?

[stonea]

Well I do have a drivetrain, but people will give me a hard time for it, but it's sitting in my driveway so why not use it. It's a M52b25 out of a 1999 z3 and it has about 28,000 miles on it. I know it's not a M engine but it's what I have. If I have to I will go to the junk yard and get some regular e30 fenders and slap them on. I will keep my mind open, and try to consider all time, money and problems that will go into it. I want a project car, but t the same time i don't want a half finished project. Also yes a do currently have a DD so I do have transportation for the mean time.

[nrubenstein]

I figured I'd pop in here since one of those shells is mine. It will honestly take more than 6K to put an E30 M3 back together (minus drivetrain) I think the best option for my M3 is to re-shell a rusted one. I've had inquiries from some wacky places about my shell... England, Ireland, Sweeden and Germany! These guys see the value of starting out with a shell that doesn't have rust in all the hard places.

Now if I were to complete this project from scratch, I'd devote my life to finding a S54 M roadster on copart auctions, and transfer everything over. Hardest part with my shell is finding the M3 specific body work like bumpers and skirts (fenders are cheap OE). It's sad that nobody stateside produces good quality aftermarket parts for the E30 M3 now that Keith closed down competition concepts.



This simply is not true. Colorado will issue a title once the car is complete and can be inspected by the Colorado State Patrol. California will issue a title to the shell as is, but it has to be inspected by the CHP, and I'm not going to spend another $1500 in fuel to get a piece of paper. I've asked if a CSP can fill out the California paperwork, no dice. I'm now a legal resident of Texas, and I've thought about inquiring with them about applying for a lost title.


DSCN3938 by ericandshovin, on Flickr

Is that a salvage title issue, or a "you don't have a title, but there is a route to obtaining one eventually" issue?

[Eric]

Is that a salvage title issue, or a "you don't have a title, but there is a route to obtaining one eventually" issue?

The car was salvaged, picked up by a collector. He died and this shell as well as 12 other E30 M3's went to a BMW scrap yard in San Diego. Shell was bought from the scrap yard with the intent of turning it into a race car. Then I bought it with the intent of turning it into a track car. Somewhere in all of that the title was lost.

So yes, the owner simply needs to apply for a lost title, not a big deal at all.

[stonea]

The car was salvaged, picked up by a collector. He died and this shell as well as 12 other E30 M3's went to a BMW scrap yard in San Diego. Shell was bought from the scrap yard with the intent of turning it into a race car. Then I bought it with the intent of turning it into a track car. Somewhere in all of that the title was lost.

So yes, the owner simply needs to apply for a lost title, not a big deal at all.

I already contacted you on the bimmerforums, but how big of a hassle is it to get new title.

[M-technik-3]

Or you could luck across a running driving one like I did in Maryland for 3.5K Or the other guy in Delaware that got his for 800. But ours were freaks.

The car I got from California that was a complete minus a top end cost me 7K and a grand of it, was shipping it.

[stonea]

Well hopefully I can find one like that but realistically I will be spending about 3k on the chassis and another grand on shipping, but maybe I get lucky.

[KillaCam]

The car was salvaged, picked up by a collector. He died and this shell as well as 12 other E30 M3's went to a BMW scrap yard in San Diego. Shell was bought from the scrap yard with the intent of turning it into a race car. Then I bought it with the intent of turning it into a track car. Somewhere in all of that the title was lost.

So yes, the owner simply needs to apply for a lost title, not a big deal at all.

WAIT!!! 12 e30 M's went the the scrap yard!!?

WTF!!!

[M-technik-3]

They were on the Cash for Clunkers program as well.

[stonea]

Ok, well after some more research and careful consideration, I've redone my plan. Instead of getting a cheap chassis I've decided to bite that bullet and pay 5k, or more, for a good one, also I would like to get the car street legal by next august, but if I can't then its ok. I edited my opening post and I'm hoping this is more reasonable plan.