S50 E30 Autocross Cabrio

[e30pq]

Looking at those pics is going to end up costing me a bunch of money.

BTW, does the CD43 play MP3's burned to CD?

I don't believe it does, but someone says they do.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Needless to say, I'm a big fan of E30's. My goal from the beginning was to make the car look as if BMW did it. I was shooting for a Euro look but not too over the top. A little closer to stock. I'm glad you like my attention to detail.

A few years back I participated in the Annual Clean Car Contest that the San Diego Chapter of BMWCCA puts on. The car received a 1st place trophy. That was back when it was M20 powered.

Regarding the Z3 Business CD player, I don't know if it can play MP3's. I never tried. Unfortunately I don't have the manual for the head unit.

[funcrew]

Wow, you whole car is nicely done! I've just gotten most of the maintenance items done on my recently acquired '89 convertible, but it's still slow & ugly. From this point it would take massive time, money, and good taste to get halfway to what you have there. Thanks for posting this up!

[Court M3]

Nice looking car! Euro bumpers look sweet

[e30pq]

Nice looking car! Euro bumpers look sweet

Thanks

I swapped out the "diving board" bumpers for the chrome euro bumpers. I think it makes a huge difference in the look of the car.

[esheg4ever23]

So clean! Looks like you bought it yesterday..

[e30pq]

My car made it thru the BAR Smog Referee process!!!

A couple weeks ago I setup the appointment for the BAR Smog Referee. The passed the visual inspection but it failed the smog test.

I was running the M20 OBDI O2 sensor (it worked but is wasn't providing the correct information to the ECU). I installed the 95 M3 O2 sensor and a new set of spark plugs and it passed the smog test.

For those of you who aren't in California, you need to go thru this process if you want to officially have the new motor recognized by the state and registered to your VIN.

Anyway, its nice to have the car all legal and everything.

[Alpina]

Yes, it is easily removable. That was one of the specs I requested for when I had it made.

I've had the roll bar for about 6 years now. For the first couple years I would pull it in and out after each autocross. For the last 4 years I have left it in. I haven't been carrying more than one passenger very often. When it does happen I ask them to do the limbo.

Ok.. how long time does it take to install ......... and to remove

i am ,,,,,, maby,,,,,,,, going to do things like that

[e30pq]

Ok.. how long time does it take to install ......... and to remove

i am ,,,,,, maby,,,,,,,, going to do things like that

The roll bar is custom built it fit the E30 cabrio. The roll bar was designed as a "bolt-in" roll bar in case I ever decide to sell it (which I don't currently have plans on doing).

The part of the roll bar that I can easily remove is the cross bar where the shoulder harnesses attach. With the cross bar installed it is difficult for passengers to use the rear seat. In the past I would install the cross bar for autocrosses and remove the cross bar for regular street driving.

[John1180]

Do any euro bumpers fit on the vert or are they different?

[e30pq]

Do any euro bumpers fit on the vert or are they different?

My car is a US car. It came with the diving board bumpers.

I had a local shop retro fit the chrome (euro) bumpers. These early convertibles were designed to have the chrome bumpers.

[el bob]

Can't believe I havn't seen this car before. It's absolutely stunning. Very inspiring for an 87 Turbo Vert E30 I help work on.

[EtaSport]

Do you run the cabrio in Street Modified? I was quickly looking over class rules and seems like engine swaps of the same vehicle make fall under SM. I'm wondering where to place my e30 with the m50. s50 is going in soon to make it a little more competitive.

[e30pq]

Do you run the cabrio in Street Modified? I was quickly looking over class rules and seems like engine swaps of the same vehicle make fall under SM. I'm wondering where to place my e30 with the m50. s50 is going in soon to make it a little more competitive.

Sorry, I can't give you advice regarding the SCCA rule book.

I run this car in San Diego BMWCCA events. Under our local rules I need to run in M Modified. I basically run against all the local modified M cars and cars that have swapped in M motors.

The last time I ran the car (I think it was early July) I took 2nd place in M Mod. Not bad for a cabrio with a full interior and a roll bar.

[dpgrand]

What tranny mounts are you running? I saw a picture of them somewhere on this forum...

[e30pq]

Those are the AKG E21 transmission mounts. The aluminum cups provide extra support.