ABS swap... worth it?

[pantsless]

I have a 1990 318is that I use for weekend trips, no daily driving (btw, I live in Europe). Picked up a donor car of sorts (another 1990 318is) that came with ABS, Ive been reading tidbits here and there but am still undecided what to do and am looking for people's opinions.

Has anyone ever done it? The thing that scares me is the wiring. I want the donor to still run and drive, i.e., swap the non-ABS system into it, anyone know just how much cutting and splicing is needed?

And I know the E30 ABS system is dated, but some ABS is better than no ABS, right?

[nrubenstein]

If you are going to that kind of effort, it'd probably make more sense to install the early E36 standalone system.

[Vivek]

Why exactly do you want ABS? Loads of people drive cars without it

[pantsless]

If you are going to that kind of effort, it'd probably make more sense to install the early E36 standalone system.

Way too much $$$$. I blew my entire budget on buying the donor car.

How heroic of an effort are we talking about here?

Why exactly do you want ABS? Loads of people drive cars without it

That's a good question. For now, let's say "safety" and to have "more options" (From the donor car I'm adding power windows, power steering, OBC...)

I drove a lot of cars with and without ABS and it makes no difference to me, I just drive a lot more carefully without ABS.

[jlevie]

When you really need it, ABS may make the difference between being able to continue to drive the car and seeing it go for scrap. Given a choice, I'll take ABS.

The E30 ABS system is pretty simple and self contained. With a donor car on hand it would be pretty easy to pull everything and transfer it to another car. The wiring won't present much difficulty.

[Vivek]

Nevermind listen to Jim.

[nando]

Why exactly do you want ABS? Loads of people drive cars without it