Am I insane? Thoughts on E30 total restoration. PLEASE HELP.

[Rontgen]

General rule of thumb is to add up the costs and time beforehand, as you've done.


Then double the cost and triple the time.

[rturbo 930]

First, when you say "total restoration" I assume you mean a bare chassis, bare metal resto. Otherwise, it's not really a total restoration.

And no, $15,000 isn't enough. Double that, possibly triple, depending on how much you do yourself and what you can use vs what needs to be replaced.

[BHT2109]

Greetings! Newb here; don't even own an E30 (YET!).


I need your thoughts regarding a near-total E30 restoration. The goal is to start with a “shell”, replace/repair all major systems, and end up with a vehicle that - in many respects - can be considered “new”. I realize that this is the goal of many restorations, but I actually want to make it happen.

Please refer to restoration outline below.

What I need from the E30 community is general advice and opinions, and to basically answer these three questions:

1. Has anyone successfully attempted what I’m planning to do (below)? What were your experiences? Are you happy with the results?

2. I want to basically end up with a 325iS. Can the work outlined below be installed on a 318 or 325e shell? What special considerations would I need to address in upgrading a 318 shell, for instance?

3. Once completed, could I consider this a “new” E30? Will I be able to crank out 300,000 miles from my work? (Let’s assume that I daily-drive it very conservatively: 15,000mi/year, all fluids religiously changed, garaged, no snow, all scheduled preventative maintenance performed, etc). Basically, it’d be an oft-used garage queen. I would want this car to outlast me (never to be sold).



RESTORATION OUTLINE

Budget: $15,000

Rebuilt M20B25 (325i) Engine: $3,500 (complete top and bottom teardown; includes labor)
Rebuilt Getrag 260 Transmission: $1,700 (complete teardown; includes labor)
Remanufactured driveshaft: $500
Suspension Rebuild Kit: $1,363 (shocks/springs, end links, bushings, etc)
Control Arms: $200
Limited Slip Diff: $1,400 (purchase used + parts & rebuild/installation labor)
Brake Overhaul Kit: $480 (4 discs, caliper rebuilds, pads, steel brake lines, etc)
Flex disc kit: $82
Tires: $320
Fuel pump: $142
Timing belt/Water Pump kit: $375
Ignition kit: $316 (distributor, rotor, wires, coil, plugs)
Alternator: $130
Oxygen sensor: $160
Radiator: $220
Steering rack overhaul: $500 (rebuilt rack, gaskets, boots, etc)
Belts, filters, hoses, bushings, etc: $500

Stipulations:

-This budget leaves about $3000-$4000 breathing room to buy an E30 “shell” with no rust, a halfway decent interior, and functional electronics. Exterior aesthetics are unimportant as long as the chassis is sound overall. Worryingly, this $3-4000 buffer must also include unforeseen labor costs.

-I will attempt to use the best quality parts that I can afford. Parts & kits would be sourced from Pelican Parts, BavAuto, etc.

-I would hope to perform much of the work myself to save labor expenditures. Work I would definitely outsource: Engine and tranny rebuilds, some brake work, and new diff rebuild/installation.

-I realize this outline is not total. It ignores electrics, shifter linkage, and exhaust (for starters). Plus, there are always little gremlins lurking about (Idle control valve, anyone?). I will obviously have to factor these issues into the “shell” purchase.


So whatta ya think?

Thanks for your input...