The 5 Year Restoration - E30 M3 Reborn

[MukeM3]

Watching this always gets a smile on my face. This is something so enjoyable. Those little details, exact pictures, everything.

[MR E30 325is]

Oh my. I have just witnessed excellence in its highest form.

You sir are an inspiration.

Amazed.

[squidrope]

You're doing an amazing job on this project. Any idea what this would/could sell for when it's done?

[jhaurimn]

nice update. feels good to see the carpet in

[0-60Motorsports]

Amazing amazing work

[CurrusDei]

Ok you need a vacation

The wiring install is still missing the new fuse box cover i have, but its not going on until finishing touches. Dont want to risk scratching/breaking it while installing other motor stuff.

Gas tank bump stop (this was missing when i got the car)








Underbody trim (bday present from sis - yeh im hard to shop for)




some slight sagging in the rear bumper plastic - probably standard for age and fittament in the 80s. my new bumpers do this sometimes.




Some of the floor drain plugs were a little beat. One in particular wouldnt stay in, so I upgraded them all to the new style which has a heat melt seal around the edge. Heat gun on them for 5 seconds, press down, and done.








Trunk time









no metal on metal please - cut a foam gasket to go around the edge








Wires wires wires wires


























Upholstery (also, diaper boxes make good hardware storage)



Put this guy on the top of the spare tire wheel post so the carpet could go back in. It sits a little high, might be able to adjust or I might go to the post cap that isnt also a center cap wrench.






Rear bulkhead cover. Mine was a little worn, so i had it covered in the same vinyl that the forward headliner is made of. Looks a lot better than the cheap paper material it had before



Scoring for plugs. The red spots were on the front as well - not sure how that happened.









People who call oil "black gold" havent seen the pricing on these boys. OEM door weather strip...











Speeaking of birthday presents....

I bought these thinking they were likely going NLA. Then i learned BMW has over 600 in stock in Germany. Guess they know what they have and are trying to keep them to M3 models because pricing is



Didnt put these on yet, just laid down for pics. Will go on with finishing touches (roundel, badges, etc)

[0-60Motorsports]

Awesome!

[bradnic]

Out
Of
The
Park

Damn.
That harness install looks factory new.

Ok you need a vacation

[CurrusDei]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'm on vacation this week, so time to bring this thread current...

Wiring Install.

You saw the wiring removal and labeling. I was somewhat surprised that the reinstall was MUCH easier than the removal. This was because I took a lot of pictures, was very careful with labeling, and significantly improved the tape wrap coverage vs before when the tape was disintegrated and dry rotted.

Replacement fuse box labels. These took a LONG time. Took millimeter measurements, and had to figure out what was written on my old ones. They weren't in awesome shape...



I couldnt figure out the logo in the upper right. I even called owners of very low mileage cars, and did research for who printed BMW's fuse box circuit boards in the 80s. No luck, until I was rooting around in the garage for something else, and came across this guy in a pile of junk that came off the car - none of which has been thrown away, for instances like this.



BINGO.



Kroschu. Logo found.



Final production:




On






Heading back in. Had to borrow a blanket to keep from scratching up the side - much more the white glove treatment going back together



















Driver footwell relays















Taking time to get the harness secured and neat. Wont be complete until I put the dash back in, but this is still a huge improvement over the scattered mess i had when i started.










Doors wiring cleaned up nicely






Speaker Wire





Replacement door tumbler - much better









time for door lock actuators - had to cut new adhesive circles to cover the openings. Had some good 3m clearbra material on hand.





Wired. The rest of the wiring runs low (see the zip ties - thats the factory method), and the wires that run up go through a couple of clips.




Back to the floor, passenger side.








and from the driver's side



glamour shots




































Front




Back




Carpet going in











Shaping foam back in

[shootnjunky]

that carbon wing is HOT HOT HOT

[M-technik-3]

Old roundel's seemed to last forever the new ones you might as well just throw in the trash.

Keep up the inspirational work!

[CurrusDei]

Weekend update!

Working on finding a new roundel. I'm insistent that it has to be the old PN (solid metal), so I've been buying them as I find them.

Original two are at the top. purchased ones below. Second one in the right column is brand new, stat in its packaging unused in the Netherlands for 30 years. Unfortunately, it has a pit in the paint (upper left roundel segment)



Also coated over these guys





[PLACEHOLDER]


B Pillar trim in (contact cement)









Up next...

[lukeADE335i]

Amazing work.

Should be a concourse winner once it's done :D

[M-technik-3]

great update thanks.

[MukeM3]

Incredibly beautiful. I should like to see it live.