What Makes Your E30 Unique?

[roguetoaster]

Mine has an m20 in it

Mind blown!

[It's Soda Not Pop]

Mine has an m20 in it

[MrBurgundy]

Mine has an m20 in it

[DEV0 E30]

Mine is pretty unique to start with. It's a 318i Touring, slicktop with factory AC. Lots of plans, and hoping this will be my keep forever E30. I want it capable, comfortable, and a swiss army knife of all things.

Heated and cooled seats

Teach me.

I don't know how I missed this previously, your e30 is crazy custom and I love it - all of the touches you've done.

But cooling seats is something I must have, I've experienced it quite a bit, and it's the reason I let a Lexus dealer do my oil changes.Lexus complimentary loaners are fun. But man. I need this living in Phoenix.

I've been considering Recaros to replace the comfort seats instead of sports, because let's be honest - sports are selling for too much. I like pole positions but want something probably more comfortable for my lady and I and longer drives. I've been eyeing multiple styles off their touring/ortho/reclining lines.

[Panici]

Man this Thread has turned out to be great. A lot cool stuff. I love the obsession everyone ( including me ) has toward this little 3 series.

Agreed! Love seeing unique touches.
Goes to show you can still innovate on a 30+ year old chassis.

[It's Soda Not Pop]

Man this Thread has turned out to be great. A lot cool stuff. I love the obsession everyone ( including me ) has toward this little 3 series.

[e30davie]

I am not sure how "unique" it makes it, but most people seem to ignore the m20b23, don't believe you got them in the states. Its in the 323i. It has L-jetronic which is reliable but fairly basic. Most people transplant the m20b25 and swap over to motronic. I run my m20b23 on megasquirt by making a whole new engine loom with 6 x LS1 coils, wideband 02 feedback, variable TPS etc. significant improvement to how smooth it runs and has certainly modernised the engine, but it has taken me a long time to dial the tune in perfectly. But its all good learning.

I also have FD rx7 front seats - don't see them utilised very often.

[It's Soda Not Pop]

Aren't you just describing an E30 M3?




Beauty plate is interesting, gives it a more modern feel. You can't see any components in a late model engine bay.

Zero issues. Nothing gets hot or anything.

I saw the LX-Bs in your build thread. Are they a little wider then the stock sport seats?
You can definitely tell the sport seats are Recaro inspired.

Love the towing as well, E30 putting in work!



I have definitely never seen a dealer option sub package on an E30. Is there a corresponding amplifier tucked in the trunk somewhere?

[KI4UJO]

While not as impressive as a lot of the other builds here, mine is unique for a few reasons. Mainly, style 3s, m54b30, and still retaining a series 1 valence (at least unusual here in the US)

Untitled by Jonathan Martin, on Flickr

IMG_2544 by Jonathan Martin, on Flickr

[Panici]

Thought of another one on my E30.
Chase Bays washer fluid reservoir tucked in the A/C Dryer location.

[moatilliatta]

Nothing as impressive as the stuff above, I built this car on a shoestring budget.

I use 3 of the most powerful computer fans I could find as condenser fans because it's impossible to put a condenser fan when a 3" thick intercooler is occupying the space it would take up. I've never seen someone else do that, then I saw Papadakis use a PC fan on steroids to cool the alternator on a race car earlier this year. Other than that there's nothing unique about my E30 other than the specific combination of parts it is. Not even the fact that it's running on an ECU I built (there are probably at least 7 cars running around with that). It's a shitbox, but it's my shitbox, and it's pretty fast.

Varg I like your car/ build too, anything one off or low production is unique. I never though about the enjoyment of looking at cars as a cost thing, but always enjoyed the ingenuity,uniqueness, and insanity.., kinda like the realm of problem solving in ways people take, especially if it ignores current trends. .

I hope more people chime in :)

[lukeADE335i]

I saw the LX-Bs in your build thread. Are they a little wider then the stock sport seats?
You can definitely tell the sport seats are Recaro inspired.

Love the towing as well, E30 putting in work!

Thanks - The Recaros are slightly wider than the sport seats in the base, but slightly narrower in the back where the bolsters are. They rub on the console if you put them all the way forward.

Nothing as impressive as the stuff above, I built this car on a shoestring budget. I use 3 of the most powerful computer fans I could find as condenser fans because it's impossible to put a condenser fan when a 3" thick intercooler is occupying the space it would take up. I've never seen someone else do that, then I saw Papadakis use a PC fan on steroids to cool the alternator on a race car earlier this year. Other than that there's nothing unique about my E30 other than the specific combination of parts it is. Not even the fact that it's running on an ECU I built (there are probably at least 7 cars running around with that). It's a shitbox, but it's my shitbox, and it's pretty fast.

I’ve always loved your shoe string build Varg! My M30 swap initially cost me under $2k (with the engine and transmission costing me $350! - I wish parts were still that cheap).

[laidback93]

I have definitely never seen a dealer option sub package on an E30. Is there a corresponding amplifier tucked in the trunk somewhere?

I've never poked around in the trunk, but I'm assuming they tapped into the stock amp. At some point a PO bypassed everything and installed an aftermarket stereo. I recently upgraded the speakers and amp with Infinity components. Sounds great and hits pretty hard.

[varg]

Nothing as impressive as the stuff above, I built this car on a shoestring budget.

I use 3 of the most powerful computer fans I could find as condenser fans because it's impossible to put a condenser fan when a 3" thick intercooler is occupying the space it would take up. I've never seen someone else do that, then I saw Papadakis use a PC fan on steroids to cool the alternator on a race car earlier this year. Other than that there's nothing unique about my E30 other than the specific combination of parts it is. Not even the fact that it's running on an ECU I built (there are probably at least 7 cars running around with that). It's a shitbox, but it's my shitbox, and it's pretty fast.

The fans in question.

[moatilliatta]

Those seats are sweet! what are they? weight? The whole car is ridiculously custom.

Recaro pole positions N.G. (FIA) 17 LBS
Maybe 1.5 extra lbs for leather and the heated and cooled seat stuff.
The side brackets are about 4.5lbs
Car 2705. 1/2 tank, Spare, Tools, CDs, ready to roll.

Indeed! Thought I was looking at a full-blown racecar until I got to the interior section
Will definitely be checking out the build thread.

Wanted as Racecar / Track car as I could go for the street with everything made built to endure big rubber and power and ok to drive long trips., "Clubsport feel"