Intro... 93 325 'vert

[Just Scott]

Hi, my 1993 325i convertible was dropped off this morning.

The car is red with tan leather & manual transmission. Best of all, it has a hardtop.

What I know it needs or is broken:
Windshield
Tires
Driver side headlight bucket needs work
Timing belt, water pump & tensioner
Drivers front fender needs replaced
Passenger rear fender needs minor bodywork
Springs
Shocks/struts
Toolkit missing
Trunk won't stay open
Rear bumper cover cracked
Front lower bumper (or whatever that is called) not great
Brakes worn out
Interior cleaned and de-stanked, probably new leather and carpet
Missing three wheel caps
And lastly, it dies after running for about 5 minutes, smells rich too.

So, it is a project, but it was cheap enough to be OK.

Thanks in advance for the advice and the help!

My experience is ZERO with BMWs, but I've been messing with motors, cars, trucks and boats my whole life. There's a 1930 Model A Ford hot rod in the garage for sale now...

Pics tomorrow when it isn't dark.

Thanks,
Scott

[OrganicMechanic]

Plus one for cabrio luv.

no homo--

[Cabriolet]

I want pics now! tomorrow is too long to wait...
anyways u will need to hit
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do...ies=E30&arch=1
http://www.pelicanparts.com/

to get the parts to start the restoration. there are many on here who sell all kinds of stuff.

as a note the wight of a vert causes them to sit low in the back. i have koni shocks and eibach springs and really like them.

you also need to get a bently book asap.

TO Do list:
1.Maintenance
2.Drop it
3.Wheels/tires
4.Chip/exhaust/short shift
5.Drive it!!!

[Just Scott]

Just bought a Bentleys on ebay...

Cabriolet, you're car is great. When I get new springs and shocks/struts, it will be lowered a bit. I'm also thinking new wheels with the tires. Time will tell.

[hurricanevic09]

i just learned that they made em in 93. though my 11/92 was one of the last ones
good luck

[mizhan]

nice cabrio!

[reelizmpro]

11/92 is certainly a 93 year model. I like these late model verts so much better than diving board verts.

[Ceeker]

Just bought a Bentleys on ebay...

Cabriolet, you're car is great. When I get new springs and shocks/struts, it will be lowered a bit. I'm also thinking new wheels with the tires. Time will tell.

I really hope your power roof hydrolics work. (Grin) Vewy expensif to fix. u can always convert your vert..lol.

I picked up an 87 with the divers on them. I decided I'm gonna tuck mine instead. want to give it still the original look with some flair.

Yours sounds like a good base to start with. DIY like you should have no problem. plenty of resources on here and plenty of help from people. look at spending a couple grand at least to put it back into top shape. providing the roof is working good.

Here is a pic of mine just after I bought it but since sorted lots of the crap out that was wrong with it. luckily I had spare parts floating around. Also lucked out with the oem DOT fenders on the cheap which I'll be putting on later.

[Just Scott]

We pulled the hardtop off a few days ago and the top works great. The top itself has issues, but will keep you mostly dry in a pinch. Currently working on the front end to get it all sorted out - need a new rebar (is that the right term for the fiberglass bumper support?) and driver's fender in brillianrot so I don't have to paint. The driver's headlight bucket also has issues, so if I can't get it right, it will be replaced too.

[N2MYE30]

Well you got a great platform there. Pix of hotrod?

[Ceeker]

We pulled the hardtop off a few days ago and the top works great. The top itself has issues, but will keep you mostly dry in a pinch. Currently working on the front end to get it all sorted out - need a new rebar (is that the right term for the fiberglass bumper support?) and driver's fender in brillianrot so I don't have to paint. The driver's headlight bucket also has issues, so if I can't get it right, it will be replaced too.

lucky you..keep your eyes on it.(maintenance wise)

yup -bumper rebar- cheap.
hmm finding the fender will be tricky. I'd also like to find a pair in the same color but since I have two brand new ones I am just going to get them painted and installed.

in the forsale: there is a red e30 vert being parted out and the guy claims the car is rust free. think it's 89.

[Just Scott]

Adjusted TPS - now it idles at a constant 800 rpm. Not smooth as I like, but good enough. Second problem is that it won't restart immediately. I had to wait about 20 minutes. The crank sensor had a high ohm reading, maybe that's the culprit... I'll double check my readings and go from there.

[idanity]

theres a stomp test, that will report any electrical failures ( i am thinking its the coolant temp sensor).

welcome to the board, and nice cabrio.
1st thing i would do, is delete the 50lb balast in the trunk, bottom right, under a plate. especially if your toting 2 tops.