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Building an e30 m3 from a shell up need help from senior r3v members

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    #16
    i don't think you can even get it done for 10,000. more like 20-25k and that is likely with an engine that doesn't begin with an "s". i know we sound discouraging, but i guess we are trying to be realistic without being.....disrespectful.

    here is the problem: there are HUNDREDS of parts on an m3 that are different and even un-compatible with a standard e30. with enough time and money, you can find them of course. for example: good luck finding all those plastic parts around the fenders, quarters, trunk, etc. the interior covers for the a and c pillars will be REALLY tough. almost all of these parts are nla from the dealer. even better, good luck finding a front bumper! at least this part is still manufactured, but if you need to buy it new, it will set you back 3 grand or better with all the parts that go along with it. you say fog lights? good luck. does the shell at least have the rear sail panel/glass and front windshield?

    in the end, i have to agree with vlad. the only real purpose of a bare "shell" is to repair a complete m3 that was wrecked,a race car, or a lawn ornament.

    i am pretty sure judging by your post, you simply don't have the funds to actually buy a drivable m3. however, in the end, you would be so much better off simply buying one of the many "driver" >15,000 dollar m3's that are on the internet right now.

    i think the value of this shell to you for the purpose you intend should certainly be less than 1000.00 if it hasn't been wrecked and includes the front and rear glass. if it is missing the sail panel, it is worth less than nothing to you because there is one more part that is impossible to find.

    i mean no offense, but you really have no idea what you are getting in to. some of the comments on this thread may seem harsh, but in reality, we are saving you more time, money, and heartache than you could imagine.

    with all this said, if you still want to pursue this, awesome. i hope it turns out well for you. i have a set of rust free lachsilber m3 doors i would sell cheap if you are interested in them.
    Last edited by flyboyx; 12-06-2011, 02:05 PM.
    sigpic
    Gigitty Gigitty!!!!

    88 cabrio becoming alpina b6 3.5s transplanted s62
    92 Mtech 2 cabrio alpinweiss 770 code
    88 325ix coupe manual lachsilber/cardinal
    88 325ix coupe manual diamondschwartz/natur
    87 e30 m3 for parts lachsilber/cardinal(serial number 7)
    12 135i M sport cabrio grey/black

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      #17
      Why was the shell stripped in the first place? Any glass at least? Sounds like you need to find a donor E30 for the interior and electricals. If you can get an 86-87 donor it would be better since they have the correct wiring/taillights, front core support, etc. you would need. You can fill the doors and use the hood/sunroof + side glass as well. There are fiberglass replica bumpers available but you'll need some carriers. As for suspension you could use the E30 4 lug and bolt it right up or get some E36 M3 front/318Ti rear for an upgraded 5 lug setup with big brakes since you are planning on an engine swap. Overall, it's going to take a LOT of work but you wouldn't be the first to do it nor the last. It's the hard way to get a nice M3 but when you're done it'll be 100% rebuilt to your specs. Goodluck.
      "I'd probably take the E30 M3 in this case just because I love that little car, and how tanky that inline 6 is." - thecj

      85 323i M TECH 1 S52 - ALPINEWEISS/SCHWARZE
      88 M3 - LACHSSILBER/SCHWARZE
      89 M3 - ALPINEWEISS II/M TECH CLOTH-ALCANTARA
      91 M TECHNIC CABRIO TURBO - MACAOBLAU/M TECH CLOTH-LEATHER

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        #18
        This is a helluva undertaking.
        GL
        sigpic

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          #19
          just tell me it isn't the one i parted out: http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...921_162555.jpg

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            #20
            Originally posted by reelizmpro View Post
            Why was the shell stripped in the first place? Any glass at least? Sounds like you need to find a donor E30 for the interior and electricals. If you can get an 86-87 donor it would be better since they have the correct wiring/taillights, front core support, etc. you would need. You can fill the doors and use the hood/sunroof + side glass as well. There are fiberglass replica bumpers available but you'll need some carriers. As for suspension you could use the E30 4 lug and bolt it right up or get some E36 M3 front/318Ti rear for an upgraded 5 lug setup with big brakes since you are planning on an engine swap. Overall, it's going to take a LOT of work but you wouldn't be the first to do it nor the last. It's the hard way to get a nice M3 but when you're done it'll be 100% rebuilt to your specs. Goodluck.

            only true if done right. or could end up being a cluster fuck of sadness

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              #21
              I think blunt is the only senior on r3v.

              '91 318is - OBD-II S52 swapped - E30 M3 5-lug - 5x120 BBS RC090 (E39 Style 5) - TCK D/A coilovers 550/700 [SOLD]
              '87 535i - Vacuum brake conversion [SOLD]
              '93 525iT - 5-speed swap - 320k and counting
              '09 328xi - 6-speed

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                #22
                I personally think this would be an awesome project and a hell of a lot of fun. Best of luck!
                Originally posted by Sonny
                I am a meme for our community.

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                  #23
                  You don't build a street car from the ground up when you can find pristine examples of the finished product for $20-30K. There's just no way around that.

                  What you do with a bare shell is build a modified-class race car, in which case you'd strip the car down to the bare chassis to begin with no matter what you started with. Since you'd be replacing the hood, trunk, and fenders with composites anyway, you wouldn't care about anything but having a straight frame.

                  With a bare shell and a budget of $20K, you can turn your car into a badass racer (assuming you do all the work yourself and run a non-S14 engine). If you spend the same budget and try to build a street car, you'll end up with a salvage-titled ghetto rig that will be worth FAR less than the money and time you put into it.

                  IMNSHO, of course.
                  sigpic
                  1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16: Vintage Racer
                  2010 BMW (E90) 335xi sedan: Grocery Getter

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                    #24
                    i found this on s14. coincidence? i think not.

                    sigpic
                    Gigitty Gigitty!!!!

                    88 cabrio becoming alpina b6 3.5s transplanted s62
                    92 Mtech 2 cabrio alpinweiss 770 code
                    88 325ix coupe manual lachsilber/cardinal
                    88 325ix coupe manual diamondschwartz/natur
                    87 e30 m3 for parts lachsilber/cardinal(serial number 7)
                    12 135i M sport cabrio grey/black

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Yikes, sounds like a seriously big project you're about to get yourself into.

                      >> 1988 3.1 ITB E30 /// 2002 E46 M3 6MT / 2008 335xi 6MT / 1991 S38B36 E30 (sold)

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                        #26
                        Fuck I'd do it, but it would be as much of a garage ornament than a project car. Go total "because racecar" on it, no interior, very little wiring, lexan windows, hydro e-brake, s54/euro s50/ls motor, huge wheels track it, wreck it, laugh about it.
                        For all things 24v, check out Markert Motorworks!
                        Originally posted by mbonanni
                        I hate modded emtree, I hate modded cawrz, I hate jdm, I hate swag, I hate stanceyolokids, I hate bags (on cars), I hate stuff that is slowz, I hate tires.

                        I am a pursit now.

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                          #27
                          I think OP re-thunk his plans... Big projects call for big kahunas and bigger bank accounts, lol! I'd like to see it done, but it's getting into a realm of impossibilities before it even gets started...

                          Garey


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                            #28
                            Originally posted by flyboyx View Post
                            i found this on s14. coincidence? i think not.

                            http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?t=54157
                            differnet guy flyboyx im working on one of his cars


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