It's officially a money pit.

[Dave McLaren]

I think I'm in something like $33k so far including the $5500 price of the car.

Probably wasn't the brightest thing to do, but what the hell.

[warmseth]

I just picked up my car from Castros and the money spent was perhaps the best money I've spent on it since I bought it. When I bought the car it had IE suspension goodies throughout but all of it was loose and a dreadful racket every time I drove over the most minor of road imperfections. Chris went through and tightened everything and replaced what bushings needed to be and a blown rear shock and the car feels almost "new car" smooth and solid. While he was dealing with the blown up head he found an incredible exhaust leak right at the collector for the rear bank of headers (IE Shorty). He welded that up and now the car is silky smooth sounding too. And lastly an M3 3 turn rack and all new plumbing for the steering goes a long way towards taking basically ALL slop out of my steering. Seriously the trip to the shop wasn't exactly cheap but he cut me a very good deal and the car feels SOOO much better. I almost don't care about not having money for rent. :)

:woowoo:

[BoxDriver86]

I'm into mine for about $2500. I get 90% of my parts used or from the salvage yard with the exception of maintenance. I only paid $400 for the car.

It's rusty and smelly but it runs great and operates as if new. I would gladly spend more to keep it on the road.

[e30rapidic]

considering we bought it brand new back in '87....theres 30k lol. Then add euro bumpers, rebuilding an adding an S50 with a bunch of goodies and tune, zf trans, stage 2 clutch, the 2.8 stroker I had and 2 M20 rebuilds before that, 5 different diffs, set of real Alpinas that I had refinished, 3 suspension variations, euroweaves. 6 speed. Ah forget it.....

[N2MYE30]

Im on the tipping end of my coupe. May cabrio is in the black and my MT2 was a flip. So Im averaging ahead of the game. I still have no car payments.

[Anguz]

Many people have spent 10,15 and 20k+ on non m e30s. There r many reasons y. Car lovers do what they love even if it doesn't make sense to anyone else or financially.

:bow:

[Stoner Sam23]

I'd rather put money into my car than owe money on newer car. So all my cars are shit

[Jafxod]

With the turbo build I'm well over 10k and im 18 and make all my money myself.

[TimKninja]

Prolly about 4-5K withing the last couple years...Rebuilt M20, 4-5 months later swapped in an M50.

Sucks too, I need to find a new shell (Car is HellaRusty). And have nowhere to transfer the M50 swap.

Herpderp.

[ZekeTheSneak]

I have 3gs into my coilovers and wheels alone. I love my money pit it was born the same year as me :)

[delatlanta1281]

The money I have put into my e30 is fine in my eyes. I don't care how much I have put into it. Like Greg said, it's my hobby, I will never sell it. What chaps my ass is my MK4, and my 4runner have both needed tranny replacements, and a getrag doesn't link up to them. 4k later both cars have cost me @ what I have put into my 25 year old car. And that 25 year old car has proven more reliable and less of a money pit. When you upgrade or customize a car, it isn't considered a "money pit" when you are constantly replacing the same worn parts and broken transmissions, that's when the money pit label should be used.

[MattAvino]

just remember, adding super unleaded to your eta doubles its value.

haha

[Holland]

Just remember, adding super unleaded to your eta doubles its value.

[Simon S]

afraid to actually add it up - but my ballpark guess is ~$15K.

I'm fine with that since I'd much rather have that kind of money in a like-new old/cool/fun/enjoyable car - than say a $15K Hyundai..

Bummer about your timing belt.. a little perplexed that you were $7K in without addressing such a vital maintenance item though..

[Sailor37]

only second to getting married and having kids.

Cars really are about the worst investment ever. It's the enjoyment that you get out of owning it that's important.