Playing with some ideas...

[catalyst.]

Alright.. i dont post here much, but i want to get a feel for how much money it would cost to put together a nice e30 for myself..

Ive been back and forth around 50 times with the e36 vs e30 question, and i think i have finally made up my mind. Im planning to ditch my e36 for around 5k and use that +some other saved cash to buy an e30 and mod it - if what i want to do with it isnt going to cost to much...

basically this car: (i hope the owner doesnt mind me stealing some of his pics)

http://fuzzy-warbles.com/90/917/533.jpg

has inspired me.. like hardcore.. haha.. i honestly cant even imagine how well that thing handles, and it looks.. well yeah.. Also.. i really cannot stand the rep the e36 has, i get the worst looks from people driving the thing, they just see a badge, and a kid, and well you know..

Anyway, what i want to do, is pick up a nice 2 door late model for around 2500-3000, maybe something with alot of suspension issues, but with a good drivetrain and clean body.. and hook it up with an e36 m3 suspension.

Obviously i do my own work, im not worried about that, even though basically the only experience i have so far, is doing brakes on my car and my mom's volvo and from replacing alot of the bushings on my car.

So.. yeah, my question is, how much money would it cost to get something like this started.. im thinking a budget of around 6 to 7 grand, including the car and all the parts..

Sorry for the long post.

[permit]

That car is sorta originally built by Bryson--one of the best e30 builders on this site. History lesson: all that 5-lug was originally on a bronzit 325is and was traded to the current owner for an M3. The owner (IL Duce) crashed the car, and swapped everything over to this beautiful black car. The car handles better than you'd ever imagine, and is gorgeous as well.

Good luck if you get an e30, I'd love to see another 5-lugger around here.

[A_325i]

ill trade you my e30 straight up for your e36 it already handles like its on rails

[DarkWing6]

You seem you have a good budget going. About 3-4K for the car. I would try to find a nice "is" so that you will already have things like an lsd and sport seats. The 5-lug with suspension and wheels is probably looking around 1500-2K. Then you have another couple grand for things like a chip, exhaust, and a few verious cosmetic things. Personally I would hold off on the 5-lug and spend my money making the car faster since you wont need 5 lug until your car is a lot faster, but that's all up to you. Anyways, congrats on selling the e36 and buying an e30. You are making the correct decision.

[Digitalwave]

What is the car's purpose going to be for you? 5 lugs are nice and all, they are blinging, but almots all of us on this forum don't need them. You can make a 4 lug setup brake and handle just as well as as a 5 lug swap. There are more options for brakes for the 5 lug, but most of us don't need anything more than a well setup 4 lug brake setup anyways.

[RobertK]

I never really understood the reasoning behind a 5 Lug swap... could someone be kind enough to enlighten me?

[Digitalwave]

I never really understood the reasoning behind a 5 Lug swap... could someone be kind enough to enlighten me?

Longer mod list, 1 more lug, bigger brakes.

Here's another idea. Since you already own an E36, why don't you part it out and put the engine and suspension on your car?

[h0lmes]

I never really understood the reasoning behind a 5 Lug swap... could someone be kind enough to enlighten me?

Bigger brakes.

[Addissimo]

Since you already own an E36, why don't you part it out and put the engine and suspension on your car?

I think we have a winnar!!!!111!!1!!one!

[blunttech]

You seem you have a good budget going. About 3-4K for the car. I would try to find a nice "is" so that you will already have things like an lsd and sport seats. The 5-lug with suspension and wheels is probably looking around 1500-2K. Then you have another couple grand for things like a chip, exhaust, and a few verious cosmetic things. Personally I would hold off on the 5-lug and spend my money making the car faster since you wont need 5 lug until your car is a lot faster, but that's all up to you. Anyways, congrats on selling the e36 and buying an e30. You are making the correct decision.

i think it will be difficult to do 5 lug, suspension (decent) and wheels and tires for 2k. maybe all used stuff. but theres so much more you are going to want to do while its apart. i cant see doing all that work and not doing all new bushings, control arms,etc etc.

[Digitalwave]

i think it will be difficult to do 5 lug, suspension (decent) and wheels and tires for 2k. maybe all used stuff. but theres so much more you are going to want to do while its apart. i cant see doing all that work and not doing all new bushings, control arms,etc etc.

That's what I was thinking too, but I haven't done the swap so I wasn't really sure. I'd figure you want $1,500 just for decent wheels and tires alone.

[kowalski]

Longer mod list, 1 more lug, bigger brakes.

Here's another idea. Since you already own an E36, why don't you part it out and put the engine and suspension on your car?

better selection for wheels.

[Digitalwave]

better selection for wheels.

I don't buy that at all. There are tons and tons of 4 lugs wheels available. People are just too cheap.

[catalyst.]

That's what I was thinking too, but I haven't done the swap so I wasn't really sure. I'd figure you want $1,500 just for decent wheels and tires alone.

I already have contours with good tires.

And yea i agree, after new control arms, bushings, springs, shocks, and all the used parts that i would have to get (trailing arms, spindel assembly, brakes,) I think i would be somewhere in the 2000-2500 range. Plus maybe an e36 M3 rack.. and im sure il be knickle and dimed by tons of little unexpected things.

As for parting my car out.. well i think i could get more for it selling it as is than doing that, and not have to deal with tearing the whole car down.

Im really still just messing around in my mind with what i could do with the 6-7 grand i will have after selling my car and saving over the summer.. im set on getting an e30 though.

[Digitalwave]

I still don't see why you would want to go with a 5 lug conversion.