Not sure if I should part out or restore

[eltapier]

Thanks Simon. Your car looks pretty sweet by the way.

[Simon S]

ah.. that changes things considerably..

Have at 'er then !!

:up:

[eltapier]

Simon S,

I appreciate your candidness on the subject and I will take your thoughts into consideration.

First off, I own more tools than you could possible imagine as I own 3 Frieghtliner's and 1 Western Star tractor and we do most maintenance ourselves. I also have multiple friends/customers who are mechanics and are willing to lend a helpful hand for a little off the top of their bill. On top of the mechanics, I also have friends/customers who own very reputable body shops who would also be willing to lend a hand for a little of their bill. :-)

Secondly I have plenty of money to blow on a car that I've loved since I was almost killed in my friends when we were 17. If it wasn't for the E30 or BMW, I would be dead!!

So with that all rapped up, I am committed to building a beautiful car and will see my dream to the end.

Jordan, whomever he is, is very talented to say the least. I may never achieve what he has but I will certainly put my best foot forward and give it a shot.

[efficient]

car doesnt look bad and the color is nice.

[Simon S]

oh shit - there goes the neighborhood..

I'll make three points:

1. Do you have a workshop loaded with tools?

2. Do you have $15K+ to blow on your car?

3. The way you're coming off - it's time for you to stop asking questions - and start reading and researching.


Edit: Let me apologize. Sometimes I come off like a douche when I don’t mean to be. What I forget is that we all start somewhere.

To answer your question, Jordan’s old car started as an early model (like yours) (small taillights and higher, early-model rear arches). It was completely stripped to shell and rebuilt. Brakes, engine, suspension, interior and on and on and on..

A plastic bumper (from late model) conversion was performed.
The front lip with splitter is a Rieger piece.
The side trim, locks, and antenna were shaved.
The skirts (I believe) are from an e36 – and a total bitch to fit on an e30 properly.
The rear spoiler is an mtech II piece – but I could be wrong there.
“Shadowlined” window trim.
Not sure what rear valence he used.


Jordan was one of those guys who is a very capable enthusiast and somewhat eccentric/obsessive. He put a lot of time, thought, and work into whatever he did.

The reason I bring all that up is because we then start talking about investments in tools and research to pull off an endeavor like the one you posted. Farming that kind of work out (paying someone to do it) becomes an astronomical expenditure. The questions you ask lead me to believe you need to be realistic about what you can do. Tools, parts, time, shop space (rent?), shop supplies, research, car’s down-time (years?), etc. are things that many daydreamers don’t factor in.

Maybe it’s the word “restore” that people throw around. Using my car as an example – it didn’t even compare to a proper “restoration”. “Refresh” is a better word to use.

Just to give you a bench mark, ~$7K was spent on my lowly m42 car on OE maintenance parts alone. I did all the work. That’s crazy to me. Was it worth it? It was for me. The car is fucking magical now. The satisfaction levels from the results of all the work I did is something hard to put in words. Mostly I want to give you a reality check before you start diving into that car.

I’ve been drinking. I’ll stop now..

[eltapier]

Who can tell me what parts...bumpers etc that make up this car? I love the look and the clean lines.

[eltapier]

The following link should be required reading for all new e30 owners:

Modifying E30s: A Starters Guide for Fun

Good read Simon S!

[TimKninja]

88 is the best e30 year.

Don't part it out .

[Simon S]

HHHMMM......So where should i start? lol

The following link should be required reading for all new e30 owners:

Modifying E30s: A Starters Guide for Fun

[Simon S]

Rule #1 - start with the best/cleanest chassis/body you can.

Inspect it better to see just how much rust it's got.....

Second this. The rust on the rear fender well alone would cause me to pass on full restoration endeavors. You'd end up sinking ~10+ on a car that would only be worth $5-6 when done.

Like I must have $14K+ in mine including car and paint. Aside from that - interior wasn't ragged/dash wasn't cracked, and body was remarkably solid. When you start going through and replacing all rubber and wear/maintenance items, it adds up fast.

In your shoes, I'd be thinking more in terms of getting it mechanically healthy and using it as a driver/winter car - or maybe have fun with it in terms of sleeper/engine swap car. That or i'd get it running and flip it. Not sure parting it would be worth the time..

[Jean]

Rule #1 - start with the best/cleanest chassis/body you can.

Inspect it better to see just how much rust it's got.....

[TheTacoMan]

still could be a seta, mine was made in november of 1987.

[eltapier]

HHHMMM......So where should i start? lol

[eltapier]

Was going to say this, my car was an 11/87 sold as an 88 model.


The rust doesn't look too bad. I say fix it.

You have all convinced me. Ill be fixing her up. Yeah the rust really isn't bad and overall the body is in good shape.

[325ix]

Car was made in 87 as an 88 model, just as my car is an 83 323i with a production date of 1982.

I'd keep the car and fix it up over time, took me two years to get mine done and I'm still not finished.

Was going to say this, my car was an 11/87 sold as an 88 model.


The rust doesn't look too bad. I say fix it.