This is a hard one but I'm open for input.
It's just a year since the 318i was hit in the left front corner resulting in a salvage title. I replaced the strut housing, outer tie rod and installed new Lemforder CA's w M3 offset CAB's on both sides and the car drives better than it ever has in 14 years of ownership. It just passed state inspection after I undeleted the cat delete with a new Magnaflow Cat which actually made it sound that much better.
The only issue is its just not pretty.
In its better days
I have the parts including a fender & valence and a body shop estimate of $1000 so its not a big deal and yes the bumper is pushed over...but sometimes you reach a crossroads and have to make a decision. I recognize that I have enough on my plate.
The has rarely been my DD and since I did the 5spd swap on 2002 I dont think Ive put 20k on it since and as I continue to sort out my Zinno barn find which IS my DD, I find myself looking lustfully at the '84's parts and asking why should spend $450 on BS Sports when I have a set that I bought new just sitting there (that WILL work iin the Cabrio with an adapter gland nut) along with a VERY long list of other valuable parts that I will eventually want or just may need.
The other side of that coin is...and I know Im not alone in this...it goes against my gut to part out an e30 that is streetable.
No need to rehash the pro's and cons of M10 e30's besides pointing out that at 2300lbs, they have more track potential than any other non M e30 and this car is sorted to be tracked...and for that it does not have to be pretty.
What Ive done over the years much of which has seen few miles and some of which has seen close to none
Engine & Trans:
Is bone stock internally and with the valves adjusted to .008 will wind out to redline without hesitation and unlike any other internally stock M10 due to the JB Racing aluminum flywheel ($500) and BavAuto headers (also $500 & NLA), full Ansa Sport exhaust (needs a donut). Engine maintenance is 100%. Front & rear seals, mounts, hoses, Mann filters every 3k yada yada Trans has all new seals & shift bushings
Suspension:
As mentioned BS Sports (45mm "early" struts), Eibach Prokits, Sway bar end links & bushings, e36 rack, new Lemfoerder CA's (less than 100mi), tie rods, strut mounts (less than 100mi), new front brakes w 100 mi (Brembo solid rotors, Pagid pads, rebuilt Girlings & new hoses)
Interior:
IS tan cloth sport seats (center cushions are worn & covered) , 134a conversion w new Sanden 508 compressor, condensor, hoses etc, flawless dash, mint switches...interior needs nothing..everything works as it should.
Exterior:
With the exception of the LF corner and a small crease on the LR 1\4 the body is great. ZERO rust or corrosion anywhere. I bought it in Seattle, took it to FL in 99 where it stayed garaged til I brought it to NC 3 years ago. Bottle caps with fair tires (The BBS wheels are sitting next to me..for safe keeping :-). It has 210k on the clock but thats closer to 220 due to a period w broken odo gears (since replaced)
I do not want to swap\downgrade parts. I really think the car belongs to someone who wants to track\autoX it where the cosmetics are secondary or to someone who appreciates how tossable the M10 cars are, knows the value of how this car is sorted (& its 14 years of receipts) and has some DIY body skills.
I'm on the fence.
It's just a year since the 318i was hit in the left front corner resulting in a salvage title. I replaced the strut housing, outer tie rod and installed new Lemforder CA's w M3 offset CAB's on both sides and the car drives better than it ever has in 14 years of ownership. It just passed state inspection after I undeleted the cat delete with a new Magnaflow Cat which actually made it sound that much better.
The only issue is its just not pretty.
In its better days
I have the parts including a fender & valence and a body shop estimate of $1000 so its not a big deal and yes the bumper is pushed over...but sometimes you reach a crossroads and have to make a decision. I recognize that I have enough on my plate.
The has rarely been my DD and since I did the 5spd swap on 2002 I dont think Ive put 20k on it since and as I continue to sort out my Zinno barn find which IS my DD, I find myself looking lustfully at the '84's parts and asking why should spend $450 on BS Sports when I have a set that I bought new just sitting there (that WILL work iin the Cabrio with an adapter gland nut) along with a VERY long list of other valuable parts that I will eventually want or just may need.
The other side of that coin is...and I know Im not alone in this...it goes against my gut to part out an e30 that is streetable.
No need to rehash the pro's and cons of M10 e30's besides pointing out that at 2300lbs, they have more track potential than any other non M e30 and this car is sorted to be tracked...and for that it does not have to be pretty.
What Ive done over the years much of which has seen few miles and some of which has seen close to none
Engine & Trans:
Is bone stock internally and with the valves adjusted to .008 will wind out to redline without hesitation and unlike any other internally stock M10 due to the JB Racing aluminum flywheel ($500) and BavAuto headers (also $500 & NLA), full Ansa Sport exhaust (needs a donut). Engine maintenance is 100%. Front & rear seals, mounts, hoses, Mann filters every 3k yada yada Trans has all new seals & shift bushings
Suspension:
As mentioned BS Sports (45mm "early" struts), Eibach Prokits, Sway bar end links & bushings, e36 rack, new Lemfoerder CA's (less than 100mi), tie rods, strut mounts (less than 100mi), new front brakes w 100 mi (Brembo solid rotors, Pagid pads, rebuilt Girlings & new hoses)
Interior:
IS tan cloth sport seats (center cushions are worn & covered) , 134a conversion w new Sanden 508 compressor, condensor, hoses etc, flawless dash, mint switches...interior needs nothing..everything works as it should.
Exterior:
With the exception of the LF corner and a small crease on the LR 1\4 the body is great. ZERO rust or corrosion anywhere. I bought it in Seattle, took it to FL in 99 where it stayed garaged til I brought it to NC 3 years ago. Bottle caps with fair tires (The BBS wheels are sitting next to me..for safe keeping :-). It has 210k on the clock but thats closer to 220 due to a period w broken odo gears (since replaced)
I do not want to swap\downgrade parts. I really think the car belongs to someone who wants to track\autoX it where the cosmetics are secondary or to someone who appreciates how tossable the M10 cars are, knows the value of how this car is sorted (& its 14 years of receipts) and has some DIY body skills.
I'm on the fence.
Comment