Take me to school E30 Style

[topplayer]

Hey guys,
Soon to be owner! I have a lot of plans doing a custom motor swap off the bat (non bmw), no details just yet. Before I purchase the project car I was wondering where to start. Late model, early model? Where do I start reading E30? I have my eye on a few cars, but I don't want to buy a certain model and regret it because xyz doesn't fit on it. Also what should I be looking out for when buying a used E30. I want a coupe non M for sure! I have a couple of close friends in the E30 world that plan to help but I want a head start!


Take me to school!!

[slammin.e28]

Hey guys,
Soon to be owner! I have a lot of plans doing a custom motor swap off the bat (non bmw), no details just yet. Before I purchase the project car I was wondering where to start. Late model, early model? Where do I start reading E30? I have my eye on a few cars, but I don't want to buy a certain model and regret it because xyz doesn't fit on it. Also what should I be looking out for when buying a used E30. I want a coupe non M for sure! I have a couple of close friends in the E30 world that plan to help but I want a head start!


Take me to school!!

Start here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/index.php

....and here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/search.php

/thread.

[topplayer]

thanks bro.......

Ive been on plenty of forums and understand how to search. always guys like you on every forum. Ive spents weeks here lurking around, Just looking for some older members to point me into the right direction, not just a common direction.

[jaywood]

Lol, why can't we get custom motor swap details?

[lambo]

Almost everything is swapable. It's the bumpers/valences, rear tail lights, and rear fenders that you have to decide between.

Late models have big, plastic bumpers, large rear tail lights, and uneven/lower rear fenders.

Early models have either big aluminum US bumpers or small metal euro bumpers (although you can modify the car to fit the late model plastic bumpers relatively easily). Early models also have smaller rear tail lights, and even/higher rear fenders. Early models are also the only ones to come with less desirable mechanical parts in certain model years (drum brakes, smaller diameter strut housings, etc.). It is possible to swap them for the desirable parts, though.

[topplayer]

Lol, why can't we get custom motor swap details?

well I wont be the first but I think I will be the second. Just want to keep it under wraps until I buy the car and start the build thread.

[topplayer]

Thanks lambo!
Now I'm learning
I like late model bumpers
Early model tails
early model fender arches
(so it seems so far for me to get a early model than convert the bumpers 85+)

Now I need to learn the difference in suspension between the years, Brakes I will need to upgrade all 4 corners anyway so it doesn't matter

some threads I looked through explaining some differences
Tail lights

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=178789

Wheel Arch

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=175497

Over all differences

http://garagistic.com/index.php?page=differences-between-early-model-and-late-model-e30-s

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=233895

[Nick_S]

If you're looking to upgrade brakes and suspension and swap the motor, you like early model arches and tails and don't mind swapping bumpers. I'd look for an early 325e. They tend to be one of the less desirable E30's and can be found quite a bit cheaper than 325i's or is'.

[ST1G]

Start here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/index.php

....and here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/search.php

/thread.

thanks bro.......

Ive been on plenty of forums and understand how to search. always guys like you on every forum. Ive spents weeks here lurking around, Just looking for some older members to point me into the right direction, not just a common direction.

Did you see that Slammin? He just bitch slapped you.

Topplaya' Slammin just offered you some amazing advice. Read the links he posted, and all of your questions should be answered. If they are not than you can post asking for some specifics.

Thanks lambo!
Now I'm learning
I like late model bumpers
Early model tails
early model fender arches
(so it seems so far for me to get a early model than convert the bumpers 85+)

Now I need to learn the difference in suspension between the years, Brakes I will need to upgrade all 4 corners anyway so it doesn't matter

Bumper changed in 1989+, not 1985. But the 1988 car can accept the plastic bumper from 1989 and on with no modification. If you like early model arches and tails, get a 1987, swap bumpers and you'll be sorted. IIRC suspension changed slightly around 1985 to a different strut diameter. That's really the only difference that I know of.

[rcsoundn1]

[QUOTE=topplayer;4288755]Thanks lambo!
Now I'm learning
I like late model bumpers
Early model tails
early model fender arches
(so it seems so far for me to get a early model than convert the bumpers 85+)
i think the bumpers changed after 89 not 85 and it took longer for verts to go plastic

[ST1G]

i think the bumpers changed after 89 not 85 and it took longer for verts to go plastic

The change was in 1988 to the late model arches and front valance, 88's got metal bumpers though. You can put a late model plastic bumpers on an 88+ car with no modification (excluding verts) and 1989+ cars have plastic bumpers.

[topplayer]

Did you see that Slammin? He just bitch slapped you.

Topplaya' Slammin just offered you some amazing advice. Read the links he posted, and all of your questions should be answered. If they are not than you can post asking for some specifics.



Bumper changed in 1989+, not 1985. But the 1988 car can accept the plastic bumper from 1989 and on with no modification. If you like early model arches and tails, get a 1987, swap bumpers and you'll be sorted. IIRC suspension changed slightly around 1985 to a different strut diameter. That's really the only difference that I know of.

:hitler: :hitler:

Was not trying to bitch slap any one lol I did not find any threads that pointed out ALL the differences it was spread out across many threads. I thought a forum of this age would have everything listed in one "offical" or "mega" thread.

anyway back on topic
I figured I'd get a 85-87 to get old style rear lamps, new style strut mounts, and convert the bumpers to plastic. Give me the best of both worlds?

[ST1G]

:hitler: :hitler:

Was not trying to bitch slap any one lol I did not find many threads that pointed out ALL the differences it was spread out across many threads. I thought a forum of this age would have everything listed in one "offical" or "mega" thread.

Yeah, you didn't really bitch slap him, it was a humorous.

anyway back on topic
I figured I'd get a 85-87 to get old style rear lamps, new style strut mounts, and convert the bumpers to plastic. Give me the best of both worlds?

Correct, if you're in love with early model tails and arches.

[topplayer]

I love forums big S2000 guy hope to make this my side slut!

I am going to meet up with some local e30 guys hopefully see some stuff side by side!
my S2

http://instagram.com/p/sFQukTAcku/

http://instagram.com/p/rpNsI4Ackg/

[rcsoundn1]

^oooookkkk