Need some help with a purchase! 1986 325e + turbo or S50 swap...

[David A]

Ok, so I have been looking around at E30's for a while now and I was originally going to find a nice post 88 325is with lower miles, but I found a 325e that I really like. The car has 190k miles on the body and 100k miles on the engine. I am thinking I can do 1 of 2 things...

1) Swap an "i" head on and do the necessary stuff to get it up to turbo spec...2.7 liter turbo is always fun... :drink:

2) S50 swap... :drink: :drink:

So, my question, should I even try doing FI on this engine with 100k miles since the last rebuild? I've been looking around alot lately and this E30 really has caught my attention.

Also, the car has some nice mods on it already and he is asking $2000. This would be my summer/long term project car...or do you think it's a wise choice or should I wait it out a bit longer and get a 325is? Also, I'm not very familiar with the "e" models, but did any of them come with LSD's?

Last thing...here is the list of mods and a few pictures of the car...like I said, is it worth going through with this car if I plan on doing #1. I know I could probably pull #2 off later on, but it'd take a little while to find a good S50 motor worth putting in...

-H&R Race springs
-Bilstein sport shocks
-BBS RC 16x7 wheels
-drilled rotors
-325is front air dam
-momo steering wheel

And here are a few pictures...





I've been talking a bit, and I've also found that the S50 is probably the better way to go with this car...so if this is the case, getting 250k out of this car would be no problem, right?

[s40boy]

Thats one way to make the "diving boards" go away! Id say go for it, cause the car looks pretty clean and you can def. find an S50 on Ebay most every week! So look around! Im kinda doing the same thing, but Im just gonna end up buying a shell, cause I plan on doing the S50 swap with a tranny too! That way I only pay about $500 for the shell and the main expense is the engine! Good luck how ever it turns out!

[David A]

Thats one way to make the "diving boards" go away! Id say go for it, cause the car looks pretty clean and you can def. find an S50 on Ebay most every week! So look around! Im kinda doing the same thing, but Im just gonna end up buying a shell, cause I plan on doing the S50 swap with a tranny too! That way I only pay about $500 for the shell and the main expense is the engine! Good luck how ever it turns out!

Thanks man...:)

Ok, another question for you guys...

-Wasn't it only the "es" model that came with an LSD...and the "e" model didn't? How much do LSD's usually go for on E30's...because that's the first thing that I'd put in. :)

[Court M3]

go for it, looks like a nice platform to start off with

[FredK]

LSDs usually go for around $200 - 250 depending on ratio and miles. You might be able to score one cheaper at a salvage yard that doesn't really know what it is.

I bet a turbo will cost less to implement and give you more power, but requires a decent amount of knowledge to hook up. It will likely have far less fuel economy as well.

[David A]

LSDs usually go for around $200 - 250 depending on ratio and miles. You might be able to score one cheaper at a salvage yard that doesn't really know what it is.

I bet a turbo will cost less to implement and give you more power, but requires a decent amount of knowledge to hook up. It will likely have far less fuel economy as well.

Thanks for the info...:)

Yeah, I am planning on doing all of my own work anyway, but I'm still debating which route to go. If I get impatient, I'll probably just do the 2.7 turbo...who knows...I need to get the car first! ;)

[Digitalwave]

Those rims alone are worth almost $2,000. Where in FL are you?

I say fuck turbos, go for the S50 swap.

[David A]

Where in FL are you?

I say fuck turbos, go for the S50 swap.

I'm down in Naples...what about yourself?

[Digitalwave]

West Palm Beach. I feel like I have seen your E46 before.

[David A]

West Palm Beach. I feel like I have seen your E46 before.

You probably have...I'm always over in West Palm and Delray visiting my grandparents...

BTW - Sick E30 you've got there...when I start on mine, we'll have to meet up. There are a few decent meets coming up over the summer...

What do you have done to your car so far?

[Digitalwave]

Too much to list here. I can PM you if you want. Let me know about those meets or next time you are in these parts.

Anyways, about that car. For $2,000 its a good deal even just for the $1,700 rims. If you plan to do a motor swap, buying an 'e' isn't such a bad thing.

[David A]

Too much to list here. I can PM you if you want. Let me know about those meets or next time you are in these parts.

Anyways, about that car. For $2,000 its a good deal even just for the $1,700 rims. If you plan to do a motor swap, buying an 'e' isn't such a bad thing.

That's what I have been thinking...the car would be great as a project car and I wouldn't feel too guilty playing around with it...

And if you can, shoot me a PM with the list of mods...and if it's not too big of a problem, your favorite ones and the ones you'd recommend most. :D Thanks man...

[rede30]

make sure its a quality respray. It does has nice wheels.

[David A]

make sure its a quality respray. It does has nice wheels.

Yeah...I know the owner's brother pretty well and I have been talking to him about the car. He's a great guy...very honest and straight forward.

Ok, my next few questions...

-How horrible is it if there is some rust down on the front rockers, and a little bit on the hood.

-How much do quarter panels usually sell for? This one has a fairly large dent on the passenger side front quarter panel that might be able to be tapped out, but if not, I'm open to replacing it...

-What's the general top speed on the 325e? I'm guessing around 110-120?


Thanks for all of the help guys...:)

[Digitalwave]

Rust can easily be fixed if its not major. The rockers are usually easy. The hood will probably have to be repainted.

Are you talking about the front fenders? They sell for less than $100, very cheap at junk yards. It will also have to be painted of course.

Top speed, I'm unsure, but they are slow as fuck and it will take forever to get there :)