Can't make up my mind. Early or late body?

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  • DSchultz325e
    E30 Enthusiast
    • Aug 2004
    • 1158

    #1

    Can't make up my mind. Early or late body?

    OK, so I'm just putzing around in my eta for the time being, and I've got 5 grand to spend. I've grown to really like the eta's body (as in pre-facelift) due to the rear arches and the tail lights. However, I'm drawn to the post facelift rear valence and not having to dump money into a body kit to get a decent looking chassis.

    I guess what it boils down to is this...I can live without the tail lights, but the arches on the late models don't seem to do it for me. When they get lowered, it looks like there's a fatass couple sitting in the backseat. I'm just curious if there is a suspsension setup out there that won't look retarded with maybe a 16 or 17" wheel under the arch. Pics to support suggestions would be fabulous.

    If I don't get a late model, it's gonna be an 87 325is with possibly a BMP body kit. Help me decide! I actually have enough to get a halfway decent E30, so I want to be sure I'm getting something I won't have second thoughts about. Thanks in advance.
    I retired my E30 for now...
    E46 323i
    David Schultz
  • Rennsport
    R3VLimited
    • May 2006
    • 2139

    #2
    keep the car you have, drop an s50 in....
    m106 1990 e30
    e36 daily
    e32 cruiser

    Comment

    • golde30
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2003
      • 11464

      #3
      Originally posted by Rennsport
      keep the car you have, drop an s50 in....
      word up. install plastic bumpers/valences/paint. there you go.
      IG: @Baye30

      FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

      Comment

      • bades2001
        Wrencher
        • Jan 2005
        • 209

        #4
        either way its all good

        Comment

        • ldsbeaker
          No R3VLimiter
          • Aug 2004
          • 3098

          #5
          Go Eta!!
          Slicktop City!

          Comment

          • eurostyl e30
            E30 Addict
            • Dec 2005
            • 554

            #6
            To answer one of your questions, to get an good looking drop on a late model, you have to rake it a bit. I've got a 40mm drop in the rear and a 60mm in the front, to avoid the "saggage''.

            Comment

            • euroshark
              No R3VLimiter
              • Apr 2006
              • 3491

              #7
              M30 and euro chrome bumpers. That is all.
              '88 528e /// '88 M5 /// '89 951 /// '98 E430 /// '02 M5

              Comment

              • Ryan Stewart
                I Love Miatas
                • Oct 2003
                • 8978

                #8
                Go late model. Sell the Eta and get an 89-90 325is.

                R&Ds springs had the rear up higher than the back, looked stupid on my car but would look great on a late model.

                NFL>VFL
                Im now E30less.
                sigpic

                Comment

                • CleanAzzE30z
                  R3V OG
                  • Jan 2004
                  • 11794

                  #9
                  decisions decisions.

                  Mariano


                  2001 Titaniumsilber 540i Sport 6-Speed
                  1990 Diamantschwarz Alpha-N 2.5L ///M3
                  1986 Alpinweiss 325e M50B25 (R.I.P.)

                  -Talk to me when more sound comes from the induction than from the exhaust...

                  -Argentina........lo mas grande que hay.

                  Comment

                  • browntown
                    No R3VLimiter
                    • Jun 2004
                    • 3524

                    #10
                    5k (being frugal) will buy you a s50, euro bumpers, and the suspension goodies to give you the look you want.

                    Comment

                    • AdironRider
                      No R3VLimiter
                      • Dec 2004
                      • 3491

                      #11
                      Late model for sure.
                      Back to my roots

                      Comment

                      • C ///M
                        E30 Enthusiast
                        • Oct 2003
                        • 1040

                        #12
                        Don't be silly.

                        Keep what you have as long as it's a good solid chassis.

                        Put money into euro bumpers and M-tech I body kit if you can swing it.

                        Spend the rest on m/s50.

                        332iS R.I.P.

                        Comment

                        • RCWells
                          Moderator
                          • Feb 2004
                          • 3589

                          #13
                          Originally posted by C ///M
                          Don't be silly.

                          Keep what you have as long as it's a good solid chassis.

                          Put money into euro bumpers and M-tech I body kit if you can swing it.

                          Spend the rest on m/s50.
                          +1, tech I kits are tits and oh so unique in the states.


                          [THE 501 club - Founding Member]

                          Comment

                          • ldsbeaker
                            No R3VLimiter
                            • Aug 2004
                            • 3098

                            #14
                            Originally posted by browntown
                            5k (being frugal) will buy you a s50, euro bumpers, and the suspension goodies to give you the look you want.
                            I want to know where everyone picks up s50's on the cheap.
                            Slicktop City!

                            Comment

                            • golde30
                              R3V OG
                              • Nov 2003
                              • 11464

                              #15
                              Originally posted by ldsbeaker
                              I want to know where everyone picks up s50's on the cheap.
                              +1. i really dont see any s50 for less than $3K. for the whole swap even if you do it yourself is gonna be $5K +/-...
                              IG: @Baye30

                              FRONT VALENCE IS ZENDER!!! STOP FILLING MY PM BOX PPL!!!

                              Comment

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