Thinkin bout an e30

[Twobit]

Ok guys, I was drivin the other day and I have been in the market for an e30 for quite a while, but just haven't been able to find anything worth while. It's a white 90 4dr, ,5spd, 224k on the clock. Exterior is almost immaculate minus a few things on the bumpers(but they're reaplaceable), and wheel(also replaceable and planning on it already). I can give them 1600 cash and I know I can find an m50 to swap into it if the engine that it has right now decides to go. The guy doesn't know when the timing belts were done but they look and sound like they're in good shape. Interior must be swapped out but it's not bad, the 13-button doesn't work but thats not too hard to get workin right? Has a sunroof, no cd player or anything, which I would have planned on swapping out as well, and other than that it's a great looking car. The whole point of buying it was for the body, which is is great shape. Let me know what you guys think, I really want to do it and I'm going to include a list of what I am thinking of doing. Thanks guys I appreciate it.


Parts list(Prices are what I've seen in the past):
1600 - 1990 325i White 4dr 5Spd
1400 - M50 Vanos with tranny(Member on R3v has for sale, i'd pick up over the weekend)
600 - 2 Front IS Styled seats(+150 or so for leather seat covers if i need)
60 - Shiftknob
60 - Shift boot(pref. the suede with the bmw color stitching)
150 - Dash ( Haven't really ever checked out dashes but thought I saw a couple for around this price)
? - Swap kit for m50 setup(any links to this company that makes pls send)
? - Bumpers(Not sure how much they are, I'm looking for the plastics)
1000 - Azev Type A 16x7.5 or 16x9 wheels(no tired)
300 - New Steering wheels( will decide what style when I need)
150 - Brakes(sound right)
100 - Timing belt(if I don't get the swap)
300 - Stereo
160/80 - (2/1 sets of HID Xenons)
250 - Euro Smileys

Total Parts: 6,050.

I figured with that price, the car will be immaculate basically. Swapped by myself(first time hopefully works well if I get the car), and all the parts installed by me.

Lemme know guys I really want to try and do this.

[M42Technik]

Thats quite a project.

Add $1,000 for unforseen expenses. Seriously.

If you have the funds and aren't 16, and you're not taking loans out to do it, I say go for it. Check the Cars for Sale section!

[Twobit]

I got cash for the swap, and the car right now. Thing is I'm going to be selling my ES300 for about 8-9k hopefully and that'll cover the other misc expenses. + give me money for school.

Another thing is the time frame in when I could get the swap done. I have no mechanical background but I can put things together fairly well and I have a good sense of clean things. Don't like when it's all cluttered. Swaps hard to do?

[whiltebeitel]

The 24v section can help you with the swap info. Look at treehouse racing's offerings. The plastics can be had for about 300+shipping. Zionsville also sells a kit for the swap, but it's pricey.

edit: also, get the e30 m3 firewall harness covers, they look pimpy.

[M42Technik]

Yeah you need to think about old bushings and pieces of suspension that usually need replacement, control arms, RSM's, RTAB's, lots of that stuff...it adds up.

[speedhop]

^^ +1
You're going to need to change tons of bushings and suspension parts, which adds up quick

also i don't know what kind brakes those are...but i'd say more like 350 for brake overhaul: rotors, pads, ss brake lines, and fluid

sounds like a good set of "wants" but always overprice your thoughts to plan for the worst

[Twobit]

I hear you, thanks for the help guys, I dunno whether I want it or not. as much as I want to do a swap myself, it'll just wind up bein a bucket. not looking to spend a shitload elsewhere to go nowhere ya kno

[M42Technik]

Well if you're trying to build a real nice daily or weekend car, wait until the platform you really want to work on comes up. Patience is key, you have to wait for the right deals and what you really wanted, and be ready to purchase when they do.

Took me 7 months to find my E30 because I was picky about what I wanted, a two door late model 325iS. I ended up with a 318iS because my dad didn't want me having an inline 6, and I am glad he did say that, I love my 318.

[Twobit]

Well, they do have a 318, whats diff bout the 318 than the inline 6?

[Jean]

I am sorry, you want to do all that but don't know the difference between the 318 and 325?

Ok j/k!

318 - 4cyl, SOHC or DOHC depending on the year.
325 - 6cyl.

Figure another 2k on top of you budget for suspension components, cooling items possibly, misc interior and exterior items, fuel pump(s), brake and clutch cylinders, alarm, tires?

If you've never done this before add more if you'll have to pay a shop to do anything at all, that adds up quick. It would pretty much suck to have a swap in a car that' can't handle or put any more down because your suspension and/or brakes are shitty.

Good luck.

[ColdAccord]

i have an 89 325i 2 door 5 speed black with tan interior. tan leather sport seats. 208k. bbs basketweaves with newish tires. $1900.

[JK_E30]

I am sorry, you want to do all that but don't know the difference between the 318 and 325?

Sorry not trying to bash or anything but it took me by surprise too.

+1

[smonkbmw]

egh, by the time youre done you could buy a swap car thats already done. sounds like you dont have to much mechanical experience. a 24v swap isnt for the beginner. i say sell your flexus and buy a swap car thats done or close to it.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

add $1000 for suspension, dash should be no more than $100, unless shipped. and swap kit should be around $1500

[Jean]

egh, by the time youre done you could buy a swap car thats already done. sounds like you dont have to much mechanical experience. a 24v swap isnt for the beginner. i say sell your flexus and buy a swap car thats done or close to it.

x2. there have been a couple good examples here on this forum alone for ready to go 24v cars.

I don't know how anal you are about the car, but I haven't even done an engine swap or flashy shit and I am already over 7k in just maint and upgrades (suspension, brakes, lsd, seats, dash, cooling, electrical)...and this is with labor only for a new windshield and clutch work.