Ambitions with your E30, a poll

[gstuning]

Ok, I have seen some people crapping on some other people because they have picked the "wrong wheels", crap tires, junk suspension and so on,,

I wanted to find out what your ambition for your E30 is

I could say some things about alot of cars but don´t even feel the need too, that´s why I feel it´s often just best to say nothing,

[nando]

I try to follow the same thing, it's not worth my time to point out the obvious. :P

I have mild ambitions for my car. There is only one thing left for me to do to it before I swap to a 5 speed.. and depending on how this new buisiness deal goes, I'll do a motor swap after that; building the M20 is a waste of money and effort. with a swap I'd get better mileage and more power.. can't beat that. :)

[gstuning]

I choose #2 as I feel I have already done things that go way beyond normal E30 ownership

My Euro S50B30 swap was a myth when I did it, and there was hardly any info on it, but of course been done before,, I was working blindly here

turned E36 coilovers into E30 GC style Coilovers,, I´ll definitly post picks when my new car gets here and I have put them in,

I also designed a turbo system to a M20B25 engine along with Stefán325i,, full boost 2500rpm, no lag and still pulls max boost to redline,, expect this system with the more open exhaust to churn out 14psi on stock internals and 9.4/9.7 : 1 compression

Also all E30 maintainance I can think off,, best to list what I haven´t done
Changed out a fuel tank, put in new brake lines.

Here is a picture of my car wich is somewhere on the Atlantic

M-paket with spoilers is the german model name
Thats sport suspension, LSD, sport interior(not leather), no electrics, sunroof, p/s, abs
Full M-tech II spoiler kit, it already has a strut brace
"15 Crossspokes that have obviously gone missing somewhere
Wheels will go on stefáns325i car and I will put my CR7´s on
then I will swap in some remote vacuum brake system from a old E12 UK model and then it´s my final S50B30 swap(then SMT tuning along with other NA mods)



Final results, this car with CR7´s "17x8,5 and "17x9,5 German style
S50B30 engine and tuned , 330hp+ glorius NA power
Coilovers, koni sports
Some sort of a BBK, will probably do it myself
polyureththane subframe bushings
M-mac´s in the back for camber
and IE race camber plates front
don´t feel the need for swaybars
no interior mods unless I re upholster my tan sport leather seats in something nice
My Custom gear knob Stefán had made for me,, just the way I like them

What will not be done before summer is over
K-mac´s and IE racing plates,
BBK
NA mods, cams and such stuff

[Ryan Stewart]

Both but doing it my way. Mine will hardly be anything terribly unique, just an S50 swap and the euro conversion.

[spencers]

I chose: This is a BMW, huh, I tought this was the Old nissan Sentra

I really don't know what I'm going to do with my E30. First of all, it has everything I don't like. automatic, bronzit, 325e :!: , diving boards.
I don't think I should do anything mod-wise to make this car any better. I feel that any money that goes into this car is simply wasted because I will never get it back. It's just too expensive for me to have a car that has lots of things I don't like about it, and pour money into it trying to make it 'mine.' It will still be that simple E30 underneath it all. I'd rather buy a car that has everything I want stock. Hell, sometimes I wouldn't mind driving my mother's minvan just because it has more luxury than my E30. I just don't like the overall 'feel' of the E30.

Chances are that I wont keep this car for too long, seeing as it's my first vehicle. I'll probably save up for an E36 because I really like everything about them. I don't care a LOT about performance, but I'd like something more luxurious to drive as a beater. Ya know?

Whew! Sorry about all that. :shock:

[christophbmw]

you forgot to add: "buying better e30 once i get some money" i would fall into this catagory, i drive a 85' 318i. i would go for the all go and maybe some show but i dont think i make a 318i all go without droping some serious cash.

[Beej '86 325es]

I'm almost out of things I can do to the suspension really. But an S50 with a seriously high flowing head is in the works. When I get around to doing the body, the sides will be something that noone else has (and probably never seen). It's not a matter of money, just time / place to do it all and decide exactly what I want to do.

[christophbmw]

about how much is to do an m50 swap, or an s50 swap ?(im assuming the m50 would be cheaper). thanks. does it matter what E30 i drive?

[Skafrog]

spencers, I would feel the same way if I owned your car, no offense.
However, have you ever driven a 2 door 5 speed post 88 model 325i or iS?
To me, it is a world of difference, it is almost like driving a new car. However, if you do not like the simplicity of the e30, than your right, its a pretty basic car as far as BMW's go.

[spencers]

spencers, I would feel the same way if I owned your car, no offense.
However, have you ever driven a 2 door 5 speed post 88 model 325i or iS?
To me, it is a world of difference, it is almost like driving a new car. However, if you do not like the simplicity of the e30, than your right, its a pretty basic car as far as BMW's go.

Hehe, none taken. I don't think anyone would take the car I have. The only thing I like about my car is the paint. That's pretty much all I can brag about. But yeah, you summed it up for me quite well. The e30 is just too simple for me. I'm sure having a 5-speed would be more fun, but I'd like a more complex car. Something newer (e36). :)

[rwh11385]

How about my car looks like shit, but handles like snot, and I love driving it.....
and am poor, so anything done to it will be penny-pitching mods like spray painting shit.

I was thinking I could get a M-techII kit, and a respray, and a turbo for my M20 to make it killer....but then I realized for that $$$ I could buy another car and dedicate this E30 for the track.....with its two tone (red/pink) exterior and dings already on its body.

So it will be DD duty for a few years, with miminal mods, except for suspension......and then I can rip out the interior, trunk insulation, and A/C to make it a track beast. Maybe down the road throw in a M50 or M52/S50headed hybrid or something......but my DD will be something fast with four doors....... maybe S4 or E34 M5.......I dunno.

[Avus_325is]

Yea i'm just doing things the way I want. I've done things the way I want them and probably won't ever have some completely sick e30 that people say they wish was there's. I will certianly hold on to the car because it's just so easy to work on and fun to drive (oh yea, I have too much into it to get anything back)

[C ///M]

I'm pretty much on the same exact track as Gunni.

I also picked number 2, simply because number 1 is left to cars like that Blue E30 M3 with 580 hp to the wheels and crazy custom jobs.

My car started as a base '86 325. So far everything is almost done except for the S50 swap, as this is one of the final mods to my car (planned for Nov.-Jan. '04-'05, so its rapidly approaching). I am almost finished installing the 325i cam, dual valve springs, intake manifold w/throttle body and custom chip. This is only going to stay in the car until Nov. then its for sale. I am yet to see an e30 with a longer modification list than mine.
Be Prepared to Scroll: (I apologize for such a long post.)
PERFORMANCE:
-Custom Performance Computer Chip. 6500rpm Redline
-K&N Cone Filter
-Custom Heat Shield
-UUC Evolution II Shortshift Kit
-8mm Red Ignition Wires
-325i cam (with additional oil journals drilled)
-Dual valve springs
-325i Powder Coated Valve Cover and Intake Manifold w/ "i" throttle body
-Head port-matched to Intake Manifold
-Complete "i" exhaust with Upgraded sport muffler.
-E36 M3 Catalytic Converter ** won't be installed until s50
-Active Autowerkes E36 M3 Rear Exhaust ** won't be installed until s50
-3.25 Limited Slip Differential
-M-Roadster Finned Differential Cover
-25mm Brake Master Cylinder
-Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
-IE 330mmX28mm 2 Piece Cross-Drilled Front Big Brake Kit
-IE 310mmX20mm Cross-Drilled Rear Big Brake Kit
-Red Powder Coated Brake Calipers

EXTERIOR MODS:
-Hella Smoked European DE Ellipsoids
-O.E. E39 Angel Eyes (installed inside lenses)
-6000 Kelvin Rated Xenon Low Beam Conversion
-6000 Kelvin Rated Xenon Fog Light Conversion
-MHW Smoked Front Turn Signals
-Smoked Front Side Markers
-Redded Out Tail Lights (kept Reverse White)
-Blacked Out Front Kidney Grill
-Eyebrows (painted to match)
-Body Color Matched Door Handles and Bumper Moldings
-3 Piece Foam Hood Insulation Pad
-Debadged
-Carbon Fiber Roundel Blackout Kit
-BMW Motorsport Carbon Fiber Front Grill Badge
-Rear License Plate Photo-Radar Protector
-Tint (50% sides/40% rear)
-Shadowline Front and Rear Windshield Trim
-Shadowline Side Window Trim
-E30 M3 Front Bumper/Spoiler Gasket Seal
-E30 M3 Evo 3 Hood Seals
-E30 Updated Front Bumper/Spoiler w/ foglights and brake ducts
-Removed Factory Stoneguard Finish on Front Spoiler. Refinished to match body.
-Rieger Infinity I Lip
-Rieger Infinity I Splitter
-O.E. M-Technic II Door/Fender Panels (modified rear quarter pieces)
-Rieger Infinity I Sideskirts (modified to flow with M-Tech Door/Fender panels)
-Autovogue Av3 Rear Bumper/Apron (modified to fit right)
-E46 Rear Bumper/Fender Gasket Seal
-O.E. M-Technic II Rear Spoiler

INTERIOR MODS: Original Interior was non-sport tan cloth
-E30 M3 Front Seats in black leather
-E30 M3 Rear seats in black leather
-Black Vinyl Doorpanels on all 4 doors
-Black Rear Shelf
-Black Carpet
-Black Roof Liner
-E30 Updated Airbag Style Driverside Underdash Knee Bolster
-Full OBC conversion
-OBC Turn Signal Stalk
-Chrome/Leather M-Tech Shiftknob
-Leather Shift boot
-Leather Ebrake Handle with Chrome Button
-Leather Ebrake Boot
-Chrome Door Pins
-Chrome Light Pull Switch
-Lighted Window switches (6 + 1 sunroof)
-Manual to Power Sunroof Conversion
-Overhead panel covered in black leather
-Rear View Mirror With Maplights
-BMW M-Technic II Steering Wheel
-7k tach from Euro 323i
-White Gauge Faces
-Red Needles
-M3 gauge cluster Surround
-Chrome Gauge Rings
-Brushed Aluminum Pedals with Engraved ///M logo
-Brushed Aluminum Dead Pedal with Engraved ///M logo
-///M Roadster Black Floormats with Updated Retention Clips
-E30 Black rear floormats

SUSPENSION/WHEELS:
-Bavarian Autosport Front StressBar
-IE Stage III Race Springs
-Bilstein Sport Shocks and Struts (Sold. Koni SAs are currently gong in)
-IE Swaybars 25mm Hollow Front 22mm Hollow Rear
-M3 Aluminum Control Arms
-M3 Urethane Offset Control Arm Bushings
-E46 M3 Cabrio Rear Shock Mounts
-17X8.5 CR 2000 (21lbs. a piece) + Spare
-10mm Hub-Centric FK Spacers Up Front
-8mm H&R Spacers Rear
-TC Kline Racing Nascar Pro Stud kit
-Yokohama AVS ES100 in 235/40R17

ICE:
-Alpine CDA 7893 Head Unit
-Custom Install 6X9 Sony X-plods in rear Shelf
-Custom Install Swivel Mount Infinity Reference Tweeters in Premium E30 Tweeter Pods
-Custom Install 5 1/4 Infinity Reference in front kickpanels
-Keyless Entry System
-Hella High Output Horns
-Valentine One Radar Detector (Hardwired)

PLANS/In the Works:
-Adjustable Front Camber Plates and Adjustable Rear Camber and Toe Bushings
-Different Rear Shock Mounts with reinforcements and Rear Stress Bar
-Carbon Fiber Hood
-Carbon Fiber Sunroof Panel
-Alarm
-Stainless Harness Bar with 4 or 5 point harness
-E36 M3 Style Side Mirrors (in Carbon Fiber if possible)
-S50B3.2 OBD I Engine Conversion (June-July '04 or Nov. '04)
-Euro 6-Speed Transmission
-17x8.5 CR 2000 fronts with 235/40R17 Michelin Pilot Sports
-17x9.5 CR 2000 rears with 265/35R17 Michelin Pilot Sports

Basically I've changed everything and done plenty of custom things, big and small. The body is a jumble of parts that came together AWESOME. Its pretty much of swirl of updated E30 pieces, factory M-Technic II pieces, Rieger pieces, and an autovogue piece. And there was tons of custom fabricating to make it all go together right. It's definitely a combination that I don't believe anyone else has.

The interior used to be crappy non-sport cloth. I replaced everything from the carpet to the headliner, rear shelf, door panels, and everything in between. I believe I was the second person ever in the United States, possibly anywhere, that used front AND rear seats from an M3 in a 4 door e30. It's not exactly a straight forward swap. I only found one other person that has done it. I did it almost 5 years ago as redoing my interior was my first ever mod. I've done custom stereo work and I setup custom swivel mount tweaters in the factory tweeter pods that looks completely factory as well as 6x9s in the rear shelf with no stupid stands or anything, but it was a bitch. I am one of few to complete a manual to power sunroof conversion with a leather wrapped overhead panel. And there was a ton of little things you can see if you read my mod list.

I've finished the suspension. I'm using all the best parts as far as I'm concerned (aluminum CAs, urethane bushings, etc.) with the exception of a 5-lug swap which I didn't deem necessary. I found wide enough wheels in 4 lug and I have a front and rear big brake kit. In that department. The standard e30 hubs/bearings will make it just fine with an S50 and larger wheels, however I will be replacing them much more often.

Well there's a bunch of stuff. You'll know if you took the time to thoroughly read my mod list (and no, that list does NOT contain maintenance items i've replaced).

For those of you angry because there are no pics, I have never really shared many pictures, as a lot of this stuff has been finished up within the last year. I have showed a few here and there, some outdated/in the works pics, here and there, but I will post some good ones probably this summer.

I consider myself a pioneer in the e30 field. Personally, what I really like that no one else runs is my mint, fairly custom interior, and my oversized wheels and tires. I can't wait till I pick up my 9.5 rears with 265s. No, i dont run stupid, undersized, rubber band tires. RIght now 235/40R17s are all the way around, but 265/35R17s will accompany the S50, but I will retain 235/40s all around for track usage.

[spencers]

What pisses me off most is the damn fender that is damaged beyond repair. I STILL haven't found a replacement. It's funny cause I have to find someone who's selling a fender, even though I didn't do the damage. I really really really hate it when people just look at the dent then at me. I wish I could put in permanent ink- "dont ever let your sister drive."

Also, I really dislike the constant squeaking of every little thing while driving.

Sorry if I've turned this into a rant session.

C ///M
Good lord.. You're a very big enthusiast!

[Jand3rson]

What pisses me off most is the damn fender that is damaged beyond repair. I STILL haven't found a replacement. It's funny cause I have to find someone who's selling a fender, even though I didn't do the damage. I really really really hate it when people just look at the dent then at me. I wish I could put in permanent ink- "dont ever let your sister drive."

Also, I really dislike the constant squeaking of every little thing while driving.

Sorry if I've turned this into a rant session.

Sounds to me like an E30 is really not the car for you. If it is, I would suggest you sell the one you currently have, and look for a later-model E30.