New guy here. Long time BMW and Porsche fan, lurking in the Pacific Northwest.
Got married almost 40 years ago and took our honeymoon in a 1974 2002, inka orange, that my bride named Genevieve. We were headed for New England on the Connecticut Turnpike when Genny overheated while waiting in line at a toll booth. So my wife and I spent our first day of wedded bliss pushing the car along the highway, proving what a trooper my new spouse was. Genny didn't last much longer after that, but the marriage is still going strong.
Fast forward through 4 decades, a couple of careers, a couple of kids, and dozens of cars, and I am freshly retired (thanks to Covid), with time on my hands. I never got Genny out of my mind, though, and have been looking for a 2002 project off and on for several years, watching sadly as prices for decent cars have risen while the quality of offerings has declined, until today even a rusty shell costs about the same as a complete, nice car would have a decade ago.
Something that became apparent when considering a 2002 build was that a lot of the more popular modifications were made by using E30 parts--the Recaro sport seats, the five speed transmission, etc. It dawned on me that since the "perfect" 2002 seemed to consist of a lot of E30 parts, maybe the E30 as a car would make a good project. So I started looking.
I found this car--a 1989 325i--in Bellingham, Washington. The car is in remarkable condition, showing evidence of a succession of careful owners, and complete with documentation back to when it was sold new. It has lived its whole life in California and Washington, and shows no rust at all. The engine runs and pulls well, and the suspension, with recently added Bilstein struts and shocks, is tight. The dash is un-cracked, and the rest of the interior is nearly perfect--it's hard to believe it has held up so well after all these years.. The car has 325is trim and spoilers, and Hartge wheels, which I understand are fairly desirable. The only apparent problems are non-functioning AC, plus a trouble light indicating the "brake linings" are low--this caused by a sensor that was not replaced when the brake pads were changed. So far, nothing leaks.
When I went to look at the car, I had no real plans to buy it, but it was so nice that I couldn't resist. Drove it home a couple weeks ago, and have since taken it on a short overnight trip. It's been flawless. It now resides in my garage with my 1985 Porsche 911 hot rod, which I've been building for three years. I'll probably just drive it and enjoy it for now, but I do have a tendency to modify things, so I'm not sure which direction it will go yet. That's why I come here--for inspiration!
Got married almost 40 years ago and took our honeymoon in a 1974 2002, inka orange, that my bride named Genevieve. We were headed for New England on the Connecticut Turnpike when Genny overheated while waiting in line at a toll booth. So my wife and I spent our first day of wedded bliss pushing the car along the highway, proving what a trooper my new spouse was. Genny didn't last much longer after that, but the marriage is still going strong.
Fast forward through 4 decades, a couple of careers, a couple of kids, and dozens of cars, and I am freshly retired (thanks to Covid), with time on my hands. I never got Genny out of my mind, though, and have been looking for a 2002 project off and on for several years, watching sadly as prices for decent cars have risen while the quality of offerings has declined, until today even a rusty shell costs about the same as a complete, nice car would have a decade ago.
Something that became apparent when considering a 2002 build was that a lot of the more popular modifications were made by using E30 parts--the Recaro sport seats, the five speed transmission, etc. It dawned on me that since the "perfect" 2002 seemed to consist of a lot of E30 parts, maybe the E30 as a car would make a good project. So I started looking.
I found this car--a 1989 325i--in Bellingham, Washington. The car is in remarkable condition, showing evidence of a succession of careful owners, and complete with documentation back to when it was sold new. It has lived its whole life in California and Washington, and shows no rust at all. The engine runs and pulls well, and the suspension, with recently added Bilstein struts and shocks, is tight. The dash is un-cracked, and the rest of the interior is nearly perfect--it's hard to believe it has held up so well after all these years.. The car has 325is trim and spoilers, and Hartge wheels, which I understand are fairly desirable. The only apparent problems are non-functioning AC, plus a trouble light indicating the "brake linings" are low--this caused by a sensor that was not replaced when the brake pads were changed. So far, nothing leaks.
When I went to look at the car, I had no real plans to buy it, but it was so nice that I couldn't resist. Drove it home a couple weeks ago, and have since taken it on a short overnight trip. It's been flawless. It now resides in my garage with my 1985 Porsche 911 hot rod, which I've been building for three years. I'll probably just drive it and enjoy it for now, but I do have a tendency to modify things, so I'm not sure which direction it will go yet. That's why I come here--for inspiration!
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