I realized I really needed to make a documentary blog about my E30 and how I'm building her. Here we have a M10 318i that I want to build into a nice little cruiser, She won't be fast by modern standards but it will be a lot of enjoyment to modify and fix up this old girl :)
Build Progress:
Drivetrain:
• A Pair Of 325i/325e Disc Brake Trailing Arms (Not installed, Waiting to buy a LSD and the necessary components to install)
Brakes:
Engine Shenanigans:
• Replaced Valve Cover Gasket.
Suspension/Wheels:
•Front Lower Suspension Refresh (Story Attached)
Interior:
•VDO Continental Head Unit.
Bodywork And Cosmetics:
•Rear Bumper needs work (Story Attached)
How the Car Sits Currently:
She is a trooper for being a 40+ year old New England Survivor, However we didn't get here without some drama. Time for the story.
The Day I Got Her:
Ever since I was a mire lad in my early years, I always admired small and compact cars, Cars like the E30 and AW11 MR2. Though it'd take a few years and a (LOT) of patience, This girl fell into my lap and I knew she was right for me. The car was properly looked after by someone who owned a body shop and restored Vintage Cars from the 30's and onwards including this one. Diving into this, Most of the bodywork is good but there's still a few areas needing some love. The previous owner replaced the driver's side fender and rust proofed the floorpan/Undercarriage (Thank God) but he simply ran out of time. However the car did run okay and held a steady idle so after properly looking over and ensuring it was good enough for me. I scooped it up and drove 4 hours from Vermont To Rhode Island.
I feel shame for being an idiot but:
The very next day, As I was driving from an Insurance office to the DMV. I didn't realize that this car had no ABS, It was an early model and therefore as I attempted to brake and downshift from 50-30. My front brakes locked up and I accidentally sent my girl into a curb, Destroying the front right tie rod and my wheel.
Yeah this wasn't my proudest moment...
After waiting for an hour for a tow truck to come and drop my car off at my house. The car was going to need tie-rods and a refresh of the lower suspension components so there it was, She sat in the back of my driveway, Disappointed and ashamed of my actions like a mother who has to ground their child because they broke their beloved vase. Now luckily I didn't give up, Sure it was heart wrenching but I picked myself up again and sourced the parts to bring to my mechanic (No tools to do it myself unfortunately) and eventually I towed her to my mechanic to replace the parts. However as we were pushing the car into the shop and onto the lift, One of the mechanics accidentally ripped off the rear bumper off one of the bumper shocks because he was trying to pull the car by it's bumper.
Parts Came and was installed:
Now thankfully we discovered that one of the motor mounts was hanging on for dear life, Replaced and done
In all seriousness once the car was back on the road and I had humbled myself in all aspects, I began to actually focus on finishing up registration and fixing small things here and there. The first thing that was bothering me is the squeak coming from the engine bay, All aspects led to believe it was the alternator belt but after replacing the belt, Cleaning up the Pulleys and checking everything. It was coming to the conclusion that it just wouldn't stop squeaking, Though it did get much quieter. After Christmas and a dead battery replacement:
I'd manage to fix the car's alignment and score a pair of 325 Trailing arms for the disc brake conversion in mid January, Bought a car cover for her and began diving into this website for everything I can learn about this car. I know a couple issues to fix and luckily it won't be hard!
Now!
I can't wait to install disc brakes and a LSD once Spring rolls around. I had also installed a new radio which I documented in my 2nd discussion. Works like a charm.
The car is being daily driven in the winter and Yes I am taking every measure to ensure the car is washed regularly and inspected. Speaking of which!
Future plans for the next 6 months.
Fix Rust on the tailgate area and around the passenger tail light. Some on the bottom on the front middle grill piece.
Install a Limited Slip
Do a refresh of the suspension and brakes.
Get a good set of wheels and tires.
General Upkeep.
This is hopefully done, Thanks for reading till the end! More work will be done once I'm able to cram it into my schedule! Till next time!
Build Progress:
Drivetrain:
• A Pair Of 325i/325e Disc Brake Trailing Arms (Not installed, Waiting to buy a LSD and the necessary components to install)
Brakes:
Engine Shenanigans:
• Replaced Valve Cover Gasket.
Suspension/Wheels:
•Front Lower Suspension Refresh (Story Attached)
Interior:
•VDO Continental Head Unit.
Bodywork And Cosmetics:
•Rear Bumper needs work (Story Attached)
How the Car Sits Currently:
She is a trooper for being a 40+ year old New England Survivor, However we didn't get here without some drama. Time for the story.
The Day I Got Her:
Ever since I was a mire lad in my early years, I always admired small and compact cars, Cars like the E30 and AW11 MR2. Though it'd take a few years and a (LOT) of patience, This girl fell into my lap and I knew she was right for me. The car was properly looked after by someone who owned a body shop and restored Vintage Cars from the 30's and onwards including this one. Diving into this, Most of the bodywork is good but there's still a few areas needing some love. The previous owner replaced the driver's side fender and rust proofed the floorpan/Undercarriage (Thank God) but he simply ran out of time. However the car did run okay and held a steady idle so after properly looking over and ensuring it was good enough for me. I scooped it up and drove 4 hours from Vermont To Rhode Island.
I feel shame for being an idiot but:
The very next day, As I was driving from an Insurance office to the DMV. I didn't realize that this car had no ABS, It was an early model and therefore as I attempted to brake and downshift from 50-30. My front brakes locked up and I accidentally sent my girl into a curb, Destroying the front right tie rod and my wheel.
Yeah this wasn't my proudest moment...
After waiting for an hour for a tow truck to come and drop my car off at my house. The car was going to need tie-rods and a refresh of the lower suspension components so there it was, She sat in the back of my driveway, Disappointed and ashamed of my actions like a mother who has to ground their child because they broke their beloved vase. Now luckily I didn't give up, Sure it was heart wrenching but I picked myself up again and sourced the parts to bring to my mechanic (No tools to do it myself unfortunately) and eventually I towed her to my mechanic to replace the parts. However as we were pushing the car into the shop and onto the lift, One of the mechanics accidentally ripped off the rear bumper off one of the bumper shocks because he was trying to pull the car by it's bumper.
Parts Came and was installed:
Now thankfully we discovered that one of the motor mounts was hanging on for dear life, Replaced and done
In all seriousness once the car was back on the road and I had humbled myself in all aspects, I began to actually focus on finishing up registration and fixing small things here and there. The first thing that was bothering me is the squeak coming from the engine bay, All aspects led to believe it was the alternator belt but after replacing the belt, Cleaning up the Pulleys and checking everything. It was coming to the conclusion that it just wouldn't stop squeaking, Though it did get much quieter. After Christmas and a dead battery replacement:
I'd manage to fix the car's alignment and score a pair of 325 Trailing arms for the disc brake conversion in mid January, Bought a car cover for her and began diving into this website for everything I can learn about this car. I know a couple issues to fix and luckily it won't be hard!
Now!
I can't wait to install disc brakes and a LSD once Spring rolls around. I had also installed a new radio which I documented in my 2nd discussion. Works like a charm.
The car is being daily driven in the winter and Yes I am taking every measure to ensure the car is washed regularly and inspected. Speaking of which!
Future plans for the next 6 months.
Fix Rust on the tailgate area and around the passenger tail light. Some on the bottom on the front middle grill piece.
Install a Limited Slip
Do a refresh of the suspension and brakes.
Get a good set of wheels and tires.
General Upkeep.
This is hopefully done, Thanks for reading till the end! More work will be done once I'm able to cram it into my schedule! Till next time!
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