1985 325e White M3 Rep

[OttoB]

Geez... lots to share as I finally was able to enjoy a day off work on Friday with nothing else planned other than to meet up with some friends and give this car some attention. Over the years where I have transformed/modified a considerable amount of vehicles as a way to customize them (for personal use only), it seems that I can seldom leave any car alone. And, if I busted my ass to pull the trigger on getting a 'toy' then it would be no different from when as a kid, I would get these 1/24 kits by Monogram, Revell, etc. and I would change up the wheels, interior, paint, etc. I always have enjoyed doing this and my son has gotten around to same with his Hot Wheels too, which is kinda cool :) When I get any car, it is fun for me to setup some type of plan as to how I will go about changing things up - whether the car was fine as-is or not - because to be honest, I don't driving around somebody's else's ex, plain and simple. I have changed colors on cars multiple times, interiors, wheels, made serious exterior modifications, had a friend/engineer/fabricator make up stuff on a car that either was not designed for it in mind, or is better to my liking because of the mods, etc. Thinking outside the box requires imagination and perseverance, along of course with access to an individual capable enough to make it happen.

For this e30, I fell in love it with at first sight! White is my favorite color for many reasons and at the end of the day - it is a replica because I cannot justify spending the $55K-$70K for a genuine one, and then start with the modifications. At what point will I be satisfied with it? Unsure although getting the a/c, locks, gages, and stereo to work along with everything else mechanically, is a sound and sensible goal. What I knew from the get-go was that I wanted to try things out on the car which theoretically, are not always seen or appreciated. Whereas the 15inch Ronals made the car look good - there is a plethora of e30's/BMW's riding on mesh wheels (I used to own my e31 for 6.5 years on LM reps + got LM reps on another BAT purchase this year - an '86 GTV-6) - so with a modest budget for wheels in mind, opted to go into a different direction, for example. I have already ruled out doing any engine swap as this car was well built and runs amazingly well, despite not having been driven much over the years and me only ensuring it has a new battery, oil, and a full tank of fuel. If my son ever ends up with this M3, he does not need it to be a rockstar show car, or more powerful than it already is.

Below on these first set of pics, are the boxes reflecting the parts I felt we could knock out installing this past Friday consisting of clear Depo smiley headlights, chrome kidney grill, amber turn signals, headlight wipers (to change the smoked out look on the front end), center lock safety pins to modify the DTM Raderwerks center cap wheels, K&N, missing antenna, rear ashtray delete 3D printed insert, Alpine white touch up paint, tools for tool kit, license plate bracket and frame surround, Conforti chip from Turner, Hella dual air horns, and the rear headrests which need to be with the car so perhaps a mobile upholsterer can do it in site some other time!





The rear of the car is loaded up with the Ronals to meet up with my friend who bought them from me, and lending a hand on the day's soon-to-be mods.

[OttoB]

Some more parts that have arrived include the new, extra 3rd fog light which thankfully matches 1 of the other 2 I had ordered from two different countries rather nicely - so the front of the car will now look as nice as the rest of it! Also, the lighted shift knob that I have to modify into a 5spd, and some of the tools I remembered to photograph in order to complete the tool box on this nice, little e30.

[OttoB]

Because the car will not be heading to a shop until I have everything from AWDBOB as well as the forthcoming dash, then I took the opportunity to clean up the Momo Z1 wheel. I had no idea it was this filthy and may have come from a junker? All I know is that plenty of elbow grease along with dish soap got the job done and it will cure for several weeks while this coat of conditioner is absorbed!









So maybe not bad enough for many/most of enthusiasts… but I figure if the labor is the priciest aspect of replacing a dash - which I already have to get mine removed already in order to install the a/c - then why not replace it all together with a nice one that will hopefully last for a long time and look good!?! These are pics of the worst part of mine and why I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a refurbished one that won’t arrive for another month (plus a decal set to make the eventual finished product look like it should where decals are already missing in levers, buttons, etc.).

[OttoB]

You got the wrong plate bracket. This is the one I posted...

When I clicked on the link that was provided to get the license plate mounting bracket, it sent me directly to the website and me being unsure which one to get (I have found myself rushing almost too much, too often these days), the drop down menu offered a BMW i8 so I selected that one. Chris - the owner of Little CNC Shop - has been very cool and supportive in the returning the first/incorrect one, in exchange for the proper one which is on its way. But, not before I sent him back pictures of the length between the bolts off my car with a pic in order to ensure a proper fit! I highly recommend Little CNC Shop and will do business with them again!


On another note, the A/C Solutions kit has arrived, consisting of the various items below and a very heavy compressor!







This other/last pic shows a few items... a set of new keys I sourced from eBay via Thailand, I believe - but look great! Also included is a set of chrome bezel surrounds that will go in the new/refurbished gage cluster (have had similar to these installed before on my other 2 MB's and like the look), some 3D printed fog lights tabs, as well as this Evo III Front bumper, top edge gasket seal that I sourced from Bimmer World...










I had noticed an uneven gap on the front of my car where the front bumper meets 'the body' and, had been looking around for something to kinda improve the unfinished look. Low and behold, found an eBay seller with exactly what I needed, which I did not even know existed, per the link here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184899977065

More items are headed my way and now for sure, the first shop (who is local) is out of the running to do all the work with the a/c, locks, side marker+fog lights, etc. as they told me it would be a year out, plus the car sitting outside. All good - interviewed yesterday Corsa Technik who has plenty of e30's all over their FB profile and planning on checking them out next week. The show must go on!!!

Happy Friday, everyone!

[2mAn]

LOVE how it looks with those wheels!... Going to be nice when the front end makes the change you have lined up.

Then its the little details...

[OttoB]

The entire crew at that second shop was very complimentary of how good the car looked and I was surprised how much they managed to do in 35 mins. vs. 2 hours at the dang alignment shop (who is the only game in town not being Tire Kingdom or Goodyear). I had to drop the car back off to the warehouse, removing 200lbs off consisting of the 15inch Ronals x4. Snapped these pics at the warehouse and looking forward to next week, when I know I will get some time off work AND, a friend to help install the missing antenna, swap the headlights, turn signals, K&N, Conforti chip, install the red, metal center lock safety pins once I drill holes on the center caps, and other miscellaneous but simple things.












I like how it looks - and that's all that matters - but still a long ways to go to make it just right in my eyes... One thing/one day at a time.

[OttoB]

It is a struggle for me to carry a heavy 60 hour work week, plus a household with my wife (who works a lot, but is not the Good Housekeeping type of dame), and 3-4 cars in as many shops or, need to go to one. So, once I found out this car does not have a/c nor will it have one for many months, I am not really interested in 'taking it out for a spin' as it is not enjoyable for me. Some things can and do work for some, but not on others and vice versa. I only take pleasure of driving my cars when there is nothing left to tackle or to do.

These are the replacement bolts that arrived last week along with a 'standard' bolt lent to me by the alignment shop and you can see the new ones are longer:






The wheels + tires had been mounted, balanced, and the car aligned - so all I had to do yesterday was, once going over to pick up the car - was to get the wheels/tires installed.






Because I am on my own when it comes to things I choose to do on my cars - this was a gamble and a half. There is no available identifiable information relating to this car's suspension, brakes, etc. when it was (re)-built 5 years ago. So, the wheels being 17x8.5 x 4 on Yoko Advans 235/40/17 x4 - had no idea what it would look or turn out. Especially when on another car with 225 tires, I had to go down to 205's in order to make them fit a lot better at the front (and here I am getting 235 front tires). When the car was lowered back on the new wheels, I was apprehensive whether the new bolts would be too big, whether there would be clearance issues, whether the existing 3/4 inch spacers x4 (whether the rears could remain), etc. This next picture is of how close the tire is to the front shock (and I should have gone to a 215 tire), although I am not going to worry about it for now.









The moment I drove the car away within 30-50 feet, I could hear a noise from the car and, another 45 mins. of waiting for one of the techs to say - "you're on your own - we don't have experience on modified cars" then I simply went across town to a place that all they sell is custom wheels/accessories (seemingly to the 4x4 crowd). But, those guys were very experienced, knowledgeable and cool! Placed the car on the rack, lifted the middle portion of the rear, and discovered the noise came from the new bolts touching something. The 3/4 spacers were too aggressive but, they had some lying around (no clue how thick) that we installed:

[2mAn]

No update?
Looking at the door keys, Im pretty sure those are shockingly easy to install. Been years since I've had to mess with it. Even the trunk is relatively easy. Knocking those out will allow you to lock the car, then the shop can deal with the steering column.

Im trying to recall if this has power steering and whether you want to add it? If you are wanting to add it (and have a shop do the work) you might want to also consider upgrading the steering rack to one of the modern options

..still waiting to see it with the wheels!

[OttoB]

After the weekend Photo Dump 2/2:


6) ordered this interior decal set as there are several missing from mine (headlights, upcoming foglight switch), etc. It will make the interior look mo' betta put together once it's all said and done.






7) below are pics off the sole available, complete lock set that I could source anywhere - which came with both doors, trunk, and ignition column off a 1984 318i and has arrived. Optimistic it will be straightforward to do when the car does go into the shop. These locks/parts need some TLC and hoping they get that during install so they can last for a long time! I don't want to have to go through this ordeal again for a very, very long time (when the parts are likely to be unobtanium)!

[OttoB]

After the weekend Photo Dump:

1) the center lock safety clips / wheel cap pins from Amspeed arrived and looking simple, but also a cool way to spruce the wheels which are meant to be installed tomorrow. But, I have to somehow make time that seems to be non-existent for now (as I try to close out the year at work within the upcoming week) in modifying the existing ones to make the center hole bigger and, drill holes across from each other in order for the pins to be held in place within the center cap.







2) the Nissens evaporator recommended to me by AWDBOB from Rock Auto also has arrived:







3) I like these particular, specific dual Hella air horns on all my cars for some reason... maybe from the sound they make from way back when I was a kid watching the Countach off the Cannonball Run movie or from the 308 in Magnum PI - but, once I heard the horn off this e30, it was an easy decision to get them for it and - have bought many of these over the years.







4) these are the OEM Euro side markers going on the car behind the front wheels, on the front quarter panel (along with the Depo Euro smiley headlights and of course most of the parts being posted)... So far, the first local shop has completely ghosted me although they may simply be running very behind. Someone told me the other day that they are excellent, but... are not quick in returning cars back. I am okay with whoever has the car taking their time as I am in no hurry to either take the e30 to various shops for a handful of things or, get it back with stuff still left pending to do... If having 2 shops as options is good - then a third one makes it better! I was referred a 3rd one with a whole bunch of e30's all over their FB profile (and also recommended by Condor, but an hour away just like Redline)...




5) there are a lot of vendors who don't sell on eBay but do on Etsy and vice versa. The way I look to learn about options, extras, and simply more stuff on any one car is to see what's out there and what is being sold... Given that my car is particularly dark inside at night (and the poor lights behind the driver on the B pillar aren't much help), I am considering getting a rearview mirror with map lights with AWDBOB (wonder if they can be programmed to turn on when doors are opened?) and, saw this illuminated shifter which was too dang cool to pass up, for less than $40 (including shifter)!.

[OttoB]

The bolts arrived this week but it’s been hairy at work (thank God)! However, the bolts do look a little longer than the standard one that the alignment shop gave me. The car is headed back to get the wheels+tires installed this upcoming Tuesday morning and - I am also very excited to see how they look! Essentially - no matter how much more sweat+blood+tears+money+time I pour into this car, it will not look much more different than when the DTM wheels are installed. Did I mention I sourced some center lock safety clips from the UK for them, which will have me drill holes on the caps and expand the center opening to have an authentic center lock appearance on this faux M3? Well - if nothing else - keeping things consistent. But, saw them on this car reading a magazine the other day and got me thinking that I’d like to have them on my whip…



For the time being, methinks I’ve got to chill on parts spending as my Amex is orange hot - but, know there’s more to come in order to make this 40+ year old, basic 325 look and drive as time, patience, and money allows. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

[2mAn]

Cant wait to see it with the wheels on!

[reelizmpro]

You got the wrong plate bracket. This is the one I posted...

[OttoB]

Photo Dump # 3 of Items Purchased:


11) my childhood hero back in the Dominican Republic which is where I was born and raised, was Luis Mendez no. 68 who drove an old Porsche race car. Later in life, did I come to learn he was the IMSA 1980 GTO Champion and driving Al Holbert's RSR 3.0L race car, Chassis no. 005 0009. My dad had helped organize motorsports since inception, upon coming back to the DR from Texas A&M. So, my brother and I went to all car/motorsport events since we could walk and explains why to this day - it is my biggest passion/hobby! Anyhow, Luis drove for the street a white 911 Turbo (we are talking about the early 1980's) and he was the country's only authorized dealer for both Alpine stereos and the MOMO brand, who naturally were sponsors on his race car. So for me, I always try to install either an Alpine head unit and/or a Momo steering wheel. When I researched what Momo steering wheel that was more or less period correct, would look good on my e30 - I found this one, the F35 a/k/a the Z1 Momo. It apparently had been listed on eBay for a very long time, for a very high price which is exactly what I needed in order to get the seller super, super motivated to dump it for a fraction of his asking price. It has seen better years, but I will get around to cleaning it and then applying leather conditioner before it is the last modification to be installed on the car.









12) the Nissens condenser recommended to me by AWDBOB from Rock Auto arrived already yesterday, and looks the part!










13) lastly as I am coming up on 5 pics, then is the license plate bracket from Little CNC Shop. Regrettably, it is woefully short and only after I tried to install it, did I realize 2 things:

a) the Euro license plates are so dang long, that it is absolutely impossible to install a US/regular license plate unless you just drill holes onto the license plate itself since the distance is way too big/long. There is no middle ground and all of us have seen a US plate installed behind a Euro license plate frame but, even this bracket cannot 'bridge the gap'; however;

b) the bracket is absolutely necessary as it will allow me to install the license plate frames I have a local graphics shop personalize for me and that I install on all my cars. Without the bracket, I would only be left with doing what the seller had done, and simply drill 2 holes on the plate and attach it directly. I will still have to do that, but will be complimented by a license plate frame and definitely worth it for me to have gotten this.

[OttoB]

Photo Dump # 2 of Items Purchased (limited to 5 pics per post):



6) this car in person, is actually as nice as it appears on the pics off the BAT listing. Cosmetically with I don't even know where to point out for shortcomings (other than the driver's side lower dash, and lower kick panel - and then a big ol' crack atop the dash on the passenger side), so it is my job to keep the car looking super nice, as it will always be a downhill slope going forward as this car gets used and enjoyed! So, I found this rubber jack pad that I will keep in the trunk in case there is some pitstop somewhere and that can save the bottom sheetmetal from being bent beyond reason!





7) as mentioned earlier this week, I sourced these rear headrests off Bobbie via eBay prior to knowing he was the one, the only AWDBOB! Given that there have been 1,000's upon 1,000's e30's modified over the years... I have looked at many 100's of pics of 'em these past several weeks to get ideas on what I would like on mine and, what is not commonly seen, just so that this e30 may stick out just a bit more! I have rear headrests that came standard on a few of my cars, and I had them installed on my e28 too many years ago. So, I will have these set up and luckily, Bobbie sold them with everything needed to install them once they've been reupholstered.






8) going "... back to the well" as me having done this also on my e28, I went ahead and bought a set of headlight wipers for the car, even if they never work (as it requires a LOT of parts, skills, and labor to get them to function properly). But, it will make this car stick out maybe just a little :)





9) I have spent way more time (that I don't have) than I imagined in trying to source a friggin' dash as mine is bad in my eyes, considering how good of cosmetic shape the rest of the car is. Bobbie had a beautiful one for sale, but turns out it was sold last month but the eBay ad had remained. 2 days ago, I found a seller on eBay asking $1,650 (plus $200 for shipping) for one, and $1,450? for another one... interestingly, he still had the jar of vaseline he'd lathered both up on the pictures of the dash themselves. They sure look shiny, but the seller did not bother cleaning the insides of the vents or the inside part of the dash, so you can tell they came of beat up parts cars... which is fine, as long as they look okay, ya know? I offered him $1,175 and less than 40 seconds later, he declined it and not even offered a counter (to the $1,650 one). I also found some perfect ones from My Classic Parts but at $1,500.00 AND, they are in Dubai, so tariffs will push them towards $2K?

Yesterday, I called Rennie at Redline - as I have always gotten along with him/them, except that they have charged me in the past an arm, leg, and kidney. However, they are the kind of shop where they can take care of mechanics, electrics, cosmetics, paint, interior, alignment, etc. so they are truly the one-stop-shop in SoFla. And, their hourly rate is $179 - in line with the local gent who I showed my car to. I am not committed to either shop as neither has availability for another month but, he did mention that there's a seller on FB that starts with M or something, who is legit and sells redone dashboards. Last night - found the guy - Milan Milich of out Moscow who sells reconditioned BMW dashes across the board, and for $900 plus shipping, which was less than what I would have had to pay to that eBay vaseline lover seller! I bought one this morning and Milan will be shipping all of them on 12/25/25 - so, it will arrive 3 weeks later or so. But, this is a big ticket item and important to any car, as individuals can see it from the outside of the car, let alone once you're inside. Very happy and relieved to know I got one of these from him!






10) found this lower dash panel in decent shape, needing some cleaning up and maybe a new coat of rattle can spray paint. Mine is all kinds of jacked up, since they are very brittle and very lucky this one is completely intact!