1985 325e White M3 Rep

[kronus]

any energy expended on the 2.7 eta motor is more or less wasted. you'd be much better off putting something decent in. E36 M3 motors are an extremely common and well understood swap.

[OttoB]

I just got the news that the car is finally being picked up today!!! The transportation of the car from Bend, OR to WPB is approximately 3,400 miles but I have travel plans next week and as such, foresee problems with the delivery of the car, unfortunately. I guess I will deal with things as they come and worry about it next week.

In the meantime, I placed a call to a highly recommended shop that is owned by Peter Shadowen of Roadnrace.com who thankfully, is located nearby. He is out of town for a few days but, if I meet up with him and everything squares up - then, he likely will help out with the car going forward including a post purchase inspection/change of fluids as a starting point.

On a separate note, being that I have not seen the car in person yet - now realizing that the car does not have foglights in the front lower spoiler, but these covers.





So...

1) the headlights appear to be Smileys - are there different models or types of them, and these happen to be tinted ones - if anyone knows? I prefer having normal headlights/maybe with bright LED bulbs as the mean streets here in WPB are not always very well lit. If they are already permanently tinted, then I want to replace them and looking for comparables that look like the ones on a real M3 (what, other Smileys - what part number or description are they referenced by)?

2) same with the turn signals - are they standard spec across the years and models, or would they have to be M3 specific to appear like the genuine article? I am not looking to convince anyone that this fiberglass-bodied M3 is not a replica, so I don't have to get Hella Germany pricey ones when identical appearing ones could be had for much less. I prefer new/not OEM than OEM, but worn out - ya know?

3) same with the missing fog lamps - I buy most of everything on eBay so if you could please tell me what to place on the search bar to source a new pair of foglights, that would be greatly appreciated. I had not noticed until moments ago that they were missing entirely, in all sincerity.

[2mAn]

1) the headlights appear to be Smileys - are there different models or types of them, and these happen to be tinted ones - if anyone knows? I prefer having normal headlights/maybe with bright LED bulbs as the mean streets here in WPB are not always very well lit. If they are already permanently tinted, then I want to replace them and looking for comparables that look like the ones on a real M3 (what, other Smileys - what part number or description are they referenced by)?

2) same with the turn signals - are they standard spec across the years and models, or would they have to be M3 specific to appear like the genuine article? I am not looking to convince anyone that this fiberglass-bodied M3 is not a replica, so I don't have to get Hella Germany pricey ones when identical appearing ones could be had for much less. I prefer new/not OEM than OEM, but worn out - ya know?

3) same with the missing fog lamps - I buy most of everything on eBay so if you could please tell me what to place on the search bar to source a new pair of foglights, that would be greatly appreciated. I had not noticed until moments ago that they were missing entirely, in all sincerity.

RealOEM is a place you should bookmark.

(1) OEM Smileys are later model factory Euro lights. They were never available smoked as far as I know. They are most likely DEPO Smileys, which it looks like are NLA. Should be able to get some bucks for them if you sell them here
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...headlight-set/

I PM'd you the OEM setup I would replace these with. You can upgrade the projector beam light if they arent already bright enough for you. Euro lights are pretty good IMO.

(2) I went over to Real OEM to pull the part# for the turn signal lenses and it looks like my suspicion was correct that they are the same as Early Model ones. A WTB here in the classifieds should help you get a set of Amber ones. As usual, when you put a WTB out there be careful of scammers.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=63_0157

Part # 63131386611

(3) This will be something that may take a little more work to find out since the bumpers are aftermarket fiberglass... there likely isnt the OEM mounting tabs. I would start with #1 & #2 and then you can address the #2

Get an OEM Chrome Kidney too... Those 3 items together (lights, signals and grille) will transform the front of the car.

[OttoB]

Many thanks for the detailed response. As a matter of fact, I reached out directly via PM to the entity that is selling a refurbished set, asking a couple of questions and requesting they contact me back. That was last week - so, they must be really, really busy. Hence, this post so that I can seek out alternative sources for headlights, turn signals, and foglights since exploring options is always a great thing (we are talking about BMW's right)?!?!


I took a look at the many pictures on Cars+Bids from 2022 for this car - here is the link to that auction (never saw this until after bought the car):

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3qz...12&ref=pr_1_10

For your pros out there, if you had not seen this link/photos/info before - I absolutely welcome any additional information or insight that you are able to see based on same? I see a whole bunch of suspension and brake parts, but have no idea of what I am looking at other than it seems a lot of effort and time was spent to transform this M3 Rep.

The kidney grill back then was normal, and hoping that a shop in town (there are surprisingly a few) would have either an engine ready to go, a kidney grill, seatbelt receptacles, dashboard, etc. that this car appears to may end up with, ya know? For sure, the tinted headlights will be coming off the car but, not until I get every other part I want to replace so that everything can be swapped during a single visit to a shop - in case anyone is interested.

[reelizmpro]

Nice M3 clone. You should wait until you have the car looked over before buying parts. The car has Evo brake ducts in place of the foglights, smoked Autoart turn signal lenses and custom smoked smilies. I can't tell what brand they are but they don't appear to be the usual Bosch or Hella.

[OttoB]

The car was finally picked up last night, so it should arrive next week and I can take a closer look at everything. As it is, however, I’m never truly happy leaving any car I get ‘as-is’ from the previous owner. So, whereas the builder back in 2021 installed these smoked lenses, they’re just not for me (nor more importantly - the wheels)… Mind you, elsewhere in this thread I posted pics of me having tinted the lenses front and back of my 850 - but, not into same on this e30.

I appreciate everyone’s feedback and support, since you all know infinitely these cars in + out!

[patrick88m3]

They are most likely DEPO Smileys, which it looks like are NLA.

You gotta be kidding me. Hope I can sell some more part out parts and grab a set before they all go out of stock.

[2mAn]

You gotta be kidding me. Hope I can sell some more part out parts and grab a set before they all go out of stock.

What I saw was the smoked ones... I know OttoB is looking for some fogs, maybe you can trade your fogs for his scoops and then work the headlights & turn signals into the trade... You would probably need to add cash Im sure but no idea where the values on everything is

[patrick88m3]

What I saw was the smoked ones... I know OttoB is looking for some fogs, maybe you can trade your fogs for his scoops and then work the headlights & turn signals into the trade... You would probably need to add cash Im sure but no idea where the values on everything is

Guess who also needs fogs haha
There's plenty depo smileys for 350 on ebay still. And one seller with them for 250. I'll try and grab some soon-ish in case they vanish. Can't wait to see Hella smoked smileys go up even more in price.

[OttoB]

Got the Smiley's from Classic Hero earlier today - originally found via eBay but Simon had suggested I contact them directly and saved a few bucks! As to the front spoiler brake vents/scoops - where I live and drive, I much prefer fog lights as the street light situation in WPB isn't great, actually. At some point, I will place the stuff I am removing off the car for sale, although the wheels were snatched up almost immediately by an acquaintance located nearby for his Miata. The smoked headlights, turn signals, and kidney grill are coming off at some point and will be available eventually.

[reelizmpro]

You should know that M3 foglights mount to the bumper support/carrier via a special bracket and the foglights need the "ears" to mount them to the said bracket. All these parts are either NLA or very expensive/hard to find. Which is why many people just run brake ducts. Your car probably won't have an M3 bumper support anyway so you'd have to find another way to mount the fogs.

[McGyver]

The "smoked" headlights are likely not tinted. I don't believe BMW offered them as a factory option, but I know Hella made them as a period-correct modification.

The low beams have the front reflector plate painted black. On projector headlights, the reflector plate doesn't reflect much light, so there isn't a real difference in light output. The high beams have black metal crosshairs installed. These make the reflector look black in the daylight, but have little to no impact on light output.

Depo is the cheap/only aftermarket projector headlight company. I bought a set of smoked Depo headlights when I had a small crash, they've been great and I don't have any complaints about light output. I do have occasional condensation on the inside, which is/was a common concern for Depos.


It's a moot point now, but I would have waited to see if you like the smoked lights. I think they look really cool