My S52 VF 90’ Sedan - A ‘Smiles and Cries’ Story

[mmoyer11]

In 2016 I purchased this lovely Delphin Grey 1990 325i Sedan from the second owner, a parts manager at the sister store to my BMW Dealership. The car had been in a “total loss” scenario of the early 00’s when it hit a deal. The original owner bought it back and replaced a hood and fender and kept it moving. I had just sold my 99’ M3 to a friend in Richmond who crashed his Racecar into the wall backwards, and bought the drivetrain back from them.

I had at this point done a couple of 24V swaps on other e30’s I’d owned and sold, none of them felt right. This car seemed to be the one. I trailered It home and drove it on the M20 until I could put my S52 in. I was In love.

The swap was eventually completed and it was such a tremendous daily driver to and from work. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Then, a VF kit and supporting hardware went up on the classifieds, and a new mission crystallized. After a few years of building and the car being on and off the road, it is finally “complete” and I’m driving it a couple times a week.

I am currently going through such a massive car guy resurgence…my wife is nearly at the end of her rope. I feel like a little kid all over again. Car just came back from having some paint work/correction done and it’s standing tall in the garage. I’ve been thinking about posting in this section for 10 years….finally felt right!

edit/add


Quick Rundown:
1990 325i Sedan
Delphin Grey
Grey Houndstooth Sport Seats
99’ S52B32
VF Supercharger
ZF 5 Speed
UUC E34 Clutch + Lightweight Flywheel
Driveshaft Shop Chromoly 1 Piece Driveshaft
S2.79 LSD - Alleged to have been built by Wangan Style

Car was poorly tuned in the late teens by TTFS and made ~400whp. The vehicle was reconfigured in the 20’s and remote tuned by one of my buddies and his buddy and runs very well on the base tune. Have not re-dynoed. Really just street the car to and from work 13 miles one way.

It’s very streetable and I’m getting ready to fit the DSS Axels that have been sitting on the shelf and maybe think about swapping the pulley for some more go juice. The driveline can take it and we’re on borrowed time on the motor anyway. I have another S52 on the shelf I’ve been thinking about taking to VAC to have a proper build done so I don’t have to keep wondering if blow by is going to turn to blow up.

[mmoyer11]

Some additional shots of the car. Will post some more over the years pics and info just need to go through my photos.

[mmoyer11]

The year was 2017 and I was the guy who couldn’t wait to rip out my m20 and put in a 24V motor…I think we had the machine shop deck the head and service the valve train and stuffed it in there…driving this car NA was a blast and made for an awesome 13 mile commuter car.

[Edrift]

In 2016 I purchased this lovely Delphin Grey 1990 325i Sedan from the second owner, a parts manager at the sister store to my BMW Dealership. The car had been in a “total loss” scenario of the early 00’s when it hit a deal. The original owner bought it back and replaced a hood and fender and kept it moving. I had just sold my 99’ M3 to a friend in Richmond who crashed his Racecar into the wall backwards, and bought the drivetrain back from them.

I had at this point done a couple of 24V swaps on other e30’s I’d owned and sold, none of them felt right. This car seemed to be the one. I trailered It home and drove it on the M20 until I could put my S52 in. I was In love.

The swap was eventually completed and it was such a tremendous daily driver to and from work. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Then, a VF kit and supporting hardware went up on the classifieds, and a new mission crystallized. After a few years of building and the car being on and off the road, it is finally “complete” and I’m driving it a couple times a week.

I am currently going through such a massive car guy resurgence…my wife is nearly at the end of her rope. I feel like a little kid all over again. Car just came back from having some paint work/correction done and it’s standing tall in the garage. I’ve been thinking about posting in this section for 10 years….finally felt right!

That's a great E30 story and I get what you mean about the "car guy resurgence" it happens. One good drive or seeing the car sitting right in the garage and you're hooked all over again. Sounds like it's in the perfect place now

[mmoyer11]

That's a great E30 story and I get what you mean about the "car guy resurgence" it happens. One good drive or seeing the car sitting right in the garage and you're hooked all over again. Sounds like it's in the perfect place now

I started working at the dealership around the same time I bought this car. Sales is tough and I think the work side of it ruined the personal enjoyment side of it for a while. Had to get over the hump there and then get behind the wheel and it all comes back so quickly.

Welcome to the board! Can't wait to see your post!

[Panici]

Can't believe you waited so long to post!
Car looks good, bet you do a lot of steering with your right foot with all that supercharger torque.

Any more details on that radiator and shroud setup?

[mmoyer11]

Can't believe you waited so long to post!
Car looks good, bet you do a lot of steering with your right foot with all that supercharger torque.

Any more details on that radiator and shroud setup?

It certainly spins through first...it's got a 2.79 rear end so the gears are long and it's not egregious with the RS003's but it def needs more tire.

Its a mishimoto rad...I have a guy at work in our parts department who did all of the piping and the shroud for me on spec. I'll post some more pics later! He is also fabbing a shield for the front end. The recirc valve is right below the intercooler too close to the street...

[mmoyer11]

Can't believe you waited so long to post!
Car looks good, bet you do a lot of steering with your right foot with all that supercharger torque.

Any more details on that radiator and shroud setup?

Ted says he'll make more shrouds if the people want them.

[mmoyer11]

My wife agreed to teach me how to use the Bissel thing she made me buy two of that she loves so much....I know how to use them it was just Father's Day and I figured we'd have a couple beers while I Tom Sawyer'd her into helping me.

Yanked the seats out and vacuumed up a bunch of old shitty pennies and broken glass from when a homeless guy threw a rock through my window on my first day back with my car and started doing the mats. Carpet looks good. Mats are getting better. Did a first pass and sprayed everything down with Oxyclean. Gonna give them a couple more passes and see where we get. The water was black. The beer was cold. I was happy.

[mmoyer11]

Have been meaning to get this lower grill piece modified to fit with the intercooler. Did a lil pencil mock up earlier while cleaning the garage in anticipation of making it dirty again. Think this is a job for the belt sander and a coarse grit belt. Little at a time. Need a clip…more to come.

[mmoyer11]

Ok. Made lots of cancer dust on the belt sander and lower grill now fits. Sent the boys at work a note for a clip. Put it on tomorrow.

second pass with the Bissel. Entire reservoir of black juice from driver mat…271K miles of boot dust. Yuck. Slow progress, maybe it’ll look clean after 3 more beers. Emotional support friend showed up to supervise.

[4bangerfury]

Damn, that delphin grey. Makes me want to work on mine so I can drive again someday.

[mmoyer11]

Damn, that delphin grey. Makes me want to work on mine so I can drive again someday.

You gotta do it.

[mmoyer11]

I’m bad at posting and can’t seem to edit my initial post. Internet is hard.

Here’s a quick rundown:
1990 325i Sedan
Delphin Grey
Grey Houndstooth Sport Seats
99’ S52B32
VF Supercharger
ZF 5 Speed
UUC E34 Clutch + Lightweight Flywheel
Driveshaft Shop Chromoly 1 Piece Driveshaft
S2.79 LSD - Alleged to have been built by Wangan Style

Car was poorly tuned in the late teens by TTFS and made ~400whp. The vehicle was reconfigured in the 20’s and remote tuned by one of my buddies and his buddy and runs very well on the base tune. Have not re-dynoed. Really just street the car to and from work 13 miles one way.

It’s very streetable and I’m getting ready to fit the DSS Axels that have been sitting on the shelf and maybe think about swapping the pulley for some more go juice. The driveline can take it and we’re on borrowed time on the motor anyway. I have another S52 on the shelf I’ve been thinking about taking to VAC to have a proper build done so I don’t have to keep wondering if blow by is going to turn to blow up.

I refitted the seats and carpets the other night and got that lower grill in. Was supposed to hit Katie’s Cars and Coffee yesterday but it’s been pouring rain in DC. Maybe next weekend…pic of DSS Axels 4 attention

[mmoyer11]

We're headed up to visit my folks in Mass tomorrow and I am going to drive the car. We are planning to go to a BMW event at Limerock Park in October and I have to get 4 of the old cars up to my parents so we can all attend.

It's a 340 mile trip from my job to my parents. Easiest route is straight up 95, but I am leaving at 2pm and it puts me into NYC to jump over the GW or go West of the river right about rush hour. I did a little crash course the other day and did about a 180 mile round trip/4.5 hours of hard driving up to PA and back to get some parts. I think I should be fine, but this is the longest trip this car will have made on the supercharger. Runs about 1800rpm at 65mph in 5th gear...dont want to run it too hot too long..could be a long trip.

Doing fluids today and a fresh set of tires...praying for reasonably cool weather and no rain. Will update some pics from the trip. Wife will be driving the X7 with the kid and some friends...will leave ahead of them incase I need a pickup at some point!

Wish me luck...