Introducing my latest addition - 1988 E30 M3

[Uber///m3]

We recently lost one of our long-term, avid BMW CCA members - Mr. Don Christian. At every monthly dinner meeting or driving event, I’d always pull him aside and ask him if he was ready to sell me his ‘88 E30 M3 yet? (The answer was always an emphatic no.) I called Don 3 years ago when I realized he had stopped coming to our regular Car Club meetings and he said both he and his wife had begun to have health issues. Out of the blue, about two weeks ago, his daughter called me and said Don had asked her to call me to see if I was still interested in buying the car (an emphatic YES followed). Three days later, Don passed away.

Several back and forth negotiations between his daughter and me led to a mutual agreement and I now own a car I had only previously dreamed of being able to own. I’ve got a wonderful journey of restoration ahead of me (even though the car is in incredible condition) that I’m looking forward to and in Don’s honor, I plan to make a solid regular driver out of the car that I believe Don was moving toward. Ya’ll’s prayers and good wishes are GREATLY APPRECIATED IN ADVANCE. Look for regular updates under the “Projects” sub-forum once we get started…

[318kid]

Quite an interesting way how you ended up with the car. What are your plans for it?

[82eye]

glad it's gone on to a good home that will honour the previous owners passion and intent.

[reelizmpro]

Good for you. I was just thinking about this scenario the other day as life happens and older owners drive their cars less and less or move on. Just never know what may happen.

[Uber///m3]

Quite an interesting way how you ended up with the car. What are your plans for it?

I'll be completing the restoration back to stock (which is what my friend, Don, would've wanted). It's gonna require an engine rebuild (it's got 188K miles on it and we tested compression at 80-120 PSI per cylinder). Then, brakes, suspension, back to style 5 wheels and new Depo smiley headlights with LED bulbs. I also noticed today that the fog lights are going to need to be replaced. The front bumper is pretty sand-blasted and the rear spoiler is showing excessive wear and some cracking, so maybe a repair/respray there. I really don't want to repaint the whole car (although I've seen it done successfully) because this is going to be a driver (not a show car like my M Technic). We'll probably also go ahead and upgrade the A/C to R-134A. Other than that, the car's in really good shape and shouldn't require much more. Thanks for asking!

[Uber///m3]

glad it's gone on to a good home that will honour the previous owners passion and intent.

Thanks!

[Uber///m3]

Good for you. I was just thinking about this scenario the other day as life happens and older owners drive their cars less and less or move on. Just never know what may happen.

I've learned over the years that it takes a few things to make a purchase like this come together. First BLIND LUCK...I was SO fortunate that Don remembered I was interested in his car and told his daughter to call me about buying it. But before that, it took letting the person that owns a car you're interested in KNOW you're interested in it. And spread a wide net for cars you're interested in because none of us is promised tomorrow. I've had people say they're going to have their cars pried from their cold, dead hands. I've thought that also about some of the cars I've owned, but then something else comes along you want more and you let the old one go. It also helps to let your fellow car enthusiasts know you're on the lookout in case they run across something you might be interested in buying. Hope this helps and thanks for your interest!

[reelizmpro]

So true. In fact that's how I got my white M3 and my euro 323i. I casually mentioned to a couple of friends that I was looking for new projects and they put me in touch with the right people.