Hey R3v,
I have been obsessing extra hard about my E30 the last few weeks. Now, not to say Im not always obsessing, I'm just saying that my E30 has been on my mind lots these last few weeks. It must be the weather starting to get nicer again.
I want this to be a thread I can update this spring when I do some work on the E30.
The History:
I bought the car on a whim in June of 2009, I wasn't looking for a second car I just love browsing Craigslist. Anyway, it was a two owner car. The man I bought it from had it since 1991. He did a lot of maintenance work both, good and bad.
1986 325 M20B27
Bronzit on Houndstooth
5 speed
186,000 miles
The car was repainted about two years ago, unprofessionally in a garage, black. The repaint was due to a lot of faded bronzit and a truck rolling into the front of the car on a hill. The clutch was replaced and all four corners got new brake pads and rotors. No brake pad senors though. The car came equipped with one option... BMW wind visor for the sunroof, a $220 option back in 86.
I test drove it and was really impressed, no leaks, no funny business. They wanted $1,250, I offered $800 cash, they accepted. :pimp:
My girl friend and I named him Charlie on the drive home. He was welcomed in to the family with open arms.
Cleaning Him Up
After we brought him home a wash and wax was in order.
Note: Bronzit under-bumper areas front and rear.
Next was a thorough interior cleaning. I don't have very many pictures of this but it was dirty as hell and I made it clean again. :mrgreen:
I ditched those cheap seat covers, the dashboard cover, the floor mats and that nasty shift knob. I am now rocking an OEM BMW wooden shift knob with 5spd insert, no dash cover and no seat covers.
I had the carpet and seats professionally shampooed (HAHAH only cost me $22!) That made a big difference, but I don't have any pics to prove it.
First Post Purchase Cost!
It was about a month after I bought the car it started leaking power steering fluid...badly. Which required a new PS rack. $110.00 + $220.00 for install. (I know I should have upgraded to a E36 rack, but money was tight at the time)
I sprayed the front and rear under bumper areas black, clear front lights were on - $44 and I had a creative moment of clarity and painted the headlight yellow.
Then came blacked out kidney grills and a euro plate.
It was love. That sticker has since been replaced with a new and improved design.
I found a local E30 parts car that willingly donated its IS trunk lip, cruise control unit and blinker switch.
I have lots of future plans, not a lot of money and limited amounts of free time to do it all. I will starting adding pictures and write ups with most of the things I do.
Thanks for reading.
I have been obsessing extra hard about my E30 the last few weeks. Now, not to say Im not always obsessing, I'm just saying that my E30 has been on my mind lots these last few weeks. It must be the weather starting to get nicer again.
I want this to be a thread I can update this spring when I do some work on the E30.
The History:
I bought the car on a whim in June of 2009, I wasn't looking for a second car I just love browsing Craigslist. Anyway, it was a two owner car. The man I bought it from had it since 1991. He did a lot of maintenance work both, good and bad.
1986 325 M20B27
Bronzit on Houndstooth
5 speed
186,000 miles
The car was repainted about two years ago, unprofessionally in a garage, black. The repaint was due to a lot of faded bronzit and a truck rolling into the front of the car on a hill. The clutch was replaced and all four corners got new brake pads and rotors. No brake pad senors though. The car came equipped with one option... BMW wind visor for the sunroof, a $220 option back in 86.
I test drove it and was really impressed, no leaks, no funny business. They wanted $1,250, I offered $800 cash, they accepted. :pimp:
My girl friend and I named him Charlie on the drive home. He was welcomed in to the family with open arms.
Cleaning Him Up
After we brought him home a wash and wax was in order.
Note: Bronzit under-bumper areas front and rear.
Next was a thorough interior cleaning. I don't have very many pictures of this but it was dirty as hell and I made it clean again. :mrgreen:
I ditched those cheap seat covers, the dashboard cover, the floor mats and that nasty shift knob. I am now rocking an OEM BMW wooden shift knob with 5spd insert, no dash cover and no seat covers.
I had the carpet and seats professionally shampooed (HAHAH only cost me $22!) That made a big difference, but I don't have any pics to prove it.
First Post Purchase Cost!
It was about a month after I bought the car it started leaking power steering fluid...badly. Which required a new PS rack. $110.00 + $220.00 for install. (I know I should have upgraded to a E36 rack, but money was tight at the time)
I sprayed the front and rear under bumper areas black, clear front lights were on - $44 and I had a creative moment of clarity and painted the headlight yellow.
Then came blacked out kidney grills and a euro plate.
It was love. That sticker has since been replaced with a new and improved design.
I found a local E30 parts car that willingly donated its IS trunk lip, cruise control unit and blinker switch.
I have lots of future plans, not a lot of money and limited amounts of free time to do it all. I will starting adding pictures and write ups with most of the things I do.
Thanks for reading.
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