first E30, first post

[KVF]

Hi, I found my way over from the bimmer forums and have been lurking around for about a month now, sucking up as much information as possible. Thanks for being such a knowledgeable group. I finally made my first E30 purchase and figured it was time to say hello and get some feedback. While I'm not a certified mechanic, I have been turning wrenches on cars and more avidly motorcycles, for some time. I've always loved the E30 cars, and was just too much a chicken to take the plunge. I recently sold my E46zhp, and this 88 325is will now serve as the knuckle crunching giggle machine. I'm looking forward to spending oil soiled weekends under this thing. I'm looking at this as a light project car. In about 5 months it will need to perform daily driver duties for a mere 7 mile, winding road commute. It will see very limited action during the heavy winter months. It was performing as a daily driver when I made the purchase, and judging from the 125 miles I've since put on it, this thing does the reliable E30 history proud.

It was pretty tough to find a car in New England where the owner documented the entire repair history and the car wasn't rusted through. In the end I embraced the Bronzit & diving boards, as it had the best documented history and appears to be in very good shape for the age. In truth I actually like the Bronzit and will definitely be holding true to it when the respray hits (not sure if I'll tuck or replace the DB's). As it sits, the timing belt, water pump, and shift linkage where done inside of 25k ago. The muffler was just replaced, tires have only 4k on them, and the other major items look in fairly good shape (other than a rusting brake line & failed back-up light switch). I'm planning on starting at the bottom of the car and working my way up. Brakes, bushings, drive shaft, springs. While I'm under the car I'll do some wire brushing and rust prevention applications. I'll move to the interior and engine bay once that's done, and look to top it off with having the body/paint attended to... Enough of me babbling; here are some quick pics I took before replacing the back-up light switch. Any insight or comments are always appreciated.

Thanks!
K

[IRON-E]

1st

Welcome to the addiction, your car looks very clean.

I a little suggestion for you, unless you like the DBs get your PB swap done., PRONTO!

[325ix]

Looks good, the door looks like a different color tho, and pb's are a must.

[KVF]

Thanks for the replies. Once I make certain the car is truly sound I'll look into the bumper issue in more depth. I think because it an 88 the PB set-up will just bolt up, BUT it's a "build date" of 8/87, so I'm not sure if that factors in... Worse case scenario is tuck-n-paint.

The doors, lower front fenders, and roof appear lighter in pics. In person (or better pics) it's just that those areas are fading and have no gleem left. The prior owner stayed on top of only what "needed" attention and wasn't up for spending any coin solely for looks. He had various sections repaired & refinished if he saw rust starting. Great job keeping the rust at bay, but didn't give a darn about faded paint.
Thanks again for the replies.
K

[freeride53]

nice weaves

[KVF]

nice weaves

Thanks. He kept those in great condition. I was pumped to find a completely mint 5th in the trunk.

[ethrty]

the addiction begins :) +1 on the weaves

[mie_17]

looks good

[kway]

Thanks for the replies. Once I make certain the car is truly sound I'll look into the bumper issue in more depth. I think because it an 88 the PB set-up will just bolt up, BUT it's a "build date" of 8/87, so I'm not sure if that factors in... Worse case scenario is tuck-n-paint.

Forget the build date, that's a big bumpered late car. The plastics will bolt right up. If you're still doubtful, look at the taillights. I'm sure they're '88+ style.

[Tbolt]

bronzit ftw

[KVF]

Forget the build date, that's a big bumpered late car. The plastics will bolt right up. If you're still doubtful, look at the taillights. I'm sure they're '88+ style.

Great! The first money will be spent on making certain the car is sound enough for upgrades and spirited driving, but I'll keep an eye out for a pb set-up and get that done as soon as reasonable.

bronzit ftw

Whoot! Great to have some bronzit support. ;)

Thanks again for all the replies, I'm darn giddy about my new addiction.

[KVF]

Been a while, but I've just been lurking while I slowly started to work on the car and figured I'm at a decent enough point to report back. A leaking brake line was good cause enough to dive in and basically refresh the entire undercarriage of the car. Rear sub frame/trailing arm/differential bushings, new rotors, copper hard lines, stainless flexible linse, new rotors, rebuilt calipers, new control arms & bushings, tie rods, lowering springs/shocks/struts, refreshed drive shaft, and a bunch of nuts, bolts, wire brushing, painting & undercoating... Learned a great deal tacking on an e30 for the first time, and have the bruised knuckles and aching back to prove it. All worth it though!

Other than being about two inches lower, the looks haven't changed much yet, but boy oh boy does it feel solid motoring about! It's been running too much like a gem, so I've been hard on it. The po "thinks" he did the tb "about" 30k ago, so I plan to tackle that and check valve adjustment this coming weekend before I blow the poor girl up. Wish me luck on the first timing belt change. My wife has some nice pics of the progression that I'll load up and host at some point. For now, here are a couple before/after crappy iphone pics.

[JasonC]

Looks like you're cleaning it up pretty good.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Clean car well done on the suspension and brakes. Keep the updates coming and welcome.

[castros]

Sweet car man and welcome to R3V.