RainierHooker's E30 M3 -The Pics + Progress Thread-

[RainierHooker]

Well, I'm home on leave, and since my return I've spent some time getting better aquainted with the newest love of my life, my 1990 Brillantrot M3.

The car is 90% stock, as far as I can tell from the car and the two inches of records and reciepts, the only things changed from stock are:

Original interior swapped from Natur to OEM Schwartz/Anthrazit
Sport Evo brake rotors
SuperSprint cat-back (with fugly tips IMO)
adapted E46-fittment BBS RXs
Pioneer Head unit

She won't be getting much in the way of mods outside of the OEM++ category. The headunit will be returned to stock, with maybe an added aux-in for an iPod, and as you will see, I am going to add a splash of Hartge flair here and there as able. I already added a rear plate filler.

Without further ado, onto the pics...












Here's the swag to date...


Plans in the near term include cleanup and installation of:

Hartge Strut Brace
Hartge Exhaust Tip
Hartge Staggered 16x7.5(f) / 16x8.5(r) wheels
Toyo R1R tires in 225/45ZR16
Replace the bumper-tape removed by PO

Plans for when I get home for good:
Relace all suspension bushings
H&R Race Springs on Bilstein Sport Struts
Auto-X the poop out of it!

[freeride53]

Muy bien.
Have you considered an Evo lip or bumper stripes?

[archie]

soooo beautiful!

[RainierHooker]

Muy bien.
Have you considered an Evo lip or bumper stripes?

I'm going to put the bumper stripes back on, and I plan on replacing the stock front bumper seal with a Sport Evo one. I don't plan on adding any of the other Aero items though, I really love the cleanness of the stock front and spoiler.

[F34R]

I love the Hartge pile of goodness! Ever think of buying GC coils? I <3 low M3s

[freeride53]

I'm going to put the bumper stripes back on, and I plan on replacing the stock front bumper seal with a Sport Evo one. I don't plan on adding any of the other Aero items though, I really love the cleanness of the stock front and spoiler.

Perfect. I agree 100% with you as far as keeping the overall lines simple.

[rightcoastbias]

Everything but the tint. :\

[M42Power]

Just replace those fugly us spec tow hook covers, it will help to clean up the front. I agree that OEM++ M3's are the best looking.

Oh, maybe a Euro electric fan swap? Euro cars did not have a mechanical fan

[IronJoe]

Very nice, can't wait to see it in person!

[ck_taft325is]

Hey, you're back. I think I owe you a beer...

[RainierHooker]

Everything but the tint. :\

I hate the tint too. It is coming off as soon as I get the chance...

Just replace those fugly us spec tow hook covers, it will help to clean up the front. I agree that OEM++ M3's are the best looking.

Oh, maybe a Euro electric fan swap? Euro cars did not have a mechanical fan

Euro Tow-hook covers are on the to-do list. No plans on the electric fan swap just yet, I'm trying to maintain as much stockishness as possable. we'll see what happens with the temp guages once I get some track time on it though...

Very nice, can't wait to see it in person!

Hey, you're back. I think I owe you a beer...

I'm planning on coming out to cars-n-coffee tonight at Bertolino's. If you guys are there, its a date

I love the Hartge pile of goodness! Ever think of buying GC coils? I <3 low M3s

No plans on coils, road manners and a not-too silly Auto-X classing (STX should be a good fit) are what are mainly keeping me from doing so...

[Van Westervelt]

Very nice! I like the stock setup plans very much!

As far as springs vs GC, I would recommend longer springs and going with coils. Linear springs are a smoother ride than the progressives (H&R Race/Sport). I had sports on, swapped to the longer barrel springs and GC coil conversion; Much smoother ride, with stiffer rates and not Hard Parked status.

[ck_taft325is]

AH! Coffee and Cars AND my car is running currently. I'll be there, bud!

[cramer]

Are you planning on putting those Hartge tips on the SS muffler? I thought they were designed to fit over the stock muffler...

[Nairb]

Need more pics. Love it.

Oh, and thanks for serving.