MT I Project Complete

[mathetas]

Although I will post better pictures later, I am very happy to say this project is complete... I found a GREAT 1986 325ES a few months ago and have spent time and benjamins getting this together. I have always wanted an early model ES with this look.

BEFORE...









AFTER...









Thoughts?

[Shangsta]

beautiful car, well done sir

[2002jm]

Very good job

Just what I had planned to do.
Post some bigger pictures and and the rear of the car.
Looks like you have done a great amount of work,
jm

[achtunge30]

Sweet another MT1 E30 in Jersey!

[Eurospec]

I applaud you, well done. Some ellipsoids and euro grilles and you're car will be golden.

[mathetas]

Thanks to all... My wife has placed me on expenditure probation after this hemorrhage--ellipsoids/Euro grille may follow in distant future.

As soon as I get a chance next week, I will post a better set of pictures that do this car A LOT of justice. I have not personally seen an old model that is red with black interior this nice in a long time--interior is stunning. Seems like it is more common to find the Tan option with red.

One other thing is the fact I inherited a $1000 suspension and $1000 exhaust I don't particularly like when I purchased the car. The exhaust sounds a bit juvenile for my taste and the suspension tunes the ride far to the right of sporty. I would have been happier with a quiet exhaust with decent looking tips and a standard suspension with a more comfortable ride. Oh well--could be worse!

[Raxe]

Good work, looks great.

[Kozworth]

oh wow, i saw the befores and thought it was the afters... I was thinking well whatever fills your cup of tea...

Then i noticed the after shots.. Beautiful

[mr.vang]

dam nice, how much was the whole mt 1 kit?

[German Audio Specialties]

Thoughts?

My thoughts are you owe us a proper photoshoot NOW.

[mathetas]

MT I was a very painful find... Originally, the deal was cherry. Found a place in Europe (our version of a junk yard) that had these parts listed "complete". I should write a sticky on a very important set of facts when procuring pieces for this project because the devil is in the details. So, back to the cost, originally, it was around $1400 shipped for "Mint M3 MT1 Kit and Mint Eurobumpers". Not a bad deal as these parts are getting VERY hard to find in decent condition. Start this documentary in October, and then fast forward to mid-January... Yeah, that is how long it took the dude to actually make good on this "deal". Another thing, go ahead and add another $875 dollars to that $1400 whenever it was evident the "Mint" bumpers would require sandblasting and re-chroming, and all the "trim" pieces I thought would work would eventually not work because every piece of that bumper set MUST be M-Technic trim in order to provide snap in clearances when installing. Otherwise, it looks terrible or simply won't fit at all. You do, however, have the option to modify the pieces of the standard Euro trim into M-Tech pieces by getting creative with a saw, fiberglass, sand paper, primer and OEM black trim paint. In the end, I have custom trim pieces and a really straight MT 1 kit, new guts and connectors for the fitment and re-chromed and re-conditioned Eurobumpers for around $2.3k. I feel a bit foolish to admit that, but it is finished. My advice would be to set the expectation around the $1500 mark and let that be your "Mint" bar. If the condition is less than mint, good luck, because some pieces could be beyond feasible repair. One man's opinion (based on experience).

[N2MYE30]

No shame there. You gotta play to play and you have played very well. Imo, well worth it. :up:

[mathetas]

My thoughts are you owe us a proper photoshoot NOW.

Man, I wish I could... I am away on business right now and experiencing man car separation. Once I get in the same zip code with my new ride, I will post. This is my previous e30 project with the same car (my favorite--'86 325es). As you can see, I wanted this look all along, but keep in mind, this project cost me a whopping $350.

BEFORE...











TRIAL AND ERROR for "Tuck and Run"...













AFTER...

















White was much more forgiving, but I like Red much better. Not bad for a daily driver that got over 30mpg for $3300... Thoughts on this one???

[JeST]

I sold my zinno mtech 1 car to a friend in jersey so that's another 1! Looks beautiful.

[mathetas]

I sold my zinno mtech 1 car to a friend in jersey so that's another 1! Looks beautiful.

Pete, your car was the real deal and tuned by the best. My cinnabar is just a straight stock clean 3 series with an MTI. Am I gonna run into this guy in Colts Neck (central) or is he more North in Jersey? If so, I am waving the white flag now... My exhaust may be intimidating, but I assure you, there is a kitten behind that voice of Oz.