I hopped on this bandwagon.

[FunfGan]

thanks guys! and Stewart! you found my thread! lol

and Stewart! you found my thread! lol

and Stewart!

Stewart!

[Nsquared97]

This car shouldnt have clear. Just polish it and itll shine like new.

This, I have the exact same car as you (Zinno 1987 325is) Shouldn't have a clearcoat if it's the original paint, although from one of your pics it does look like the hood has clear on it. Anyway, my paint was as bad as yours until I polished it, amazing how much of a difference it made.

Like everyone said, take your time and do things right, mechanical bits first.

Some simple little exterior things I would recommend:
*Polish paint
*Paint bumper rub strips (black rubber strips on the bumpers) with SEM trim black, just did this today on mine and makes a heck of a difference.
*Paint the grilles, and the center section of the kidneys with SEM trim black as well.
*Remove the pinstripe (kinda personal opinion, I hated the gold one on my car.)
*Tint the turn signals on your tails red, makes a huge difference. Can't remember off the top of my head which paint I used, but I can go find it if your interested.

BTW, any idea what seats those are? They look great.

[Nsquared97]

Oh and for interior stuff, ZHP shift knob and a leather E32/E34 E-brake handle make a huge ergonomic difference.

[CrJdMc]

Thanks alot guys! and when i said this will be my daily, i did not mean this will be a peice of crap, i have been wanting to get one of these for a long time!

[CrJdMc]

This, I have the exact same car as you (Zinno 1987 325is) Shouldn't have a clearcoat if it's the original paint, although from one of your pics it does look like the hood has clear on it. Anyway, my paint was as bad as yours until I polished it, amazing how much of a difference it made.

Like everyone said, take your time and do things right, mechanical bits first.

Some simple little exterior things I would recommend:
*Polish paint
*Paint bumper rub strips (black rubber strips on the bumpers) with SEM trim black, just did this today on mine and makes a heck of a difference.
*Paint the grilles, and the center section of the kidneys with SEM trim black as well.
*Remove the pinstripe (kinda personal opinion, I hated the gold one on my car.)
*Tint the turn signals on your tails red, makes a huge difference. Can't remember off the top of my head which paint I used, but I can go find it if your interested.

BTW, any idea what seats those are? They look great.

to be honest, i am not sure about the seats, they are in like mint condition though. i really like them and they are actually comfortable.

[BamaE30]

Seats look good car looks good.... Lower it then decide on wheels you may like the the weaves for now and tires are cheap. Your list looks good do the timing belt soon.

[CrJdMc]

ok, that'll be on top of my list for sure! thanks man.

[Xat1cZ]

needs more high.

[Holland]

Adding to your list of easy and cheap mods.
-tint windows
-all red tail lights (i used VHT red lense paint from autozon/pepboys in 2-3 light coats)
-all black plate filler
-black kidney grill
-shadow line trim

The 87is is so unique, don't fuck it up by doing this. Un-rice this thing and make it amazing. 88 bumper shocks work wonders for doing a mild bumper tuck.

Edit:

You don't follow that advice and clean it up you could have something like this kind of amazing.

[F34R]

I love that exhaust, don't change it please.

[325e10]

leave the bumpers untucked. nice find though.

[Rose E30]

Since the car is going to be daily driven, I would say leave the bumpers untucked. If you do hit something with the tucked bumpers, the impact of the collision will be transferred to the body resulting in ugly body damage. If you want the short bumper look, go full hog and convert to the later plastic bumpers.

[Rose E30]

Also, change the power steering reservoir and flush the system. The reservoir has an un-removable filter at the bottom that needs to be replaced every 100k miles. Also, as others have said, replace the timing belt before it kills the engine.

[CrJdMc]

Ok thanks alot guys!!

[mr.vang]

leave the bumpers untucked. nice find though.

this.... if you tuck bumper, black out kidney, you're for sure on the bandwagon.

i would buy euro bumpers or leave the bumper untucked and keep the chrome kidney.