My '90 316i M50B25TU progress thread (Photos & Videos)

[N-Gen]

Hey guys, new to the forum and new to BMWs. Picked an E30 project over a Peugeot 205 project since the girlfriend wasn't really looking forward to me having another small car.

This poor thing has 9 previous owners and almost 135k miles on the clock (not sure if actually genuine either). The starter motor has died today so that messed up most of my plan, however here are some photos of it.

Current Changes/Upgrade

• [s]New M40B16 Radiator[/s] E36 M50B25 Radiator
• New Front Control Arm Joints & Mounts
• New Alternator Belt
• New 17" BBS RS style wheels with Falken ZIEX912 tyres
• New front side panels (left & right)
• New front valance
• New Metzger E30 316i Front Springs
• New Metzger E30 325i Rear Springs
• Type 188 Medium Case 3.91 Limited Slip Differential with 3.23 Ring & Pinion
• E30 325i Rear trailing arms for disc brake conversion
• Rebuilt E30 325i Touring rear calipers with Bigg Redd Brakes 3541 35mm kit
• New Bilstein rear discs
• New Bilstein rear handbrake cables
• New SPAL electric puller fan
• New EXIDE Premium 100Ah 900cca battery
• 0 AWG cable for rear battery conversion
• E32 735i brake booster
• M50B25TU 2.5 Litre E36 Engine with E34 525i Oil Sump
• Getrag 220 5-Speed M/T
• E36 Power Steering Rack
• M50B25TU Tuned Chip (I can tune the chips myself)
• E30 M50 Harness adapter (Not cutting any harness wires and splicing with this baby)
• New braided fuel lines

Upcoming Changes/Upgrades

• ***Parts listed in this section are already in my possession and are a definite upgrade***
• HAWK 280 Pro Car Alarm with Auto Closing Windows
• Black Kidney Grille
• Sunroof panel replacement
• Mtech-II Rear spoiler (possibly not installing)

Future Changes/Upgrades

• Sparco R100 Sky Front Seats
• Retrim of the rear seats to match the fronts
• Turbo conversion
• Front mount side cameras
• Rear view cameras
• Single Din 7" Screen (For cameras and ICE)
• Interior Lighting
• Headlamps with Halos & HIDs
• BC Coilovers
• All round bracing
• Rear electric windows
• MegaSquirt EMS
• HEL Brake Lines (E30 316i Front & E30 325i Rear)
• Methanol/Water Injection

Current Status

Engine swap complete!

[freeride53]

84?

[e30m3s54turbo]

84?

[N-Gen]

Unfortunately this is something that baffles me as well, it has lots of facelift stuff on it. The date of first registration of the car is the 3rd of May 1984, has had 9 previous owners including one that had wiring for a trailer...so only God knows what has happened to her.

[Jean]

What does the VIN # show? Looking at the door harness plugs, those are late model style as well.

You've got a 4 speed ac/fan control vs 3 speed that early cars had, and I can't tell from the cluster what it is either. Also, late model dash, but that may be the norm with your market vs. u.s. where early dash was different from late model.

Interesting that the front upper console cover is not the same color as the dash/a pillars... hmmm

Welcome to the madness! :)

[freeride53]

I think your car was probably stolen then. If you post some photos from the side of the car, or some photos taken from inside the trunk, or other points of interest it would be easier to tell. However, to me, this car looks to be an '88 (87 mfr yr) or newer.

I don't see a single thing on this car that wasn't there on the euro late model 316i - it all checks out. I'd go as far as even saying this car is a 90-91.

[freeride53]

Hahaha BTW nice, it seems your car has the same birthday as me :D

[N-Gen]

The car is in a garage in the next town at the moment since I had to put it in there to get some work done. Papers say the VIN # is wbaac620700550109, I'll also get the engine number. Meant to do it this morning but forgot.

[freeride53]

lol yep you've got the wrong vin. check the doors und such! :D

[N-Gen]

Well, bugger, lol! Now this has got me even more curious, I'll have to pop in the garage at some point tonight and give the number a check. I think at this point it should be key to find what it is so I can source out the correct parts at least.

[pilotskillse30]

suspect..84 with that motor..hmm

[pilotskillse30]

looks like mine, which is an 89

[Court M3]

Plugging in the last 7 of your VIN indeed pulls up an 4/84 build date 316 right hand drive automatic??(so that has been swapped at some point).

First order of business, tidy up interior/exterior then basic maintenance and drive it for awhile before modding

[N-Gen]

Thanks for the replies guys. Have just been down near the old girl, despite it being 3am and very tired. Where exactly do I find the VIN?

The only thing I gave an actual look at was the tyre pressure sticker on the driver side where it says 324d / 318i / 316i amongst the tyre pressures of course.

[freeride53]

take pictures of the door jamb. there's a plaque right there.
also look under your trunk lid, there'll be a vin plaque there as well.
the dash would, and under the engine bay by the shock tower would be good too :D