Intro + Advice Needed

[Boltspeedman]

Hello r3v,

I've been lurking around buying stuff from members here on the forum. Thought it to be a good time to introduce myself as I am considering venturing into another low budget e30 build.. I'm a student so you understand were "Low budget" comes from.

I'm not all too new to BMW, my addiction started with an e36 M3


Then an E46 xi



Then E30 318is



And Now I'm Hooked, I currently own an e46 wagon xi


And a new e30 Project
It is a 87' 325 My dilemma is that I am debating parting it or building a little budget track (autocross) toy.

It was involved in a crash that munched up the front end clip (excuse the lack of proper terms), but I believe it did not bend any major components. I drove the car up to 80mph and it's firm no issues in the drive and visual inspection shows no damage to the car other than the front portion.

So my question to you guys is your advice on the damage, is it worth building as a budget track car or part out..?? I would really like to keep this e30 alive. I can get better pictures but the damage should be visible in these.









Thank you for the advice..

[Boltspeedman]

sorry about the huge pics..

[Ray Smoodiver]

Build it. Drive it.

[Madhatter]

The valance and rad panel can be replaced fairly easily. The valance you can pretty much do yourself with no real welding, the rad panel needs to be unpicked and new one welded in place.

Do you have any welding experience, machines or the skill to do it? otherwise the cost to replace from a body shop is probably going to be more than the shell is worth.

[Boltspeedman]

^ I don't have extensive welding experience. If it holds the radiator and headlights fine is there any downside to running the car as is? As far as structure stability goes? I know it wouldn't look great and my hood latch mechanism would not work.

[KIRIEIW]

Saw that last e30 on craigslist, $800 was it?

[Boltspeedman]

Yea it was on craigs not too long ago. I believe asking price was $1k or $600 without the wheels and tires.

Needless to say ended haggling a bit and ended up getting a decent deal on it.

[Madhatter]

no, no real downside structurally if the towers and important stuff are still straight. More a case of your guards (fenders), bumpers, etc not lining up.

[nitroracer]

Looks like a worthy track car to me. I'd rather have a car that is a little rough around the edges than a well cared for stock car in case something bad happens at the track.

[Gary Horneck]

Make a fine Autocross plaything. Looks fine from header panel back, slap duct tape on it and drive the piss out of it. Rules state it has to have certain items intact for classing, nothing about if they are bent up or not.

[Boltspeedman]

Looks like a worthy track car to me. I'd rather have a car that is a little rough around the edges than a well cared for stock car in case something bad happens at the track.

My thoughts were along the same lines. I was scared to hack away at my old 318is.

Make a fine Autocross plaything. Looks fine from header panel back, slap duct tape on it and drive the piss out of it. Rules state it has to have certain items intact for classing, nothing about if they are bent up or not.

Duct tape might be the way hold down the hood! It will even match my color.


Thank you for the input