Meet Helga: 1987 BMW 325i

[e30_dan]

Lovely car. Cool first owner who buys the car new, mods it that much and drives ist for 27 years.

[KIRIEIW]

Wow I really like what the seller did to this car. Perfect modifications going on for this car. I'm sure you'll make things even better!

[pilotskillse30]

that is so clean.

[MR 325]

Wow I love it!

[squidmaster]

Verrrry nice!

[tak7]

Nice purchase, I like the DB's.

[King Mufasa]

nice 4door E30 just like mine except much nicer :)

[cgk_iii]

very nice e30!

[cgk_iii]

looks like we chose the same name.

[fresh_TD]

Good find

Sent from my Samsung Note 3

[yungmike]

This thing is practically flawless and probably is my new favorite metal bumper sedan next to mines. Major kudos sir

[captainslow]

Important stuff first: Here are the basics...

-1987 BMW 325i
-133,000 miles
-55,000 miles on rebuilt M20B25
-Delphin over Black sport
-Euro Pistons
-Euro Cam (P/N 11311706655)
-Bavauto headers
-Custom single pipe exhaust (Magnaflow-based)
-Miller Motorsports ProStreet Induction Kit
-Miller W.A.R Chip
-BBTB
-Dinan Intake Manifold
-Bavauto Front Strut Bar
-E30 M3 offset LCABs
-Z3 1.9 Shifter
-4.10 LSD
-Racing Dynamics Front Spoiler
-Dinan Springs/Bilstein Sports
-15x7" Azev Type A
-AC Schnitzer Sway bars F/R
-AC Schnitzer Steering Wheel
-Alpina shift/e-brake boot
-Alpine H/U (ipod, BT, etc)

Some photos from when I picked it up on 19 July, 2014.
The first moments with Helga by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

my new E30, Helga by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

my new E30, Helga by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

my new E30, Helga by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr


This is my first E30, 3rd BMW (4th if you include the MINI I just sold), 12th German car and overall car number 14 (I think?) in 12 years of driving. Some of my first memories in a car, dating back to around 1989 were in my father's green 1984 325e. I was (unsafely) sitting up front, it was dark out and I kept asking my dad to push the "check" button on the ceiling so I could watch all the check panel lights illuminate and go out. The E30 was the car that more or less formed my love for cars, particularly german ones.

Getting into this one last week brought me back, the seller picked myself and my girlfriend, Sarah up from PDX at around 9:30am. I'll never forget the car driving up, making noises I didn't know M20s could make. We shook hands and after "he showed me how it was done" I was afforded the opportunity to test drive the car I'd already bought, sight unseen. I was not disappointed. A few hours and one visit to Deschutes brewery later we were on our way back to our home in Fort Collins, CO.

Why did I buy a metal bumper sedan, you ask? Well, chock it up to the right deal.. I purchased the car from the original owner (!!) who bought the car new and has been meticulously maintaining it for the last 27 years (28 in February). This is the kind of seller that you can count on selling a great car. The amount of records I got with the car was ludicrous. The shop that completed the PPI stated this was one of the top 10 E30s they had seen in the last several years. It had the modifications I would have done anyways (except maybe an engine swap at some point) and came in close to what I've been seeing people spend on either a "completed car" or the price for a small project. All in all, I think I paid a fair price for a car with excellent bones and one that has been lovingly maintained its whole life. Turns out there were 6 people behind me in line, one of which tried to outbid me.


I'm excited for what is to come as the project develops. In the coming months besides regular maintenance, I'm planning on doing the following:

-In, out & under detail (fender liners out, engine bay, 2 step paint correction)
-Euro headlights, grilles
-OEM Mudflaps
-Tucked bumpers (to start, full MT1 if I don't like the look)
-Replace exhaust tips
-PDR various dings in paint
-Repair, refinish or replace sport seats (current state is excellent, but "painted on" leather repair has to go)
-Basketweaves + Snow tires for winter
-Repair LF window motor (grinds at bottom, smooth at top)


...I'm sure the list will grow over time, but to start, that's where I'm at!

Some more photos for your viewing pleasure...
the new hoopdie. by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

filler up with premium by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Retro by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Warmth. by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Boot full of tools and parts by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Excitement by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Morning in salt lake by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Straight and narrow by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Safe and sound by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr


...and, in case you're wondering, my other car. ;)

my m coupe by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr