Broke down and bought an e30

[vdubspeed]

So I've owned a TON of VW's and Audi's. I've sprinkled in a few Merc's and Porsches but never a BMW. I've always wanted an e30 but never really jumped on one. That changed yesterday.

A friend sent me a text about a local 89 325i on Craigslist for $1500 firm. A smooth 270K but still running and ready for daily service. A quick call revealed that in fact the clutch was dead due to a failed master cylinder. The price quickly went to 1200 on the phone.

I went to check out the girl but still thought I could talk him down more. It had a small accident in the rear which kept me from given up the goods like a girl on prom but I was hooked. So for $950 and a new master cylinder in the box(he is a tech at the local indy euro shop), I loaded the e30 onto my dolly and brought her home. I quickly fixed the master cylinder and had her driving.

Best $950 I have spent in a LONG time!!!! Needs a lot of TLC but shes in proper hands now!!!

At home getting the master cylinder tossed in ASAP!!!


Stock down to the radio! Pretty amazing for 270,000 miles!!!!


The TANK!!!


I'm also a 4 door man so this fit me perfect.

Today I tossed on some old OZ Vega 3 piece 15 inch rims I had on my project 84 GTI TDI but I quickly learned that e30s like a little more diameter so they won't be there long.

It made it's first trip to get gas and the liquor store soon after. LOL.

I REALLY want to attack maintenance items though. Certainly the T-belt, freshen up ALL bushings, shifter, then coils/rims and enjoy the goodness.

PLEASE offer up your advice and ideas so I can start to formulate a plan of attack.

Thanks for viewing,

Jason

[CorvallisBMW]

Welcome!

You're 100% spot-on with the maintenance list. Start with the following:

Fluid flush (oil, trans, diff, brakes, coolant)
New filters (engine, fuel, air)
Timing belt (including tensioner)
Water pump

Those are the key items. Secondary things would be:

Valve adjustment
Check cap/rotor/plugs, replace as necessary
Shifter bushings
Guibo (flex disc)
Brake job
Suspension refresh

There's probably some other stuff I'm leaving out, but that's more than enough to get you started. You can easily repaint the chipped trim with black trim paint from any auto parts store, that should help spruce up the looks. Also give her a good claybar/polish/wax, I bet she'll shine up nice. Good luck!

[E30NJ]

You got a nice project. Love it!

[Reichart12]

$950 is a good pickup. Seems like you found a non-e30 taxed e30 lol. Lets see that paint sparkle! And of course welcome to the addiction.

[Dj Buttchug]

Today I tossed on some old OZ Vega 3 piece 15 inch rims

pics

[FL318is]

And it begins! Welcome. Love the black. Is it me or do all E30 purchases require liquor and different rims? In that order. A massive amount of info here.

I say just drive it, have fun and see what it needs one mile at a time

[BLACKCHARM88]

Props, your story sounds oddly familiar to a friend of a friend of mine that I'm giving SportMaxx's too....

[Blitzkrieg]

Awesome price. I myself also own a 89 sedan in schwarz same interior aswell. Why are our bumpers grey? :( ive read that all 89 sedans in schwarz have grey bumpers. It drives me crazy. Im in the 300k club and ive so far done:

Air filter/fuel filter/fuel hoses
Plugs/cap/rotor
Driveshaft/csb/guibo
Shifter bushings
Slave cylinder/new brake fluid
Seafoam (crankcase, vaccum, gas tank)

Next:

Timing belt/tensioner
Water pump
Thermostat
Valve adjustment

4x4ing till shes 100% caught up on maintenance

Oh and i swear buy Amsoil high zinc formula. I also add a little lucas.

[floridabmx]

If you're gonna make an introduction post pics of your 80 Jason!

[2mAn]

I know you from vortex so I'm excited to see how this thing moves along

[Wergen7]

I would consider e30 ownership manning up as opposed to breaking down but hey, I don't know where you've been...you did mention Porsches. Sounds like you got a smokin deal on the car, sweeeet!

[vdubspeed]

If you're gonna make an introduction post pics of your 80 Jason!

Yes Sir.

I know you from vortex so I'm excited to see how this thing moves along

Another vortexer! Love it.

Okay gents...here's the update:

Car is now titled in my name.
Washed it
Steel wool on windows and removed shitty rear window tint.
full interior detail
diff oil change
slave swapped out

Tonight I ordered:
new lip
front suspension overhaul kit
shifter kit

Plans are to tighten the car up, get it aligned, enjoy it...and then get it low. The OZ vegas are growing on me so once the coils are installed...I'm sure I'll be hooked.

I'm having a blast with the car though. Very fun learning a new German car and holy fuck does it drive amazing compared to a VW of it's equal!

Forgot to add:
the 79:


one of the 84s:


That should suffice for being a German enthusiast! LOL

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Nice project looking good

I am going to have to see pics of this car with the vegas on

[ncbrock]

Also have seen this on the tex.

[cagedbunny]

Jason! Awesome to see you on here. Can't wait to see how the E30 turns out; should be a real winner once you've been through it!

-Adam
(GTiRacer53)