Story of my IMSA E30 and some history

[E92E30Nut]

Here is my E30
She was built and campaigned by TC Kline and Randy Pobst in the IMSA IS series of the late 80s early 90s. According to log book it's last outing was 12 hour race at Sebring.

I have recently been able to register the car for the very first time and drive some of my favorite back roads.

Going through refreshing bushings, Z3 rack swap, Mason Enginnering F/R reinforcement and tower brace kit, and shopping for coil overs...any suggestions on CO are welcome. It is still running the original Koni CO's up front with normal Eibach springs out back.

Soon be able to throw on her new license plate : ANALOG

IM IN LOVE WITH THIS OLD GIRL to say the least :)

[E92E30Nut]

Interior

[E92E30Nut]

Sitting low..

[ahrensNW]

Sooooo.....

What wing?

[stonea]

I don't know why, but I love that interior.

[FredK]

Man, I can't put my finger on it, but I've seen this car for sale somewhere.

Anyway, car looks clean.

In terms of coilovers, I am not sure where you're driving this car, what your experience is, or what your budget is.

If you're just starting out, then maybe some more basic coilovers with front camber plates are in order, like some Ground Control / Konis.

If you're already pretty experienced on track and can use the Hoosiers on the car to at least 80% of their maximum ability, then you'll probably want to get better dampers, like MCS 1-ways.

[E92E30Nut]

[QUOTE=stonea;4554911]I don't know why, but I love that interior.[/

I don't know why, but I love that interior.

Thanks! It's simple yet effective...when I purchased the car it wasn't exactly as I would have it. Simple, all white and 80's as it should be. I first added even more 80's style with the ducktail spoiler and gold powder coated wheels. Then came some 21st century items with the Bimmerworld shifter, Prototipo/Jackie Stewart MOMO wheel (Magnus Walker edition) and painted the roll cage Imola red for good measure. The cars engine was fully built by renowned engine and injector guru Russ Collins, founder RC Engineering, so that is definitely off limits aside from fastidious maintenance. The car is in the process of getting a Z3 rack, updated coilovers, fresh bushings and a proper dose of Mason Engineering goodies...it has seen plenty of track work and is showing some signs of stress in the trunk and engine bay.

My goal is to balance the originality with modern componentry. First and foremost I did not want to compromise what the car is but want to preserve and improve in areas where technology can benefit in an analog kind of way...if that makes any sense?

Although the car has an interesting history, BMW wise, it never did win any big races. Apparently the regulations in the series at the time gave the Bimmer quite a disadvantage compared with the field. As we all know if it didn't win any big 24 hour races it isn't uber valuable (although the future looks bright for our Non-M3 E30s :) ) Although not currently super super valuable, it is still quite rare being the only non-M3 E30 BMW that competed in the IMSA series that is still around (or that I have heard of or found) and in this condition. Plus it was built and raced by a few of my BMW hero's TC Kline and Randy Pobst which makes it priceless to me...

I am enjoying the stewardship of this car and it is a true dream to drive every time the key turns, whether on track or twisties. I'm honored to own and to share this E30 with my fellow enthusiast. Feel free to shoot me any questions regarding the cars history

Hope you all enjoy her as much as I do :)

[M-technik-3]

Be aware of safety concerns about full caged car and street driving aka your noggin. Car was campaigned in different colors if I remember correctly. Why not start with suspension setup as is and if it's too stiff or non compliant try adjusting just the spring rates.

Eibach j-stocks are stiff enough for track duty/streetable.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Got more pics of the cage? Wonder if its still within safety specs. I know the cage on my vintage racer from the 70's-80's is way out of spec. Not sure if your wanting to put it back on the track though.

[AwakenNoMore]

Curious about who makes that spoiler, I need it in my life.

[E92E30Nut]

Be aware of safety concerns about full caged car and street driving aka your noggin. Car was campaigned in different colors if I remember correctly. Why not start with suspension setup as is and if it's too stiff or non compliant try adjusting just the spring rates.

Eibach j-stocks are stiff enough for track duty/streetable.

It was first campaigned in this #21 livery by TC Kline in the Columbus Ohio IMSA IS- http://youtu.be/TuuDoRjRhsMskip to 2:30, 3:09, 3:25

Randy Pobst at West Palm Beach IMSA IS - http://youtu.be/YW34s0EP2t8 skip to 2:35

It kept this livery for several years while driven by TC and Randy Pobst until purchased by Ron Pauley who changed it to a wild Kawasaki green, blue and white (remnants of Kawi green still remains inside engine bay and around headlights)

Then Ron eventually brought it back to its original paint scheme which is how it sits today.

[E92E30Nut]

Images of the car driven by TC Kline at Columbus...

[E92E30Nut]

Ron Pauley at Mid-Ohio in the Kawasaki livery...

[E92E30Nut]

Not sure who's driving here...

[Shangsta]

awesome car and I am glad you are trying to keep it in the spirit of the original