OEM+ Sterling Silver 1990 325is

[Zeemz]

Just wondering what points/details put you into 3rd place as opposed to 2nd place in the Concours event? They get pretty picky re: originality?

This event was more about perfectly clean rather than perfect original car. The car that won the 80s Class was a S52 Swapped E30M3.

Despite putting a lot of hours into my paint and a good detail on my interior, the judges are super critical of things you don't even think to clean, like "dusty AC vents," a rusty tow hook in the trunk, or they found a spider egg under the hood on the hood liner. Also I didn't detail my engine bay so that did help my score either.

[Zeemz]

I don't know how I missed this thread, but you sir are an inspiration

Thank you sir!

[Zeemz]

Definitely one of the E30's that has inspired me for my build!

Thanks man, just checked out your thread and looks like you are off to a good start!

[Zeemz]

So May has been a busy month, the DMC event and the HPDE I posted yesterday and then finally, it was time for the Vintage.

If you are on the East Coast then you need to make the trip and if you are within a two day drive you need to make the journey. Amazing cars, and even more so an amazing group of people. I don't ever plan on missing it in the future.

I always get distracted by the cars and cool people at the Vintage and forget to take pictures. Here are a few that I snapped.


Here is the crew I rolled down to the Vintage with at the Zentrum Museum at the BMW factory in Spartanburg, SC.
Three, yes 3 E31 850i, E34 M5, E28 535is with a 7 series turbo swap, E28 M5 and myself.









Pulled up next to Audiquattrot's gorgeous Sterling 325ix. His car was was one of the first Sterling cars that got me hooked on Sterlings and made know that I had to have one one day.

[mike.bmw]

Great photos all around! The backdrop for the photos at The Vintage is awesome!

[TriniBoy]

Now this is a clean car! Well done sir!
I'm annoyed I couldn't make it to the vintage this year, hoping I can make it next year.

On a side note.
Your thread helped my survive extremely painful conference calls this morning.
In an hr I have another, mike.bmw's 'Alpine White 1991 318is' is up next.

[mike.bmw]

Two weeks ago I attended my first HDPE event at Summit Point that was hosted by the NCC BMWCCA Chapter. Summit Point Raceway's "Main" circuit "is a ten turn, two mile road course that includes a 2900 foot straightaway and 400 feet of elevation change". (Mike I stole your Summit Point Intro! Hopefully we can out there together sometime this season)

Haha, it's all good because I stole that text and image from Summit Point's website. ;)

Yes, I'm already itching to get back out there!

Great photos!

[audiquattrot]

Pulled up next to Audiquattrot's gorgeous Sterling 325ix. His car was was one of the first Sterling cars that got me hooked on Sterlings and made know that I had to have one one day.

Thanks for the shoutout Lewis! Your cars originality, stance and those WHEELS....man do NOT ever sell those things. The fit and finish is one of my favorites. Don't ever paint that car either! Even w/ all my horrid paint checking I once had, I wish I kept it like that.

[mmoyer11]

@Zeems, I am fairly certain you and I met at Katies a couple months ago. I drive the delphin 325i S52 swapped sedan. I just picked up a set of BBS RS003 myself and was looking for someone to do exactly what you had done. Mind PMing me some info on where to go?

[2mAn]

I love that as clean as this car is, its out getting driven!

What are your future plans? Also where did you get the euro trim from? I managed to get the front through various r3v channels, but still need to get the rear

[Zeemz]

I love that as clean as this car is, its out getting driven!

What are your future plans? Also where did you get the euro trim from? I managed to get the front through various r3v channels, but still need to get the rear

Thanks Simon. She may be a bit of a garage queen, but when I take her out she gets driven like she was meant to be.

I will continue to take the E30 out for autocross, but I am working on acquiring something for the track. The car handled amazing on the track and I was instantly hooked. But it is a little too clean for regular track duty. I would beat myself up if I put it into a wall. PPI scheduled for Monday on something pretty interesting.

Guten hooked me up with the euro trim.

Immediate plans is to enjoy the car as it sits. I am sure I will do some little things here and there. The radio needs some attention as it currently sounds like an alarm clock.

Biggest thing on the list is to eventually rebuild and stroke the motor to a 2.9 or 3.0. I know it would probably be cheaper and more power to shove an S52 in, but since it is a clean "is" car I want to keep the M20 and keep it period correct/OEM+. Since the car drives so well right now, this will be a few years down the road, especially if I pick up a second fun car.

[Zeemz]

As I mentioned before after getting hooked at recent HPDEs I started looking for a ZHP as a fun car for the track and fun car for a quasi-daily. I looked at a few different cars and then made a few calls and spoke to RRT who had a customer that was selling a ZHP that they had done a S54 swap on. No expense had been spared on the swap and the car had been done from front to rear, not to mention by RRT who I know and trust and does awesome work.

One thing that made me think twice, which surprised me, was that ZHPs did not come with LSDs. Additionally, to swap a LSD in you have to do a full M3 rear end conversion. Well this car eliminated that concern.

ZHPM3 Highlights:
60K on chassis
70k on motor
30K on swap
Rod Bearings Replaced 15K ago
Vanos overhauled 5K ago
Full M3 rear end - Axles, drive shaft, M3 brakes, Dinian 3.91 LSD, M3 sub frame
Reinforced sub frame
New/upgraded clutch and flywheel 5K
M3 Re-programed Cluster
Emissions compliant
Euro headers, euro cats, and custom exhaust
Dyno'd 296 at the wheels
Hotchkis Sways & Springs and TC Kline/Koni Adjustables
911 Calipers for BBK upgrade (not installed yet)
Apex Arc-8s with new Pilot Super Sports
and lots of other small upgrades

I can't wait to get it out on the track. The car is a beast and is loud as hell.


Day I brought it home






Shots taking by https://www.instagram.com/kixnwhips86/ on the way to Katie's Cars and Coffee two weeks ago.




Hope to install these this winter.


Dyno with the Euro headers, Euro cats, and exhaust - 296whp. Before adding the euro headers and cats, dyno was 274whp

[ATL_E30]

Dyno with the Euro headers, Euro cats, and exhaust. Before the euro headers and cats, dyno was 274whp

My first BMW was a Black ZHP back in 2012. I loved that car and lived on e46fanatics dreaming of a S54 in that sedan. This car is straight up gorgeous! (just like your E30).
I'm a jealous man right now! Enjoy that thing! Can't wait to see some pics of it ripping up the track!

[mike.bmw]

The ZHP looks fantastic, Lewis! Nice choice on the license plate too. ;D

[UNHCLL]

One thing that made me think twice, which surprised me, was that ZHPs did not come with LSDs. Additionally, to swap a LSD in you have to do a full M3 rear end conversion.

Uhhhh...... or you could just buy a custom DiffsOnline differential and select your ramp angles, lock up, ratio, and bolt it in.

S54 is great, but the beauty of the ZHP is the engine/suspension package.
Once you pull that apart, it's no different than a bog standard E46 sedan with an S54 swap.

My ZHP has 193k on it... and I plan to run it until there is nothing left. They are, as you described, that great.

-CL