Lachs Silver 1988 325 Sedan

[TFJR]

This past weekend I took the car on a 650+ mile road trip over three days down to Eugene, Oregon. It was completely flawless, not a hiccup to report and returned nearly 30MPG! I need to get that S3.73 in asap. The gears are insanely long with the auto as of right now. Also wet traction is pretty LOL - so easy to spark up a nice one tire fire. Maybe when I get back from Nashville the week after next I'll get to putting the diff in.

Cleanest OEM+ sedan in town

Thanks brother. Now I got AlphaTeam behind me I'll take it to the next level!

can't wait to see the upgrades man!

For sure, Peter! There is a Griots Garage Cars & Coffee German meet on Nov. 4th I plan on attending. You should go too!

Looking good so far!

I appreciate it! It's come a long way in the 4.5 months I've owned it. Still lots of work to do.

[alistairolsen]

Looking good so far!

[cheffy30]

can't wait to see the upgrades man!

[spiDmang]

Cleanest OEM+ sedan in town

[TFJR]

Nice one. I just bought an 88 325 coupe in AW2 and will be doing a similar build. I'm currently refurbishing the trans I bought for the 5 speed swap.

What are you having BavRest do to your cluster?

Edit: we also have the same interior... well not anymore that you found some sport seats!! Where did you get them from?

Thanks! I'm having BavRest do their full restoration on the cluster including all new bulbs, odometer gears, polishing the plastics, new SI batteries. On top of their full restoration, I'm also having red gauge needles and brushed aluminum gauge rings added. I haven't sent mine off as of yet as I have been spending money in other areas.

I found the sport seats on the R3V FaceBook page. Someone posted a WTB for them, then the OP passed on this set. The guy's name was Joe, he lived in Detroit. Really nice doing business with him, not sure what his name is on here.

Lookin good!

This car is coming together really nicely, great work :D

Thanks, Zephyr! I was sad I missed the meet this past week. Excited to see how yours comes together.

[Metallated]

Lookin good!

This car is coming together really nicely, great work :D

[AC_Schnitzel]

Nice one. I just bought an 88 325 coupe in AW2 and will be doing a similar build. I'm currently refurbishing the trans I bought for the 5 speed swap.

What are you having BavRest do to your cluster?

Edit: we also have the same interior... well not anymore that you found some sport seats!! Where did you get them from?

[TFJR]

We're going through a very similar process!

Im about to order the same injectors from Bimmer_Baron also, what software are you using? Sssquid is the way Im going.

The current owner of the Aluminum Monster just installed a rebuilt driveshaft but will be going to a 6speed setup soon. I already committed to buying the G260 setup from him when he sells, so I will just continue to enjoy the auto until then... Theres also enough other stuff to keep me busy until then.

Have you checked to see what rear end your car has? I thought Id have the 4.10 with my auto setup, but I have a 3.73 ... open too :(

My car currently has a 2.93 open diff.... and it's so awful lol. I purchased an S3.73 LSD I'm going to put in one of these days.

I'm also going with a SSSquid chip. 91 octane, 19lbs injectors. I'll order once I know I have a known good 885 "i" cylinder head. I actually don't mind the power as it is right now. It's the ultra long gears and auto that bogs it down. It's been fun watching your build come together! Did you ever trace down the cold start issue? Did you replace your throttle position sensor? That made a massive difference on mine and it now starts cold like a champ.

[2mAn]

Got a set of refurbished Bosch, Ford 19lbs yellow top injectors from Bimmer_Baron


Next up I really want to focus on the getting a 5 speed swap completed. I purchased a Getrag 260 with a known good flywheel & clutch. More to come here, hopefully by the end of the year.

We're going through a very similar process!

Im about to order the same injectors from Bimmer_Baron also, what software are you using? Sssquid is the way Im going.

The current owner of the Aluminum Monster just installed a rebuilt driveshaft but will be going to a 6speed setup soon. I already committed to buying the G260 setup from him when he sells, so I will just continue to enjoy the auto until then... Theres also enough other stuff to keep me busy until then.

Have you checked to see what rear end your car has? I thought Id have the 4.10 with my auto setup, but I have a 3.73 ... open too :(

[TFJR]

New Sport Seats

My OE 0269 anthracite sport seats showed up from Detroit, MI! I had them shipped Greyhound.

They're a little worse for wear through the shipping experience. I plan to use some of existing comfort seat fabric to tidy up the drivers side bottom seat cushion, however it's not bad at all. These seats are so comfy, I forgot how nice they feel!

I also spent a couple of hours time just cleaning/vacuuming and shampooing the carpets. Between the Mtech wheel, the new stereo and the seats the interior has become a very enjoyable place to spend time. I plan to it down to Eugene, OR this coming weekend for the Ducks v. WSU game with some friends!

[TFJR]

September Update

Hey R3V - I've been really happy with my E30 lately. The is running very well and treating me right. I recently got the antenna functioning 100% thanks to the team at S3 Designs. I have been taking the car on longer trips (Seattle to Bellingham, Tacoma, Portland) but have lately been commuting in a new toy.

It's an '03 Piaggio LT50. Not exactly the most masculine in transportation, but I can park it right in front of my office at any time of day, and it saves me the $214 a month I'd have to front for parking in our office. Honestly, I'm loving it. I am so sick of the BS roads, drivers and commute here in inner Seattle that this thing is a real treat. I can roast back streets and neighborhood roads you just can't normally take the liberty of doing in a car. For $750 I'm having a blast




For the E30 - the biggest update is I purchased a set of the correct 0269 anthracite sport seats! I've been trying to track down a set since I bought the car in May. I found a couple of other sets, and believe this set, for the price I paid is very nice. I'm going to have them professionally cleaned once they arrive. I'll post pics once they're installed.






Packed up & ready to go! They're on a Greyhound bus somewhere in the middle of America right now



I drilled/installed my painted OE sport rear spoiler





I installed smoked front turn signals. I'm digging the look.


Got a set of refurbished Bosch, Ford 19lbs yellow top injectors from Bimmer_Baron


Next up I really want to focus on the getting a 5 speed swap completed. I purchased a Getrag 260 with a known good flywheel & clutch. More to come here, hopefully by the end of the year.

[TFJR]

More Pictures

I woke up early yesterday morning & washed the car. I took this photo set at the Google campus in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

Hope you guys enjoy!

















Lastly, I got the head unit installed at S3 Designs Garage. Greg did a killer install & wiring harness for it. I'm just on the factory Premium Speakers. I have to say they sound really decent for ~30 year old speakers!

[Julien]

Nice transformation!

[TFJR]

What a transformation! I love it!!

Im aiming for the 5-speed swap before I get nuts with the cosmetic stuff, but damn yours looks so good it makes me question if thats the right approach

I am also trying to source everything for a 5 speed swap. My goal is to have it in by the end of the year if all goes smoothly. Love seeing yours come up as well!

love how its going! I think everything been done very tastefully keeping it mostly OEM. looks like it will be a great daily.

Thanks! It is a really nice daily. Comfortable, compliant, yet sporty enough when the road opens up for a minute. I really enjoy having an E30 as a daily as I think it is just modern enough, yet provides a lot of feedback and connection to the road. I do sometimes get anxious though that some idiot will plow into me on their commute.

[sert57]

love how its going! I think everything been done very tastefully keeping it mostly OEM. looks like it will be a great daily.