*** Editors Note: In my neverending search of cars to select for COTM, this one was recommended by another R3V member. Don doesnt have a build thread, because Don built this car for himself, not for the internet likes. However, he is an enthusiast and the pictures I had already seen told me this car needed to be featured. I've been patiently waiting to feature this car, and you should all appreciate that this mans labor of love and the beauty he has built and driven. I hope to also feature his M3 in the future, but for now, heres an immaculate Mtech1 car. Congrats Don, Im sure your inbox will get flooded now! ***
Factory options:
1987 325is, build date 4/4/1987. Leather Sport Seats, A/C, MTech 1 Steering Wheel, Sport Suspension, Sunroof.
Color:
146/0 Alpine Weiss 1
Interior color:
OE 206 Pearl Beige Leather Sport Seats, Now BMW Cream Beige Leather seats w/BMW Cream Beige Vinyl Door Cards.
Engine modifications:
VAC rebuild stage 1 head, Bosch 0280155771 injectors (17lb.) with a conforti chip.
Exhaust:
Unknown aftermarket exhaust that was on car when purchased.
Transmission:
Getrag 260/5, Clutchmaster FX200 clutch with a JBR lightweight aluminum flywheel and a UUC short shift kit.
Differential:
3.73LSD
Suspension:
Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs and a Z3 rack
Wheels:
Ronal LS 15x7.5 et25
Exterior modifications:
Euro Bumpers with full MTech 1 body kit and rear black plate filler
Interior modifications:
Recaro SRD Front Seats with E30 M3 Rear Seat covered in BMW Cream Beige Leather with Motorsport Stripes. Door cards covered in BMW Cream Beige Vinyl in BMW Individual stitching pattern, M Technic door sills, E30 Sport Evo lighted shift knob, and Coco Mats.
Story behind the car:
I drove a 1987 Alpine 1 325is with black leather interior as my Daily Driver for 22 years. After 265k miles and northeast winters, I decided to search for a lower mileage California based replacement. In 2013, I bid on and won this car on e-bay. It had about 111,000 miles, 2 previous owners, was bone stock, and had lived its entire life in California except for a very short stay in Seattle, and being a USA spec european delivery car delivered in Germany in May of 1987. I bought it sight unseen without a pre-purchase inspection and was fortunately pleased when it arrived. Still driving my previous 325is at the time and not willing to leave well enough alone, I began to rebuild the car with parts I had acquired over the previous 2 years for the original 325is including the MTech 1 kit. I Ended up rebuilding the motor and painting the entire car even though they were both an OK shape. My intent was to build the car as my new daily driver so I wanted it to be like a brand new 25 year old car. Engine and mechanicals came first, then the MTech 1 kit and paint. I began driving it in early 2014 and completed the interior work by mid-2014. The car was used as my daily driver (for my 2 mile per day commute), until February of 2017 when my commute got longer and I purchased the first non-E30 I have owned since 1991, a 2004 330i ZHP for daily duties, I still drive the MTech 1 when the weather is nice and the car now has 117,400 miles.
And now, the pics!...
Ext04 by Don McGarrigle
Ext02 by Don McGarrigle
Ext06 by Don McGarrigle
Ext01 by Don McGarrigle
Ext05 by Don McGarrigle
Ext08 by Don McGarrigle
Ext09 by Don McGarrigle
Ext10 by Don McGarrigle
Ext14 by Don McGarrigle
Ext16 by Don McGarrigle
Ext17 by Don McGarrigle
And the amazing interior!...
Int10 by Don McGarrigle
Int07 by Don McGarrigle
Int02 by Don McGarrigle
Int03 by Don McGarrigle
Int08 by Don McGarrigle
Int09 by Don McGarrigle
Nothing wrong with a solid OEM M20 motor.
M20 by Don McGarrigle
Amazing what we could've gotten if we could just have the OEM goodies here...
Ext11 by Don McGarrigle
Ext18 by Don McGarrigle
Factory options:
1987 325is, build date 4/4/1987. Leather Sport Seats, A/C, MTech 1 Steering Wheel, Sport Suspension, Sunroof.
Color:
146/0 Alpine Weiss 1
Interior color:
OE 206 Pearl Beige Leather Sport Seats, Now BMW Cream Beige Leather seats w/BMW Cream Beige Vinyl Door Cards.
Engine modifications:
VAC rebuild stage 1 head, Bosch 0280155771 injectors (17lb.) with a conforti chip.
Exhaust:
Unknown aftermarket exhaust that was on car when purchased.
Transmission:
Getrag 260/5, Clutchmaster FX200 clutch with a JBR lightweight aluminum flywheel and a UUC short shift kit.
Differential:
3.73LSD
Suspension:
Bilstein Sports with H&R Sport Springs and a Z3 rack
Wheels:
Ronal LS 15x7.5 et25
Exterior modifications:
Euro Bumpers with full MTech 1 body kit and rear black plate filler
Interior modifications:
Recaro SRD Front Seats with E30 M3 Rear Seat covered in BMW Cream Beige Leather with Motorsport Stripes. Door cards covered in BMW Cream Beige Vinyl in BMW Individual stitching pattern, M Technic door sills, E30 Sport Evo lighted shift knob, and Coco Mats.
Story behind the car:
I drove a 1987 Alpine 1 325is with black leather interior as my Daily Driver for 22 years. After 265k miles and northeast winters, I decided to search for a lower mileage California based replacement. In 2013, I bid on and won this car on e-bay. It had about 111,000 miles, 2 previous owners, was bone stock, and had lived its entire life in California except for a very short stay in Seattle, and being a USA spec european delivery car delivered in Germany in May of 1987. I bought it sight unseen without a pre-purchase inspection and was fortunately pleased when it arrived. Still driving my previous 325is at the time and not willing to leave well enough alone, I began to rebuild the car with parts I had acquired over the previous 2 years for the original 325is including the MTech 1 kit. I Ended up rebuilding the motor and painting the entire car even though they were both an OK shape. My intent was to build the car as my new daily driver so I wanted it to be like a brand new 25 year old car. Engine and mechanicals came first, then the MTech 1 kit and paint. I began driving it in early 2014 and completed the interior work by mid-2014. The car was used as my daily driver (for my 2 mile per day commute), until February of 2017 when my commute got longer and I purchased the first non-E30 I have owned since 1991, a 2004 330i ZHP for daily duties, I still drive the MTech 1 when the weather is nice and the car now has 117,400 miles.
And now, the pics!...
Ext04 by Don McGarrigleExt02 by Don McGarrigleExt06 by Don McGarrigleExt01 by Don McGarrigleExt05 by Don McGarrigleExt08 by Don McGarrigleExt09 by Don McGarrigleExt10 by Don McGarrigleExt14 by Don McGarrigleExt16 by Don McGarrigleExt17 by Don McGarrigleAnd the amazing interior!...
Int10 by Don McGarrigleInt07 by Don McGarrigleInt02 by Don McGarrigleInt03 by Don McGarrigleInt08 by Don McGarrigleInt09 by Don McGarrigleNothing wrong with a solid OEM M20 motor.
M20 by Don McGarrigleAmazing what we could've gotten if we could just have the OEM goodies here...
Ext11 by Don McGarrigleExt18 by Don McGarrigle
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