Another boring resto-mod...my Lachssilber 1989 325i Four Door Sedan

[ScottSneed]

Where do I start...I've had a vert prior to this which I loved. Restored the interior, freshened up the engine but ended up selling it to my god brother. He had bad luck with it, and he sold it. I wonder if a member on here has her??...







Here is Sally, picked her up in 2016 from my neighbor whom owned the car for over 15 years. He had trouble selling it and after me constantly haggling him for it, and eventually sold it to me for a steal. It was however riddled with usual e30 issues but had a non cracked dash, all original panels, and pretty much all stock other than the butchered rear shelf and random bits..







The only thing I've added at this point was an aftermarket (trash) 'is' lip which one of my neighbors tried to steal, until they realized it was bolted. Worst part is, I have a general idea of whom may have tried to take it, since he has 3 E30s in his driveway and also is constantly speeding down the street so hes a bit hard to miss. but it can be anyone..

Since then, shes been getting up to date on maintenance and random bits such as timing belt & water pump, sport seats, genuine is lip and trunk lid, premium sound speakers front and back, 14" basket weaves, and many minor things..

[ScottSneed]

As of now, I have several dozen parts I need to install to freshen her up. I have since already replaced every rubber water hose, every soft fuel line, and other things I can't remember. I have a TORSEN 3.46 LSD going in soon as well as a 5 speed swap.

[TheWipprSnappr]

You've got a great starting point for a promising e30 build. Good luck!

[alistairolsen]

Looking forward to this

[TFJR]

Love me a lachs sedan. Excited to see what is to come.

[ScottSneed]

Here's how she sits now, finishing up cleaning all the oil buildup from the Valve Cover leak and 'bitch' hose. Cleaned up the intake manifold a bunch and painted it, did the valve cover also.











Minor update on the swap, got the automatic transmission out for the most part. Redid all the bushing and seals, also added a Garagistic DSSR. I continue to procrastinate on the swap, but it WILL be done soon :D.








Also decided to remove the butchered rear shelf with 6x9s fitted which sounded terrible. A member on here had an extra rear shelf which I had swapped other parts for. Here was the paint I used to dye the shelf and the end result.







Thanks for the kind words also guys, hoping to get her ready to drive by Mid-August ;D

[2mAn]

Coming along nicely! Did you brush the panel after spraying the vinyl dye? I didnt do it on my old car and it was super crispy...

[efficient]

btw your not supposed to put the jackstands on the front fenders. ive done that before.

[ScottSneed]

Coming along nicely! Did you brush the panel after spraying the vinyl dye? I didnt do it on my old car and it was super crispy...

Sure did! Turned out nice and even

[ScottSneed]

btw your not supposed to put the jackstands on the front fenders. ive done that before.

Thanks for that! Can’t wait to tell my buddy “told you so”

[ScottSneed]

A small update, finally got to working it the manual conversion more. Removed the auto trans and torque converter which revealed even more leakage points. The rear main seal was pretty bad and once I removed the carrier, the cork oil pan gasket tore on me. Gladly, I had most of the gaskets but will have to order the washer ring thing for the oil pump.



I started to convert my window switches to the e36 style switches and immediately regretted it, I'm in too deep now. Got to removing the pedal box, and the shifter for the automatic setup too.
GOOD RIDDANCE LOSERS..






Also got the manual pedal box mostly in. The clutch pedal stopper required a bit of poking from a flathead but was simple. The manual pedal box was surprisingly easy to get in.




My used clutch return spring gave out on me, the lock ring or whatever seems damn near impossible to get back on without the risk of it popping out again. I read its not required but I would like to have it anyways.
I found the return spring from an E31 8 series (part no. 35311162023) looks nearly identical to the one I needed (part no. 35311151990) but is only $25ish vs nearly $100. The 8 series one is a tiny bit heavier apparently and has a different nut on top. I went ahead and ordered the 8 series part and will let you guys know how it goes.

EDIT: The 8 series return spring is a bit longer (4-5mm?) and I would NOT recommend installing it. It will fit, however, its increased strength will likely shorten the life of your pedal box which I've seen rip to normal use already. With the age of our cars, our pedal boxes have a ton of wear and id bet we might all have the paint worn in the middle of our clutch pedals. NOT WORTH IT..

[ScottSneed]

UPDATE!!!

Finished the 5 speed swap a few weeks ago. Very easy, apart from running back and forth for parts..this was cumbersome. Re-sealed the tranny and got her in fairly easy. The wiring took place all under the steering wheel and connecting the reverse harness which took less than 5 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPzvZloX4VM<--super helpful

I ended up picking up an 87 325is from another member on here at a great price, therefore, sold the sedan to my cousin! So, will be making a new thread and this thread will be pretty much dead...

here are some obligatory pictures of the job and my last pic as the car being mine.

[TFJR]

Congrats on the sale. Hope your cousin takes good care of it! Best of luck with the '87.

[ScottSneed]

Congrats on the sale. Hope your cousin takes good care of it! Best of luck with the '87.

Thanks man! It was really bittersweet, lachssilber being my favorite color on an e30. I'll be seeing her every now and then so she'll make cameo appearances lol.