Yea, ’89 325is. Sweetness. I love the short diff on that car. I picked it up from a guy in LA – I got a nice little deal too – only $1500. The motor does have a few issues. There are 230k miles on it, but the head has been very recently rebuilt. But when I bought it the timing belt was two (or three?) teeth off. That really made it run like it was m10 powered. But I could tell the motor was mechanically sound – it just needed a little work.
2 hours of some wax/cleaner and the paint totally shined up – and I didn’t even do much work. I can’t wait to see what a full polish and quality wax does for the paint. Regardless the paint is 90% where I want it to be. It’ll never be perfect – not without a respray, but it looks really clean even right up close.
Most importantly, big big thanks go out to M3 Ryan. He really helped with the process of buying an e30 – and he did the timing belt for me. (well I did help a little!) For any of you who know Ryan, you know he’s a hell of a guy, and a true BMW nut to the core. I was in awe at the speed at witch he attacked that motor – but yet did everything perfectly – and took care of countless little details as he went along. He can turn a wrench on my car any day. Not to mention it’s always nice getting a ride in his sweat M3…that thing pulls so hard, and he’s not even done with the motor yet! – Thanks a million Ryan! I look forward to many more e30 adventures!
What’s next for the car? Well wheels, and ground control of course. But first I want to take care of any mechantical and cosmetic issues. And yes an “is” lip and splitter is in future… After that – we’ll see what happens. But I’ll tell you what – I’ve totally caught what can only be called the ‘e30 bug’…I no longer see dollar signs when I look at my checking account, all I see are shinny new car parts…Ohh yea, I’m sick. Really sick.
A little about my shopping experience for those that are shopping or can relate:
Honestly, when people told me that in order to buy a clean e30 you need cash in hand and be ready to jump on a car the second it goes up for sale - I didn’t believe it – I just didn’t listen. Then I watched as car after car slipped right thru my fingers. Some really nice ones too – some by a matter of just hours. So I started spending more and more time on the net, checking car.com, roadfly, r3v, autotrader/tradeexpress, LA times, SF gate, Ebay and others. I’d do that at least 5 to 6 times a day.
It got to the point where I was spending 4 to 5 hours a day researching and looking for e30’s. But even with all of that I had to become flexible somewhere – I was dead set on a black, clean e30, ’89 – ’91, 5-speed, 2-door, m20 e30. But the odd of finding one was against me. Something had to give, and it wasn’t going to be the manual tranny, or the 2 doors! So I eventually expanded my shopping list to black, silver, or red 325i or 318is. That increased my options but, I still wasn’t jumping on cars fast enough! Every car I went to make an offer on was sold before I could even get a look at! Then when I found this car I called the guy the second I saw it on cars.com late Thursday night, talked to him the next morning, and set up a meeting for early the next day(Saturday). After 4 hours of sleep I hopped on a train at 5 am and headed towards Van Nuys – with cash in hand.
Anyways, moral of the story, have cash, be ready to travel at a moments notice, and don’t be afraid to call at midnight to get first in line to see the car.
Do I regret not waiting for a black e30? Sometimes, but this car is quickly growing on me. It takes some getting use to owning a red car – but every time I see it sitting by the curb, begging me to drive her – I think “Ohhh yea…” - that and honestly, I think that a red car gives me license to drive like a jack ass – hell yes! -can I get an a-men? People seem to keep their distance! Well, ok, at least they’ll see me coming…
Well that’s about it. Hey! Thanks again Ryan! You the man!
Thanks to all of you who answered countless questions of mine, and thanks to Jordan for keep this great site up and running…
2 hours of some wax/cleaner and the paint totally shined up – and I didn’t even do much work. I can’t wait to see what a full polish and quality wax does for the paint. Regardless the paint is 90% where I want it to be. It’ll never be perfect – not without a respray, but it looks really clean even right up close.
Most importantly, big big thanks go out to M3 Ryan. He really helped with the process of buying an e30 – and he did the timing belt for me. (well I did help a little!) For any of you who know Ryan, you know he’s a hell of a guy, and a true BMW nut to the core. I was in awe at the speed at witch he attacked that motor – but yet did everything perfectly – and took care of countless little details as he went along. He can turn a wrench on my car any day. Not to mention it’s always nice getting a ride in his sweat M3…that thing pulls so hard, and he’s not even done with the motor yet! – Thanks a million Ryan! I look forward to many more e30 adventures!
What’s next for the car? Well wheels, and ground control of course. But first I want to take care of any mechantical and cosmetic issues. And yes an “is” lip and splitter is in future… After that – we’ll see what happens. But I’ll tell you what – I’ve totally caught what can only be called the ‘e30 bug’…I no longer see dollar signs when I look at my checking account, all I see are shinny new car parts…Ohh yea, I’m sick. Really sick.
A little about my shopping experience for those that are shopping or can relate:
Honestly, when people told me that in order to buy a clean e30 you need cash in hand and be ready to jump on a car the second it goes up for sale - I didn’t believe it – I just didn’t listen. Then I watched as car after car slipped right thru my fingers. Some really nice ones too – some by a matter of just hours. So I started spending more and more time on the net, checking car.com, roadfly, r3v, autotrader/tradeexpress, LA times, SF gate, Ebay and others. I’d do that at least 5 to 6 times a day.
It got to the point where I was spending 4 to 5 hours a day researching and looking for e30’s. But even with all of that I had to become flexible somewhere – I was dead set on a black, clean e30, ’89 – ’91, 5-speed, 2-door, m20 e30. But the odd of finding one was against me. Something had to give, and it wasn’t going to be the manual tranny, or the 2 doors! So I eventually expanded my shopping list to black, silver, or red 325i or 318is. That increased my options but, I still wasn’t jumping on cars fast enough! Every car I went to make an offer on was sold before I could even get a look at! Then when I found this car I called the guy the second I saw it on cars.com late Thursday night, talked to him the next morning, and set up a meeting for early the next day(Saturday). After 4 hours of sleep I hopped on a train at 5 am and headed towards Van Nuys – with cash in hand.
Anyways, moral of the story, have cash, be ready to travel at a moments notice, and don’t be afraid to call at midnight to get first in line to see the car.
Do I regret not waiting for a black e30? Sometimes, but this car is quickly growing on me. It takes some getting use to owning a red car – but every time I see it sitting by the curb, begging me to drive her – I think “Ohhh yea…” - that and honestly, I think that a red car gives me license to drive like a jack ass – hell yes! -can I get an a-men? People seem to keep their distance! Well, ok, at least they’ll see me coming…
Well that’s about it. Hey! Thanks again Ryan! You the man!
Thanks to all of you who answered countless questions of mine, and thanks to Jordan for keep this great site up and running…
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