My $400 325is

[TrentW]

Decided to see what you guys think of my 89 325is I bought for $400. It was at a repair shop on Route 66--really--with the proverbial broken timing belt and the PO decided not to repair it, so I snatched it up with the head and parts in the trunk. Posting some before & after shots. Of course once I started driving it the parts replacment began. Welcome to the joys of owning an E30 right?

So far...
Rebuilt head and replaced associated belt, tensioner, gaskets, etc.
Swapped original ellips and buckets for Hellas since most were already broken
Conforti chip, K&N cone filter
H&R Sports & Bilsteins, new front links, tie rods, control arms, M3 CABs, E46 cabrio rear shock mounts, IE reinforcement plates
Interstate battery
Steering Rack
Stock cat back exhaust
RF motor mount
M3 front seats
Mintex pads & rotors
Fuel pump
Alternator
Fan Clutch
Alpine Head unit
Short shifter & bushings, rear trans seal
M Shift knob w/new boot
Clear turn signal lenses
Euro bumper trim & clear lenses
Fog lights
Used LF fender
Shifter and rear consoles
Roundels, all wheel caps & emblems
Floor mats

The near future upgrades include a set of 15" Ronals LS's(if I'm really lucky), bigger front & rear sways, side skirts, M Tech rear apron, is lip, bodywork & paint.

*My"before" pics wouldn't load, dammit!

[Holland]

Probably not $400 after all of that put in. Nice find though

[e30lyf]

nice car dude.. looks familiar those fogs ;)

[kamotors]

looks good

[TrentW]

Probably not $400 after all of that put in. Nice find though

Approaching $5000 total.

[TrentW]

nice car dude.. looks familiar those fogs ;)

Yeah--put in some 55W Silverstar bulbs and they rock.

[Tbolt]

holy fresh interior

im jealous

[e30lyf]

Alpina's would be nice in your car. LMK if you interested...

[franco90]

I fucking hate you for having a $ 400 E30







but looks nice

[shmutzigE30]

looks good and im assumin its much better than before

[EvoStevo]

damn, those seats are nice...have they been reupholstered or what?

[TrentW]

damn, those seats are nice...have they been reupholstered or what?

Actually no, they came out of a low mileage M3 owned by an obsessive guy who installed a pair racing seats. I just treated them with Leatherique and that really turned the leather soft and supple--love that stuff. The best part is I paid $275 for them.

I've been looking for a rear seat from an M3 so the stitching will match...

[chameleonleather]

great find

[Huff]

You've done some great work so far.. Keep it up!

[TrentW]

Thanks for the compliments gentlemen. And btw dillsnick, ten days after I got the car running we drove it to the ATL to visit my wife's family for Christmas. The funny thing was leaving Chicago it was cold and the car intermittently wanted to cut out on me, but I couldn't figure out why. Then it ran fine. The fan motor only worked on high since it had a bad resistor, so I'd turn on the heat for short periods until we got far enough south that it was warm. Then on the return trip (New Year's Day) we were in Kentucky and it got so bad the check engine light came on. Took it to Sam Swope BMW in Louisville, but they found nothing, said I probably got some shitty gas and gave me some free fuel treatment and sent me on my way and didn't charge me a dime--nice boys there! Then in Indiana my wife realized it only happened when the heater was on and sure enough, that goddamn resistor created enough current draw to affect the engine electronics. Having your wife diagnose the problem is pretty embarrassing I must say...
I'm driving it to the BMW CCA Oktoberfest at Road Atlanta this fall also. Really looking forward to taking out on the track for some REAL driving!
BTW, if you happen to go to Global Imports in Atlanta, I met the Parts Manager Jon Allen and he's an E30 nut. Brought out photos of his cars and all that. Good guy.