Finally got my E30!

[jaimerod]

I picked up a set of tan sport seats for $150 out in San Diego this weekend. They look pretty good but have 1 tear in the driver seat. I'm going to try and do the upholstery myself but it does look like a challenge and the air springs look to be pretty pricey but in desperate need of replacement.

Any recommendations on where I should get the new skins and air springs? I am thinking LSeat because they are pretty inexpensive and real leather, but I have no clue about the air springs.

I'm going to try to do the timing belt myself in the next couple of weeks. From what I found on YouTube it doesn't seem too difficult. I am thinking about getting the kit from Turners or FCP Euro.

Any tips are appreciated!

[Conrad311]

I tried to drive it to work today when fuel started gushing from the bottom of the car. I bought some fuel line and fixed it, but what a perfect introduction to an E30, lol.

I'd like to improve handling first. I'm doing some research but it's a lot to sort through. Any suggestions?

been there done that. In a 7/11 parking lot in boston. in January. My hands have never hurt so much from that sub-freezing gasoline!

Im sure you going to get a myriad of opinions but you really can't go wrong with bilsteins and H&R springs. I love them. I also always replace the front control arm bushings. I prefer poly bushings but they do tend to squeak alot. Ive used the offset M3 bushings and they give a nice firm steering response as well. I would have the trailing arm bushings and subframe bushings done if they look tired but thats not a cheap venture unless your doing it yourself.

It looks like your weaves are pretty decent, but an easy handing improvement is to increse rim size so you have a smaller sidewall profile (shorter sidewall) which makes a very noticable reduction in tire sway, especially going from 14s to 16" rims.

First things first, change the timing belt unless you can be 100% sure its been done in the last few years. Its not that hard to change if you are handy with a wrench and can follow a write-up.

Alot of the enjoyment I get from e30s is simple stuff like a great tight shifter. I had a z4 lever and all new bushings in my last one and every shift was like racking a round in a bolt action rifle, smooth and crisp. I love that.

Also, dollar for dollar, sport seats bring more enjoyment than most of the other things I've spent money on, but I guess im all about the tactile experience of driving. :)

[jaimerod]

I tried to drive it to work today when fuel started gushing from the bottom of the car. I bought some fuel line and fixed it, but what a perfect introduction to an E30, lol.

I'd like to improve handling first. I'm doing some research but it's a lot to sort through. Any suggestions?

[Conrad311]

dang, i dont like bronzit but thats a great canvas to start with! congrats! looks super clean

[mike.bmw]

Looks very clean! Congrats! What do you plan to do with it?

[jaimerod]

Hey everyone,

I finally found my E30 after searching for 9 months. She's pretty mint and I feel like I got a crazy good deal thanks to all the great information and people on this forum!

Introducing my 1990 BMW 325i in Bronzit and manual transmission with just under 70k miles.

Let me know what you guys think!