So with ownership coming up to 7 years and her 30th birthday, I thought I would post this up here - I have a lot of this on E30Zone but it's only accessible by signing up so this is a little easier. Also Covid-19 has left a little more time on my hands...I'm also potentially on the eve of a new project so it's always good to reflect on current/on-going ones!
I've been into E30's for 15+ years now (wow) - I'm originally from NZ, moved to the UK in 2007 and moved to New York in 2018. Am currently back in London but planning to get back to the US soonish.
This is E30 number 11 - some of the history is here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...ivin%26apos%3B.
Original E30Zone thread: https://www.e30zone.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=245080
After UK E30's including a 318i touring that I put an M42 in, a 325i touring, and a 96 E36 M3 Evo, I had a hankering to get back in an E30. I bought a 325i Sport from Manchester, and found some rust in the roof, so decided to get another Sport (they were a lot more available then!) - which is where this story begins.
I must be starting to get old - as in hindsight, my life would have been a lot more simple with keeping her stock, which is an odd thing to think when I'm considering embarking on another project but that's another thread. Some of the comments here may be a bit out of date, but I'm hoping someone finds this useful in some capacity - I've tried a lot of E30 Modifications and have a bit of perspective that I wish I had 10 years ago!
My goal is/was to have a car that I can drive to the track, go round all day, and drive home. And also do a long distance European road trip without a hiccup. I'd potentially love to ship her to the US and trip around for a few months - but that's a while away. To date I've been around Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington and Bedford...still on the list is Spa and the Ring! I really should pull finger.
Anyway - a thread being worthless without pics, let's start
FS Ad:
She was running reasonably well, but I wanted to make her as nice as possible, so off to Barry (South England BMW Mechanic with a beautiful MTech 2 and M3). After rebuilding a coupe of E30's, I simply don't have the time, space, tools, so it's been a real luxury having someone else do the work! And better than I would have, being honest...
List of parts replaced is pretty extensive, thanks Barry for ensuring I didn't have to lie underneath the car for weeks!
Newish Mtech springs, shocks and struts from the old car
Full new front control arms, track rods, E30 M3 bushes, drop links, new BMW standard exhaust (I LOVE this thing), BTB manifold (unfortunately it was advertised as having a BTB which turned out not to be true), BBTB (thanks Byron!), new WMS discs (the old front R had malformed and cracked coming off, ouch), new Toyo Proxes all round, Inspection II, bonnet foam, gearbox seals, guibo & CSB, gearshift knuckle, cambelt/waterpump, a wheel bearing, 25mm Master Cylinder and numerous new clips, etc.
Replaced the speakers and stereo, a few more things on the checklist but otherwise she's running well and loving her. Need to get the wheels straightened and then can start worrying about whether to 2.8/3L her or not...
I really love the blue leather!
[/url]
It was originally advertised as having a BTB manifold, which it wasn't, so I got one - but then it didnt' clear the Z3 1.9 rack (one of the best E30 mods) so I had an issue. And, more power beckoned. But getting a stroker done was going to take a long time and I wanted to use the fucking thing
After replacing a LOT of bits and pieces here and there...Barry made me an offer I couldn't help myself on. Cue M52, Z3 Rack and E30 M3 5 Lug. To outline my reasoning - I always wanted a BIT more power (after a 300hp iS turbo which I think is too much for an E30 to enjoy on the road, I was happy with low 200s), and the E36 rack wouldn't fit with the BTB2. The 5 Lug just seemed nice to have for the brakes - witness the WMS (similar to Wilwood - I really really hated the creaking alloy calipers) after going round Donington with a British GT driver passengering (with a lot of "encouragement" to go quicker). And as much as I loved the beautiful new stock Mtech shocks and springs...I just needed something a bit lower and stiffer, hence the Eibachs and Bilsteins. I LOVE the Eibach anti-roll bars and strongly recommend them for anyone - they really fix the 325i balance, and help with controlling it sideways a bit. Threw in a few new bits like braided lined, UUC DSSR, discs/pads and new bits here and there + fluids.
The M52 - the kicker for me was the Alloy block saving 20-30kg over the M20. I would have loved an S14...but big £ and not a ton of power, and tough to find. M52 replacements are cheap...this one was a well done conversion, had a lot of new bits, and had the M50 manifold so making around 210hp or so....will find out on the dyno day. Ended up using the ZF and E30 M3 driveshaft and 3.25 M3 LSD (although with a whiny input shaft, the box needs to be switched at some point in the future). DanThe loom looks slick and manifolds are mated to the new stock M20 system I have.
next up...a decent photo shoot....S52 cams at some point (no rush)....maybe some spare weaves (painted matt black or dark anthracite) with Toyo R888's, do a cold air box, put sump baffle in and replace oil level sensor, look at Pagid Blues after the next track day, replace ZF, liquid leather the interior and maybe a new windscreen. nice to have a "short" to-do list!
Went around Silverstone this week....awesome track, very quick. Had a blast.
although after a few laps:
Current day comment: Pads have been a bit of a bugbear - I had pagid road pads that literally evaporated at Silverstone in 1 day, have tried the Tarox competition pads fronts and pagid blues rear (and just got some Pagid Yellows that I think will be better suited, am trying this out at Donington this coming Monday). I'm also getting the Massive Rallye kit but unsure when I'll actually ever get them on the car...a bit nervous about the level of hassle involved.
Back to the history:
A few recent ones from Brands Hatch GP - awesome track!
FINALLY didn't drive home with metal on metal brakes...had some issues at the start of the day with the wet track and the fronts not warming enough (Tarox Corsa, full race pad) so the rears locked up first. A couple of tellings off by the marshals....switched the Pagid Blues back in and happy days!
Probably gonna call it a day for the year and get some Brands Hatch (non-GP) ones in early next year since they are cheap and it's close to home. Also going to go back to the Mtech 2 wing and start on the list of small jobs that need fixing...fun and games!
So a few bits and pieces been happening....been fixing odd jobs around the car - cam sensor, oil change and servicing - all in preparation of a European tour. Am heading down the south of France in late June. Fingers crossed.....
I have some Dbilas cams and lug studs to install this weekend. And a recent pic:
Still need to replace the gearbox with the whiny input shaft....but considering shelving that job till I can be arsed. Or it breaks.....
I've been into E30's for 15+ years now (wow) - I'm originally from NZ, moved to the UK in 2007 and moved to New York in 2018. Am currently back in London but planning to get back to the US soonish.
This is E30 number 11 - some of the history is here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...ivin%26apos%3B.
Original E30Zone thread: https://www.e30zone.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=245080
After UK E30's including a 318i touring that I put an M42 in, a 325i touring, and a 96 E36 M3 Evo, I had a hankering to get back in an E30. I bought a 325i Sport from Manchester, and found some rust in the roof, so decided to get another Sport (they were a lot more available then!) - which is where this story begins.
I must be starting to get old - as in hindsight, my life would have been a lot more simple with keeping her stock, which is an odd thing to think when I'm considering embarking on another project but that's another thread. Some of the comments here may be a bit out of date, but I'm hoping someone finds this useful in some capacity - I've tried a lot of E30 Modifications and have a bit of perspective that I wish I had 10 years ago!
My goal is/was to have a car that I can drive to the track, go round all day, and drive home. And also do a long distance European road trip without a hiccup. I'd potentially love to ship her to the US and trip around for a few months - but that's a while away. To date I've been around Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington and Bedford...still on the list is Spa and the Ring! I really should pull finger.
Anyway - a thread being worthless without pics, let's start
FS Ad:
She was running reasonably well, but I wanted to make her as nice as possible, so off to Barry (South England BMW Mechanic with a beautiful MTech 2 and M3). After rebuilding a coupe of E30's, I simply don't have the time, space, tools, so it's been a real luxury having someone else do the work! And better than I would have, being honest...
List of parts replaced is pretty extensive, thanks Barry for ensuring I didn't have to lie underneath the car for weeks!
Newish Mtech springs, shocks and struts from the old car
Full new front control arms, track rods, E30 M3 bushes, drop links, new BMW standard exhaust (I LOVE this thing), BTB manifold (unfortunately it was advertised as having a BTB which turned out not to be true), BBTB (thanks Byron!), new WMS discs (the old front R had malformed and cracked coming off, ouch), new Toyo Proxes all round, Inspection II, bonnet foam, gearbox seals, guibo & CSB, gearshift knuckle, cambelt/waterpump, a wheel bearing, 25mm Master Cylinder and numerous new clips, etc.
Replaced the speakers and stereo, a few more things on the checklist but otherwise she's running well and loving her. Need to get the wheels straightened and then can start worrying about whether to 2.8/3L her or not...
I really love the blue leather!
[/url]It was originally advertised as having a BTB manifold, which it wasn't, so I got one - but then it didnt' clear the Z3 1.9 rack (one of the best E30 mods) so I had an issue. And, more power beckoned. But getting a stroker done was going to take a long time and I wanted to use the fucking thing
After replacing a LOT of bits and pieces here and there...Barry made me an offer I couldn't help myself on. Cue M52, Z3 Rack and E30 M3 5 Lug. To outline my reasoning - I always wanted a BIT more power (after a 300hp iS turbo which I think is too much for an E30 to enjoy on the road, I was happy with low 200s), and the E36 rack wouldn't fit with the BTB2. The 5 Lug just seemed nice to have for the brakes - witness the WMS (similar to Wilwood - I really really hated the creaking alloy calipers) after going round Donington with a British GT driver passengering (with a lot of "encouragement" to go quicker). And as much as I loved the beautiful new stock Mtech shocks and springs...I just needed something a bit lower and stiffer, hence the Eibachs and Bilsteins. I LOVE the Eibach anti-roll bars and strongly recommend them for anyone - they really fix the 325i balance, and help with controlling it sideways a bit. Threw in a few new bits like braided lined, UUC DSSR, discs/pads and new bits here and there + fluids.
The M52 - the kicker for me was the Alloy block saving 20-30kg over the M20. I would have loved an S14...but big £ and not a ton of power, and tough to find. M52 replacements are cheap...this one was a well done conversion, had a lot of new bits, and had the M50 manifold so making around 210hp or so....will find out on the dyno day. Ended up using the ZF and E30 M3 driveshaft and 3.25 M3 LSD (although with a whiny input shaft, the box needs to be switched at some point in the future). DanThe loom looks slick and manifolds are mated to the new stock M20 system I have.
next up...a decent photo shoot....S52 cams at some point (no rush)....maybe some spare weaves (painted matt black or dark anthracite) with Toyo R888's, do a cold air box, put sump baffle in and replace oil level sensor, look at Pagid Blues after the next track day, replace ZF, liquid leather the interior and maybe a new windscreen. nice to have a "short" to-do list!
Went around Silverstone this week....awesome track, very quick. Had a blast.
although after a few laps:
Current day comment: Pads have been a bit of a bugbear - I had pagid road pads that literally evaporated at Silverstone in 1 day, have tried the Tarox competition pads fronts and pagid blues rear (and just got some Pagid Yellows that I think will be better suited, am trying this out at Donington this coming Monday). I'm also getting the Massive Rallye kit but unsure when I'll actually ever get them on the car...a bit nervous about the level of hassle involved.
Back to the history:
A few recent ones from Brands Hatch GP - awesome track!
FINALLY didn't drive home with metal on metal brakes...had some issues at the start of the day with the wet track and the fronts not warming enough (Tarox Corsa, full race pad) so the rears locked up first. A couple of tellings off by the marshals....switched the Pagid Blues back in and happy days!
Probably gonna call it a day for the year and get some Brands Hatch (non-GP) ones in early next year since they are cheap and it's close to home. Also going to go back to the Mtech 2 wing and start on the list of small jobs that need fixing...fun and games!
So a few bits and pieces been happening....been fixing odd jobs around the car - cam sensor, oil change and servicing - all in preparation of a European tour. Am heading down the south of France in late June. Fingers crossed.....
I have some Dbilas cams and lug studs to install this weekend. And a recent pic:
Still need to replace the gearbox with the whiny input shaft....but considering shelving that job till I can be arsed. Or it breaks.....
- final stop
Comment