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My First BMW- '86 E30 Build/Recondition Thread

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    My First BMW- '86 E30 Build/Recondition Thread

    So I have always wanted to own an E30, and I finally acquired one :)

    1986 325e
    248k on the clock, 5 speed, seems to have been meticulously maintained by previous owners. I love it. All the cool little features and nuances of an 80's car, plus rear wheel drive is the best.

    Here are the stock-as-shit pictures haha
    Some of the photos have my Brothers 535is in them









    One B&W Film



    4 Freshly Powdercoated wheels (for a different car) in the trunk. I love the space!







    So I made a list of the things I wanted to replace/change/fix/add first:

    Suspension (FK Cup Kit 75/50)
    Brake rotors and pads all around (warped front rotors)
    Oil & Filter
    Air filter
    Sweet Roof Rack
    Differential Swap (eta gearing to IS gears)


    I started out by building a "custom" rack (stole the idea from RMD Photography)











    Got her into the garage and started the tear down. I had to jack it up quite a ways to get the stock suspension to lift off haha









    The FK Cup Kit, straight from Germany! Deciphering their website was a nightmare







    Old and new





    The stack of new parts



    Rebuilding the strut housings with the new components





    Sport differential, out of a 5er. Had to swap the axle flanges and covers. Good time to replace the gasket, flush out fluid, etc. going from 2:93 gears to 3:25's should be a nice improvement :p



    New suspension and brakes installed









    And now, after wrestling with the diff and related headaches (axles, exhaust, dirt falling in eyes, etc.) I was able to set her down and grin from ear to ear. I love the way it sits, rides, handles, and accelerates now. Next on the list is a set of wheels and lower profile tires, to improve the handling even more.

    This was a great project, I enjoyed every bit of it (even if it was a lot of work) and now I am familiar with an E30's underpinnings. Phase 2 of the build will be exhaust, fix the power steering, wheels/tires......

    Finished photos











    As usual it appears that photobucket has dropped the quality of the pictures slightly....anyways I am excited with the ride height

    Fender to ground before
    Front: 25in. Rear: 25.5in

    After
    Front: 22in. Rear: 24in.

    I love it. C&C Welcome


    Bahama Beige E23 Project
    Bluebird Bus Conversion
    New Oregon Trail

    #2
    That is a nice stance. Sweet car too.
    Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

    Originally posted by Wh33lhop
    VANOS: sometimes you just need to go full retard.

    Comment


      #3
      Thanks alot man, I think it is badass


      Bahama Beige E23 Project
      Bluebird Bus Conversion
      New Oregon Trail

      Comment


        #4
        where did you get your fk kit. i cant find that anywhere but europe

        Comment


          #5
          Nice job. That is quite a lot of forward rake, though..
          cars beep boop

          Comment


            #6
            You gotta love rake.

            Keep up the good work.
            My previous build (currently E30-less)
            http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=170390

            A 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 Offroad in Inferno is my newest obsession

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks guys. Maybe the springs will settle, but I don't care I love the rake :)
              I had to order the FK kit from their store in Germany. It actually worked out great


              Bahama Beige E23 Project
              Bluebird Bus Conversion
              New Oregon Trail

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                #8
                Looks great and props for jumping right in on the maintenance and mods! I personally love the rake but it will definitely settle a little more over the next 2wks.

                My only "issue" is the euro plate, it's not straight and in an odd location for such a clean car. Have you thought about mounting it on the bumper?
                http://www.jfalesphotography.com
                91 318is m50nv - New toy/project
                95 540i - Wife's DD

                Comment


                  #9
                  Yea the plate definitely doesn't flow, if I clean up the car a little more it will be moved, or ditched.


                  Bahama Beige E23 Project
                  Bluebird Bus Conversion
                  New Oregon Trail

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Your car looks pretty good, but it seems like the back sits a little to high. Maybe remove the spring pads, or one of them so it evens out. Also... 'explosives'???


                    Do Work www.sbeuroclub.com

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                      #11
                      o wow thats a nice drop. looks good.

                      WTB
                      -convertible carpet, no rips, in socal.
                      -s52, s50, m52, m54
                      -harness, accessories, transmission

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                        #12
                        Conclusion after driving it around for a few days-

                        I scrape on EVERYTHING! The exhaust is too low, so it takes the beating. I am looking in to having it reworked to sit up higher and tighter. Other than that I love driving the car. Cracking the door open and seeing the pavement so close to you is exciting


                        Bahama Beige E23 Project
                        Bluebird Bus Conversion
                        New Oregon Trail

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                          #13
                          Nice! I've got the FK 60/40 springs on my '84. But somehow I don't think I have the short-body shocks like you have. Are they matched to the springs?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Yes, it is a cup kit, so matched shocks and springs. Still not as good as coils though. I like the Highsports on my VW alot better, but it is also a newer car


                            Bahama Beige E23 Project
                            Bluebird Bus Conversion
                            New Oregon Trail

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Here is a photo from a small car show today, I entered just for fun.



                              Peeking out from behind the 5er


                              Bahama Beige E23 Project
                              Bluebird Bus Conversion
                              New Oregon Trail

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