Sterling Silber M-technic Cabriolet

[robrez]

I've mentioned my new acquisition in a couple posts, but I thought it deserved it's own thread. I saved this beauty from being parted out. I found it in this thread of bimmerforums. I got the VIN from the seller and then did some homework and talked to a couple r3v experts about it to confirm that it's an authentic M-tech II with the all-leather interior option (it doesn't have evo cloth like most tech IIs.) Then I arranged to meet the seller at his storage in Palm Springs to buy it. It all happened in about 3 days.

It has 235k miles, and according to the prior owner, about 135k on the motor. It had been in storage for a couple years but it runs, just needed a new driveshaft and a shit-ton of maintenance. It also needs a new top, new seat covers, and new paint eventually. It's got a crack-free dash, clean carpet, and the leather door panels are in nice shape.

The build sheet



Here it is as I found it



and on a trailer getting towed to E30 Motor Werks for a post-purchase inspection ;)



and waiting to be probed and prodded



Almost all of the interior is leather-clad, even the ashtrays.



I took the door panels and center console off to clean them up. The front door panels are in great condition, the rears need a little work.

before



after

[IRON-E]

Can't wait to see the progress.

[xwill112x]

i love sterling cabbies! so sexy. do the grilsl up right, and drive the shit out of it!

[robrez]

The first mods will be to remove the Racing Dynamics rear spoiler, and then add these 16" Alpinas.



Other parts awaiting installation are euro grills and smileys. And I'm on the constant look-out for a hard-top and oem windscreen.

[dirty30]

Awesome car!

Vehicle information

VIN long WBABB231XMEC26672
Type code BB23
Type 325I (USA)
Dev. series E30 (C)
Line 3
Body type CABRIO
Steering LL
Door count 2
Engine M20
Cubical capacity 2.50
Power 125
Transmision HECK
Gearbox AUT
Colour STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (244)
Upholstery SCHWARZ VOLLEDER (0318 )

Prod. date 1991-05-02


Order options
No. Description
240 LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
375 STOFFVERDECK ELEKT.MECH.SCHWAR
530 AIR CONDITIONING
540 CRUISE CONTROL
551 ON-BOARD COMPUTER II W REMOTE CONTROL
675 BMW SOUND SYSTEM
771 M Technic Luxusausstattung
925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE

[N2MYE30]

Nice find. So what are your plans for this?

[Cha Ching]

Rob, I'm suscribing to this thread to track your progress, I'm sure it will be awesome!

[Ray McCooney]

Rob,

Saw the latest addition to the stable in person the last time I swung by the shop, seems like a stout platform. Still thinking of keeping it two pedal'd? Regardless, best of luck, I'm sure I'll see the progress in person.

P.S., I secretly despise you for your ability to stumble on to rarities!

:D

[CorvallisBMW]

Nice pick-up!! Glad it's going to a good home. First thing's first though, loose the painted grills and wing. They make baby Jebus cry, a lot.

[robrez]

Awesome car!

Vehicle information

Gearbox AUT

Thanks for the info., and reminding me about this feature

Nice find. So what are your plans for this?

I want to make it a respectable weekend cruiser. As noted by Mr. McCooney below, it has a stout platform. No signs of accident history, but it's far from pristine. A couple dents and few dings, lots of miles, a so-so re-spray, a replacement hood, and holes drilled in the rear decklid to mount the aftermarket spoiler.

It's begging to be saved though, so once it's running right, it will get new seat leather, a new top, and a good re-spray.

Rob,

Saw the latest addition to the stable in person the last time I swung by the shop, seems like a stout platform. Still thinking of keeping it two pedal'd? Regardless, best of luck, I'm sure I'll see the progress in person.

P.S., I secretly despise you for your ability to stumble on to rarities!

:D

As a weekend cruise-mobile, I'm going to see if I can hang with it being an automatic. But an engine/drivetrain swap may be in the long-term plans.

Nice pick-up!! Glad it's going to a good home. First thing's first though, loose the painted grills and wing. They make baby Jebus cry, a lot.

Working on that...



Note that the bottom left passenger side ellipsoid mounting tab was broken in transit, s^ck@m0th@f*cka

[whodwho]

Congrats on the find, a true diamond in the rough!! Judging from the sedan this one will turn out nice as well.

[RainierHooker]

so subscribed and so envious...

[nando]

looks great, can't wait to see what you do with it - love sterling silver and mtech2. People tend to do awful things to those Mtech cars, except for a couple enthusiasts I've seen locally the "regular" ones are always trashed.

[robrez]

People tend to do awful things to those Mtech cars, except for a couple enthusiasts I've seen locally the "regular" ones are always trashed.

Agreed. It's always sad to see what was once a classy car all clapped out. I'm gonna try to keep this car mostly to true to its original form.

One of the first things I did was fix the rear slammage. That was easy though. All I had to do was remove this bad boy from the trunk :roll:

[nando]

lol. what is that, 150lbs? It's funny how some people will have a broken ass car, but they still spend thousands on stereo equipment.

my car doesn't even have a radio at the moment :p