Hello all,
I used to frequent these forums owning a '91 318is - pictured here.
So I decided after selling this car and after having replaced it with an E36 and then an R56...my heart was set on owning another E30 again. For the last 2 years, I've consulted many of my friends and watched many builds and decided this time, it would be a vert.
So in July 2011, I picked this up from fellow r3v member JeffNJM3 and picked up where he left off.
The day I got her.
Jeff took great care and bringing this car back to its former glory, doing all the basic e30 maintenance and getting the car cruise worthy. Ironically, I met up with Jeff and agreed to buy the car after viewing and driving it at the NJBMWCCA annual BMW NA HQ meeting, and I met up with Jeff, signed over title and exchanged cash at GutenParts and Service.
Immediately, I had Levent and Joel inspect the car and replace a worn center bearing and original drive shaft...and while we were in there, Levent recommended I replace exhaust hangers and such.
Seeing many of Levent's former builds - I decided to go full M Tech 1 kit on this car and keeping it basically an automatic M20 so the wife could enjoy it as well. I also in the meantime of searching picked up Hella Smilies, euro grille, and a set of dark navy sport seats to replace the unsupportive but minty vinyl comfy seats and I also picked up an MT1 steering wheel.
After 3 months of scouring eBay and bugging Levent - I secured and finally received my Euro Bumpers and M Tech 1 kit sans side skirts. Lucky for me, I have a good friend who's very familiar with body work and helped me fit the bumpers and M Tech kit. The process of installing was very gradual as seen in the pics. Also, since the M Tech front spoiler came primered - ready for paint, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to rattle can the spoiler for immediate install as I couldn't stand the DBs.
First fitted the front euro bumper and then the famous M Tech 1 front spoiler w/fogs.
Then almost 2 months later got up the courage to drill into the body to fit the mounting points for the rear euro bumper, wait another 2-3 weeks to obtain the euro trim and M Tech end caps, then finally put it all together just to find I am missing all the hardware. A few more trips to Guten to obtain the fasteners, nuts and bolts and a zinc-plated M Tech tow hook, and today we installed the rear Euro Bumper.
And yes, I am still missing hardware to screw on the endcaps to the bumper and car...
So fast forward to this past weekend, I did my first ever valve adjustment, after searching countless threads on forums, viewing videos and speaking to fellow gearheads, decided to try it out this weekend.
Here's a peak under the vert's valve cover...
I guess this is what a motor should look like after 202k. Oddly enough I found that all the valves were adjusted to .008" - so I decided to go to 0.010" on all of them, replaced the VC gasket and rocker plugs, did a quick chemical clean of the valve cover and put it all back together last night. Car idles smooth and I discovered a vacuum leak when cold but it seems quieter and pulls a little stronger than before.
Future plans for the car:
Address all the maintenance issues: tranny/diff fluid drain and fill, new headers, fix the temp switch for the aux fan to name a few..
Full re-spray very soon if not till I can locate the M Tech 1 cabrio side skirts
16" wheels/tires which I am currently working to get refinished
Either H&R/Billy sports or Coilovers (still up in the air)
Convert interior to cardinal leather (cards, seats, boot cover).
Stay tuned for further updates and pics!
I used to frequent these forums owning a '91 318is - pictured here.
So I decided after selling this car and after having replaced it with an E36 and then an R56...my heart was set on owning another E30 again. For the last 2 years, I've consulted many of my friends and watched many builds and decided this time, it would be a vert.
So in July 2011, I picked this up from fellow r3v member JeffNJM3 and picked up where he left off.
The day I got her.
Jeff took great care and bringing this car back to its former glory, doing all the basic e30 maintenance and getting the car cruise worthy. Ironically, I met up with Jeff and agreed to buy the car after viewing and driving it at the NJBMWCCA annual BMW NA HQ meeting, and I met up with Jeff, signed over title and exchanged cash at GutenParts and Service.
Immediately, I had Levent and Joel inspect the car and replace a worn center bearing and original drive shaft...and while we were in there, Levent recommended I replace exhaust hangers and such.
Seeing many of Levent's former builds - I decided to go full M Tech 1 kit on this car and keeping it basically an automatic M20 so the wife could enjoy it as well. I also in the meantime of searching picked up Hella Smilies, euro grille, and a set of dark navy sport seats to replace the unsupportive but minty vinyl comfy seats and I also picked up an MT1 steering wheel.
After 3 months of scouring eBay and bugging Levent - I secured and finally received my Euro Bumpers and M Tech 1 kit sans side skirts. Lucky for me, I have a good friend who's very familiar with body work and helped me fit the bumpers and M Tech kit. The process of installing was very gradual as seen in the pics. Also, since the M Tech front spoiler came primered - ready for paint, I couldn't wait any longer and decided to rattle can the spoiler for immediate install as I couldn't stand the DBs.
First fitted the front euro bumper and then the famous M Tech 1 front spoiler w/fogs.
Then almost 2 months later got up the courage to drill into the body to fit the mounting points for the rear euro bumper, wait another 2-3 weeks to obtain the euro trim and M Tech end caps, then finally put it all together just to find I am missing all the hardware. A few more trips to Guten to obtain the fasteners, nuts and bolts and a zinc-plated M Tech tow hook, and today we installed the rear Euro Bumper.
And yes, I am still missing hardware to screw on the endcaps to the bumper and car...
So fast forward to this past weekend, I did my first ever valve adjustment, after searching countless threads on forums, viewing videos and speaking to fellow gearheads, decided to try it out this weekend.
Here's a peak under the vert's valve cover...
I guess this is what a motor should look like after 202k. Oddly enough I found that all the valves were adjusted to .008" - so I decided to go to 0.010" on all of them, replaced the VC gasket and rocker plugs, did a quick chemical clean of the valve cover and put it all back together last night. Car idles smooth and I discovered a vacuum leak when cold but it seems quieter and pulls a little stronger than before.
Future plans for the car:
Address all the maintenance issues: tranny/diff fluid drain and fill, new headers, fix the temp switch for the aux fan to name a few..
Full re-spray very soon if not till I can locate the M Tech 1 cabrio side skirts
16" wheels/tires which I am currently working to get refinished
Either H&R/Billy sports or Coilovers (still up in the air)
Convert interior to cardinal leather (cards, seats, boot cover).
Stay tuned for further updates and pics!
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